So I had time to exercise a lot. I no longer have a lot of time to exercise, and my priorities have changed. Fortunately, I do not have a long commute. I don't know how people who have to commute an hour each way, take care of a house, maintain their relationship with their spouse, have a social life, and take care of their children ever find any time to exercise. Exercise and fitness are not the same thing.
Fitness is a continuum, and it is activity specific.
There is no such thing as ideal fitness because what it necessary for one activity can be detrimental to another. In addition, fitness must fit in to the individual's lifestyle. If fitness is not made a regular part of the lifestyle, what ever it is the individual is doing is sporatic exercise. Fitness requires maintence. And finally, fitness is also a continuum in that different people have different goals.