My little mover and shaker

I'm nearly 7 months into my second pregnancy and Connor is now 18 months old. He's developing quite the personality. He's certainly a "happy chappy" as my British born step-mum would say. He's signing like crazy, climbing, running, lifting, playing, and eating whenever and whatever he can.

He's been training with me since he was six months old, or at least that's when I picked up my first client post-baby and post-move-across-country. So working out, movement, and kettlebells are just another part of normal life for him. He can easily press the little 3lb bell we got him. He swings it, as well as the 10lb bell. And he's getting pretty good at rearranging all the bells up to 12kg. One day he was working out with me and deadlifted the 12kg (which is about 26 pounds) 10 times in a row. He hovers around 28/29 pounds himself. So that's pretty much a 100% max deadlift! To say he's sturdy and strong may be an understatement.

It's fun to watch him do joint mobility with my husband. Lumbar circles are more of an hourglass, neck circle combo, but what's surprising, is his balance. He does it without falling down. I'm pretty excited to watch him develop. It's almost like a social experiment...how good of a mover and athlete will he be? Is this where "natural athleticism" or "prodigy" begins? When you read about Mozart or Tiger Woods, or other childhood "naturals" it's easy to uncover where their true beginnings of "natural" talet began. They basically mirrored their parents, who were dedicated professionals in the same areas the children became successful. What's scary about this idea, as with most everything in parenting, is, will I be able to provide my child with the appropriate environment to thrive, and continue thriving?

Other elite athletes have been known to say what makes them great, and continues to make them standout, is they train one level above their current abilities. They are constantly testing their limits and skills against those that are better...learning to fail, and how to recover from those failures, breeds their success. That's my job and challenge as his (current) one and only teacher... Setting him up to learn how to overcome his failures with grace, confidence, strength, and humility.

13.1 miles of sin

Oh yes, with my midwife' words "You're not going to be one of those I have to tell not to run a marathon?" rolling around in the back of my mind, I set out on my second ever half-marathon.

I was determined for it to be our first family "run," all four of us...

After a two-day drive down from Montana, miles of walking around the Vegas strip, and the ever-anticipated runners expo to stock up on freebies & new running gear, the evening finally arrived. It was Vegas' first ever nighttime marathon & half-marathon. Mike had Connor in the Little Life back carrier for but the first few miles. Shortly after the run-through wedding to re-new our vows at mile two, Connor got fussy. And who could blame him? This was not our usual routine. By now he'd be fed, bathed, and snuggling up to a warm mommy making his way to a blissful night's sleep.

But tonight was different. At 8pm we were closer to Fremont Street than a warm bed. At mile 5 or 6 he couldn't handle the back pack any longer. So into my arms he went, and there he stayed. Yes, for more than half of the half marathon, I carried him in my arms. I kicked myself for not bringing the front carrier earlier in our trip, and boy was I really feeling it now! We managed a few diaper changes (without pant removal- yes a skilled mommy knows how this can be successfully done), a couple pit stops for my poor squished soccer-ball-atop bladder, and we made it. But not before nearly having to fold at mile 11.

That's when the rain came. Which wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the wind. Our hotel was a hop over the barriers at this point, so inviting in all its neon glory. And yes, I considered crying, facing defeat at the weather expense. Frustrated that we had made it so far, yet were being forced to give in. But then the Heaven's opened and the rain & wind miraculously stopped. Two more miles. Two more miles with a baby in my belly and another clinging to my front. It was the perfect example of the gate theory, or a true testament to years of training. Nothing hurt. Not my back, not my feet, not even my arms.

Carrying him for that far, not having any pain. It was all crazy. Mind boggling even to me now.

Our half-marathon journey began at 3 that day. And it finally came to an end at midnight, after another long walk back to our hotel (Bally's) from Mandalay Bay. There were other marathoners and half-marathoners on the tram and walk back. The bummer of it all, was that they ran out of medals. So our triumphant crossing of the finish line was less than spectacular. By then the wind and rain had picked up again, too. So wet, cold, wind-blown, tired, but not defeated, our event ended rather uneventfully....until a very kind guy, Mark, started talking us up somewhere along the way back to the hotel and humbly submitted his medal to me. ME. Yes, I about cried again. This is a lot for a hormonal pregnant girl to process, after all. How could I accept his medal, his semblance of hard work and achievement, after knowing the endurance, stamina, and just plain guts it takes to complete such an event? He was insistant, however, and I finally was awarded my medal of accomplishment. ahhhhhh.

I have to say, though, I was slightly concerned for the day after...and even the day after the day after. I awoke at 3am that morning. Making my way to the loo, each leg felt like 500 pounds. Now, I was really scared. But when I got up at 7, it was as if nothing had happened. Save for the two tiniest of blisters under my second toes, there was no after math. The same for Mike. We both felt great. This was the real wow factor for me. Not only had we survived 13.1 miles of torture, we kicked its you-know-what. What a feeling!

Expecting #2

Yep, we're already at the half-way point of pregnancy #2. This time, another whole new adventure, with a girl due in April. (Who knew choosing a girl's name was so tough????)

Just like last time, I had an inkling something was up when I was out for a run. Shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, moodiness, crazy skin breakouts....ah, all the fun that comes with pregnancy. And, just like with #1, I had some pretty serious morning/all-day-who-are-they-kidding-sickness right through the first and into the second trimester. I'm finally feeling out of the woods at week 20, thankfully!

I have been continuing training. And feel like, although I didn't start out at my fighting weight this round, I'm keeping a better hold on my weight gain (mind you, I stopped tracking when I hit 170 pounds...up from 115, last time.) I was super overly cautious when I was pregnant with Connor because I had a previous miscarriage. (Which I was convinced was totally my fault...but there's been healing and time since then...) Chasing after Connor, actually having my husband home this time (he was deployed for the majority of the last pregnancy), in addition to training clients, has attributed to helping stay a bit better on track, I'm sure.

I've actually been working myself through my own pregnancy workout workbook. I've logged the duration and some other notes, making adjustments and changes as I go. I've found it to be really nice when I want to train, but not necessarily think about what to do for the day. It's kept my training more variable and versatile than usual, considering I gravitate to presses, pull-ups and snatches. So--- hello front squats and get-ups! ;) Also, now having a babe, I can better understand the applicability of the workouts, and not simply have it based in theory. Theory meets application and experience. Training WITH a toddler running around makes having not to think too hard about training easier, as well.

Connor also accompanied me to my third DVD shoot, in Phoenix, with Z-Health, a couple weeks ago. We're spinning an instructional and educational first-second-third trimester DVD, (with bonus workouts), to compliment my book. Z-Health is also re-publishing and running my book. Release dates are still up in the air, but I'd look to next summer since we've got to get to the third trimester, shoot and edit for it.

Today's training:

1x5 minutes-12kg get-ups

3x5-12kg dbl clean

3x20-12kg alternating hands swing

3x5-dbl clean/squat

3x20-alt swing

3x5-dbl clean/squat/press

3x20-alt swing

3x10/10-12kg snatch

*I am taking suggestions for cute girl names...if you got 'em ;)

Comprehensive Kettlebell & Pregnancy Guide The first of its kind!!!

***Please note that this is not available in hardcopy.

This is only available in E-version.

(*This is a re-post, My e-book has been out for more than a year now)

This reference guide and workbook is for women who are committed to sustaining optimal health, well-being, strength and stamina during their pregnancy. This program will guide you from the beginning of your pregnancy until your baby arrives.

Progressive workouts lead you through your first and second trimester. Then, as you near the third trimester and finish your pregnancy, the workouts taper down accordingly.

I have trained several clients through and after their first, second, third and even fourth pregnancies. I have also experienced the changes and adaptations for myself.

This 143 page no-fluff guide is a compilation of 102 workouts I have designed for these women as well as for myself. This means the detailed sessions outlined in this book are tried and safe for you and your baby from conception to delivery!

Because mobility and awareness of mobility changes are so important during pregnancy development, specifically selected joint mobility is preceded, incorporated into, and wraps-up each workout!

You'll also find:
A detailed list of Precautions
Extensive explanation of what to expect and how to prepare for the changes unique to each trimester
Description of how to use the manual and how the workouts are presented
A Pre-Assessment Guide
Note segments on each page to journal your progress
Over 70 pictures with drill descriptions
And even a suggested reading list to guide you through other areas of your pregnancy

order using the drop-down tab at right. Need help? Write me at SaraCheatham@hotmail.com or via Facebook @ SaraCheatham

"I cannot say enough good things about this pregnancy kettlebell book. I only wish that I had this book with my previous pregnancies. I am pregnant with baby number three, and I can now say that I am looking forward to working out while being pregnant! I cannot wait to see what workout Sara designed for that specific workout session. Sara has over 100 workouts specifically and SAFELY designed for each week of your entire pregnancy. With my previous pregnancies, I would get very bored doing the same workout DVD all of the time, and consequently would skip workouts because I couldn't bear to do the same exercises all over again. None of Sara's workouts are the same, and they give you a great workout. Many pregnancy workouts barely cause one bead of sweat to form on my brow, but I was so happy with Sara's workouts. I got a great sweat on, my heart rate was up (to a safe degree, of course), and the next day I was sore in all the right places ( the good kind of sore)! This book is different because it is designed for the pregnant woman already proficient with using kettlebells. This book is not a basic book just teaching you how to hold a kettlebell and perform a swing! If you have been using kettlebells for a while, you will love this book!
When I think about the amount of time that Sara must have taken to research and design these workouts, it blows my mind. I do not have the time or energy to design my own workouts at this stage in my life and make sure they are safe for my baby and me. I can't thank Sara enough for making this book available to the public. I feel strong and healthy, and I know that I will get back into pre-baby shape even more quickly after this pregnancy than with my last two pregnancies. Thank you so much, Sara!" -Ann Reinheimer Werner

"Sara missed NOTHING with her comprehensive kettlebell guide for pregnant ladies who enjoy kettlebells! This is the ONLY book of it's kind that gives you over 100 workouts, that's right OVER 100 workouts that take you through each week of pregnancy. This book is truly NO FLUFF! She will not bore you with information to just fill up pages or tell you info you can find in any pregnancy book. These workouts were carefully designed for the pregnant woman already familiar with kettlebells and not just on her own experiences. This book takes all the thinking out of the equation. Sara diligiently followed all the rules in addition to her own research, in regards to pressurization, stability, change in balance, hormone production, fatigue, and took each and every stage in to consideration with designing each program. This book also includes photos and explanations in case you are not familiar with or need extra instruction on each exercise. This manual is truly one of a kind in a way that it will take you from the beginning of your pregnancy to end with a complete game plan. This is a gold mine that every single woman who uses kettlebells should own, pregnant or not. If you are professional working with female clients who plan to become pregnant this manual will help design programs for each week. Sara is practically giving this information away for such a low price, it would be silly not to spend this amount to add this to your aresenal. Most comprehensive manuals with this type of detail would cost 5 times the price. As a woman who also specializes in working with fit pregnant women I know first hand the mistakes other trainers make with program design and recommendations. Whether it be unsafe or just plain useless, this book falls under the category of, I couldn't have done it better myself! This book is by far the best pregnant kettlebell workout guide I have ever gotten my hands on!" Lauren Brooks, Author of Baby Bells: The fit pregnancy workout

Just get started, and keep moving.

I have recently had a few conversations with friends and clients regarding where to start, or that they have goals and seem to be at a stand-still, at a loss, if you will. One of the sayings my wise "old man" once told me, that stuck, was, "Just get started. Even if you move in the wrong direction."

A lot of times, we get stuck on in the decision-making process mode. Where we think we have to gather as much information as possible, do all our research, and get our ducks in a row, before we take a single step. Then, once we gather the information, we think, "Oh man! There's so much I don't know! And what if I've been researching in the wrong area???" We get overwhelmed, throw our hands in the air and storm away, disappointed.

I have a friend: super strong, super capable, super smart, successful....a mom of TWINS and the wife of a Marine. She's got SO much on her plate and has SO much going for her. BUT, like many of us, she gets frustrated with where to go in her training, and once into it, how to progress. A specific example is her pressing. She's been keeping up with me, using the Enter the Kettlebell program (by Pavel Tsatsouline). She's an ex-professional gymnast, so she definitely has the strength and guts to take on the program, heavy.

This week, I'm pressing the 20 kilo for 5 ladders of 2 rungs, each. (Next week I'm shooting for 3 rungs on at least the first ladder. My goal is to get back to pressing the 24kg.) In the program, you match pull-ups with the presses. It can be pretty brutal on everything, not to mention your grip. So my friend, says to me, "I can press the 18kg (she doesn't have access to a 20kg bell) but then it just stalls." And I say, "right about here?" Meaning about the point where her elbow would make a 90* angle. Shes say "YEAH! How'd you know?" That's the sticking point. She's been frustrated and thinking about bailing on progressing, because, like most of us, she thinks she has to be perfect to do any of it.

On the contrary. The first time I got the 20 back overhead, I'm sure it looked more like a bent or side press, than a strict military press. But, I got in the reps, I got the successes under my belt. I modified my groove as I progressed each day. So, I coached her to train around and through the sticking point....train for success in your workouts, not failure, and you will get better, stronger, faster, smarter, whatever it is you're wanting.

Don't stop because you can't be perfect. And if you can't figure out a way around or through the failure, sticking point, whatever, find a good coach, an educated friend, or just talk through it with a training partner. Sometimes talking is the best way through our fears and self-imposed barriers. Make sure you talk with someone that's legit, and not just going to blow smoke up your you-know-what.