My last brush with formal exercise did not go well. My trainer quickly became exasperated and refused to work with me further.
Now, however, an upbeat new trainer has taken me on and resolved to get me into shape. His plan involves regular hikes, as well as some attitudinal shifts to toughen me up. For his philosophy, he quotes from a movie called 'Green Street Hooligans':
Once you've taken a few punches and realize you're not made of glass, you don't feel alive unless you're pushing yourself as far as you can go.
How that translates for me is: (1) no coddling, (2) no being carried, and (3) no stopping and refusing to move. But my trainer strives to put a positive spin on this regime. For example, rather than knocking my frequent sofa-sitting, he pointed out that my regular jumps up onto the sofa have given me skill in traversing vertical inclines.
On our first hike together, to Inspiration Point in Will Rogers State Park, I acquitted myself well. 
The atmosphere when we returned home was congratulatory. I rested and basked in the good will.
What I didn't realize was that my good performance had fed a monster: The next day my trainer scheduled us for a hike up the top of Capri Drive.
I was not terribly enthusiastic, but I cooperated, for a while. And then we got to go home again.
Will I keep this up?
I wouldn't have initiated the hikes on my own, but I knew they had been good for me.
And, although I have not been the most enthusiastic client, this trainer is willing to stick with me. I appreciate his devotion, and will try to improve my attitude to be worthy of him.
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