Pilates is great. You don't over do anything and you get a wonderful workout. I use the Rael system. I bought the advanced tape though since it has all the exercises from the beginners dvd and intermediate.

Beginners should go to a class and have an instructor to make sure they're doing the exercise right.

Of course I had been doing Pilates since I was in dancing school.
The book I Picked up had step by step instructions.

I only do these when I dont feel like going out.

other wise its outdoor stuff. LIke biking and swiming. Ill prbably get back into these when winter rolls around.

j.

if you want to go into Pilates, what's the best "system" to start with? DVD references and the like, please?

I recommend a community sports team. I play 'ultimate' which is a bit like basket ball but with a frisbee and no travelling. It very exciting and wears me out like nothinbg else but you can avoid running up and down too much by being tactical and playing zones.

See this is good, but for diabetics it can be a killer. Being as many diabetics have some sort of cellular damage, excessive exercise can cause a host of complications.
Now I like to play HORSE in basketball. I am awful at it but I like it.
I like frisbee and it takes me a while to get into the groove of it.

Maybe its because I am old... heheh

The last thing you should have to worry about is drowning while doing knee bends in the water! lol. I highly doubt you will be in the deep end while trying to work it out. I think you may like water exercises as long as you aren't afraid of getting your hair wet.