Where to start?

I am 8 months post op & need to start moving. I should of done this long ago, but my schedule has been all over the place. I'm wanting to get into a routine & don't really know where to start. I live in ND & snow is just around the corner so walking outside will be almost impossible as I already have very week ankles & don't want to risk slipping & hurting myself. I think for walking I'm either going to walk the mall that is just across the street from where I live or join a gym. I need to start toning muscle too but really am at a loss as to where to start. It would definitely have to be something beginner to start with. Any suggestions?

 I would start out walking....build up your distance and go a little farther everyday ( BTW...I am a mall walker too. )   You can also join a gym if you want and if the gym has classes they usually have some that combine cardio and weights.   Good luck to you and don't try to do too much too quickly.    Good luck.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

 In Dallas we do have Large shopping malls and they are great for walking. Also see if there are any Planet Fitness locations near you. They are only $10 a month with no commitment/contract.

Maybe you could just walk around in Wallmart. 

Don't worry about 'ROUTINE" worry about habits. It does not matter if you work at at 8:00 AM on one day and 5:00 PM the next. The important thing is you set aside no less than 20 minutes a day to be on the move. 

Good luck.

Walking is a great start. 

For overall cardio and strength training, a great beginning workout that is easy to do, and requires little in space and equipment is Power 90 by Beachbody.com.

I used this in the beginning.  It is easy to do, and easy to modify.  There is a level one and level two, so it can keep you engaged for a while, before you are ready to advance to something harder.

Whatever you decide, just make sure you like what you are doing so you'll keep doing it.

Hah!  A coworker and I are sitting here talking about ND.  He lived in Fargo forever!!  Now he is in VA where we both work.  Is snow skiing an option? 

I think especially through y'alls winters (I was just looking at pics) that if you can make it across the street to the mall that would be great.  Once you get into a routine of walking at the mall maybe then up it a gym membership maybe?

You are doing great!!! Keep it up!!!

I joined the YMCA last month and I am LOVING it... I wish wish wish I had workout sooner... I am 18 months out and I couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag if I had to... I am weak... well I was... I have been doing Flex, Body Pump, Yoga, Zumba and Pilates classes... WOAH!!... They are kicking my butt... but each class I go to I get a little bit stronger and a bit more confident... I didn't realize how weak I had gotten until I went snorkeling and it slap wore me out... treading the water felt like I was doing an ironman contest... It was kinda scary... anywho I hope this helps maybe you have a local Y you can go to... they have great classes that combined cardio and strength training and they are just plain fun too :)

go to a gym that has a real trainer that can figure out what you can do, and teach you how to do it,you need a plan set up, swimming is also great if there is a pool near by

What part of ND are you in? I too am in ND, Minot actually. I was just cleared by my surgeon to start working out. I have a Y membership that I plan on utilizing. If you hae BCBS they will cover $20 of your membership if you go 12 times a month, so a single membership is about $33 a month. And the Y here has trainers, so I would assume they have them at most Ys....

Also try visiting http://www.nowloss.com/, the guy who runs the site is amazing. At first the page seems like it's going to be a sell you this or that thing, but if you click through you will see that he has set it up to help people tone and lose weight and get going doing things at home and he does it all without asking for any money. He will even send you a DVD with his own money that you can use daily.