Just started my seasonal fitness workout; some weights and some cardio.

The snow started flying here last week so winter hiking season has arrived. Hiking in the snow is my favourite way to exercise in the winter. And... this may be the year we buy the whole family snowshoes.

I have been trying to get back into shape, but it seems harder every year!!

Why would weights and cardio be restricted to a season? I'm not a young guy, but weights, core and cardio is part of my workout all year. Adding specific activities such as bicycling, skiing, surfing, swimming et al may be seasonal, but typical gym physical conditioning should be a three days a week all year kinda thing.

I learned (the hard way, of course) that it is much easier to stay in shape than to get in shape periodically; delete the lapses.

For me a godsend is a stationary bike, especially on days like we are experiencing now - lots of wind.

A life membership at the local gym 15 years ago was the godsend for me. The first year was difficult, but as you said, staying in shape is much easier than getting in shape.

I agree! My challenge this year was an ankle injury that has kept me sidelined the last 4 months. I usually run 3 or 4 times a week, but have not been able too until last week. I am in my mid forties and recovery is going well, just slow.

I hate it when i get injured and can't keep my fitness. It is so frustrating to see your own strenght go down... I'm terrible at taking enough recovery time. Just don't want loose my fitness. Good thing, I do enough sports, that I always get enough other things to train for.

I sometimes find it rather interesting to see people not being able to do things, I take for granted. I just can't image how some people can let there fitness slip to some levels.

Chronic injuries or illness can do anyone in. This isn't so hard to imagine, is it?

I mean the ones that are not...

How about this -- there are healthy people whose jobs are so demanding that they basically gradually lose their health (physical and/or mental), unless they can find a way around it. (Usually the way around it is quitting in my experience.) If they don't, a chunk of the (often substantial) salary they make will go towards medical expenses every year.

It actually takes quite a bit to be healthy and stay health in modern society. If you are healthy and are in a relatively good position in life, then, alright, you're directly responsible for maintaining your fitness. But there is a lot of medical problems and life circumstances that aren't visible. So if you can hit the gym everyday, count your blessings and don't take that for granted!

Just a bit of perspective from a certifiable geezer - I can now look back on a lifetime marked by fairly consistent efforts to maintain physical fitness and I am very thankful I did so. Particularly when I entered my forties (nearly forty years ago) I started with both structured fitness and regular medical checkups. Neither practice alone would have worked.

About seven years ago, I required a heart valve replacement, required because I had been born with a two flap valve (instead of the usual three) and it simply had worn out. This problem was detected during regular medical exams by my very competent primary care doc. Without that operation, I would be pushing up daisies now. My fairly high level of fitness was a significant factor in surviving the surgery and going forward, still being reasonably active as I approach my 80s.

I typically indulged in cardio, usually running or cycling, with supplemental weight workouts (probably not quite enough) and not nearly enough flex/stretch. I have been able to remain active and this year was able to comfortably complete a fairly rigorous two week stretch of field work (digging and heavy lifting, along with significant walking) on a project that meant a lot to me.

As I look back, I am really thankful that I embraced an active lifestyle some decades ago, and embraced practices that supported that decision. It was easily worth all that sweat. I still work out regularly, though not nearly intensively as I did in past decades.

My advice to all you young 'uns -get out there and hit the trail or whatever works for you but start moving!