Getting Back on the Exercise Wagon | Surviving BBG Week One
I’ll get to surviving BBG week one in just a minute, but first let’s talk about these pictures below.
I’m posting these pictures because I want accountability. These pictures will create pressure to have an ‘after’ moment.
Do I look terrible or overweight in the images above? Absolutely not.
Is it easy to post these pictures? Nope. So…please be kind.
You can see that I have a little tummy and some extra weight around the middle.
I think part of this stems from fluctuating hormones, and the rest simply is… lack of effort.
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The tummy looks great from the front…but not so much from the side view.
ALALA LEGGINGS | SNEAKERS | SPORTS BRA
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Working Out it Hard
Working out is HARD. No doubt about it.
Consistently exercising and eating well, while a simple formula for success, feels almost impossible sometimes.
The daily time constraints, juggling motherhood, business and ALL the other stuff like laundry, cleaning, groceries, cooking, organizing, bedtime ritual, etc.,
All of these things make it tough to stay the course…to stay motivated.
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Tracy Anderson
Leading up to my 40th birthday…I had CRAZY motivation. For some reason, I wanted to be in amazing shape when I turned the big 4-0.
I did the Tracy Anderson Method, both Meta and Continuity program every day for one year.
You can see my progress with Tracy here (and above).
I was the slimmest and strongest I’ve ever been…even more than my wedding day.
Slowly Falling off the Tracy Wagon
After my 40th, working out has felt more like a chore. Eating well, less of a priority. And, I am truthfully burned out on Tracy.
I still have been doing her workouts weekly, but more like twice a week, or sometimes not at all.
In terms of eating… well… that has definitely gotten worse.
I have been eating pretty much anything I want, from bread to Hot Tamales.
Something New
I recently came across a blog by Rachel Parcell. She is one of the most successful Reward Style bloggers, and someone I admire.
If I could pick a younger mentor, she would be it!
Anywho… I always check in to see what she’s up to… and I recently saw her post about her BBG journey.
Her before and after picture was SO compelling, I immediately looked up BBG.
What is BBG?
BBG stands for Bikini Body Guide, created in 2014 by Australian, Kayla Itsines. These 28-minute workouts include cardio, stretching and resistance training.
It’s designed to workout the whole body so that you look good in a bikini.
Each resistance workout combines body-weight, strength training, and plyometrics.
You do two 7-minute circuits of four exercises each, and then repeat both circuits, three to four times a week.
You can choose from either an eBook containing 12 weeks worth of workouts here.
OR use the Sweat app, which includes videos showing you how to execute the exercises.
Sweat App
I decided to use the sweat app, since video is much easier for me to follow than a PDF guide (see picture above).
The app includes recipes, grocery lists, and a built-in BBG community so if you have questions you can ask other women using the program their thoughts.
I posted one message and got about eight responses!
Dedicating yourself to this program is a great way to execute all those ‘get in shape’ new year’s resolutions!
Community
You can see from the picture above, you can post a message (easy to do through the app)
And, get responses almost immediately from people either in the same boat or further along with advice.
Diet
When looking up recipes you can specify your dietary preferences, like vegan, vegetarian, etc. (see image above)
The recipes can be quite difficult to prepare as some of the ingredients are specific to Australia, but I find it’s a great source of ideas!
I should note that I’m not following her meal plan. I’m just cutting out extraneous bread and sugar. However, I allow myself one ice cream bar (Skinny Cow) per day.
I have a massive sweet tooth and need one treat per day.
Cost
You can get the “Sweat With Kayla” app free for a week.
After that, it’s $19.99 (U.S.) a month. 3-months for $54.99 or $109.98 for the year.
The 12-week workout plan e-book is about $39.
Equipment
Kayla shows a jump rope, bench, mat and I think further down the road a medicine ball, light weights, etc.
I already had a mat and I use my stairs as a bench. My jump rope was like $7 at Amazon.
I have light arm weights already from Tracy Anderson.
Good for Beginners?
I don’t think this is good for beginners. I think the resistance exercises are REALLY difficult. Manageable, but tough.
The jury is also still out whether all these lunges are good for my knees… or horrible for them.
You should plan to start this workout after you’ve built up a little muscle.
Or just start really slowly and do what you can!
Rookie Mistake
**PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID.**
I couldn’t walk for four days when I tried to do the first circuit move for the full 7 minutes.
You do the suggested amount of REPS and move onto the next exercise.
Wanna Work Out With Me??
Let’s do this together in 2018!! Be sure to take your before pictures too and email me anytime: erin@busbeestyle.com.
Look for “BusbeeStyle” in the Sweat app.
I’m going to do barre at least once a week also to stretch a bit more and work the small muscle groups.
I am NOT waiting for New Year’s to get started because my Christmas present from my husband is a Cabo trip and I will be in a swimsuit!!
I am in full exercise and eat healthy mode…
Please let me know if you have any questions. And, thank you SO much for stopping by!
