My sister is very overweight around the middle but her back stops her from doing sit ups , she can't walk more than about 20 steps and she has to stop. She had back surgery 2 years ago and she is still in pain. She is 58 yrs old and has had panic attacks and anxiety attacks when you least expect it.. she has to lose weight because the weight is around her heart. Is there an exercise that she can do that really won't bother her back that much but will help. Does riding a standard bike help? If so how often should I make her do it, any suggestions will help

Yoga is a great solution to lose weight, get fit as well as calm down. It is injury free as well. All the best :-)

First off see a doctor before you start any type of workout. The ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) now recommends that a person get at least 30mins of cardio workout most days of the week. Cardio being anything that gets your hear rate up. However, because of being really over weight I would recommend talking to your doctor before starting.. . Another thought is that a personal trainer might be the best way to go. I would recommend someone who is ACSM certified. (They are required to have a BS in a health related field.)

I know about Yoga but have you ever tried Tai-Chi ? I think its best way to get into shape both physically and mentally. Also, try to follow a diet program and watch closely what you eat.