Even if they've never exercised, the middle-aged and older can still benefit by beginning now. Experts say sedentary people will actually fare better in percentage gains relative to active people, since they're starting from zero. "It doesn't matter how old you are," says Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging in Vancouver, British Columbia. "It's never too late to start exercising." Here is a link that might be useful: Exercise Is Healthy, but Does It Make You Live Longer?

xxx

Hi, I congratulate you on educating yourself on fitness; it is a long journey with no ending as there is always something new to learn. I started out similar to you (not sure where to start) and after years of being active decided to get more informed about six years ago, I am still learning. With lots of studying, you can be your own fitness instructor. I also worked in a gym for years and have seen first hand that just because someone is a certified instructor does not necessarily make him or her good. The best instructors are multi  dimensional, they are the ones that on top of their ACE and or other studies also have education in Pilates, Functional Movement, Yoga, and Ball workouts ect. Include all the above in your studies. You will also need to read and have as references: Books by Bandine Calis Germain such as Anatomy of Movement, also, The Sports Medicine Bible, Books on Exercise in Disease and Health, Anatomy Coloring Book (good buy), Anatomy wall charts (must have), and books on Fitness Theory and Practice. You may also want to invest in a home blood pressure monitor and a body fat analyzer. I highly recommend doing and studying mat Pilates; it will make learning proper form for all exercises easier and will make beginning ball work easier. All my best!

The there's the pretty-much-opposite approach to the usual pyramid: plenty of protein and fat. I know you said you're not interested in the paleo diet, but so many people tell me they feel better on it, and have much more energy. I could sure use that, but I don't think this diet would be for me, because I love carbohydrates and wouldn't be happy without them. But. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are back east to visit, and I just heard a whole lot about how much better this works and why. She has a degree in food science and actually researches the stuff in the footnotes of all the books. I myself don't want to think that much about my food, but it is kind of impressive to listen to all the stuff she says has been studied. At dinner they were pouring cream on everything while she told me she lost 20 pounds without trying.