New! Videos page

A new MBC Videos page has been added to the Mama Bootcamp blog! This page contains body care and workout videos featuring our own Lorri Ann Code. Check it out!

Fighting the blahs: Allibrew's "bag of tricks for staying buoyant"

This post, written by Food Coach Allison Brewer (aka Allibrew), describes her "Bag of Tricks for Staying Buoyant".

This time of year can be a mixed bag of emotions for many people. The holidays apply pressure to be jolly. To bake and shop. To wrap and invite. To consume. The cloudy skies and early setting of the sun can keep us inside and away from the things that feed our souls (like friends and exercise) and drive us to the things that feed our bodies (although not well), like snack foods and eggnog lattes... CONTINUE READING

What is on your list?

New! Printable Resources

Have you noticed the new Printable Resources link on the left side of this blog? This cool new page contains links to all kinds of fabulous resources that you can view online, download, and print. Take a look!

Pump Up your Motivation!

So......it's cold, wet and rainy. In thinking about the upcoming fall/winter months and how the darker, cooler days and nights affect our running, it's important to pump up your motivation. It is normal to have motivation problem during the Winter, so how do we attack this issue? Here is one way:

The Inspiration Muscle by Jeff Galloway.
When you're tentative about your motivation getting out the door for a run, if often helps to read (possibly out loud) the following list of benefits you receive after running:

*Your attitude is better after every run
*Stress is released, often completely dissolved
*Natural body chemicals (endorphins) relax the body, reducing or eliminating muscle aches and pains
*Your spirit is engaged, leaving you with feelings of accomplishment, confidence, and strength.
*Body and mind are connected, giving you the confidence that comes with being a more "complete" person.
*Your right brain is engaged, energizing your creative and imaginative resources.
*You're learning connections to hidden inner resources which kick in whenever you're under stress.

YES!
***
Coach Marilyn

Seasonal produce

Eating produce that is in season where you live offers a multitude of benefits. Not only will you be eating "green" by reducing the amount of travel that your food requires to get to your table, but your health will benefit as well. Produce that is grown near where it is sold is fresher, healthier (fewer nutrients are lost because it hasn't traveled for days to get to you), and tastes better. 

Here are a few resources to help you find fresh produce near you:

• Local Harvest will help you to locate farmers' markets and family farms near you
• What's in season? This list (also available on the Mama Bootcamp Printable Resources page) will help you build your shopping list!
• Placer Grown- if you live near Placer County, California, this website is incredibly helpful!

Motivational Monday

"Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you."

~ Marsha Norman

Trainer tip - Music is Motivational!

CREATE A MOTIVATING PLAYLIST!!!!

Published 06/06/2008 in Runner's World Mag
Playlist plan: Strong lyrics

Why it works: A 2006 study at York St. John University in the U.K. found that students could hold a 2.4-pound weight straight out in front of their bodies at shoulder height for up to 10 percent longer when they listened to motivational pop or rock music for an entire torturous session. The all-music workout beat out listening to white noise and listening to music for only part of the time. But the key is to choose tracks with lyrics that get you amped you up--yes, even if they include the words "Don't Stop Believin'."

I think any sane woman would enjoy the motivational ditties below. But I won't be offended if you decide to sub in a few of your own go-to tunes; pretty much anything you recklessly belt out in the shower or your car is on the money. One tip: Songs that mention specific actions ("Jump!"), particularly those that include body parts ("Put your hands in the air!"), will really light a spark under you when you're struggling to finish that final set of lunges.


Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Like a G6 - Far East Movement
So Big - Iyaz
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Only Girl - Rihanna
Club Can't Handle Me - FloRida
Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk
I Gotta Feelin - Black Eye Peas
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Take It Off - Ke$ha

That's 10 of Coach Marilyn's picks - what are YOURS?