Kayla Itsines BBG: Week 4 Update

Hi friends! As documented on my Instagram, I am completing Kayla Itsines' BBG (Bikini Body Guide) for the first time. I just finished my fourth week, so I'm officially 1/3rd of the way done. I figured I'd do a little update on how it's going every 4 weeks. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the program, Kayla Itsines' BBG is a 12-week cardio and strength training workout program. Each week you have a set number and intensity of cardio sessions, with legs, arms & abs and full body workouts. The 28-minute workouts (more like 32-34 depending on your breaks) are broken into two circuits of four exercises. You complete circuit 1 for 7 minutes straight (no breaks), then have a minute or 90 second break until the next circuit. Then you repeat that all over again. 

I had heard about this program and seen so many people do it on Instagram but never committed. I loved my workout routine and didn't think I needed a fancy Instagram-worthy program. That is until the beginning of the summer. At that point, I felt my workout routine had stalled. I was working out 5-6 days a week but I didn't feel like I was making any progress. I knew I needed to switch it up. Additionally, I felt so much pressure with my upcoming wedding - I didn't exactly choose the most forgiving dress. I was scrolling through Instagram and say another #BBGTransformation photo. I started my deep dive into those transformation photos and thought this may be exactly what I'm looking for. I needed something that would challenge me and produce results. So I clicked "Add to Cart." 

I didn't start the program until after my 5k training finished in August. The Monday after my 5k I hit the gym for my first BBG workout. I was ready. I previewed the leg workout at home and it didn't seem that crazy -- some burpees, jump squats, regular squats, step ups, knee ups and the such. I WAS WRONG. The high-speed, limited breaks and circuit training is absolutely killer. My legs were squealing in pain and I looked like a hot mess. I was sore for days (#deathbykayla). 

The arms & abs workout was not any better and I again looked like a hot mess who was dying in the gym -- because that's exactly what I was. I thought by week 2 I'd figure it out, but week 2 was a whole new set of workouts. I actually ended up liking week 2 better than week 1 workouts, but that doesn't they were any easier. 

Overall, I have never sweat more in my workouts. I leave the gym drenched. My muscles hurt, I'm out of breath and I'm sore for days. I'm not sure if I'm loovvviinnnggg these workouts and I'm not the most excited to workout, BUT after four weeks I'm seeing progress. I'm seeing physical changes. And that's exactly what I wanted. I have new muscles and I'm feeling much more confident. I have eight more weeks and I know that it's going to only get tougher, but I'm ready to see what else happens.

It is important to note that I'm not just following the workout plan. I also cleaned up my diet and only have 1-2 cheat meals a week. I've almost cut out diary and added sugar, and I eat vegan lunches most of the days. Cleaning up my diet has definitely impacted my physical results, as well as helped me feel less bloated and sick after eating. 

I hope you enjoyed this little workout update. If you're considering BBG, I say just go for it. Try it for at least four weeks and see if it's something you're into. There's also a 7-day trial if you want. You can find more information here: https://www.kaylaitsines.com/