workouts from hell

Good luck on your efforts -- eating healthier and exercising regularly really aren't hard, but they take true commitment. Consistency is the key. If you have a plan already then feel free to ignore this advice, but for people who really haven't exercised before I would focus on two things: 1) Get control of your caloric intake. Either follow a prescribed diet on the site or simply track your calories every meal, every day. Learn about what you typically eat and make changes. I'm also a fan of choosing one thing that you typically eat and eliminating it from your diet. For example if you like potatoes, start eating small portions of brown rice instead. The theory is that you won't eat as much because you just don't like it as much. 2) Start walking EVERY day for AT LEAST one hour. Pace should be brisk (this isn't an easy stroll) but it doesn't have to be intense. Simply walk with a purpose. Do that for 1-2 months before deciding to change your workout.