The Master's Hammer and Chisel Review

My husband and I just completed our first round of The Master's Hammer and Chisel.

How did we like it? Well, if it's any indication, we decided to do a second round!

I'll admit, I was a little bit concerned if we would finish this program. About halfway through the program, we had to take a last minute flight back to my hometown for my grandmother's funeral. We went off course for just under a week.

That didn't stop us though. As soon as we got home, we got back on track with the program. And I'm so excited to say that we finished!

Best parts about Hammer and Chisel:

• Different workouts each day. While there are 12 total workouts, each day was different and not in the same pattern each week. This helped with muscle confusion and by not knowing what was coming each day of the week prevented boredom and/or dread.
• Two trainers. As much as I have enjoyed programs with just one trainer, I really liked having both Autumn Calabrese and Sagi Kalev. It was nice to get two perspectives and to mix it up each day. Both offer killer workouts and at this point, I'm not sure who I would choose as a favorite. 
• Simple nutrition. Hammer and Chisel uses the same portion container system as the 21 Day Fix with adjustments to portion quantities based on your goals. For example, my husband was looking to gain some muscle and he has to eat...A LOT. I want to lean out so my portion container bracket was the same as when I did the 21 Day Fix. The color coded containers make it super easy to know how much to eat and what you should be eating. 
• Strength Training focused. If I had to choose between strength training and cardio, I'd chose strength training all day, everyday. I love the idea of building muscle. I'm not scared of it! We did Focus T25 over the summer which is mainly cardio, and while it was a great workout, I did miss lifting weights.

Worst parts about Hammer and Chisel:

• Sweat. Okay, so that's probably an obvious "side effect" of working out, but man oh man, do you sweat in these programs - especially in the more cardio focused workouts. 
• Workouts longer than 30 minutes. I'll say it. Doing a couple rounds of 21 Day Fix as well as Focus T25 made me super spoiled about a quick workout. While none of the Hammer and Chisel workouts are over 45 minutes, on days when you also have to do 10 minute abs, it's just under an hour. Granted, it could be longer, but I love me a quick workout. 
• No dedicated modifier. I understand that because this is more of an advanced level workout there's no dedicated modifier. All of the workouts do have a modifier for if you don't have a bench and uses a stability ball instead. Also, some of the workouts have a modifier for some moves, but unlike other programs, most of the moves are done full out. I don't think it's a problem per se, but it would be nice to know how to do the moves if you're unable to follow the regular move. 

Overall, we really liked Hammer and Chisel. As a 60 day program, I think it's easier to get through than a 90 day program. I really like having the workout program calendar posted where it's easy to see every day to keep track of what workouts we have done and how many more to do. I love being able to write a check mark in the box to show that we have completed that day.

For the next round of Hammer and Chisel, we'll be trying out Beachbody Performance Line products - Energize and Recover. After each workout, Sagi and Autumn talk about the products and I'm totally interested to see if it makes a difference or not. I'm sure it will, but I'm always a little hesitant to try products if I don't really "need" them. On that note, I'm looking forward to trying them out. 

The Master's Hammer & Chisel: What's Included?

I've been looking forward to The Master's Hammer & Chisel ever since I saw the teaser promo video this summer. It looked like the perfect combination of strength training and cardio at a level that was doable for most people who have been doing workout programs for a while. I also liked the idea that it was taught by two trainers: Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese, which provides some variety.

While I love the 21 Day Fix and Autumn, I thought it would be great to have two perspectives going into this workout. I haven't done any of Sagi's workouts before, but I think I may look into Body Beast after finishing The Master's Hammer & Chisel.

So you may be wondering what's included when you order The Master's Hammer & Chisel.

In the base package, you get twelve workouts - 6 Hammer and 6 Chisel:

Chisel Workouts, led by Autumn Calabrese

Chisel Balance - 40 minutes
ISO Strength Chisel - 36 minutes
Chisel Endurance - 36 minutes
Chisel Cardio - 38 minutes
Chisel Agility - 38 minutes
Total Body Chisel - 35 minutes
10 Minute Ab Chisel - 11 minutes

Hammer Workouts, led by Sagi Kalev

Hammer Plyometrics - 22 minutes
ISO Speed Hammer - 24 minutes
Total Body Hammer - 42 minutes
Max Hammer Strength - 35 minutes
Hammer Conditioning - 29 minutes
Hammer Power - 38 minutes
10 Minute Ab Hammer - 12 minutes

Also included is the quick start guide, nutrition guide, program calendar, and a shaker cup.

You'll also receive a set of color coded containers that you may recognized from the 21 Day Fix. The nutrition plan is structured in the same way as the 21 Day Fix, but tailored to your personal goals. So if your goals are losing weight, gaining muscle, or maintaining, you'll follow a certain calorie and container bracket.

Are you interested in starting The Master's Hammer and Chisel? You can order it here* and get me as your free coach!


*Note: if you order The Master's Hammer and Chisel from this link, I will receive a commission, and you'll have me assigned as your FREE coach to help you through the program!

Focus T25: Week 10 Recap // Review

We finished!!

We finished 50 days of Focus: T25!

This is the first time that we've finished a complete program together...let alone one that was longer than 3 weeks. This one was 10 weeks!

I must say that I am not a morning person, but I definitely preferred to workout first thing in the morning with Focus: T25. It was kind of nice just to roll out of bed, get the workout done -- 25 minutes! -- and go about our day. There was one day where my hubby had work to do late at night the day before, so the next morning he was not feeling up to the workout at 6:30am. He was working from home that day so we did the workout around lunchtime. I found that I had much better energy first thing in the morning (even though I hadn't eaten yet).

Okay, so results! Well, for me, I lost a total of 8lbs and about 14 inches over all. I'm not sure what my husband's numerical results are, but he definitely got more definition in his arms and abs. 

I believe that I would have gotten more "dramatic" results (if I wanted them) if I had followed either the Focus: T25 meal plan or a 21 Day Fix meal plan. However, we did not have a strict meal plan. I followed a loose version of the 21 Day Fix, still using containers, but not managing it quite as closely. I still drank my Shakeology every day, and considering that I deal with PCOS which makes it difficult to lose weight anyway, I'm super pleased with 8 pounds.

I'm now within just a couple pounds of my first goal weight. I know that I can make it. It feels so close...and yet also SOOOO far.

I can't lost the momentum though. 

Honestly, I'm at my lowest weight since college. And I don't want to go back up on the scale.

Focus: T25 is a great workout. It's short, at just 25 minutes, so there's really no excuse not to get it in. It's mostly cardio based and if you need to modify, there is a modifier to follow. I would say that it is more intense than the 21 Day Fix, but a little less intense than the 21 Day Fix Extreme.

If you're looking for an awesome & intense workout, but you're short on time, I would highly recommend looking into Focus: T25. You can purchase a copy here.

Focus T25: Week 9 Recap

We made it!

Made it through another week of Focus: T25 Beta Cycle.

I'm so glad that we decided to do this program together. It's kept up on track, accountable, and focused over the last nine weeks. I don't think that I could have done this alone...at least not with this kind of consistency!

Focus T25: Week 8 Recap

What have I learned since embarking on this journey of working out every morning?

That accountability is key.

Do I want to take sweaty selfies every day? 

No, not particularly.

However, I know that by taking a photo and sharing it, I'm keeping myself accountable. I think about what it would be like if we were just working out on our own but not doing public accountability. I'm sure we'd still get our workouts in (my husband is dependable like that), but I feel like it would be a lot easier to skip out on a workout here and there.

I have to say that this is the first time that I've made it this far into the program. We only have 2 more weeks to go.

So how is T25?

Well, honestly, before we started I was kind of nervous about it. It seemed really intense and harder than anything I've ever done. However, thanks to Tania the modifier, everything was really accessible! I was pleasantly surprised that I'm able to do about 80% of the moves without modifying. I still do pushups on my knees and walk for the pike ups. Otherwise, I'm doing the program.

It doesn't matter if you can do the moves perfectly. It matters that you keep going and stick to it consistently. Change happens in the consistency of habit over time....just like gaining weight can sneak up on you...so can weight loss! 

40lb Weight Loss Transformation

Okay it's official, the difference between these two photos is 40lbs! That's a small child 😂

And you know what, it hasn't just been an outside transformation...most importantly, it's been an inner transformation. Since making a change to get healthier, I've lost weight, but I've also gained confidence. And I know that's not tied up in how much you weigh, but as someone who has struggled with weight almost all my life, it's a big deal.

For me, it wasn't until I actually saw a physical change that I started to see and feel the inner change, too.

Four years ago, I would never have been comfortable posting a photo of myself without makeup. I wouldn't have been comfortable leaving the house or having the potential of running into someone I knew without makeup. It's true. As women, I think we often use makeup as a shield...an armor of sorts to enhance all the features we like and minimize those we don't. Am I right?

But once you really learn to love yourself, your whole self, makeup becomes merely a tool to enhance your features rather than trying to hide behind it...

All this to say, I'm 100% happier with myself since I decided to take control of my health rather than just letting it all go. (3 1/2 years ago I basically failed part of a health exam, triglycerides anyone?!) It's not too late. Small changes over time can make a big difference.

If you want to take control of your health, you're invited to my next fitness & nutrition accountability group. It's 21 days, and it just might be the kickstart you're looking for. Shoot me an email and let's chat.

21 Day Summer Fix Group

Let's do this together!

This is about a life change, a fresh start and not some crash diet or magic pill. You need to make a decision to commit to YOU! Daily improvements and good choices towards a better healthier you.


Get in this for the long haul! Yes, you'll see results in as little as a week and get a serious jaw dropping transformation in 21 days. But if you take what you learn during those 21 days, you'll change your life. I know I did!


When I first started this journey, I would check into my challenge group every morning, post my workout, share what I ate the day before and ask for help in the areas I struggled with. That group really was my support within the comfort of my own home! It's the reason why I succeeded and finished the program from start to finish.

I don't know about you, but I realized that I'm not really a gym person. I don't like feeling like a have to share equipment or be judged by people and honestly, I just like my space and be able to go full out at a workout and have the reassurance that no one else is watching.

Let's face it, its easy to skip a workout, to not make healthy food choices and of course to ignore the feeling in your gut to dig deeper if you don't have that accountability! That's the secret about the atmosphere I create! It's not about a shake and a box of workout DVDs. It's about being a part of something more and knowing that you matter to others.

Fourth of July is right around the corner I want to invite you to join me in a 21 Summer Fix Group. We start July 6th, so it's a perfect time to start after you've enjoyed the holiday with BBQ, margaritas, and all kinds of other goodies! I want to help you Meal Prep, Plan and Eat Clean! Learn how to properly fuel your body for energy, weight loss, and how to make this a lifestyle change vs temporary fix.

I am going to share my meal planning tips and tricks, give you recipes, tips and ideas to help you achieve your goals. Whether its 5lbs or 50 lbs I can help! 

I really truly love what I do and I love seeing other people achieve AMAZING results.

If this sounds like something you would like to start, I am inviting you to join me on July 6th!

All you need to do is commit to a fitness program which we can decide on together, you replace 1 meal or snack per day with Shakeology and in return I will add you to my exclusive online accountability and support group where each day you will get group support from me, daily motivation, daily check ins and the ultimate accountability!


SIGN UP FOR THE CHALLENGE HERE!

Focus T25: Week 3 Recap

We survived another week of Focus T25 with ShaunT. 

It's amazing what happens when exercise becomes a habit. You actually look forward to it, even though you're totally not looking forward to it, know what I mean?

Posting our daily sweaty selfies has been an integral part of us keeping to this workout routine. While we could just not post up a selfie, we'll know that we still worked out, but it would be so much easier to skip out on a workout that way.

Some days it feels ridiculous, but apparently now Facebook friends look forward to our daily selfies. What will do when Focus T25 is over?

I'm really enjoying working out with my husband again. We worked out together before when we attempted P90X. That was a little harder to coordinate because we would work out after he got home from work. I love that T25 is just 25 minutes and easy enough to get done first thing in the morning. And it just makes your day that much better!

On to Week 4 Alpha Cycle!

Focus T25: Week 2 Recap

Today we finished Week 2 of Focus T25. 

So I think I might have a love/hate relationship with this workout program. I love it because it is only 25 minutes (except Fridays where it's a Double Day - we decided to take the option). I hate it because I get so sweaty. Like it's crazy how sweaty you can get in just 25 minutes.

But we survived another week!

I definitely think that posting our sweaty selfies on Facebook for all our friends and family to see has been helpful in keeping us accountable. I know that if we weren't posting them, I'd find it so much easier to make an excuse as to why we didn't have to workout.

Another good thing is that I'm working out with my husband. He's really good about following through, especially if it means that he's making me follow through on stuff. So really, it's great that we're holding each other accountable for doing Focus T25. If I were to do this alone, I'd probably stick to it, but not nearly as well as doing the workout together with him.

I also love the selfie stick. I thought it was silly at first, but it's totally come in handy for these photos!

FitBit Flex Review

I received a FitBit Flex last year for Christmas. I actually used to have the FitBit One, until I lost it. It was the version that you could clip to your pants pocket. I've used the FitBit Flex nearly everyday since Christmas, and I love it!

I'm kind of a geek when it comes to data and stats, and the FitBit is the easiest way to keep track of your activity and movement. You just wear it on your wrist and go. The charge lasts for about five days before needing to recharge it. 

In January, I set my daily goal for 8,000 steps which is just shy of 2 miles a day. Now, in April, I find myself at least meeting my goal, if not surpassing it, usually hitting the 10,000 step mark. 

Because I have a step goal set, I find myself more willing to walk my dog multiple times a day. He's a happy camper because he gets to go on at least two walks a day, if not three (at least while the weather is still mild enough to walk during the daytime...Texas summers are brutal!).

Each little LED dot accounts for 1/5 of your step goal. If your goal is 10,000 steps, each dot is 2,000 steps. It's an easy way to keep track and know how far you have moved each day.

There is also a sleep mode. You just tap quickly until the FitBit vibrates and switches to sleep mode. The next morning you can see how you slept. It accounts for your time awake and restlessness. If you forget to put your FitBit into sleep mode, you can always manually enter your sleep time into the app. If you wore your FitBit to sleep, it will keep track of your movements.

PROS:

• It's super simple to use. The most time intensive part is probably just setting it up by creating and account and pairing it with your phone.
• The app. All the data is there and you can keep up with your goals. You can also sync it to other apps such as MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and the Apple Health App.
• If you purchase the FitBit Aria, which is the wireless syncing scale, the scale will update your weight in the app. We bought one after the new year and love it. It also measures your body fat percentage.

CONS:

• I wish it had a longer battery life - like 7 days, that way I could get more time in. Sometimes, when it runs out of battery, I charge it overnight, but then I don't have the sleeping stats. Like I said I'm a nerd for the stats.
• Because of the design, if you're working out with your FitBit, it can get a little bit gunky on the side that sits on your arm. Just think of the sweat and daily grit. It's a simple enough fix to pop the tracker out and clean it off.

Do you have a FitBit? How do you like it?

My husband received a FitBit Charge for Christmas he wears it everyday. It's a little bit larger than the Flex and also has a digital display that shows steps, calories, and the time. 

We all start somewhere

It's been a long road on this journey. It's really only been in the last year or so that I got focused on my health and fitness, and only in the last couple of months that I got really serious about it. So you've heard of the Freshman 15, right? Yeah, I put those on. But have you heard of the Newlywed 30? I hadn't either until I found them ON me. That photo on the left was Christmas 2012. The photo on the right was 2 weeks ago.

Last week, I hit a huge milestone...I've LOST 35lbs with help from clean eating, Pure Barre, 24 Day Challenges, TurboFire, P90X, but what's really helped me in this last push has been Shakeology, 21 Day Fix, and 21 Day Fix Extreme from my highest weight and I'm now under what I weighed on my wedding day. It hasn't been fast. And it hasn't been easy. I have PCOS and if you know what that is, you know what a monkey wrench it throws into your progress. But I won't let that stop me.

This isn't just about the weight loss, it's a lifestyle change. Trading old habits for new ones (like green smoothies). I feel great, I sleep better, I feel more focused during the day, I have more energy, I feel more confident. I still hate burpees and broccoli makes me want to gag most days, but I'm excited that I haven't given up. I've made strides in the right direction.

I'm not done yet (one day I'll have abs...). Health & fitness is a journey, not a destination, after all. So with that I'm super excited to say that I'm a Beachbody Coach (don't worry, I'm still a photographer), and I want to pay it forward and help other people get started on their fitness journey. I want to encourage you to keep going, cheer you on when you feel like giving up, and plus it's way more fun when you have friends working out with you. Who wants to get fit with me?

T25 with ShaunT is next...

21 Day Fix Review

I can't tell you how many fitness programs I have started and never finished. While I began the program excited and interested, over time, the workouts would feel redundant (since there were only 3-4) and having to do the same workout twice in one week felt boring. So I would lose interest and stop the program altogether.


Then I tried going to the gym and doing weight training. I actually really like weight training and working on muscles instead of doing a ton of cardio (although I know a mix is ideal). And while I was going strong at about 4-5 days per week, that got old too. I would have to get ready, drive to the gym, find a parking spot, and then hopefully not have to fight over the gym equipment with the other people working out. And when they spent too long on a machine or hogged all the weights, I would want to give them the side eye. Finally, it got to where I had gone for like eight weeks in a row...and then I took a rest week.


Which became two weeks, and then three.


Then a friend invited me to her workout group where they would be doing the 21 Day Fix. I had heard about the program, but I didn't really know what it was all about. All I knew was that it was 21 days long, there were some food containers, and 30 minute workouts. I could do that.

After deliberating for a couple of days, I decided to go for it. I figured that it was only 21 days - anyone can do something for 21 days. The workouts are only 30 minutes. Anyone can find 30 minutes in their day to get it done. And finally, real guidance with the food! There's that saying, "abs are made in the kitchen" and it's true. Getting to your goal weight has so much more to do with nutrition than exercise alone. Together they make all the difference.


I started my first round of 21 Day Fix on February 9, 2015 and finished on March 1, 2015. And yes, I finished! It was the first fitness program that I've ever completed from start to finish.

The Workouts

The 30 minute workouts are short, but that doesn't mean that they are easy. They are not super complex - you don't have to be a star athlete - but they will push you beyond your limits if you've never worked out hard before. The good thing is that there is a modifier for each workout that you can follow if you need it. I know I did for some of the exercises.


Mondays - Total Body Cardio - cardio with light weights

Tuesdays - Upper Fix - upper body exercises with weights

Wednesdays - Lower Fix - squats and lunges with weights

Thursdays - Pilates Fix - abs, legs, back work

Friday - Cardio Fix - cardio to get your heart pumping

Saturday - Dirty 30 - my favorite of the week - mostly weighted exercises

Sunday - Yoga Fix - active rest day to stretch your muscles from all the work you did

The Nutrition

This was probably the most helpful part for me. So the program comes with color-coded containers in various sizes. Based on your caloric needs, you get a certain number of containers per color. This cuts out the need for counting calories or measuring or weighing your food. I think it's a great system, especially if you're just getting started on your fitness journey.

Green - Vegetables

Purple - Fruits

Red - Protein

Yellow - Carbs

Blue - Healthy Fats

Orange - Seeds, nuts, salad dressing

So for example, for lunch, you might have a salad - 2 green containers (1 container spinach, 1 container tomatoes & cucumbers) + 1 red container (1 container chopped chicken) + 1 orange container (balsamic vinaigrette).

I'll admit when I first got the containers I thought that they were really small. But when you figure out that you get to eat multiple containers a day (for greens, purples, reds, and yellows) it actually adds up to a lot of food. The nice things is that the book included with the program gives you guidelines for what you can eat and what works for each container. Also, there is a guide in case you're eating out and can't portion your food. And if you have a sweet tooth, there are allowances for treats!

I know that having that type of flexibility in an eating plan was super helpful for me. I think that if I had to be perfect at eating 24/7, 100% of the time, I would have given up. But with the allowances and a little bit of flexibility (don't go crazy and erase your efforts), it makes a huge difference.

The Results

In my first round of 21 Day Fix, I lost 6lbs!

For someone who has trouble losing weight due to PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), this was amazing to me! Even with my hard work at the gym in the previous months, I had only moved the scale about 2-3lbs in either direction, which was discouraging. I was trying to eat following a plan that my sister-in-law had given me. She said, "You should see the pounds fall off if you follow this plan." When they didn't, I was frustrated.

Following and finishing the 21 Day Fix was the first time I saw real results in a short amount of time, while only working out 30 minutes a day and still eating well. While I know that results shouldn't be measured only by the scale and I know that muscle weighs more than fat, seeing the number go down on the scale is a huge victory! I weigh 10lbs less than on my wedding day, which is amazing to me!

If you're just getting started on your fitness journey or don't know where to start and are looking for something to get you started, I highly recommend the 21 Day Fix. It is simple to follow and with it being only 21 days, it is simple to stick to. Anyone can do something for 21 days.

It takes 21 days for form a habit, right?