What about my post-baby training?

I've kept a training log as far back as when I used to call it working out. So of course I've documented my return to me, physically. Like I've said, there's still some room for improvement, but isn't there always?

I had Connor in July, 2010. Looking back at my log, I did a TON of walking after. My dad's wife said the best thing for a crying baby is fresh air. We had very few days of crying. I popped him in the stroller four days after he was born. This kid was used to being on the move in my belly, so I had to keep him going, for both our sanities! We strolled in the morning, in the afternoon, and again in the evening. I'd walk anywhere from a mile, to three, at any one time. But, I also got in some decent training as well.

Here's a snapshot of last July's post-baby training:

29 July 2010: Thursday

3x5/5-9lb MP (military press)

3x5/5-9lb 1 leg DL (deadlift)

30 July 2010: Friday

3x5/5-8kg MP

3xBW-reverse lunge

31 July 2010: Saturday

5x3/3-8kg MP

5x10-8kg swing

3x10s-side plank

3x10s-plank

3x10s-side plank In September, I started rowing 5000 meters at a time & tested my VO2 max, with snatching. Here's a snapshot of that: 20 Sept: cMVO2 test 12kg bell 28 reps in final minute 28/4=7 reps per 15 seconds for sets 22 Sept 2010: Wednesday 40 min row: 7300meters 23 Sept 2010: Thursday 20 sets VO2 max (7reps/15:15) 24 Sept 2010: Friday 40 min row: 7250m 25 Sept 2010: Saturday 30 sets VO2 max (7/15:15) In October, I started back with my pull-ups... and jogging again. I still remember the feeling of stepping off the curb. It.felt. great. 25 Monday 2010: 5 min-12kg Get-up (GU) 26 Oct 2010: Tuesday 1x5/5-12kg GU 7eps/7repsx10 min. snatch- 12kg grease the groove: 5x2-BW (body weight) pull-ups 5x5-BW push ups 27 Oct 2010: Wednesday 1x5/5-12kg snatch to get down/get-up 1 mile jog 10 minutes 29 Oct 2010: Friday 5x5/5-(2)12kg see saw press 5x1-Pull-Up November saw an intro back into pistols, while still jogging, rowing, snatching, and doing pull-ups. 8 Nov 2010: Tuesday 5x5-(2)12kg press 5x1-PU 1mi jog: 11.22 9 Nov 2010: Wednesday 5 min 12kg GU 5 min 15:15 12kg snatch 2 pistol to chair & up 2 pistol to ottoman & up 2 pistol to floor & up In late November, we moved across the country. We packed out on Thanksgiving, and made it into our new place by Christmas. I took that month pretty much off from training. In January, training became more regular again, and more like pre-baby sessions. I was down to 125lbs & 20% body fat. 3 Jan 2011: Monday 3x1/1-16kg MP 4 Jan 2011: Tuesday 15:15-12kg V02 max 5 Jan 2011: Wednesday 5x1,2/1,2-16kg MP 6 Jan 2011: Thursday 15:15-12kg V02 max 7 Jan 2011: Friday 2x1,2/1,2-16kg MP 10 Jan 2011: Monday 15:15-12kg V02 max 30 sets 12 Jan 2011: Wednesday 15:15-12kg V02 max 30 sets 14 Jan 2011: Friday 15:15-12kg V02 max 30 sets 17 Jan 2011: Monday 15:15-12kg V02 max 36 sets 18 Jan 2011: Tuesday 10 min am row My training ebbs & flows. I do what I feel is best, listening to my body. You know, using informed intuition to keep things progressing without pain or injury. Here are a few sessions from this July, to give you a comparison for this time last year: 1 July 2011: 2x1/1-20kg MP 3x2/2-16kg MP 6x3/3-12kg MP 5x4-45lb barbell 4x5-(2)12kg MP 2 3x5-(2) 16kg C&J (clean & jerk) 3x5-ring push up 3x5-1 leg push up 3 3x1/2/3/4/5-16kg C&P 3x2/2-pistol 3x3-push up 4 5x5-(2)12kg MP 5x5-(2) 12kg 1 leg DL 3x5-25lb thruster (large ammo "thingy") 3x5-knee raise 5 5x3-16kg MP 5x5-(2) 16kg 1 leg DL 5x5-25lb ammo thruster 5x3-leg raise 6 3x1/2/3/4-16kg C&P 2x1/2-16kg C&P matching pull-ups 7 3x1/2/3/4-16kg C&P 1x1-16kg C&P matching pull-ups 100-12kg snatches (10/arm switches) 8 3x1/2/3/4-16kg C&P matching pull-ups 9 1x12-45lb barbell back squat 1x10-55lb BB BS 1x8-65lb BB BS 1x12-55lb BB BS 1x10-45lb BB BS There ya have it. Pistols, presses, pull-ups and snatching continue to be my staples. Some people need tons of variety. I prefer to get stronger and better, and see my progression with the simple drills and facts.

This time last year...

This time last year, tomorrow would be my 6th wedding anniversary, and we'd be expecting our first son. Yes, his birth and our anniversary were expected to coincide. I could here my grandmother's voice in my head, "You'll never have another wedding anniversary. It's his birthday from now on." But alas, the boy was a week late and STILL needed some coaxing. Surprisingly enough, the photo above was two weeks prior to delivery. This is when I stopped weighing myself (at 175lbs) and stopped measuring (at 42 inches).

"Yowzah" is the word you're looking for.

I think in a previous post, I said I went from a 27" waist and 118lbs, pre-baby. THANKFULLY with hard work and lots of continual support from the best husband in the world, I've leveled out at 120 and 28". As any new mom can concur, things are "different." So the work continues. Especially on the belly, which I've never had issues with. But there seems to be some pretty persistent visceral fat, and the dreaded mom-butt.

It took a decade to get my pre-baby buns. Ah, the deadlifts, squats, lunges, stairs, snatches, and swings it took to mold the beauty I didn't appreciate. So, now, I have the "opportunity" to start anew. My blank slate awaits.

I knew each day would get better. Connor and I would become more independent. And with his first birthday (21 July) closing in, I can say that my lungs and heart are well conditioned. My head needs a good realigning periodically, but that's life. He's finally accepting of the BOB (the jogging stroller). Which makes life that much more mobile, especially on a small base (remember, we're military). We're branching out. Managing two-a-day training now. Working toward our first half-mari in December. And who knows, another Cheatham very well may be in my belly again soon enough.