MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / Best Body Boot Camp / Staying fit without running

Staying fit without running

July 31, 2013 by MCM Mama 10 Comments

Back in the dark ages days before kids, I was not really a runner.  I ran, occasionally.  But I was slender and fit.

How?  I lifted weights three days a week and hit the elliptical, exercise bike and very occasionally the treadmill the other two days.  Yes, 99% of my workouts were done during my work lunch hour, which meant the actual workout was never more than 40 minutes.

And I looked and felt amazing.

Fast forward to after Jones’ birth.  I got smacked with Postpartum Depression AKA PPD.  It was a rough time for me.  Having a newborn is hard (especially when you get the non-sleeping version).  Having a newborn while struggling with depression is a whole different world.  (Not sure why it never occurred to me that it might happen, given that I’d always had wicked PMS and had worked through a few bouts of situational depression.)

Running saved me.

It wasn’t an instant fix, but from the very first 10 minute slog on the treadmill, I felt light coming back into my world.  Slowly but surely, I ran back to myself.

I haven’t stopped running since then, in large part because I’m scared to fall back down that hole.

Until this summer.  After 8 half marathons in about 3 months, my body needed a break.  And the Virginia heat was pouring in and I haven’t exactly made it a secret that I don’t like hot. Or humid. So, after my last half marathon, I told myself I didn’t have to run unless I wanted to.  I still had to workout 4-5 times a week, but I didn’t have to run.   And it’s been working for me.  I’m still a work in progress, but I’ve seen some huge improvements this summer…

summer_fit

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

  • Best Body Bootcamp – I LOVE this!  LOVE IT!  My upper body and abs are more toned than they’ve been in years and I can tell my legs are getting stronger.  I love that I can do all the moves in my basement with a few weights.  I love that someone else does the planning for me.  I’m almost through my 2nd 8 week session and I have every intention of signing up for the next session.
  • Biking – not outside.  Homey don’t play that.  But I’ve taken a class at RevolveDC (loved it!) and I have a FitDesk in the play room.  It gives me the cardio lift I still need.
  • Being active with my kids – walking, hiking, playing in the pool, anything to keep them and me from sitting around in front of screens.
  • White water rafting – possibly my best upper body workout all summer!
  • Short runs – I’m pretty sure I haven’t run more than 4 miles at a time since my last half marathon.

It’s nearly time to start training again.  After all, I have 5 more halves to run in 2013.  But I intend to keep a much more balanced fitness lifestyle this fall.  My body is thanking me for that!

Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • Lifetime Half #39: 2015 RNR DCLifetime Half #39: 2015 RNR DC
  • 2015 Goals in Review2015 Goals in Review
  • Fast healingFast healing
  • About those goals…About those goals…
  • Three Things ThursdayThree Things Thursday

Filed Under: Best Body Boot Camp, fitness

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Miz says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:11 am

    ahhh it may be time for me to BOOT CAMP.
    Miz recently posted…Is old talk the new fat talk?My Profile

    Reply
  2. Marcia says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Awesome! There’s much to be said for switching gears now and then.
    Marcia recently posted…Kona Kase and CauliflowerMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Sheena says

    July 31, 2013 at 10:54 am

    I could really use some boot camp in my life!
    Sheena recently posted…New Beast shirts!My Profile

    Reply
  4. Elle says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:28 am

    I love boot camp too! Good for you . Nice to be seeing results.

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    July 31, 2013 at 11:54 am

    You look incredible!! Glad that you have been able to give your body a little running break yet still be so fit!!!
    Kim recently posted…Random Thoughts During a Wednesday Morning DriveMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Tina says

    July 31, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    I’ve come back to lifting and more balance over more running too. Its doing so much for my body too. You look GREAT. but more importantly you sound so happy!

    Reply
  7. Suzanne says

    July 31, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    You look great! It seems like switching things up has certainly agreed with you.
    Suzanne recently posted…Viola Valley Half MarathonMy Profile

    Reply
  8. PavementRunner says

    August 1, 2013 at 1:36 am

    it’s all about finding that right balance… nicely done.
    PavementRunner recently posted…Run This Year: August ChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Jill @ Fitness Health and Happiness] says

    August 1, 2013 at 5:04 am

    Ah…finding a balance is tough and just when you find it something changes. It’s a constant juggle but it can be done. My body recently thanked me for taking a break 🙂
    Jill @ Fitness Health and Happiness] recently posted…Jill and Jen’s Birthday Bash Virtual RaceMy Profile

    Reply
  10. becka says

    August 6, 2013 at 10:05 am

    You look great!!
    becka recently posted…The Straw that Broke the Camel’s BackMy Profile

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!
  • Wrapping up 2021: a roller coaster year
  • Half Marathon #82: Probility Ann Arbor Half Marathon

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Coffee with a side of rain

Coffee with a side of rain

Apparently I only write coffee posts when I’m in Michigan. I guess my body is hard wired to wake up early, but the college kid has no interest in an early wakeup call. I’d run, but it’s raining and I did not bring the right running clothes, so here I sit. I’m joining Deb and […]

Copyright © 2022 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in