Why Joy Might Be the Missing Link in Your Fitness Journey
Madeleine Daleng, a five-time Norwegian figure skating champion, now empowers people through rehabilitation, obesity coaching, and fitness training, blending insight from elite sport with a warm, practical approach. As the founder and CEO of MAD, she helps clients build strength, confidence, and sustainable habits that fit their everyday lives.
Most of us have days when motivation comes naturally. We wake up energized, ready to tackle our tasks, exercise, and take on the world. Then there are the other days. Days when getting out of bed feels like a challenge. Days when work has been stressful, family life is demanding, or we simply feel drained. Maybe we've spent so much energy supporting others that there's very little left for ourselves.
The reasons are endless, and that's exactly the point. Our fitness journey does not exist in isolation. It is deeply connected to everything happening in our lives.
When life gets busy, stressful, or overwhelming, motivation is often one of the first things to disappear. That's why relying on motivation alone is rarely enough to create lasting habits.
Yet interestingly, many people who maintain an active lifestyle don't do it because they feel motivated every day. They do it because they have found something they enjoy.
The problem with chasing motivation
There will always be days when we don't feel like working out. Sometimes resting is the right choice. Recovery is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
But more often than not, we're grateful when we do show up. Even if we adjust the workout, lower the intensity, or shorten the session, we usually finish feeling better than when we started.
As a fitness professional, I hear this frequently: “Exercise just isn't for me.” Honestly, I understand why some people feel that way. Many have only experienced exercise through activities they didn't enjoy.
If your only relationship with movement is forcing yourself through workouts you dislike, it's no surprise that motivation eventually disappears.
Find your version of fitness
Physical activity is recommended for everyone. However, there is no rule saying it has to look the same for everyone.
This is where many people get stuck. They believe fitness means joining a gym, running long distances, or following someone else's idea of exercise. But finding a sustainable way to move starts with being honest with yourself.
What do you actually enjoy? What makes you smile? What gives you energy rather than drains it? What creates positive experiences and memories?
When your chosen activity provides these feelings, you're much more likely to continue even when motivation is low. That's where lasting success begins.
My personal story
In many ways, I was fortunate. I discovered my passion for movement at a young age. I tried many different activities, but nothing ever compared to figure skating.
I loved the freedom, the artistry, the music, the constant opportunity to learn and improve, the performance aspect, the travel, and the sense of identity it gave me. It never felt like something I had to do. It felt like something I was.
That passion eventually shaped my entire career. Movement, training, performance, health, and teaching became a natural part of my professional life.
I'm not suggesting everyone needs to build a career around their chosen activity. But I do believe everyone deserves to experience the feeling of finding something that truly resonates with them.
Joy creates consistency
When motivation fades, we rely on memories. We remember how good we felt after a walk. We remember the laughter in a group fitness class. We remember the feeling of accomplishment after learning a new skill. These experiences become powerful tools that help us return when our enthusiasm temporarily disappears.
That's why joy is not a luxury in fitness. It's a strategy. The more positive associations you can build around movement, the more sustainable your active lifestyle becomes.
There are more options than you think
The beautiful thing about physical activity is that there are almost endless possibilities. Maybe you'll love:
Group fitness classes
Yoga
Walking
Power walking
Dance
Orienteering
Pickleball
Rollerblading
Paddling
Geocaching
Handball
Dodgeball
Or perhaps your activity has nothing to do with traditional fitness at all. It might be playing hide-and-seek with your children, organizing outdoor games with friends, or discovering new trails in nature.
The goal isn't to find the “perfect” workout. The goal is to find movement that makes you want to come back.
Final thoughts
If you've struggled to stay motivated, perhaps motivation isn't the real problem. Perhaps you simply haven't found your thing yet. Because when movement brings joy, motivation becomes less important. When fitness becomes something you enjoy, it stops feeling like another task on your list and starts becoming a part of who you are.
“The best workout isn't the one that burns the most calories. It's the one you'll still be doing five years from now.”
Read more from Madeleine Daleng Nyland
Madeleine Daleng Nyland, Founder & CEO of MAD
Madeleine Daleng is a five‑time Norwegian figure skating champion who now channels her competitive drive into helping people rebuild strength, confidence, and health. With a background from the Norwegian School of Sports Science, she works across rehabilitation, obesity coaching, and fitness training. Her approach blends elite‑athlete discipline with warmth, humor, and real‑life understanding. As the founder and CEO of MAD, she supports clients through personal training, group fitness, and long‑term lifestyle change. She also inspires a wider audience through her YouTube channel, Madeleinedaleng_goodvibes.
