I Made It Through The Holidays....Week 3 Hammer and Chisel Results

I can't believe that it's already the end of Week 3....Day 21.  Christmas came and went, but it was great.  I was able to enjoy some time with my family and friends.  It felt good to..FEEL good in my dress at church.  I hadn't felt good in my clothes in a long time.  

                        

Before this journey started...my pants were tight.  My shirts were getting snug.  I didn't want to dress up because nothing fit me like it used to.  It just felt better to wear my workout clothes and my EXTREMELY big sweatpants. 

But in 21 days...I was able to see a number that at one point was the heaviest I had been in years. Well, that number is a GREAT number to me today.  I have lost almost 7 lbs in the 21 days.  I know that it shouldn't be about a number on scale...and truly...it's not.  But 150 lbs. was the number that pushed me over the edge quite a few months ago...I swore that I wasn't going to see that again.  I knew how to eat healthy.  I knew what it took to maintain.  So why was I happy to see it again today?

Divorce sucks!  Plain as day, simply put.  Some people may lose weight during the process...but nope.  Not me.  I gained.  I ate terribly.  I didn't workout like I should.  I not only got back to the 150 lb. mark, but I surpassed it by quite a few.  So to see that 150 again this morning...was a great feeling.  I have also been feeling better in my jeans, my dress clothes, and have actually been wanting to put on something else than my...ACTIVEWEAR!  :)

So how did I make that happen during the holidays?  Well I was determined.  I had hit a point in my life that it was more motivating and internally satisfying to say NO to all of those treats that kept arriving at the office.  I knew what I wanted to FEEL like...and nothing TASTES as good as FEELING GOOD feels.  I planned in my mind that I would splurge on scheduled days and there was no need to get off the plan along the way.  

I used my new Veggetti (thanks to my great friend Ophie)...and made my first set of Zoodles.  They were so good, that I plan to have them again tonight for dinner.  In order to make a change, you need to accept that you might have to get "uncomfortable" with what you normally do.  I had to say no to treats.  I had to tell friends that I didn't want to come out and have drinks.  I tried a new vegetable and learned that I liked it.  You never know until you try. Honestly, it hasn't been that hard.  Now that I'm 3 weeks in...I feel like finishing won't be a problem.  

I made it through the holidays...and not only DIDN'T gain weight...I lost weight.  I feel like that is an accomplishment in itself.  I can do this.  I'm feeling confident.  I'm feeling empowered.  Who would've thought an 'at-home' DVD fitness program could do that to someone???  When you see results, when you feel the results, when you mentally commit, when you stick to a plan...it is life changing.    

 And to top it all off...SANTA was very nice to me.  I was able to complete my home gym this year.  I was given a weight bench and I bought myself some new weights. This way I can really push myself to my full potential.  It was a great feeling to get up this morning and workout.  Kinda like a kid on Christmas morning.  I used my new "toys"!

Here's to Week 4...stay tuned!

Feeling inspired to begin?  I have an online accountability group that will be starting January 4th. There is still time to get in on the fun and start this life changing experience for yourself. Find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.hendershot.73. Or on Instagram @kmhendershot. Or email me at kmhendershot32@gmail.com.

Let's get you started on your journey today!

Hammer and Chisel Week 2 Review

Week 2...I can't believe how fast the time has gone by.  I have truly looked forward to the workouts each and every day.  

I can honestly say that I feel completely rejuvenated in my workouts.  I was definitely getting bored.  Don't get me wrong...I still LOVE teaching PiYo and Insanity...but I needed a goal, a challenge, an extra push. So Hammer and Chisel came at the perfect time for me.  I also like starting a new fitness routine during the holidays because it is that extra accountability I need to stay on track with all the holiday eating.

So...after week 1 I felt AMAZING!  I was not nearly as sore as I expected to be and I attribute that to the Beachbody Performance Line.  I am literally singing its praises because it works. Each night by the time I went to bed I could tell that my body was going to be super sore.  But by the time I woke up in the morning the soreness partially subsided and I was able to go and crush my workout.  I use the Beachbody Performance Post workout Recovery followed by my Shakeology for breakfast, then at night I have been using the Recharge formula and that is what helps me not feel nearly as sore the next day.  I know that if it wasn't for this routine my outcome might be very different.  

I have also really followed the nutrition plan to the T. I allowed myself 1 cheat meal on the weekend and it was for a staff Christmas gathering.   The definition of a cheat meal for me is this:  Not restricting yourself for 1 meal, NOT an entire day!  It's also having what you want with proper portion control and not skipping your workout that day.  So when we went out to dinner at P.F. Changs which is so yummy...but so full of sodium. I looked ahead of time at the menu.  I did my research on calories and sodium etc.  I did have a couple adult beverages, but I bypassed on the rice or noodles that comes with every entree.  I felt accomplished and on track plus there were no feelings of guilt. I have eaten very clean for 2 weeks straight, no splurges, no sweets, no alcohol.  And my results are showing my dedication to the meal plan and the workouts.  

If you want to see more workout videos hit up my like page at www.facebook.com/karenhendershotinspire or follow me at www.facebook.com/karen.hendershot.73 I do my best to post at least 3-4 videos per week.

The workouts are challenging yet they are very doable.  

The one thing I really love about this program is that it changes every day.  It is not always the same workout and each week is a challenge.  Day 13 is the first time that I actually repeated a workout.  To me, the variety is motivating me to keep going.  I'm not anywhere close to being bored anymore. 

Here are a couple sample videos of 2 of the workouts that I completed this week.

If you are interested in doing the Hammer and Chisel Workout Program, please let me know. I am currently working with others to get our January 4th Hammer and Chisel Challenge Group ready to go.   Make sure that you link up with me if you do not have a coach.  A coach is someone just like me that can help you with the workout program, with staying accountable, on track and focused on the results that you want. 

Hammer and Chisel Week 1 Review

Okay...I did it!!!  It's the end of Week 1.  I successfully followed the calendar and the meal plan for The Master's Hammer and Chisel. My results in this picture may not show much of anything...I mean...heck...it's only been 7 days.  

 BUT for me...this is HUGE.  I had let myself go into a downward spiral of candy eating, adult beverage drinking, and eating out all the time.

I do believe that in moderation...those are all things I think are completely OK.

BUT...not in the way I was doing it.  I have gained almost 20 lbs. from the start of my divorce last March.  AND well...I've just had enough.  It was time t refocus.  

So let's talk day 1, Chisel Balance was the first workout and let me tell you- it was intense!!  But I loved every single minute of it.  I loved the balance component, the focus, the weights, the core and the fact that it was completely different than PiYo or other workouts that I have done.  I was sweating like no other after the workout and I was sore by lunchtime!  It was working!!!

Day 2:  I showed up at 6:00am and Hammer Plyo was on the calendar.  I loved it again!  I just like that they are intense challenging workouts.  I've done the 21 Day Fix, Fix Extreme, Insanity Max 30, P90X so my body is used to the intensity.  But this time I'm challenging myself with what weights I select.  If I want to continue to get great results I have to be willing to push myself further past the limits.  

Day 3:  Iso Strength Chisel is up for day 3.  Even with the performance line supplements, proper nutrition and hydration I'm still sore!  I like it because I know it's working.  Today, again another killer challenging workout.  That 10 second hold is no joke...who ever thought that 10 seconds would feel so long??  

Thankfully Day 4 is rest day! That extra hour of sleep felt AMAZING! I definitely used today to recover (PiYo class actually felt great on my sore muscles) and to get myself ready to rock it out tomorrow.  

Day 5-7 were Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I typically have rested on a couple of those days in the past.  But not this time.  I went, I got it done, and I feel great.  

Check out the video below of a snippet of what Chisel Endurance is like.

I'm already in love with this program!  I'm just beyond pumped about it! So you can expect a weekly update from me!  I am committed to doing the entire 60 days and challenging myself to the next level in my fitness. 

What can you expect to get from this program and how do you get started?  Check out the "Unboxing" video below.  Everything you will need for the program is there!  

I will be launching another Hammer and Chisel Challenge Group starting on January 4th if you would like to take the plunge and start the New Year off right!

Email me at kmhendershot32@gmail.com or on 

Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.hendershot.73