Exercise was my recovery

Exercise was my recovery
by Mary P. Trontz

“Down Came the Rain” as Brooke Shields so perfectly titled her book about postpartum depression. After my son was born, I struggled with postpartum depression. I cried every day for what seemed like forever, not knowing how I would overcome this. This was supposed to be the happiest moment of my life….and yet, I felt sad, lost and alone.

After a year and a half, I started working out. I desperately needed to make a change in my life and looked to exercise as a form of therapy both physical and mental. I had 36% body fat, my fitness age was that of a 68 year old and my cardio of an 80 year old. I was only 35, so this was alarming to say the least.

My workouts became “my ME time” and I looked forward to them even though it was extremely tough at first. I felt nauseous during every workout, and my foot trembled on the accelerator on the way home. I started seeing results and feeling happier. I began changing my eating habits. Everyone around me started to notice the change in me and asked me what I was doing. What an incredible feeling!

Eventually, I began doing endurance races like mud runs and even completed a Super Spartan race. As a result, my body fat decreased to 9% body fat and my fitness level dropped to that of an 18 year old. People continued to ask me for advice after seeing my results, which led me to become a Certified Fitness Trainer and online Health Coach. I wanted to learn more, so that I could help others get healthy. It has been extremely rewarding and given me a sense of purpose. I am able to have my own online business, while still being a full-time mom.

I have lots of gratitude in my heart for my health and fitness journey. It was not easy, but it was all worth it. Exercise is the most potent and underutilized antidepressant. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones. Endorphins reduce our perception of pain and act similarly to drugs, such as morphine and codeine. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.

Mary is 47 years old, and she has never felt or looked better. She hopes that her story has inspired you to be the best version of YOURSELF and make this YOUR healthiest year! She graduated with top honors, Suma Cum Laude, from the University of North Florida with a Bachelors in Business Administration. She lives in Miami, Florida where she was born and raised. She is married and a proud baseball mom to her son who is almost 13 years old.