Dear Fitness Coach, 

I am a 52-year-old woman whose husband recently died after a long illness. I have neglected myself for so long that I do not even know where to begin. I do know I need to lose about 50 pounds. Please point me in the right direction. I know I am going to need help - and a lot of it!

Mrs. K

Dear Mrs. K:

So sorry to hear of your loss. But you should know starting an exercise program will not only help you reduce your weight, it is also a great stress reliever. You should be looking at this as a lifestyle change: Whatever you start will be a habit that you will continue for the rest of your life. Since you are brand-new to fitness, I would strongly recommend hiring a certified trainer who not only can provide you with an exercise game plan, but can also help you with accountability, which is going to be crucial in the first few months.

Over 80 percent of individuals who start an exercise program will quit within the first couple of months. A trainer will help you beat those odds and set you up with a long-term game plan. Most gyms have a staff of certified trainers that you can choose from. There are also smaller, albeit more pricey, personal training studios where you can meet with a trainer each time you work out. The third option is hiring a trainer to come to your house to train you. Obviously this is the most convenient option but also the most risky. Do make sure you check out all references before you let someone into your home.

A lot of trainers will be able to give you nutritional advice, but do consider joining a weight-loss program such as Weight Watchers or Medi-Weightloss Clinics. Having trained professionals to guide you will increase your success rate exponentially, and you should start to feel physically better almost immediately. Visual changes in your body will happen by the end of the first month, and every 3 to 4 weeks thereafter.

Got a question for the fitness coach? E-mail her at eross@goldsgym.net.