I own a treadmill and it was the best investment i have ever made. I put it in a room by itself with a TV and a big fan. When I first got back to getting on it (I was out of shape and gained 57 pounds in 3 years) it was really hard to force myself into it again. But I went at a very slow pace, it helps that I can watch TV and try to take my mind off it. I try for an hour a day and if I am really sore from the day before I take the day off. From all that I have read is that if it hurts stop. Now I have worked myself up to an hour a day and a pretty good clip and I am even adding elevation training to it too. I burn on average between 350 calories and 600 calories a workout and my energy level is wonderful again. It takes small steps but you do feel your energy rise that first week if you keep to it! GOOD LUCK!