Is Hammer & Chisel all that? Find out my take on it...

It's like they KNEW what was going on inside my head.  Like they had it down pat EXACTLY what my easily distracted brain needed when it comes to fitness.  I am the first to admit I bore easily.  I like change and often.  I don't generally like repeating things over and over and over.  I.  Crave.  New and different.

When I heard about the release of this program, honestly I was skeptical.  It looked good on paper & during the promos.  It was hyped up pretty good and yes it was a new shiny thing for me to consider. **SQUIRREL**

So, once the sneak peek was released on Beachbody on Demand, again...I was not overly excited.  I took both of them for a test run and I actually disliked the workout Sagi brought to the table.  BUT...having said all that, I wanted to give this program a chance.  Release day came, I plopped down my credit card online and added that bad boy to my cart and clicked "Order Now".

Here.  We.  Go.

Enter Day 1.

I just came off 6 months of bulking up with no lean out and was ready to use this program as the thing to help me get started.  I had me some fluff going on and it was time to make fat die!

Enter Hammer & Chisel! This is an 8 week program that uses Stabilization, Strength and Power.  The workouts ranged from about 30-45 minutes, so there was really no excuse to come up with as to why they couldn't be done.  I did the entire program in my basement with a bench, dumbbells, a resistence band, a jump mat and about 8 feet of space.  At home fitness is no joke!  I have trained hard plenty in my past, both on my own and with a trainer and IMO this is right up there with that!  It impacted my body and my brain.  What's not to love?

The nutrition was SO easy with color coded portion control containers.  NO guess work or counting calories.  Hello, I love this!  I used Shakeology every freaking day and did not miss one.  I also used, from the Performance Line, the Recover (post-workout), Recharge (take it before bed), Hydration (intra-workout for optimal hydration) and Energize (MY FAVE and this is a pre workout to give me that extra boost to KILL these workouts!).
**You can order both Shakeology & the Performance line HERE .  

The first week I was sore AF.  Like wickedly.  But in a good way.  Why?  Because even though I workout, I was not working the muscles in the same way that I did in these workouts.  I was most definitely being challenged and I liked it.

There were a few nights that I felt like I was tapped out, like I just was dragging my butt, but they were very few and I attribute that a lot to lack of sleep.  TOTALLY my own doing and it reflects in the workouts the next day.  AYECARUMBA!

In a nutshell, I finished strong, I lost body fat and inches, gained some wicked improvements in balance, stability and strength and I have already started round 2 to do it all again!

I lost 5.6 lbs, 5.5 inches in the 8 weeks.  Not a crazy amount but definitely a visible difference!

I also put together a short video montage of the 8 weeks, which I hope you enjoy!

Have you tried anything new, fitness or food wise lately?  If not, are you considering it?

If you are looking for some help and accountability in your fitness, I am also taking new clients at this time and would be happy to discuss options with you!  Feel free to email me at subjecttofire@gmail.com

Who wants to join me in round 2?  :-)

Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Sounds lethal, doesn't it?  Au contraire. This was totally easy, and pretty darn healthy and on plan except for the carbs which I am not supposed to have for brekkie because I am carb backloading. But having said that it was Easter and I have been planning this one for several weeks. It was everything and MORE!  :-)

Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup low fat/skim milk (I used Almond Coconut milk)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (or dutch cocoa powder)
• 2 packets of stevia (I used Krisda Cafe Vanilla)
• 1/4 cup of egg whites
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 slices of your bread of choice (I used ancient grains)
• unsweetened coconut to crust french toast in after dipping in egg mixture

Peanut butter cheesecake filling mixture:

• 1TBSP PB2 (powdered peanut butter)
• 3 tablespoons 5% (or reduced fat) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Extra PB2 for drizzle

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the milk, cocoa powder and stevia.   Add in the egg whites and the vanilla, and continue to whisk until everything is combined. Set aside.
2. Combine all Peanut Butter Cheesecake ingredients together and mix until smooth. Divide the 'cheesecake' mixture between two pieces of bread, and spread them with the mixture. Top with remaining bread slices; dip each 'sandwich' into the chocolate egg wash; turn to evenly coat.  Then after that crust each soaked side of bread in the coconut.
3. Heat a nonstick pan/griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with coconut oil (or whatever you choose to use here)
4. Fry on both sides until a darker brown and firm to the touch on the outside, and cooked through.
5. I drizzled mine with a little PB2 mixed with water, but you can add you favorite sauce or toppings.
6. Dig in and enjoy!!

Recipe adapted from Cafe Delites:  http://cafedelites.com/2015/03/27/peanut-butter-cheesecake-stuffed-chocolate-brownie-french-toasts/

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Coconut Protein Pancake

You might need a chair to sit down in before digging your fork into this bad boy.

LOOK.

AT.

IT!

OK, now wipe the drool off the screen and get just a few simple ingredients ready and whip one up!

This is what the recipe includes:

1 scoop of Trutein Peanut Butter Marshmallow protein powder (see pic below)
1 tablespoon of coconut flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened chipped coconut
enough water to make into pancake batter consistency

Mix all ingredients together til smooth, about 15 seconds should do it.

Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to frying pan over med high heat and pour in batter.  Fry as you would with any other pancake.  Flip that sucker over and cook for just a bit longer.

Put on plate and top with your favorite nut butter (I used coconut peanut butter) & syrup, if desired (I used Walden Farms chocolate syrup. 

Take your first bite.  Moan with sheer delight.

You are welcome!!

My favorite protein powder EVER!  

"WTH Did She Do Last Week" Sunday Nov. 2nd, 2014

HERE WE GO, BABY!  The start of a brand new month and a new set of goals and dreams.  HOLY Mother of Pearl...where did this year go?  I am fired up now more than ever to finish the year strong!

Well, I digress, so let's get to the goods, shall we? This week was one of utter insanity when it came to my business, but my food and fitness were 100% on target.  I even managed to make it through a killer wine craving.  Man..there are some things you just cannot replace.  Haha!

FOOD:  Oh the wonderful, glorious, amazing food I am eating.  Let's start with my life altering moment earlier on this week.

I revisited a vegetable I have despised since childhood.  BEETS.  It was on my radar to try in another form other than pickled and I did it!!  WHOOP!!  I freaking LOVE them.  I feel rather like I was missing out on something amazing for the last 40 years, which is a bit sad.  I am now going to be experimenting in many ways on adding them to my menu.  Angels sang and more kittens were born after this I swear!

Pureed Caulifower....OMG, so deelish.  I could hoover the entire pot!

I tried roasting squash this week in my crockpot.  Again, more kittens & angels.  :-)

I am still carb cycling so you can bet your hiney I enjoyed every minute of my high carb day.  For the most part I am 100% satisfied with what I eat but the days I seem to work harder in the gym, I am hangrier than usual.

Of course what week would be complete without caffeine & Shakeology?  Yep...my vices.  Hey, I don't drink wine OR do drugs.  I think my choices are good!

FITNESS:   This week was fabu in so many ways.  I upped my weights, I feel stronger and WOOHOO, I am now working out in the brand new gym that is opening soon here in town.  I got to be the first person to use the facility and I am there now every day.  I am going to be teaching PiYo classes there after they open so, I kind of have a bit of an advantage with the awesome owner who is letting me train.  Just like Christmas!!

Yesterday I started a brand new regime for the month of November...more pyramids, which get add ons as well each week.  It looks interesting for sure.  My trainer has been doing an exceptional job of keeping things fresh and  exciting! I plan on killing these work outs.  I GOT GOALS, baby! 

I also had a meeting this week with a lovely lady who is going to be giving me posing lessons.  *Insert Twilight Zone Music* This scares the bejesus outta me, but I am up for the challenge so stay tuned for updates on that.

BUSINESS:  It was an insanely busy week, work wise.  My team had a major growth spurt which is so exciting to me!  I am doing my best to be a strong leader and teach them all the things I have learned since becoming a coach.  With that comes new trainings, plenty of motivational talks, team calls, and one of the most important factors, Personal Development.  I am trying hard to finish off this book this week because I have an exciting new one in the wings that I believe has my name written all over it.  :-)

Since this week was Halloween, my entire team dressed up for our weekly call.  We are TOTALLY fun like that.  I love their spirit!  And hey, any excuse to be Wonder Woman, right?

Tell me, does your life fire you up?  Do you set new goals for yourself every week, every month, etc?  Do you need to have something to strive for in your fitness, your business, your personal life? I would love you to share with me if you do. Leave a comment below and tell me what something is that you are working towards right now. 

"WTH Did She Do Last Week" Sunday Oct 26th, 2014

OK, let's just lay it out here....moving sucks.  Ass.  I have been a bit preoccupied with the cardboard and the ripping and tearing of my basement, but with the aid of my BFF, Juan Valdez, we are getting through it and making poop happen, DESPITE it all!  It takes a special kind of crazy (I know that) to get through this.

So this week I am back on track with the posts and making a bit of a tweak to include some other facets of my journey like fitness and Personal Development and maybe even throwing in some of my fave things to perhaps inspire you to try something new.

Since I am all about the food, lets get this party started with what I ate.  And of course my bevvies of choice.

Throw in my Shakeo and the day is complete!

Let's talk about the food, shall we?  Mmm, Hugh Jass salads and Pumpkin pancakes and bacon, oh my!  Eating for this competition has been nothing less than enjoyable so far.  I know it will change but I will take my nut butters while I can.

Now about those workouts.  This week I felt really strong.  I felt muscles and saw muscles I have never seen before.  I also weighed in 3 lbs less this week, which is rather mind blowing.  Since I started, my goal was to get my body leaner.  I am sitting at around 13 lbs less that when I started working with my coach.  This has been a slow and steady journey but I have loved every single minute.  Patience is a virtue I am learning well!

Heading to other news, to keep myself on track, focused and fired up I do daily personal development.  It not only fuels my drive but it helps me be a much better leader to my team.  It keeps me inspired! 

This week I have a been a podcasting, book reading, webinaring freak.  Chalene Johnson's Build Your Tribe is on the top of this list! She is SUCH a blast and is one of my mentors.  If you haven't looked her up, DO IT now!  :-)  Throw in my book, "Influencer" and I have a well rounded mental feast.

So as I head to the kitchen to make my afternoon coffee & coconut oil, I am once again feeling fired up to kick ass and take names this coming week.  Maybe it's the caffeine....or maybe life is JUST that great! 

"WTH Does She Eat" Sunday Sept 28

OK so food is kinda of a big deal in my house.  Errry damn day, you are going to hear me talking about how much I just simply enjoy food.  And being around OTHERS that feel the same way.

I am eating for competition, however and that puts a cap on some of my food fun, but you can bet your ass I am enjoying every bit of what I am eating.

Here is a bit of the good stuff from this past week.

Breakfast:  Hello...Shakeology Pancakes?  Yes, I think I will.  And then most of the rest of the week I ate my weird pancake bowl concoction.  I was off eggs this week in a big way.  I think next week I will bring back the guac love.  :-)

Moving on to lunches and dinners....mmm, deliciousness abounding.  Bacon and brussel sprouts and wait for it...MORE bacon. I seriously enjoyed this week of food well, things are changing up again for me next week, so my coach says, so I enjoyed every bite!

I even got to factor in a wonderful meal of Thai food.  I most definitely died and went to heaven with my amazing bowl of Peanut Curry, but with that being said, I was plenty hungry the rest of the day after sucking up so many calories.  GAh...macros are macros and I have to follow them and it was worth every bite!

I also was on a spiralizing frenzy this week, with both sweet taters and zucchini.  Hello, lovers.  Everything is magical when sauteed in coconut oil!

This week was all about the Greenberry Shakeology.  Because well, I am out of chocolate and my shipment is floating somewhere in the city of Red Deer.  BUT I do love this flavor and am enjoying Shamrock Shakes, my lassies & lads!!


And you always know there is going to be plenty of coffee.  Ahhh, Nectar of the Gods!!  :-)

Stay tuned til next week!