Joyful Movement in Midlife: What My Dog Taught Me About Success

I never meant to be a runner.

I didn’t start running because I loved the idea of 5K races or dreamed of medals on the wall. I started almost ten years ago because of a 1-year-old Labradoodle puppy who had more energy than three toddlers hyped up on Halloween candy.

Jasmine at 2 years old

From Walks to Runs

Labradoodle puppies are famous for their boundless energy, and I honestly tried to out-walk Jasmine’s zoomies. We walked and walked and walked… and she was still raring to go.

A friend laughed and said, “At some point, you’re going to give up and start running with her.” At the time, I thought, “Nope. Never gonna happen.”

But the seed was planted. Before long, Jasmine and I were on a local path with .01-mile markers, testing the waters: run one post, walk a few. Then run one, walk one. Eventually, we celebrated like champions after running an entire mile without stopping. That mile turned into 5Ks, then a half marathon. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with this new version of me.

Finishing my first half marathon in 2017

Redefining Success in Midlife

Most people think movement has to be about speed, weight loss, miles logged, or records broken. While those things are meaningful for some, I choose to be more like Jasmine and see the joy in movement.

I see friendships made and laughter along the way. I see puddles splashed through, snowflakes on eyelashes, and sunrise photos with sweaty, grinning faces. I see the miles where we share heartbreaks, parenting struggles, big wins at work, and funny kid stories.

Sunrise gravel run

For me, success isn’t about pace. Some days, it’s about how many dogs I get to pet along the way. In midlife, our bodies change — why should we measure success by someone else’s standards?

What Counts as Success?

If you don’t currently have purposeful movement in your day, success might be as simple as walking to the end of the block. Heck, it might mean just walking to the mailbox.

• Success might mean giving yourself grace to run three miles instead of the planned five after a bad night’s sleep.

• Success might mean managing anxiety or depression a little better when you move.

• Success might mean celebrating improved bloodwork or choosing rest when your body demands it.

• Or yes… success might mean petting one more dog on your walk than yesterday.

  
  

Choosing joy and fun on a run with my friend Kate

The Science of Joyful Movement

Research shows that joyful movement is more likely to stick long-term than rigid, rule-based exercise. That joy looks different for everyone — and it can change day to day.

Some women thrive on a training plan. Others prefer variety: dancing, pickleball, swimming, rock climbing, or long walks with friends. There aren’t rules about what counts as movement in menopause — except that your body and mind need it.

Like running with Jasmine, sustainable midlife movement isn’t about hitting targets. It’s about honoring your body’s energy, finding joy in the process, and letting small wins (or wagging tails) mark success.

Find Your Joy Buddy

If you’re struggling with consistency, find a movement buddy — whether the two-legged or four-legged kind. Dogs are persistent cheerleaders for daily movement (and pretty insistent about it). Friends provide accountability, laughter, and support.

Build joyful movement into your daily life:

• Dance in the kitchen.

• Bike to the store.

• Take a Saturday hike.

• Walk with a friend.

Whatever you choose, measure progress by joy, energy, and connection — not calories burned.

This is my grand-dog Mabel. She finds joy in walking with the biggest stick she can find.

Final Takeaway

Your midlife health doesn’t have to be measured in numbers alone. Sometimes the best measure is how many moments of joy you had — and if there was a wagging tail involved, even better. Jasmine approves.

How do you measure success in your movement?