First my disclaimer:  I am not certified in nutritition or fitness. I am speaking stricly from my own experience.

I'm almost 48 and in decent physical shape.  My bones are strong and healthy, my hair grows at a speed my purse can't keep up with and I'm fortunate to have my body parts in the right places. 

I get annoyed with movie and television stars who have great bodies but claim they're just lucky and their only exercise is chasing their young children.  I seriously doubt it.

I feel lucky because my metabolism does seem a little faster than some of my friends but who knows?  I eat a healthy diet and I exercise.  I've exercised steadily for almost 28 years.  That could have a lot to do with it.

Before you get the image of a jock, let me assure you I am the polar opposite of that description.  When I have to watch a ball (tennis, raquet, base, . . .) I tend to drift off. I don't have that drive to win the game.  My friend says I get distracted by shiney objects.  

Also I am either terribly uncoordinated or lack sport confidence because I haven't been able to master downhill skiing after taking about 20 lessons and spending 13 years trying.  I was a bit more successful waterskiing;  I was able to pull up to a squat position with my bottom skimming the water (ouch).

I love being around others and found that working out in a health club suits me.  I joined in 1980 and am still going strong! 

You may feel that it's not within your budget.  Many chains are relatively inexpensive to join; actually quite a bit less expensive than many monthly cable bills.   

Exercising is just as difficult for me as it is for anyone else.  I have a bunch of reasons not to go:  I need to clean the house, laundry is piling up, dog needs a bath, van needs to be vacuumed, etc. etc. etc.  Of course there's also the simple desire to stay home and relax with a glass of wine after a long, stressful day, . . . 

I realized a long time ago I had to put exercise before all non-urgent tasks or I wouldn't do it.  I've found that the most beneficial action to maintaining an exercise program is to just get out there and do it regardless of the effort you exude.  Usually once you start at an easy pace you'll pick up speed and strength without even trying.  Ultimately you will get a full workout.

Because of my committment to exercise wonderful things have happened:   I've been blessed with many friends whom I met at the health club.  I met my best friend who I call "My sister of the heart."  We, and our infant children, met about 16 years ago at a health club now we're all like family.  When my children pre-school age I put them in the health club daycare.  They loved it and made friends there too.  They also think of exercise as something you do, like brushing your hair or teeth.  You don't always want to do it, but you should.

With time, exercise gets easier so talk to you doctor and start exercising!