Rebellion might not be the first word you associate with exercise, but for me, it’s part of the appeal—especially on the days when nothing else is working.

Sometimes, even my best optimism tricks don’t cut it. I’ve been training my brain to be more optimistic as I wrote about here, and most days, those mindset shifts really help. A little reframing, a gratitude list, some mindful breathing—they usually do the trick. But yesterday wasn’t one of those days.

I felt off. Nothing was particularly wrong. Work was fine. My daughter was fine. I had slept decently and eaten relatively well. But emotionally, I felt flat—unmotivated and low-grade irritable. And despite my best efforts to think my way out of it, nothing shifted. That’s when I knew it was time to move.

My Exercise Routine

I’m a firm believer that exercise changes your body chemistry—and with it, your mood. I’ve seen it in myself over and over again.

• I work out twice a week with a trainer:
  • Tuesdays: heavy weight training
  • Thursdays: high-intensity interval training
• I fit in Orangetheory sessions when I can
• I walk regularly—sometimes long, reflective walks, sometimes quick loops around the block

This routine has become a core part of how I care for myself—not just physically, but emotionally.

What I Did Today

Yesterday, I needed more than a walk. I needed intensity. I needed a full reset.

So I booked an Orangetheory class.

It was a tough one—rowing, running, weights, and sweat. I could feel my system kick into gear: heart pounding, lungs expanding, legs burning. I wasn’t thinking about what was bugging me anymore. I was just moving, pushing, breathing, and being present in my body.

The Shift

And then, about halfway through the workout, I felt the shift.

The fog lifted. My energy came back. My thoughts quieted down. I felt lighter, clearer, more peaceful. That inner agitation I couldn’t shake earlier? Gone.

By the time I left class and went to pick up my daughter from school, I felt like a different person than I had been a few hours before.

A Little Rebellion, Too

There’s one more thing I get from Orangetheory, and it might sound strange—but it’s a sense of minor rebellion.

Yes, I show up. Yes, I work hard. But sometimes, I deliberately choose not to push quite as hard as I could. I still get a solid workout, I still sweat and get my cardio—but I also get this quiet satisfaction from holding something back. It feels like I’m sticking it to the man a little, even if no one else knows it. And weirdly, it’s restorative. It’s fun. It makes me feel like I’m in control.

I don’t do this when I’m working with my trainer. That’s a different mindset entirely. When I’m one-on-one with someone, I give it my full effort. Maybe it’s the accountability. Maybe it’s the presence of another person. Maybe I just want to impress my trainer. But whatever it is, I push myself harder.

In a group setting like Orangetheory, though, I give myself permission—on some days—not to give 110%. And that flexibility is part of what keeps me coming back. It’s my workout, my mood reset, my little act of defiance, all rolled into one.

Why It Matters

Exercise isn’t just about staying in shape or checking off a wellness box. It’s a tool I use to care for my mental health, to regulate my nervous system, and to show up better for the people in my life—including my daughter.

When I feel emotionally stuck and I have the energy to move, I know that exercise can help unlock whatever’s going on inside me. It works almost every time.

Final Thought

If you’re ever feeling low and nothing seems to help—try moving. It doesn’t have to be intense. A walk, a dance break in your kitchen, a bike ride around the neighborhood—anything that gets you breathing and out of your own head. Movement shifts things in ways that thinking sometimes can’t.

It’s one of the most powerful tools I know.