Going from zero. It should be simple and slow like a rising wave.

What I tell myself is this: it's not weeks and weeks in the gym that makes the life change. It's the decision. With a single decision, you can become "someone who goes to the gym", which means immediately healthier, more conscious of choices, and more active. The rest is just progression.

Each day one goes to the gym, there's no goal other than to go, to be there, to move, to push some weight, and to be active. That IS the goal - not a number on a weight chart and not a number on a set of weights - the activity is the goal - all other goals come later, at a natural pace, as the body begins to adapt. The only thing a pace needs is repetition, the amplitude or intensity is a separate variable.

What I work: my core.

Currently doing various leg machines, dips, push-ups, sit-ups and romanian deadlifts with barbells. Plus yoga. I do not give a shit about my shape, my abs - buried under porkfat, or any numbers, though I track my low numbers on the leg machines simply to repeat at the same level. I do a couple miles on the treadmill as a wind down.

When I am stronger, I will begin squats, bench press, deadlifts and some other weightier concerns- and probably a better gym. But for now, my primary concern is keeping up my attendance, and protecting my body from injury as it grows strong enough for more normal activities. I expect to have this attitude for the first three months in the gym, then get serious about some strength training and flexibility.

Just my two cents, from someone once strong, now weak, getting back to strength. Good luck to your mum.