You could do crossfit, heavily scaled down to match your current ability.

You could also check out Mark Sisson's Primal Fitness ebook, whose price is giving away your email address: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/subscribe-to-blog/

I would personally avoid a personal trainer - they tend to put people through the gauntlet of isolation exercises and machines. I'm of the opinion that compound barbell exercises are your best bet - squat, deadlift, bench press, shoulder press. You could follow a structured program like Starting Strength, for example. Lots of free info on that program here: http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/Starting_Strength_Wiki but unless you're a proprioceptive wizard, you might need help from someone to make sure your form on the exercises is good.

Yea, I'm working on the skinny fat too. I dont have the interest or dedication to do crossfit or any other program. I'm a free spirit when it comes to that kind of thing, if I'm exercising I want to be doing something fun to avoid knowing i'm exercising!!

Walking and stairs have helped me, but you do need some resistant training. That said, you can learn the things you need to do and find things around the house to do them with. I like the option of spontaneous fitness when it strikes me, so I'll use large cans of tomatoes for arm workouts, bottled water, etc.

Find what works for you and go for it, don't loose anymore fat and start moving!!

i got into amazing shape by doing kettlebells at home, i bought a kettlebell dvd and did at home, it has really sculpted me, i have 6 pack abs, feel much stronger and lean, and i don't have to leave the house which is a bonus when u have 2 young kids to look after, good luck!

Sounds like we have very similar body types. 5’5” and about 40 days ago I was dunked in a tank and learned I had 23% body fat (“ideal” for a woman of my age and measurements, but still disappointing to someone who work out so much and is always trying to eat well). I can give you both perspectives because for the past two years I did personal training 2-3 times weekly plus independent workouts another couple times a week. I joined cross fit a couple months ago due to moving and was sad to leave my trainer (not all trainers are using weight machines and fit into the “globo gym” stereotype that some would have you believe). If you’re not very self-motivated to exercise I would recommend personal training to start (there’s nothing like someone waiting for you to get you to the gym). Crossfit has been fantastic because I’m competitive and I have no problem getting myself there, and to be honest training helped build my confidence to walk into an intense environment like crossfit. With that said, since going strict paleo over a month ago and seeing major transformation I learned that its 85-90% about nutrition. I don’t care how hard you work or exercise, if your diet is not dialed in all the sweat in the world won’t help.

I do CrossFit I've never had a personal trainer so I can't really compare the two. Your choice would really depend on a number of factors -- among them budget and proximity to the nearest CrossFit affiliate in your area.

CrossFit boxes offer trial sessions, so you could make your decision after having tried it. I realize it's not for everyone, but personally, it's the best health and fitness-related decision I've ever made.

You could also start by doing body weight exercises at home. Here's a routine for beginners by Nerd Fitness: Beginner Body Weight Workout: Burn Fat, Build Muscle.

Good luck!

Crossfit- if you can afford it. I was doing CF at 312lbs and though it was a struggle I made it through every wod... I can't afford it anymore but it's a dream of mine to make my own crossfit set up at home and pull the local gym"s wod from their website to do on my own.

I have an obvious bias, but my opinion is that working with a good trainer one-on-one is better than joining any gym.

A trainer can adapt an exercise program to your specific needs and goals rather than forcing you to adapt to an exercise program already in place, and the cost of a trainer can be offset by avoiding gym membership fees.

Anyway, it's not like Crossfit or a trainer are you're only choices. For an absolute beginner, as long as you don't get carried away, anything is better than nothing. Walking 20 minutes every other day will get you started.

Wait. What does "fit" mean to you? There are a lot of different components to fitness, and CF and trainer potentially work on different aspects.

I'd vote for the trainer. I started using a trainer because I wanted a customized program tailored to my specialized needs, including working around my existing activities. We use almost 100% free weights. I still need the assist on dips, so we do use the dip machine.

You can also do pushups (and inverted rows hanging from your dining room table to offset) all on your own without trainer or CF box, if by "fitness" you mean "upper body strength." Plus it feels pretty badass to be able to drop and give yourself 20 outside a gym, just for the hell of it.

23% body fat for a female is actually excellent! Not sure you need to lose that much then. Crossfit will be tough if your fitness level is not great, so you may be best to find a personal trainer who can guide you for a few sessions and give you a program you can do at home. Investing in your health is important but doesn't need to cost the earth.

Regardless if you are 23 or 25% bodyfat please... PLEASE do NOT become a cardioholic to try to get down to less bodyfat... (First because that is average, and second because you will end up too skinny and looking sick with no muscle) You need to lift weights!!! I promise this will not make you look like a man and building muscle will make your metabolism sky rocket so it will eat at your muscle for you.... when you do cardio do short and intense intervals if you have issues running do it on the bike.

Eat clean, train dirty, and your body will thank you for it :)

Hi ladies and gents I've read over all these posts, I like the input there are some wonderful ideas here so I'm wondering if any of you are interested in joining a NEWLY created Facebook group all about fitness, tips healthy eating recipes and all things related. I've been working out off and on(mostly on, some football injuries have slowed me down but im back) for a few years now and I'm looking for people who are as passionate about fitness as I am. I'm sure we all have learned a thing or two that would be beneficial to the group, please join my group it's called FIT FOR LIFE. At least take a quick look if you don't like it you can leave anytime.

Sorry lol it slipped my mind https://www.facebook.com/groups/325789480865460/