Staying fit without running

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…

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!