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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I'm in my mid-50s. Years ago I was reading an article about exercise that said (I'm paraphrasing) "the best exercise to do is the one that you like to do." This resonated with me as, at the time, I was forcing myself to do exercises that I did not like (yoga classes, pilates classes, etc). I now do the exercises I enjoy. For example, I realized that I prefer exercising in solitude but need to keep my mind occupied at the same time so I'll walk or run and listen to a podcast, or I'll do strength training at home while watching the news. Other people might prefer walking or running to music, or doing their workouts with friends, or going to a gym, or playing racquet sports. Once you figure out what it is you like to do, then it's easier because the motivation is there.

The other question to ask yourself is when during the day are you most likely to be motivated to exercise. For me it's very early in the morning. If I don't work out then, I come up with excuses not to. So I make a point of putting it on my schedule. Other people may prefer to exercise after work or, if they have a long enough lunch break, go during lunch. Others have the discipline to exercise every day at different times of the day. If you can figure out when during the day you'd be most likely to work out then you can start making it part of your daily routine.

I'm going to echo the posters who have said to start with walking and add strength/weight training. You mentioned trying walking and that it didn't help. If you've been sedentary, you could start with 20 minutes and add another 20 minutes each week until you're up an hour, then increase the pace and make sure to walk an hour, or find a neighborhood with a more hilly terrain instead of flat terrain. Then add strength training 2 or 3 times a week. You mentioned you used to love hot yoga. Perhaps there are some yoga studios near you with "gentle yoga" classes for those who are just starting out or who are recovering from injuries. [/quote]

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