Its easy to focus on the scale but I will be the first to say if that was my main focus I would have quit a long time ago.
I looked it a few different ways.
I challenged my body.
I tried new things.
I failed forward.
And we celebrated the small successes along the way!
Yes, I’ll be up front and share that GAINED 3 pounds on this program. Did I want to gain 3 pounds? Nope, not exactly. But let’s be real here…muscle is dense my friends! When you build muscle and cut the fat that number may be a bit higher!! Besides – my hubby is enjoying the 3 pound gain and solid booty and it is my role to keep him happy right?!
After some reinforcement from my hubby – I did learn to switch my focus to the other gains.
I gained stregnth, endurance, balance, discipline and 60 early morning dates with my hubby.
I have flaws. I have room for improvement but my goodness this body carried and delivered two beautiful babies.
My nutrition was far from perfect (I am such a cookie monster!!!) and I know I let my travels and other things set me back but hey – progress is progress right!!!
I am healthy and I just completed a 60 day RIGOROUS training program. I am proud!
These other gains, my friends, far outweigh the scale increase any day!
Besides, having a program to complete TOGETHER with my husband was so much fun and a huge key to my success (yes, I am calling my 3 pound weight gain a success).
Not only did I have my incredible hubby cheering me on daily but my challengers kept me in tune and in CHECK! I know I couldn’t have done it with out them all!!!
But the fitness journey has no end destination!
Its full Cruise*Countdown mode in our house as we prepare for a journey to the Caribbean on a trip we earned through Beachbody – We are not stopping here!
My Fit4February -LOVE yourself challenge group is now open and accepting applicants. We will kick off – TOGETHER – on February 14th!
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!!!
A very simple clean, crockpot roast
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.
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:
12 workouts on 6 DVDs: HAMMER PLYOMETRICS, ISO SPEED HAMME, TOTAL BODY HAMMER,MAX HAMMER STRENGTH, HAMMER POWER, HAMMER CONDITIONING, CHISEL BALANCE, ISO STRENGTH CHISEL, CHISEL ENDURANCE, CHISEL CARDIO, CHISEL AGILITY, TOTAL BODY CHISEL
A SET OF 7 PORTION-CONTROL CONTAINERS & SHAKER CUP
PROGRAM AND NUTRITION GUIDE
QUICK-START GUIDE
60-DAY WORKOUT CALENDAR
PLUS, 3 FREE BONUS GIFTS: 10 MIN AB HAMMER WORKOUT, 10 MIN AB CHISEL WORKOUT, 24/7 ONLINE SUPPORT
4 ADVANCED TOTAL-BODY WORKOUTS: HAMMER BUILD UP, POWER CHISEL, 15 MIN LEG HAMMER, 15 MIN GLUTE CHISEL
AN EXTRA SET OF 7 PORTION-CONTROL CONTAINERS*
8-LB. MEDICINE BALL
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.
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!!!!
If you’d like to start off 2016 with me – then join my January 4th Resolutions into Results health & fitness accountability group!
I will lead from the front and be going through every step of the way WITH YOU! Together – we can do this!!!
Hammer & Chisel – the newest home DVD workout program is COMING SOON!
Team Beachbody is at it again! And so is Autumn Calabrese, creator of the 21-Day Fix, 21-Day Fix Extreme and Fixate cookbook, as she has teamed up with Body Beast creator, Sagi Kalev to bring is the ultimate program for toning, sculpting, losing weight and combining strength training with cardio – AVAILABLE ONLY through your Team Beachbody Coach – DECEMBER 1st!
I’ll be honest – my husband Kyle and I have been counting down to the release ever since we first got wind of this at Coach Summit in July! He has completed 2 rounds of Body Beast and I have been hooked on the 21-day fix ever since I got my personal journey jumpstarted nearly 18 months ago so this is truly combining the best of both worlds for our FitFam.
This program is sure to bring – both men and women – amazing results in just 60 days and I’m going to be throwing a fun little LAUNCH party starting December 7th so we can rock it out TOGETHER! And if you’re interested in getting all the details – fill out the form below!!!
What’s different about this program?
Autumn and Sagi focus in on what gives you the best results…aka – NUTRITION – combined with intense workouts – aka – EXERCISE – and I toss in that SUPPORT system so to get you the results to a leaner, more toned, HAPPIER & HEALTHIER YOU!
How long are the workouts?
30-40 minutes
How long is the program?
60 days
Below are the results from a few fellow Team Beachbody coaches who participated in the recent test group and as you can see achieved amazing results:
Down 4 pounds AND – HAPPILY – gained inches in both her arms and legs – Niki Whiting, test group participant
This program will absolutely take dedication, motivation and a strong belief that YES YOU CAN! But I truly believe there is POWER IN NUMBERS and with the support of other like minded individuals on a similar path the results achieved with be greater!
Kyle and I will be running a Test Group for people wanting to get shredded with us! We are also going to be sharing our journey on social media!! If you are interested in doing this program when it comes out and you would like support and accountability make sure to fill out the information below so you are on our list to contact!!!
Maegan Blinka 