TL;DR:

It's the kind of exercise you will DO. It's the kind of commitment you can have daily.

#1

What kind of movement do you do that you find fun?

Ideas: dancing, hiking, stretching, running, walking with a friend, sunrise stroll, swimming, jumping on a trampoline, rock climbing.

#2

What daily time commitment can you make?

5, 10, 20, 30 minutes? No length is the wrong length. The best length is the one you can do daily.

#3

Regularity is more important than length.

Do it daily even if it's not 1 hour. Motion is lotion and as we age we need daily moderate movement for our wellbeing.

#4

TRY a variety of classes.

Instead of just watching the class and deciding using your mind, use your body. I tried Pilates recently after many years and realized how much Pilates improved my posture and overall strength. After having four pregnancies, and spending many hours hunched over a computer, it was clear where my body was weak and how much Pilates made a difference. I would have never gotten that insight auditing the Pilates class.

#5

Instructors create our experience

It isn't always JUST the type of exercise, but the way the instructor teaches the exercise. If you find the movement even slightly works for your body, but you think the instructor wasn't the right fit, try another. It makes a difference the language that an instructor uses. I recall going to a yoga class where the instructor was downright judgmental, playing favorites and insulting people. I loved the practice and hated the instruction all at the same time. I kept up the yoga practice and ditched the instructor.

#6

Maybe it's not just about us.

When my dog was my exercise partner, I never got on the floor to do yoga. When I included my kids, they choose the class. I have done a shorter, more gentle class when I am sleep deprived. I have done a more intense exercise when I had a lot of negativity to burn away. Our exercise routine affects those around us, both to the positive and negative. When my husband was away and I was emotionally and mentally drained taking care of three small children, I found that I couldn't do any moderate or high intensity exercise or I would be grumpy with my kids after class. I chose to maintain a low intensity routine to better serve those around me.