Gratitude for Where We Live: How Place Shapes Our Health and Happiness

Every morning at our Orem gym, I step outside and watch the sun rise over the mountains. Our facility faces east, giving me a front-row seat to one of nature's most spectacular daily performances. The sky transforms from deep purple to pink to gold. Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, and the entrance to Provo Canyon catch the first light. And for a few minutes, before the rush of the day begins, I stand there and feel grateful.

Grateful for this sunrise. Grateful for these mountains. Grateful to live and work in a place that makes health, activity, and outdoor recreation not just possible, but effortless.

This week, as we continue our November Gratitude Series at EXL Fitness, we're exploring something that profoundly impacts our wellness journey: gratitude for where we live. For those of us in Utah—particularly here in the Orem and Pleasant Grove area—we have access to resources, recreation, and natural beauty that many people around the world can only dream about.

The question isn't whether we're fortunate to live here. The question is: are we actually taking advantage of it? And more importantly, does recognizing this fortune change how we show up for our health?

Why Location Matters for Longevity and Wellness

Your zip code might be one of the most powerful predictors of your health outcomes. Research consistently shows that where you live influences everything from your life expectancy to your activity levels, stress hormones, and overall quality of life.

People who live in areas with access to green spaces, mountains, trails, and outdoor recreation have lower rates of obesity, depression, cardiovascular disease, and chronic stress. They move more naturally throughout their day. They have built-in opportunities for vitamin D exposure, fresh air, and the mental health benefits that come from time in nature.

Here in Utah County, we're surrounded by these advantages. Within minutes of our gym in Orem, you can access dozens of hiking trails, multiple canyons, beautiful lakes, ski resorts, biking paths, and countless outdoor activities. The very geography that surrounds us invites movement and adventure.

For active adults ages 40-75 who are committed to maintaining strength, bone density, and functional fitness for decades to come, this isn't just a nice perk—it's a strategic advantage. Living in a place that makes healthy activity easy and enjoyable dramatically increases the likelihood you'll stay consistent long-term.

The Sunrise Ritual: Starting Your Day with Gratitude

There's something profound about witnessing a sunrise. It's a daily reminder that you've been given another day—another opportunity to move, to strengthen your body, to invest in your health, to be present.

I make it a point to step outside most mornings and watch the sunrise from our gym. It's become a ritual, a moment of intentional gratitude before the workday begins. And I've noticed something: on the mornings I take those few minutes to pause, to breathe, to appreciate the beauty of where I am, my entire day feels different.

Gratitude shifts your physiology. When you consciously appreciate something beautiful—a sunrise, a mountain view, the colors of autumn leaves—your nervous system shifts from stress response to rest-and-restore mode. Your cortisol levels drop. Your heart rate variability improves. You literally become calmer and more centered.

Starting your day this way, before you check your phone or dive into responsibilities, creates a foundation of presence and appreciation that carries through everything else you do— including your workout, your nutrition choices, and how you interact with others.

The Recreation Advantage of Living in Utah

Let's be honest about how fortunate we are. Within an hour's drive from Orem and Pleasant Grove, you can:

• Hike hundreds of miles of trails with varying difficulty levels

• Ski or snowboard at world-class resorts

• Backcountry ski in pristine wilderness areas

• Mountain bike through stunning landscapes

• Dirt bike on designated trails and terrain

• Paddleboard or kayak on multiple lakes and reservoirs

• Rock climb on granite and sandstone

• Trail run through canyons and mountains

• Camp under star-filled skies

• Fish in pristine streams and alpine lakes

• Road cycling on scenic byways

• Cross-country ski through winter wonderlands

This isn't normal. Most people in the world don't have this kind of access. Many live in places where outdoor activity requires significant planning, travel, or expense. Some live where air quality, safety concerns, or lack of infrastructure make outdoor recreation nearly impossible.

We can literally walk out our door and within minutes be on a trail, breathing clean air, surrounded by natural beauty, getting a workout that builds strength, improves cardiovascular health, and supports mental wellbeing—all at the same time.

The question is: are we using it?

The Gym Inside, The Mountains Outside: A Perfect Partnership

At EXL Fitness, we believe in the power of both structured strength training and outdoor recreation. They complement each other perfectly.

Your personal training sessions at the gym build the muscle mass, bone density, and functional strength you need to fully enjoy outdoor activities. When you're consistently doing strength work, hiking becomes easier. Skiing is more enjoyable. You can keep up with grandkids on the trail. You have the stability and power to confidently navigate uneven terrain.

Then, the outdoor activities you do—hiking, biking, skiing—provide cardiovascular work, vitamin D exposure, mental health benefits, and the joy that makes your fitness journey sustainable for decades.

Living in Utah gives you effortless access to both. You can train at our gym in the morning, then hike Mount Timpanogos on the weekend. You can build strength during the week, then ski Sundance on Saturday. You can work on functional fitness in the gym, then use that fitness to explore the landscapes right outside your door.

This partnership between structured training and outdoor recreation is one of the most potent combinations for long-term health, especially for adults over 40 who want to maintain an active lifestyle for years to come.

The Mental Health Benefits of Living Near Nature

Beyond the physical advantages, living near mountains, canyons, and natural spaces provides profound mental health benefits that directly impact your wellness journey.

Studies show that people who live near green spaces and have regular access to nature experience lower rates of anxiety and depression, better sleep quality, improved cognitive function, faster stress recovery, and greater overall life satisfaction.

Simply being able to see mountains from your window—or, in our case, from the gym—provides measurable psychological benefits. There's even a term for it: "biophilia," the innate human connection to nature that supports our wellbeing.

When you're trying to maintain consistent healthy habits, your mental health matters just as much as your physical health. Stress, anxiety, and depression are significant obstacles to fitness consistency. Living in a place that naturally supports your mental wellness makes everything easier.

Four Seasons of Gratitude and Recreation

One of Utah's unique advantages is our four distinct seasons, each offering different recreational opportunities and reasons for gratitude.

Spring brings wildflowers, moderate temperatures perfect for hiking, and the renewal of nature after winter. The mountains turn green, waterfalls flow with snowmelt, and the air feels fresh and full of possibility.

Summer offers long days for evening trail runs, paddleboarding on Utah Lake, camping in the mountains, and countless opportunities for outdoor family activities. The sunrise I watch from the gym comes early and stays light late. I often joke that summer is my fourth favorite season—but even so, it provides unique opportunities for outdoor recreation that the other seasons can't match.

Fall transforms the canyons into landscapes of gold and red. The temperatures are perfect for outdoor activity. The air is crisp. Alpine Lake is stunning. American Fork Canyon becomes a masterpiece of color.

Winter, the greatest of seasons, brings skiing, snowshoeing, and the quiet beauty of snow-covered peaks. Even on cold mornings, the sunrise over snowy mountains is breathtaking. Winter in Utah isn't something to endure—it's something to embrace and enjoy.

This seasonal variety means you never have to get bored with your outdoor activities. You're constantly adapting, trying different activities, experiencing different landscapes. This variety keeps your body challenged and your mind engaged.

Action Steps: Expressing Gratitude for Where You Live

Gratitude for place isn't just about feeling thankful—it's about actively engaging with and appreciating your environment. Here are concrete ways to express gratitude for living in Utah this week:

1. Watch One Sunrise This Week

Set your alarm, step outside (or look out your window), and watch the sun come up. Don't check your phone. Don't multitask. Just watch. Notice the colors, the light, the transformation. Take three deep breaths and consciously appreciate that you get to witness this.

If you can, come to our gym in Orem early one morning and watch the sunrise over the mountains with us. There's something special about starting your day with both gratitude and movement.

2. Take Your Workout Outside

This week, do at least one workout outside. It might be a hike, a trail run, a bike ride, or simply a strength workout in your backyard. Feel the fresh air. Notice the temperature. Look at the mountains. Connect your physical effort to the natural environment around you.

Notice how different it feels to move in nature versus moving indoors. Both have value, but the outdoor experience provides benefits you can't replicate in any gym.

3. Explore One New Trail or Outdoor Space

Utah has countless trails and outdoor spaces, many of which you've probably never explored. This week, visit one new place. It doesn't have to be a challenging hike—even a short walk on a new trail counts.

Take photos. Notice details. Share the experience with someone. This active exploration deepens your appreciation for what's available to you.

This is a weakness of mine. I'm usually so caught up in the moment or the activity that I rarely take time for a photo. I will do better with this.

4. Create a "Utah Bucket List"

Write down all the outdoor activities, trails, peaks, and experiences you want to do in Utah. Be specific: "Hike to the top of Mount Timpanogos," "Ski Brighton Resort," "Paddleboard on Deer Creek Reservoir," "See the fall colors in American Fork Canyon."

This list serves two purposes: it helps you recognize how many opportunities you have, and it gives you concrete goals that motivate your strength training. When you're working on building leg strength, knowing it's preparing you to summit Timp makes the effort more meaningful.

5. Practice the "Mountain View" Pause

Throughout your week, whenever you see the mountains—from your car, your home, the gym —pause for five seconds. Don't just glance and move on. Actually look. Notice the peaks, the snow, the colors, the clouds. Silently say "thank you" for living in a place with this view.

This micro-practice, done multiple times daily, trains your brain to notice and appreciate your environment rather than taking it for granted.

6. Combine Gratitude with Movement

The next time you're hiking, biking, or doing any outdoor activity, practice gratitude as you move. Every few minutes, identify something specific you're grateful for: "I'm grateful my legs are strong enough to carry me up this hill," "I'm grateful for clean air to breathe," "I'm grateful this trail is accessible and well-maintained."

This practice connects physical effort with appreciation, making both more powerful.

7. Share Your Location's Benefits with Others

Invite a friend or family member who hasn't been active to join you on an easy outdoor activity. Show them what's available. Help them experience the joy and accessibility of Utah's recreation options.

When we share what we appreciate, it deepens our own gratitude and potentially changes someone else's life. Plus, having outdoor adventure partners makes consistency easier.

8. Document Your Gratitude

Take photos of your favorite Utah views and outdoor experiences this week. Create a "gratitude album" on your phone. When you're struggling with motivation or having a difficult day, look through these images and remember how fortunate you are to live here.

Visual reminders are powerful tools for maintaining perspective and appreciation.

9. Connect Indoor Training to Outdoor Goals

Before your next gym workout, identify which outdoor activity your training is preparing you for. "I'm strengthening my legs so I can hike longer trails," "I'm working on balance so I can ski confidently this winter," "I'm building endurance so I can mountain bike with my kids."

This connection makes your gym work feel more purposeful and reminds you why living in an outdoor recreation paradise matters.

10. Express Gratitude to Those Who Maintain Access

The trails, parks, and recreation areas we enjoy exist because people maintain them. This week, express appreciation to someone who contributes: volunteer with a trail maintenance organization, donate to a conservation group, thank a park ranger, or simply pick up litter you see on a trail.

Active gratitude—gratitude expressed through service—is the deepest form of appreciation.

The Privilege and Responsibility of Living Here

Living in a place like Utah, with access to mountains, clean air, four seasons, and countless recreation opportunities, is a privilege. Not everyone has this. Many people live in environments that make healthy, active living difficult.

With privilege comes responsibility. The responsibility is to not waste what we've been given. The responsibility is to actually use the trails, experience the seasons, watch the sunrises, and take advantage of everything available to us.

When we live in a place that makes health easy, yet choose sedentary, indoor, inactive lifestyles anyway, we're squandering an extraordinary gift. We're taking for granted what others would sacrifice greatly to have.

But when we recognize our good fortune and actively engage with our environment—when we train at the gym to get stronger so we can hike higher, ski longer, and adventure more freely—we honor the gift. We make the most of where we are.

How Location Supports Long-Term Consistency

One of the biggest challenges in fitness is maintaining consistency for years and decades, not just weeks and months. This is especially important for adults ages 40-75 who are building the strength and bone density needed for active aging and longevity.

Living in a place that naturally supports and encourages activity makes long-term consistency dramatically more likely. When healthy movement is woven into the fabric of your environment—when you drive past mountains that invite hiking, when the weather cooperates most of the year, when your community values outdoor recreation—you're set up for success.

At EXL Fitness, we've observed that clients who combine their gym training with regular outdoor activities in Utah's mountains and canyons show better long-term adherence than those who only exercise indoors. The variety, the beauty, the sense of adventure—all of these factors keep the journey fresh and enjoyable for decades.

Your environment either supports or works against your health goals. We're fortunate to live in an environment that strongly supports them. Recognizing and appreciating this advantage makes you more likely to leverage it.

The Sunrise Reminds Us: Every Day Is a Gift

I keep coming back to the sunrise. There's a reason I make it a daily practice when I can.

Every sunrise is a reminder: you've been given another day. You have another opportunity to move your body, breathe fresh air, experience the beauty around you, and invest in your health and strength.

The sun rises whether you watch it or not. The mountains stand whether you hike them or not. The trails exist whether you use them or not. The question is: will you engage? Will you participate? Will you take advantage of what's right in front of you?

Living in a place like Utah doesn't automatically make you healthy. But it removes many of the barriers that make healthy living difficult elsewhere. It provides natural motivation, built-in recreation, and daily reminders of beauty and possibility.

When you combine this environmental advantage with intentional gym-based strength training, consistent nutrition choices, and a gratitude practice that keeps you present and appreciative, you create a powerful formula for long-term health and vitality.

This Week's Challenge

As we move through this third week of our November Gratitude Series, we challenge you to actively engage with where you live:

1. Watch at least one sunrise or sunset with full attention and appreciation.

2. Do one outdoor activity you haven't done in a while (or ever).

3. Take one photo of something beautiful in Utah that you're grateful for.

Share your experiences with us. Tell us what you appreciated about where you live this week. Show us the sunrise you watched, the trail you hiked, the view that took your breath away.

And most importantly, let this gratitude for the place fuel your commitment to building and maintaining the strength to fully enjoy it for decades to come.

Looking Forward

Next week, we'll explore the final dimension of our November Gratitude Series. But this week, let's fully immerse ourselves in appreciation for the extraordinary place we call home.

The mountains are waiting. The trails are ready. The sunrise will happen tomorrow morning, whether you watch it or not. The question is: will you show up? Will you engage? Will you express gratitude through participation?

At EXL Fitness, we believe the best way to honor where you live is to build a body strong enough to explore it fully. To train with purpose so you can hike higher, adventure longer, and experience everything Utah offers—not just this year, but for decades to come.

That's what functional training is all about: preparing your body for the life you want to live in the place you're fortunate enough to call home.

Step outside. Look at those mountains. Feel grateful. Then get to work building the strength to fully experience everything they offer.

That's gratitude in action.

At EXL Fitness in Orem, we combine the best of both worlds: expert personal training in our facility and encouragement to explore the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities right outside our door. Our programs for active adults ages 40-75 build the strength, mobility, and endurance needed to fully enjoy living in Utah for years to come. Join us for a sunrise workout, train for your next outdoor adventure, and discover how gratitude for place can transform your fitness journey. Contact us today to learn more about our personal training programs in the Orem/Pleasant Grove area.