Monday was your typical day, Leo had attended nursery in the morning. I had spent the day at work. After work I completed my week 11 leg resistance training as per the Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide, before heading off to the gym. The evening continued much as the day had, it was all perfectly normal.
I left the gym and arrived back home, when all of a sudden my phone lights up. I open it up and read: ‘Kayla Itsines has mentioned you on Instagram’. My heart started to beat a little faster, had she really!? Had the lady herself shared my progress!?
Of course I had to have a peek straight away, and sure enough on Kayla Itsines Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds… Was me!
When I started following the guide 11 weeks ago I wanted to put my all into it, I wanted to see results. I needed to see results. I had never been ‘fit’ before. Yes back in the day I was slim and happily fit into a size 8 but I had never been healthy. I ate rubbish on a daily basis and just hoped and prayed I would get away with it, and for years I did.
I knew it wouldn’t last, and I knew that the weight was creeping on way before I had Leo. My answer? Sucking it in and wearing belts to push it in. It used to work a treat and until more weight piled on, I got away with it. You see I wasn’t bigger because I had a baby. I was bigger because of my un-healthy lifestyle.
I dreamed of losing the weight, of having a tummy I could be proud of, of wearing shorts without my thighs clapping together like an audience applauding. I dreamed of being able to wear a bikini and feel confident, of losing that double chin. I had so many hopes and dreams but it seemed impossible, un-realistic and stupid. How was I going to achieve any of that? I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, no confidence to make that initial trip to the gym because I had no clue how to use any of the equipment…I had no idea about any of it, where did I start losing weight? What should I eat? How should I train? What trained what? I felt like I was a lost cause, and that I was just going to have to accept that this was now who I was.
I decided to do it myself, I was the most determined I had ever been in my life. I had started many diets that had been forgotten about as quickly as they had begun, but this time was different. Week by week my determination grew stronger as the weight came away. Month by month I re-discovered ‘Me’ again.
Then after losing pretty much all of the weight bar a few pounds, I discovered Kayla and the BBG Girls (Bikini Body Guide Girls!). I watched Kayla sharing these inspirational women who had completely changed their bodies. I was in awe and I was inspired. Once upon a time I would have seen these girls and not appreciated the time and hard work they had put into turning their entire lifestyle upside down, but now I got it. These girls were AMAZING, they were inspirational and I was going to do it to. I WAS going to do it!
I found the support I was craving with the BBG Girls, and the sense of community ploughed me through the first 11 weeks. I was feeling fitter and stronger than I ever had in my life, and people were noticing the changes I was making. My body was changing and people could see it.
Even I, my own biggest critic could see it!
Following my feature on Kayla's Social Media Channels I have been asked so many questions. So I decided to put together the below Q&A to answer all of the questions. I am no fitness guru, everything I know is down to Kayla and my own trial and error as I have progressed, and who knows I may actually be doing it all wrong, but something is working.
So here it is, my very first Q&A.
About me
How Old are you?
I am 25 years old.
How much do you weigh?
I currently weigh in at 7 stone 12lbs.
This goes up and down. I usually weigh in at around 8 stone.
How tall are you?
I am 5 foot 5 inches tall.
Food and Diet
Do you follow Kayla’s HELP Guide?
I follow the basis of the HELP guide, but I don't follow it religiously. I eat as clean as I can and incorporate all of the foods that are within the guide, but I don't follow it meal by meal.
Did you have to maintain a strict diet to get results?
Now this is a question that would vary on who you ask!
I wouldn't say it's a strict diet but I guess in reality it probably is. I can't remember the last time I ate chips, drank pop or over indulged in chocolate! I do count my calories, and I do watch what I eat. I do believe that you are what you eat, and as I want to see results I have been pretty set on doing everything I can to get those results.
What kind of things would you eat on an average day?
On an average day this is a common line up.
Breakfast: A fruit smoothie in my Nutribullet or a bowl of porridge with my favourite fruit.
Lunch: I am a big fan of omelette right now. They are quick easy and filling. They are such a versatile food and you can put so many different toppings with them. Aside from omelette I also LOVE Dark Rye Crackers with low fat Philadelphia Cheese and salad. Throw in some Jalapenos and you have one of my favourite lunches!
Dinner: Dinner is my favourite meal of the day, and I have found myself getting more adventurous as the weeks have gone on.
Courgette Pizza, Chicken Stir Fry, Spinach Crepes, Omelette, Quinoa and Lentil Burgers, Pesto Chicken, Pesto Pasta and Chicken Salad. There are so many tasty combinations and recipe ideas out there, I am always finding new things to try and experimenting!
What snacks do you eat?
I LOVE my snacks! I have a snack mid morning following breakfast. It ranges from a piece of fruit such as a Banana or some Blueberries, to a Nakd Bakewell Bar (My absolute favourite!) which I would usually have alongside a protein shake, home made treats such as Cookie Dough (which is actually made out of Chickpeas!), Home made fruit crumble, Almonds or even a fruit smoothie!
I eat a second snack in the afternoon which again could be anything as listed above! I am a firm believer in giving your body what it needs, and I enjoy my food!
Do you eat much fruit?
I do eat a lot of fruit, so much more than I used to. I eat fruit on a daily basis, in my morning smoothie, or in my porridge. I eat fruit as snacks during the day and have been known to devour a punnet of Grapes or Blueberries! I do try and keep it in moderation, but fruit to me now is like popping sweets!
How many calories do you eat?
I eat a minimum of 1,200 a day, it varies on a day to day basis. Sometimes I eat a lot more than that.
Did you cut out cheat meals completely?
Exercise
Do you do anything else alongside the BBG?
I go to the gym on top of the Bikini Body Guide on a daily basis. I complete the resistance training as per the guide at home and then head to the gym where I then add in weight training to that days particular agenda.
Do you do cardio or only weights?
I do both, I follow the guide religiously. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are resistance training, and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are LISS (Low Intensity Steady State), or cardio days.
Did you find it hard at the beginning?
When I started the BBG I was 8 months into my weight loss journey. So I was already in a habit of watching what I ate and going to the gym. It was more a case of polishing up what I was already doing. Of course I have days where I completely fall off the wagon, days where I want to eat all the food in sight and then some! There are always going to be harder days than others, but I want my results more than I want the chocolate!
How much do you exercise?
I exercise 6 days a week. Sunday is my designated day off. However if for any reason I cannot make LISS on the Saturday, I switch it to Sunday.
When did you notice your body changing?
I noticed changes by week 3, my body lost some of the chub and I saw the start of my baby abs. I feel like I may have accelerated the process by having lost a lot of my weight before starting the guide. Everyone is different, so even if you aren't seeing the changes as quickly as you might hope, it doesn't mean that they aren't happening! Trust the process and keep working hard!
Disclaimer: I purchased the Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide and all views and opinions expressed in this post are completely honest and my own.
Im saving up to buy the guide. I really need to get me back again. You have done so well
ReplyDeleteHey hun!
DeleteI was thinking of getting Kayla's BBG, and I came across your blog while finding reviews about Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide.
Do you think it's really worthy of it's high price tag?? I saw quite a bad review at http://www.bikinibodyguides.com/kayla-itsines-review/ and I'm quite worried about it. I'm a high school student and that money is quite a huge sum for me.
Will appreciate if you can reply ASAP.
Thanks,
Joanne
Have been thinking about whether to get the guide and your results are definitely inspiring me in the right direction! :)
ReplyDeleteI bought BBG ages ago, and have attempted it a few times but never really been in the right frame of mind. Reading this though has inspired me to give it another go! Thanks lovely. And well done! You look amazing xx
ReplyDeleteThere are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do. Lot of people don't finish bbg and to me that's a waste of money. Is it really worth it? I just read this review @ http://www.bikinibodyguidereview.com as well and it not to good :(
ReplyDeleteAnyone still doing bbg?