Best thing I ever did for exercise was hire a personal trainer. 1) I went to the gym with 0 thought about what I would be doing that day, just turn up and the trainer said "lift that 10 times" and I did. 2) I finally understood 'gym buddies' as here was I renting one.

100% this can be replicated without a trainer - but having a clear and exact excercise plan for each session and someone to talk shit with between sets makes a world of difference.