Hammer & Chisel - Week One Review

I am LOVING these new workouts - let's just start there. Chad and I started The Master's Hammer and Chisel program on Monday and today completed our first week. I had been doing random workouts since my knee surgery and it feels so good to be doing one program, following the calendar, and doing NEW things. Sagi and Autumn created such great and effective workouts. I couldn't believe how sore I was at the beginning of the week. Thankfully I had my performance supplements, Recover and Recharge or my muscles would have really been screaming.

Let's run through each workout for fun.

Monday: Chisel Balance --> a total body workout creating stabilization, muscular endurance, and core strength. This one wasn't easy for either of us. Looks like we have a lot of work to do in the whole balance department.

Tuesday: Hammer Plyometrics --> this jump training workout uses your entire body to create force, strength and power.

Wednesday: ISO Strength Chisel --> intense resistance workout using isometric holds and flexibility to increase strength.

Thursday: REST Day - and it was much needed.

Friday: ISO Speed Hammer --> tempo training workout that uses speed and isometric holds to create strength and grow muscles. This one was the shortest and we weren't complaining :) But I felt like I need to push myself a little more so I did the 12 minute Ab Hammer workout too. YIKES is all I can say.

Saturday: Chisel Endurance --> this is a time-under-tension workout that increases muscular endurance and strength. Probably my favorite one of the week!! Autumn is seriously my favorite trainer. I was DRIPPING in sweat.

Sunday: Total Body Hammer & 10 Minute Ab Hammer --> total body hammer is a hypertrophy workout focused on pyramid style sets to maximize strength and muscle growth. This one was a longer workout but I loved the moves and really challenged myself. Let's just say that Chad wasn't exactly please when he thought we were done and I said we needed to do the 12 minute ab workout now :)

I've also been following the nutrition guide to a T and you guys, it's seriously the best nutrition plan ever. You actually eat a lot of food - and you're not super restricted which I like. It's NOT a diet. You just are making sure you are eating balanced, so all the different types of foods that your body needs for fuel....and most importantly, the right PORTION SIZES. This is the biggest thing that most people struggle with....and probably just don't even know about. Portion size is everything people.

I was super good all week and then Saturday we had our first Christmas party. While I stuck to the plan all day and planned well, I did allow myself 2 glasses of wine and a few Christmas treats. Little more than I should have - but you know how that goes. I'm definitely not perfect and the struggle is real for me too. But do I shoot myself in the foot and give up? No - you just keep moving forward. There are going to be setbacks and you can't be perfect all the time or you would go crazy and you wouldn't be able to keep up with the healthy lifestyle. That's why all this works so much. You DO NOT DIET. You eat according to your goals. My goal is to be super healthy and for me to be super healthy that means that I eat foods that my body needs. When I eat crap, I will feel like crap - both physically and emotionally.

So yesterday and today is all about planning for the week ahead! Scheduling my workouts, making sure I have all of the food I need to stay on track, and making a general meal plan for the week so I'm never let just picking things to eat on the fly. Planning is KEY for me!

I can definitely say already with just a week under my belt that this is going to be one of my favorite programs I've ever done. I LOVE feeling challenged and like my body is changing and getting stronger.

Level

It's been almost a month since my last post about accepting help. I just wanted to give an update on all that because like I've said a million times before, I truly thing sharing things like this helps not only me but possibly other people who are going through similar situations.

So I tried one medication that made me really depressed. Like balling in the doctor's office depressed when he asked me how I was doing. So we swiftly changed that and tried something else and it's been over a month now with that and I'm feeling so.much.better.

I feel like myself again. Like I can focus, like I can breathe, like I can just enjoy life. I feel much more leveled and balanced which makes it much easier to go throughout the day, let me tell you that. I don't feel the intense anxiety and get crippled with it. I don't feel like I need a xanax so my heart doesn't explode.

I know there are so many opinions on medication, and there are so many alternatives and therapy. I understand all of that. And I've been through it all. I went a LONG time trying to handle it on my own, but I also know myself better than anyone else does and I knew something wasn't right.

I am so glad I chose to explore this direction because I feel like ME again. And most importantly, I feel like I'm able to be a much better Mommy and wife - which is always my number one priority.

My heart breaks for anyone who suffers from depression and/or anxiety and I pray for those of you who are very near and dear to me every day. <3