Q One of the things that I was hoping to improve in my life this year is my physical fitness, and I’ve decided to make exercise a priority. I have had times in my life when I was very fit and very active and even played sports, but my career has taken off over the last several years and I’ve let myself slip to the point where it is starting to affect my life. I know it would be an investment in myself, so I’m considering hiring a personal trainer. Should I do it or continue to try to get back to where I used to be by myself?

A What a great question. This is something that many of us go through at the start of a new year, and/or a new phase in life. Congratulations on making the decision to do something about your physical well-being. That is the most important first step. In fact, the origin of the word “decide” is from Latin and means to “cut off” everything except the things that matter most. Therefore, “deciding” to get back to working out and exercising means that all of the things that would get in the way of you doing it will be moved aside to allow you to get to it.