o you remember what it was like to be a kid, when the last thing you wanted to do was sit still? When playing with friends, running, hiding, tumbling, swinging and sliding was all part of your daily adventure? Do you remember what it felt like? Unselfconscious, free, alive, happy and confident all come to mind. Do you remember when play stopped being fun and started turning into exercise?

It's a shame that as adults we view exercise more as work than as fun. Fun is essential to our happiness and our overall health. When you are having fun, your brain releases happy chemicals called dopamine and serotonin that boost your mood for hours after the fun is over. Enjoying movement confers a sense of well-being and self esteem to the mover. Physical activity doesn't just boost our moods; it can also help relieve depression, anxiety and stress. Not surprisingly, it enhances sleep, too.

It seems like somewhere along the line, many of us lost touch with the joy of movement and found that the purpose of exercise is to control our appearance. Activity is no longer as emotionally gratifying as it is a frustration and a responsibility; something we "should" do rather than "want" to do. I hope to help you figure out what activity you want to do so that you can get back in touch with the kinetic person that you used to be (and who is still inside of you). I want to help you have fun!

So what was fun for you back in the days when you used to have fun? What wasn't fun? Jot down the activities that you liked and disliked and the reasons why. I liked roller skating and ice skating because they made me feel like I was flying and I loved the wind in my face and the independent nature of these activities. I also liked gymnastics because of the variety and the playfulness that it involved. I didn't like dance because I was uncoordinated and acutely aware of that fact. I also disliked soccer because I didn't understand the game and I was not competitive. What about you?

What you liked and didn't like are equally important. We want to replicate an activity you liked and be sure to exclude any activities that would bring up negative thoughts or emotions for you. This part is a little tricky because there are so many choices available and our feelings about activity can complicate the situation. I have found that yoga is the best activity for me. It feels like playtime more than anything and it is completely noncompetitive. It makes me feel like I am five years old again and doing somersaults and jumping into the foam pit. If you loved riding your bicycle, then your activity choice is obvious. I would recommend riding outdoors rather than indoors to help replicate the positive feelings and fun. Riding a stationary bike is more like exercise, and that's not our goal here. If you were an avid tennis player in high school, then all you need now is a partner. Parks and Recreation Departments and tennis clubs will pair you with a partner. Partners are fantastic for boosting fun and helping to motivate you. If you're more of a team player, there are adult leagues for volleyball, soccer, basketball and baseball, to name a few. Also check out your local Parks and Rec Departments for adult sports programs. Maybe you're not really sure about what you ever liked or would have fun doing now. Perhaps trying an assortment of classes would be best for you. A dance class, an aerobics class, a Pilates class, a tai chi class, or even a gardening class (yes, gardening counts as a fun activity) could all be fun. If you like to walk, then seek out interesting walking paths or hiking trails. You can add a personal motivator by downloading a walking workout to your iPod at podfitness.com.

Even if you do not think you're ready to have fun, I still want you to think about what was fun for you before and know that you deserve to enjoy movement. Just remember the point is to have fun so that the desire to move your body comes from within. It's not about "should" or "need" anymore; it's about your happiness and the different ways you can help yourself feel good and alive.