Hammer and Chisel Week 1 Update and Some New Year’s Resolutions Tips….

Matt and I decided in December that we were going to start a workout program and do it together – start to finish!  Honestly, we have started things together in the past but we have never finished together…I won’t mention who!  Love you babe!


But this was the perfect time for us.  I love a new challenge, and Hammer and Chisel is definitely that.  Matt needed a plan to follow.  And having the accountability to stick with it from him is an added bonus.  

Not sure how much help he will be…

The holidays definitely did us in a little bit, so we were both ready to jump in at the start of the this new challenge group. 


I have a very small but very awesome group of challengers that started following our Hammer and Chisel workouts and meal plans last week!

We all committed to:


 1. Following the prescribed workout calendar


 2. Creating and following meal plans based on the program guide


 3. Tracking our portions and color coded containers to ensure we are getting the correct type and amount of food to fuel our bodies.


 4. Replacing one meal each day with Shakeology.


 5. Checking in and sharing our results each day!


If you are reading this, I’m not sure how familiar you are with my challenge groups, but they kind of rock!  We are all working toward the same goal – a healthy lifestyle.  Not just a quick fix or a few lbs lost and back to the old way of life.  But TRUE changes.  Consistent changes. 


My goal is to teach my challengers that change CAN happen.  It doesn’t happen overnight, and there will be road blocks along the way.  But sticking with it for at least 30 days, and in this case 60 days, can bring amazing results!


We began our workouts officially last Monday. One of my favorite things about this program is that there are so many different workouts.  The workout calendar rarely repeats the same workouts.  For this momma, who gets very easily bored, that is a huge plus!  And in the week and few days that we have been doing them, I haven’t found a workout I DON’T like!  

All the workouts incorporate weights so far.  And that is a big reason why I love them.  I used to obsess about cardio – running, eliptical, spin, etc. – thinking that was the only way to lean out and get the body I wanted. 


Well, with Chalean Extreme and Body Beast, I quickly learned that for me, weights are the way to go!  


I lean out and burn so many more calories when I’m lifting.  Especially lifting heavy.  And these workouts, even the cardio, incorporate weights.  But there are plenty of sit ups, push ups, pull ups and other fun exercises to go along with it!


And I get to EAT!!! When I started with the 21 Day Fix, my goal was to lose weight and lose it quickly.  That program worked beautifully for that.  But with this program, I want to lose a few lbs…which I already have – and lean up.  I get to eat a lot more with this program than I did on the fix. Which makes me even happier!


I am upping my protein and adding an extra carb each day.  May not sound like much, but when it comes to meals and planning, it adds up quickly.  


And you know what?? I lost FOUR lbs the first week!  And that even included getting a little off track over the first weekend!  I knew I needed to lose a few lbs that I gained over the holiday, but I had no idea it would come off so quickly.  And honestly, there were very few times during that first week that I was hungry!!! 


Score for this momma!!


And my challengers are doing great as well!  They are loving the workouts, meal planning, checking in daily and feeling great!!! 

challenger’s meal prep

And I can’t finish without mentioning that my other January 4th New Year Challenge group is absolutely on FIRE!!! I’m talking about in one week some challengers have lost 12 lbs!!! Some 5, some 8.  But they are pushing one another, praying for one another and just plain and simple encouraging!!!

I love what I do.  Really!

It is a privilege and an honor to walk alongside people who are so passionate and driven to meet their goals.  We all have slip ups.  We all fall down.  But getting back up and pushing through is what makes us successful!  

But, what about you?  How are you New Year’s Resolutions going?? 
We are officially 19 days into the month of January!  
Are your resolutions already an afterthough? 
A thing of the past?


I feel ya!  Change can be hard.  But let me encourage you DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!


You must remember why you started in the first place.  What made you decide to set a New Year’s Resolution in the first place?


Here are some Tips for creating lasting change:


1. Make your goals visual.  Write them down, print them off, and place them somewhere you will see them DAILY! Even multiple times a day.  


2. Share them publicly.  Nothing like good old accountability to keep you on track!


3. Make them achievable.  The worst thing you focus on is a goal that is too big.  Do you need to lose 100 lbs? That’s great if that is your goal, but it will take a while to get there.  Set small weekly goals to keep you moving and not discouraged.


4. Be THANKFUL for what you have.  Every day I wake up and thank God for the blessings He has placed in my life.  My health, my family, my job, this wonderful coaching opportunity.  The more grateful you are, the more focused you will be on improving your health. 


5. Pray!  No amount of accountability, workout programs, meal planning can replace the power of prayer.  There have been many days that I have prayed my way through temptation and self-control issues.  God wants us to desire Him.  If you ask for power, love and self-discipline, He will grant it!!!

2 Timothy 1:7

xoxo,
Rachel