Rediscovering the Joy of Movement!

Remember the thrill of moving just for fun, without counting reps or checking your pace? Somewhere along the way, many of us lost that joy—but it doesn't have to be gone for good.

Like most everyone I know, I make exercise a priority. But over time, my activity became more of a routine: walk, weights, cycle, repeat. However, during a recent trip to one of my all-time favorite places, Rancho La Puerta, I experienced a shift that reminded me of what movement could be—a joyful, playful, freeing part of life.

This trip was uniquely magical. I found myself trying classes that were new, challenging, or just plain fun. I laughed as I stumbled my way through, feeling like a kid again, rediscovering muscles long forgotten. Hiking in the mountains instead of on the treadmill, ignoring “steps” and instead focusing on scenery and fresh air, even wobbling on a BOSU ball as I re-learned balance—all of it sparked a joy I hadn’t felt in years.

Coming home, I vowed to break out of my fitness rut, to keep exploring new ways to move, and to find that spark again. I used to jump at the chance to try something new, but somewhere along the way, I became serious, focused on training for races, and forgot that exercise could be an adventure.

If you’re dedicated to fitness but feel stuck in a routine, I encourage you to try something new. Sign up for that dance class, go for a hike in a place you’ve never been, or challenge yourself with a new workout tool. Movement doesn’t have to be routine. When we let go, explore, and rediscover what makes us feel alive, fitness becomes something we look forward to—fun, invigorating, and full of joy.