As someone who started skiing at age 45 and running at age 50, I’ve had to overcome a number of physical speed bumps in order to get in shap and stay in shape, including anemia, fibroids, hysterectomy, leg cramps, physical therapy, weekly chiropractic adjustments, deep tissue massage, and a complete overhaul of my diet (which also led to a 30 pound weight loss).
Going through all that nonsense is excellent incentive to stay in shape, eat properly, and keep moving. I run 3 days a week, see the chiropractor weekly, follow a pretty strict eating plan, bike @20 miles per weekend, and ski all winter. DH and I are instituting a daily sun salutation chart on the fridge this summer, to get some regular yoga stretches into the mix as well.
It isn’t easy. In order to stay on my eating regime, I spend one day every weekend preparing meals for the entire week. I stay late at work a couple nights each week and run at the gym on-site. Some weekends, the laundry doesn’t get done because we are out on the rail trail. But it’s worth it. I just booked a bike excursion for my Aspen trip coming up in July... something I never would have done at the age of 40, but which didn’t phase me at all at 56. I feel good and am wearing a size smaller than I did in high school.
I don’t have advice on exercise programs - I found something that works for me and I’ve stuck with it for the past few years now. You’re getting great suggestions on this thread... keep trying things until something clicks, but whatever you do....KEEP MOVING. Make the investment now. It’s worth it.