




My husband and I are 4.5 weeks into Hammer and Chisel and all I can say is WE DID IT!!!!
With the new release of the workout program The Masters: Hammer & Chisel on December 1st I was beyond tempted to “start in the new year”…however my very excited hubby said he was ready for a change and ready to go and since I am all too familiar with the power of an accountability partner, I couldn’t let him go at it alone!!!
So we decided we would start, do the best we could but still enjoy the holidays…aka EAT THE COOKIES, enjoy the parties and control the controllable!
And through 5 birthday parties, countless holiday get togethers, NYE and all that in between I am happy to say WE MADE IT!
Am I where I want to be?!
Well, no, not exactly.
But am happy with the progress?
Absolutely!
Even though I gained 2 pounds I lost 2 inches – which goes to show you this program can help you gain LEAN muscle!
I have been using the Beachbody Performance Line – ENERGIZE (pre workout) and RECOVER (post workout) daily which have been KEY in helping me get the most of out each workout and reduce muscle soreness. In addition I haven’t missed a day of my SHAKEOLOGY! Nutrition is key and while the holiday indulgences were there Shakeology played a huge role in making sure they didn’t get out of control, especially during the baking days!!! For less than $4/meal you can’t beat that dense superfood nutrition!!!
The workouts are challenging and I KNOW the incredible results are coming but in all honesty – my nutrition wasn’t where it needs to be to get jaw-dropping results – but to make progress at a time when most Americans are gaining 7-10 pounds – I’LL TAKE IT!!!
I am getting stronger. My weights have increased and the 12 pounders that were collecting dust are now being tossed around with ease. One simple non-scale victory that helps reassure me – THIS PROGRAM IS WORKING!!!
And while the holidays are over our busy lives are here to stay. As I look forward to the second half of this program I see our upcoming Beachbody weekend in the ‘Burgh – an entire weekend away from home and then two weeks later I’ll be off to LA for a Leadership conference.
Life is busy. But you can always CONTROL the CONTROLLABLE.
*Plan ahead*
*Pack snacks*
*Prioritize your workouts and your health*
*Toss the excuses*
*Start each day with a fresh mind and clean slate*
**You can achieve great things. Believe YOU CAN and you WILL**
If you’d like some support and accountability to begin and/or continue your own fitness journey then fill out the application below! My challenge group is now forming and I know FIRST HAND how powerful it is to surround yourself with other like-minded people!
There’s POWER in numbers but you only have control over ONE.
If you’ve been following my Hammer & Chisel journey you may have noticed that week 3 kicked off with SEVERAL planned meals out – I mean its the holidays – tis the season right?!?!
Of course – but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some progress along the way too!!!
We have had some holiday celebrations, my dad’s birthday dinner and just some time out with friends and family! But here’s the deal – I do believe you can have your cake and eat it too!
Each day I’ve been “picking my splurge” whether its the meal or dessert I pick one and do my best on the other options. I have found making that healthier choice doesn’t leave me feeling deprived but rather proud that I am doing something to better myself!
We even had a day date christmas shopping trip in the mix and at the suggestion of my hubs we packed all our meals – yup – snack 1, lunch and snack 2. Mancake bake, grilled asparagus and salmon burgers, some fruit, shakeo and plenty to drink! Hydration is key!!!
And in between running from place to place we would sneak in those meals, fuel up and get on our way! I tend to get HANGRY while shopping and often don’t want to take the time out to eat when I’m on a mission and this made it work out for everyone involved!!!
My sis came to visit which gave me that much more of a REASON – not an EXCUSE to stay on track – we simply made it something we would do TOGETHER! Family fitness is just one of the many things that fills my cup — I think she’s hooked for sure!
The holiday season is tough – don’t get me wrong. And the temptations are everywhere but not impossible to survive by any means!!!
Here are my top HOLIDAY tips!
If you are interested in joining us in the new year – My January 4th RESOLUTIONS into RESULTS challenge group is now forming!
Fill out the application below and/or email me at maeganblinka@gmail.com for details.
There is power in numbers – but you only have control of ONE.
It has arrived!!!
Ok wait – so I JUST got the package YET – I’m in week 2?! Heck yes!
I’ve actually been doing the H&C workouts through the on demand feature of the Team Beachbody Premium Club membership. Basically its like netflix for the fitness world and while I had everything I needed to do the program – there’s just something to be said about flipping the pages of the nutrition guide and hanging that 60 day calendar on the basement walls!!!
So what came in the box?!?!
I opted for the The Masters Hammer and Chisel Deluxe DVD Package:
We did already have containers and shaker cups and a medicine ball but since my husband and I are doing this TOGETHER – we wanted to make sure we had enough of EVERYTHING!
You’ll see from my meal plan above – I am adding in: Energize (pre workout), Energize (post workout) and Recharge (overnight) from the Team Beachbody Performance Line. This is an intense program and I am looking to get max results and I know these will help me get there! I am not nearly as sore this week as I was in week 1 and far less than I anticipated – I know these vitamin packed supplements are helping on that road to recovery!!!
My hubs is also adding in the Hydrate during his workouts and creatine!
Note the difference in the meal plans – He falls into the second highest and I fall into the lowest – so how do we make it work? Plan it out!
These are literally printed and hanging in the pantry – we tag team the shopping, the chopping and the cooking. Don’t get me wrong…it takes TIME but its worth it.
We both agree this program is hard but its fun and in the running to become our favorite one yet!
And while it is challenging and there are days we don’t want to wake up in the morning but we DO IT ANYWAY. We do it for ourselves – our health – and our family!
My mom even joined in for a 5:00am workout while visiting last week!
Age really is just a number!!
If you are interested in joining us in the new year – My January 4th RESOLUTIONS into RESULTS challenge group is now forming!
Fill out the application below and/or email me at maeganblinka@gmail.com for details.
There is power in numbers – but you only have control of ONE.
People keep asking me about my thoughts on hammer & chisel and how it compares to other programs and all I can say is this is one of its own!
I had been hooked on the 21-day fix ever since its release back in February 2014 and I bounced around between various other programs but I found myself simply going through the motions without matching it with effort.
I needed a change – I needed a CHAlleNGE!
This program is challenging yet possible.
It makes me push myself every day but leaves me with the most amazing sense of accomplishment.
It’s a program my husband and I can do-together-with customized results driven by the nutrition plan.
Its very unique moves combine multiple muscle groups to get you RESULTS – faster.
Whether you’re:
Looking for a good challenge
OR
a program you can do with your spouse
OR
A way to stay active through these winter months without battling the gym scene and commute
OR
You just need to switch up your normal routine
This may be for you!
Don’t bet me wrong – these workouts aren’t easy – they make you push your limits but I promise you great things happen outside of your comfort zone!
Next challenge group is forming NOW!
You will get online, daily accountability, tips, motivation, ideas, MEAL PLANS (which I know you all love to create!!!), recipes and heck – even a chance to win $500 or at least some new gear!
Fill out the application below and Join my January 4th, 2016 – Resolutions into Results Health & Fitness accountability group
(Must not already be working with a coach! )
Here…we…goooooo!!!!
After a much anticipated wait and wonderful technology (aka our little netflix for home workouts!) my husband and I have kicked off our new workout program – and we’re doing it together!
Hammer & Chisel was released December 1st but with the Club Membership and On Demand feature we had access to the workouts by Thursday, December 3rd through our accounts and quite honestly – just couldn’t wait!!! Besides who needs a new week or new month to work towards those goals!? We were ready so we went for it!
Yes – I. AM. SORE! But…I have an overhwelming sense of accomplishment. These workouts are HARD – don’t get me wrong. But if you enjoy a challenge, if you enjoy throwing that iron around and/or if you’re looking for a program you and your significant other can do TOGETHER then this may be the program for you!
As I sat down to meal plan today I actually realized our mid-week start totally set us up. The schedule outlines 3 days on – rest – 3 more workout days. So our Thursday start gives us a Sunday rest day which I feel is PERFECT to recoup, rest and reflect on the week before as we prepare for the week ahead!
So while this is our first FULL week – we are actually on Day 4 – rest day – TODAY and I am taking my Sunday to PREPARE!
You know what they say:
“Failing to plan is like Planning to Fail”
The meal plan is pretty similar to the 21-day fix and fix extreme plans I have done in the past but very different for my hubby compared to his prior Body Best!
THE WAY IT WORKS:
You do a calculation based on your weight, activity level and goals – and you get a “plan” to follow. This plan will tell you how many portions of each food group/container you get and then the hard work sets in – PLANNING IT OUT!
Here are our weekly plans:
As you can see – we will be eating very similar foods but in very different portions. I have two commitments this week which are on my calendar and I will plan and act accordingly! Yes – I have goals and yes its the holiday season and Yes – its all about the balance!!
I fell in the 1200-1500 range giving me: 3 REDS, 2 YELLOWS, 2 PURPLES, 3 GREENS, 1 ORANGE and 1 BLUE.
My husband falls in the 3000-3299 range giving him: He gets 8 REDS, 8 YELLOWS, 5 PURPLES, 9 GREENS, 1 ORANGE and 1 BLUE.
And that plan means nothing unless you PREP – here’s what our fridge looks like at the start of week 1:
One thing I am adding this round is more of the PERFORMANCE LINE supplements.
I have been using the pre-wrokout ENERGIZE from Beachbody’s Performance Line for a few months and love it…it gives me that nice little energy boost to power through my early morning workouts but doesn’t leave me jittery or anything!! And I had never really felt the need to add in anything else…until now…
You can read more about the FULL PERFORMANCE LINE HERE – but for the time being I am going to add in the post-workout Recover to speed up muscle recovery and combat this exercise-induced muscle soreness! These workouts are a change – they are a challenge -and I fully expect to feel the pain a bit – but that doesn’t mean I have to go about each day barely being able to walk or touch my toes!!!
This line helps your body recover and recoup after training and I can already feel the impact in just the first 3 days.
Jello legs post workout where I am so fatigued yet the pain the next day is not at all what I would expect and I know the performance line is making all the difference in the world!
I am also going to add the Nightime recharge in the evening to support over night muscle recovery.
And as we began prepping today I can tell you – this is A LOT of food! And its beyond A LOT of food for my husband but these programs are tried and true – I know that if I follow the program the results will follow!!!
My first test group is underway and as I continue through week 1 I can tell you the results are coming already!!!!
I will lead from the front and be going through every step of the way WITH YOU! Together – we can do this!!!
The much anticipated new weight-lifting program is NOW AVAILABLE and my test group is now forming!
What is Hammer & Chisel?
For the very first time, trainers Sagi Kalev (Creator of Body Beast) and Autumn Calabrese (best known for the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme as well as Fixate cookbook) have teamed up to bring you their proven techniques to craft a “masterpiece physique” with The Master’s Hammer and Chisel.
Check out a little snipit of what to expect!
This program is 60 days long – includes 30-40 minute workouts with a scheduled 6x/week.
Is this more for Men or Women?
BOTH!!!
LADIES –> If you loved the 21 Day Fix or Fix EXTREME…this is your next step!!! Weights help you build muscle which helps you burn calories and in turn leaves you lean and TONED!
.
GUYS –> Whether you’re a Body Beast grad, avid gym goer or just enjoy throwing the iron around this is for you!
This program is uses SSP training™, for stabilization, strength and POWER. Other workouts focus on one or two phases of SSP Training, produce results. The Master’s Hammer and Chisel incorporates all three methods to help you sculpt every muscle for superior results!!!
How can you purchase it?
Challenge pack:
The best deal and value is always through the CHALLENGE PACK – giving you the full program package AND your first month of Shakeology on HD – AND – a spot in the exclusive test group mentioned below!
Base Kit:
If you already have Shakeology and/or you are a preferred customer with our discount membership you can still order the BASE kit.
Deluxe Kit – Includes everything above PLUS 4 additional workouts.
Keep in mind — this is available ONLY through your Team Beachbody Coach!
Are you in?
My official test group will start December 7th!
Fill out the application below to be considered for a spot and I will get back to you within 24 hours!!!
I promise you – this is going to be a total game changer!