Hammer and Chisel Challenge - Week 4

Hammer and Chisel Challenge Recap - Week 4

WAHOO, Week 4 of my Hammer and Chisel Challenge was a blast! I guess knowing that I am half way done with this challenge gets me even more EXCITED =) I can honestly say that this is definitely one of my top programs for sure. And one more thing before I recap my week, if you're thinking about doing this challenge (ask me about my upcoming online test groups) then be prepared to murder your legs, because LEG DAY is pretty much every day! =)

Day 1, Week 4
Today's workout was Chisel Balance and let me tell you this, I totally suck at balance! I know that I'm getting better, but this is something that I have to continue to do, or I will lose the skill almost immediately. Just like a lot of the H&C workouts, this one was a leg burner!

Chisel Balance - Up and Downs + Split Squat Jump


Day 2, Week 4
 One thing to always remember, and something that I continue to remind my challengers is that you are not in competition with anyone but yourself. Just show up every day, and results will happen. Today's workout was Max Hammer Strength, and as you can see, I am working my dinky little calves!

Max Hammer Strength

Hammer and Chisel Review

Day 3, Week 4
Today's workout came late today because I spent all day with my family. I did Chisel Cardio and struggled with the Forearm Kicks. My flexibility has gotten better, but my hip flexors were burning! I may have to throw in some yoga workouts to help with more of these types of movements. Sleep is something that I lack and desperately need. I typically get about 5-6 hours per day, I would do better if I killed 8 hours a day =).

Chisel Cardio - Dumbbell Swings

 Hammer and Chisel Workout Sheets - Click here!

Day 4, Week 4
Today was supposed to be my REST DAY, but I'll be running the Disney Marathon this Sunday, so I decided to take my workouts all the way through, but also taking it easy so that I won't be over-trained for the marathon. I ended up doing ISO Speed Hammer and it was only 25 minutes! Pistol squats need improvement, but I know I'm getting better because my legs feel much stronger.

 ISO Speed Hammer


Day 5, Week 4
I arrived in Orlando today in preparation for the Disney Marathon, checked into my Airbnb reservation and went to town on my workout which was Hammer Power and 10 Minute Hammer Abs.

Hammer Power


Day 6, Week 4 
So today I simply took a rest day and attended an amazing Beachbody Super Saturday event at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. I will be adding my missed Master's Cardio Workout to the end of my challenge date to ensure that I complete all the workouts for the challenge. Just a general rule of thumb that I use when I am doing a challenge: If you miss one workout, you add a day. If you miss two workouts, you can re-do the week, or simply add the missed workouts to the end of your challenge. Whatever works best for you =).

Beachbody Super Saturday Orlando

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Day 7, Week 4
Disney Marathon Day =) Today I ran my very first marathon, you can check out my video below =) Hammer and Chisel resumes after my full recovery ha ha! All I can say is that I got my but kicked running 26.2 miles, but I embraced the challenge and plan to do more in the near future.

Disney Marathon Experience:

You can read my quick blog post on the Disney Marathon here.

Related Posts:
Hammer and Chisel Week One
Hammer and Chisel Week Two
Hammer and Chisel Week Three
Hammer and Chisel Week Five


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My DISNEY MARATHON Experience in 2 MINUTES

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I signed up for my very FIRST MARATHON about 8 months ago, and I chose the Walt Disney World Marathon! I had an amazing experience, but that doesn't mean that I didn't struggle. Although I decided to run this challenge for fun, it still kicked my butt! Prior to this race, I have never ran 26.2 miles before. I think the most I've ever ran was about 21-23 miles, which killed me.

I am more of a trail runner, but something just intrigued me about this race, so I decided to add it to my bucket list, and it was one of the best decisions that I've ever made. It taught me about my limits, what I need to work on, and how strong I am mentally.

My First Marathon!

I finally understand what it means by "hitting the wall", because by mile 20 I started to feel like crashing. By mile 22, I didn't know if I could go on! Yes, quitting did cross my mind, but I didn't let that take over, I blocked the pain, and kept on going. From the 22nd mile, it became all mental for me, and I made it and crossed the finish line! A big, huge thanks to couple things: mustard packets, Beachbody Performance Hydrate, GU's, and the motivation from complete strangers throughout the course, it was so helpful!

So I made this quick 2 minute video on my 26.2 miles that I did on January 10th, 2016. #WDWMarathon, I will be back! =)

My Disney Marathon Experience in 2 Minutes

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Hammer and Chisel Challenge - Week 3

Hammer and Chisel Challenge - Week 3

Yes!!! Week 3 of my Hammer and Chisel Challenge is done! =) Here is my quick wrap up of how my week went. Btw, I am visiting my parents and family in Pensacola for a few weeks, so most of my workouts were done at my parents house while they happily watched =)

Day 1, Week 3
Workout of the day was Total Body Hammer. I have to admit, I had to up my game on my Military Press because the girls on the videos were killing it while I was struggling. I did feel my shoulder tweak a bit, so I had to tone it down a bit during the shoulder exercises. As always, the bulgarian split squats get me all the time, but I feel my legs getting much stronger.

Total Body Hammer (quick clips)

Day 2, Week 3

We had a choice between Chisel Agility and Master's Cardio, so I chose Chisel Agility since it was a longer workout, also because I wanted to see if I progressed since the last time I did it, and I was quite impressed that I did much better. This workout required no equipment, and of course it was a leg burner. This workout can be pretty easy, but in order to get the full benefits of the workout, I would recommend making sure that you are doing the movements correctly, and go as low as you can with the squats. Go for more reps once you master the moves. 

Chisel Agility (quick clips)

Post Workout Salad from Everman's Pensacola

Day 3, Week 3
Max Hammer Strength and 10 Minute Hammer Abs was on the menu today. I definitely went up in weights this time, and legs getting stronger by the day. The ab workouts are where I struggle, I have to work on my core.

Max Hammer Strength + 10 Minute Hammer Abs (quick clips)

Get the Hammer and Chisel Workout Sheets here!

Day 4, Week 3
REST DAY!!!! I took a break from doing any type of strength workout but got a nice 5+ mile run in. I've been running a lot during this challenge in preparation for my first road marathon which I will be running the Disney Marathon on January 10th, pretty excited!

Sporting my Over-sized Bubba Gump Shrimp Hat

Day 5, Week 3

Today was Total Body Chisel and 10 Minute Ab Chisel. I struggled with the "step up cross overs", but I'm determined to get better at them. Pretty cool, this was my first workout of 2016 =) Abs, well you know, it was tough, but I finished strong. I did a 2+ mile run earlier in the day before my workout. Shakeology has definitely been a LIFE-SAVER during this challenge! 

Get Shakeology Samples here:

Total Body Chisel (quick clips)

Day 6, Week 3

I finally did the Master's Cardio Workout today. I was actually happy to know that it was only 17 minutes because I've been so sore, so I felt that my body needed a break, so 17 minutes didn't sound so bad. The workout did not require any weights, and although it was only 17 minutes, the exercise movements required a lot of reps, 30 to be exact. I also did a trail run early in the morning, you can check out the video below =) 

Master's Cardio (quick clips)

4+ mile slow paced trail run 

Trail Run Video from UWF Trails - Pensacola, FL

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Day 7, Week 3

Today's workout was ISO Strength Chisel. When you watch this workout, you're like "oh, it doesn't look that bad" but watching and doing are two completely different things! This workout has about 11 exercises, each exercise entails 10 reps plus an extra rep which you hold for 10 seconds. The 10 seconds really doesn't sound like much, but you definitely feel it, especially toward the end of the reps and the workout. I killed a couple servings of my Beachbody Performance Recovery Drink after this bad boy. 

ISO Strength Chisel - Push Up ISO

And that's it guys, that's a wrap. Stay posted for WEEK 4! 

Are you ready to take on the Hammer and Chisel Challenge? Message me here to find out when my next Hammer and Chisel Online Test Group begins, you'll receive FREE coaching and motivation from me. Chat soon! 

Related Links:

Hammer and Chisel Challenge Week 1, Month 1

Hammer and Chisel Challenge Week 2, Month 1

Start your journey today - Choose your Challenge!

TOP 5 Things to Know About Cafe Latte Shakeology

I don't know about you, but I'm a coffee drinker, always been! But I also love my Shakeology, so here's to getting in my coffee and superfood nutrition all in one serving! Cafe Latte Shakeology is here!

Cafe Latte Shakeology’s Top 5 Q&A

1. Does Cafe Latte contain more caffeine than the other Shakeology Flavors?

Surprisingly, NOT AT ALL! The caffeine levels are exactly the same as they are in all of the other Shakeology flavors, so even though it tastes like coffee, Cafe Latte contains less than 75% less caffeine than an 8 oz cup of coffee. 

2. How does it taste?

It tastes absolutely amazing! It’s incredibly rich, robust, and creamy with hints of Cafe and notes of Latte. It really tastes just like a frozen coffee drink that you would get from a coffee shop, but Cafe Latte Shakeology has dense superfood nutrition as well, you can’t get that from Starbucks =) 

3. What makes Cafe Latte so special?

Well, it’s formulated with WHOLE Coffee Fruit, which is a coveted superfood powerhouse that’s native to regions of Mexico and India, pretty cool huh! Coffee fruit is the red fleshy fruit that surrounds what we know to be the coffee bean! Not only does Cafe Latte taste amazing, but the use of the entire plant also minimizes Shakeology’s carbon footprint. 

4. What if I don’t want to give up some of the other Shakeology flavors that I love?

Check this out, there will be the BARISTA TRIPLE COMBO PACK which will include 24 single-serving packets of Cafe Latte, Vanilla, and Chocolate, so you can mix and match your shakes like a true barista =) 

5. When does it launch?

January 11th!!! So exciting right =) Stay posted here or sign up here to get updates and be among the first to get a hold of this goodness!! 

I'll be starting an Online Cafe Latte Test Group along with some optional workouts. Contact me here to find out when my next test group begins. Or just stay posted here for the direct links for purchase!

Me and Shakeology Co-Creator Darin Olien

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