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. 

How I lost 40lbs

The worst part about PCOS is the whole "trouble losing weight" symptom.

Is that really a symptom?

But anyway, it sucks.

I see people who have lost inches and pounds in a mere matter of months, and I've struggled to lose 40lbs in the last two years. It's really kind of crazy.

I have to remember that I can't beat myself up though. I have hormonal imbalances that make it tricky to lose weight. And my doctor was actually impressed with my weight loss, which made me super proud.

So how did I do it?

Hard work. Resisting temptation. Saying no to sweets. 

I lost the first 20lbs doing TurboFire, at home, however, I often found myself yo-yo-ing in my weight due to no having a great meal plan. I always knew about the eating guides that come with the program, but there was never an "easy" way to get it done.

In February of this year, when I finally hit a breaking point that something had to change, especially being in the midst of infertility and if I wanted to have fighting chance at conceiving on my own, I needed to change.

You mindset is half the battle. Your mind needs to be in the right place if you want to make a change. You have to know why you want to change. For me, it was because we want to start a family and have been having a hard time. It just wasn't happening. 

In February, a friend invited me to do the 21 Day Fix. I had heard about it, but never really looked into it. I finally did, purchased the program and well, I was hooked. Who knew that little containers could make all the difference in the world. They are so simple and yet so effective.

This was the missing piece that I needed. My issues have always been portion control. My eyes are typically bad at measuring. With the 21 Day Fix containers, it eliminates the need to count calories or to weigh food. You just put the food in the container (if the food is approved) and if it fits, you're good to eat it.

After finishing three rounds of the 21 Day Fix, I did one round of the 21 Day Fix Extreme, and then my husband and I did Focus: T25. 

I hit the 40lb weight loss mark about Week 9 of T25.

I'm still not at my goal weight. I still struggle with food (I love it...especially carbs!). But with every step forward, every step in the right direction, I know I will get to my goal!

21 Day Fix: Round 4

This week I started my 4th round of the 21 Day Fix with my current group of Summer Survival Challengers.

Okay, let's just say that it's been a while since I've done the 21 Day Fix and I kind of forgot how good the workouts are! They totally kicked my butt. I guess I assumed that because I completed T25 that the 21 Day Fix workouts would be no sweat.

Well....they are totally sweat inducing!

Since I was still out of town on Monday, I did the workout from my aunt and uncle's office in Massachusetts thanks to Beachbody on Demand and about 15 square feet of space. You don't need a whole lot of room to get things done! I got my sweat on while on vacation!

Then, since I was traveling on Tuesday, I didn't get my workout in. However, I made up for it on Wednesday by doing both the Upper Fix and the Lower Fix. Whooooo-weeee my arms and legs could feel it! Haha. 

I really did forget how effective and killer the workouts are.

Probably the best thing about this program is that it is just 21 days. So it's completely doable and easy to follow. The workouts everyday are a challenge, and so is following the eating plan faithfully, but if you put the work in, you WILL see results!

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! 

Fixate is coming!

To say that the 21 Day Fix has been a game changer in my life this year would probably be an understatement. The program has literally changed the way that I eat and think about nutrition. 

Over the course of 21 days, I thought about my macronutrients in terms of "reds" "yellows" and "greens". And because of those little, seemingly insignificant, containers, I began to think about how I ate and how much I ate in a brand new way.

Now, over three months later, I still use the container system because it's easy and keeps me on track for my goals. I'm still in weight loss mode, so I'm still following the container count from when I was doing the 21 Day Fix, although now I'm doing Focus: T25. 

I really believe it's the structure and simplicity of the program that makes all the difference. Plus the fitness portion has difference workouts every day which helps to bust any boredom. And with it only being three weeks long, it's short enough to stick to through the end...and then you can repeat it all over again.

Honestly, the 21 Day Fix is a remarkable program...so simple, so approachable, and so effective. 

I'm super excited that Autumn Calabrese is releasing Fixate, her book of recipes that works seamlessly with the 21 Day Fix. 

Probably the biggest thing I struggled with during the program and generally speaking was finding recipes that not only tasted good but were easy to make. One of the things I dread (and why meal planning saves the day) is figuring out what to cook for lunch and dinner. 

I can't wait to see what's included in the cookbook. The best part is that each recipe will have a breakdown of the container count. So perfect!

The book comes out in a couple of weeks at the Beachbody Summit in Nashville.

Focus T25: Week 6 Recap

We started Week 6 of T25 and Week 1 of the Beta Cycle for Focus T25.

I was kind of nervous about moving into a new phase of the workout because I assumed that it would be crazy harder.

While there are some advanced moves, there is still Tania the modifier, and really, the additional moves aren't crazy outrageous. With a little work and determination, and a whole lot of practice, by Week 10, I should be able to do everything.

 So who is the genius who invented one-legged burps and air planks? Ha!

Focus T25: Week 4 Recap

I know for a fact that I would not be getting through the week of workouts without my husband. I'm so thankful for his encouragement and keeping me accountable. We're in this together and team work makes the dream work, right?

Another week, same workouts, different order. Most days I don't want to get up and workout, but because he's doing it, I'm doing it to.

Of course the most important factor in all of the working out when it comes to losing weight is nutrition! Nutrition and making sure to put the right things into our bodies.

We have one more week in the Alpha Cycle of Focus T25. It's three days of Total Body Circuit. And we'll be that much closer to Beta Cycle!

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!

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?