I DID IT! 16 weeks later and I have finally completed the Kayla Itsines BBG Program! Considering I bought the guide back in 2016 and have started the program multiple times, this is a huge accomplishment for me. While I am nowhere near where I’d like to be, I am proud to say I’ve kickstart my healthy journey and it’s now a daily habit.
THE DOWN FALL
Because I use to workout 5 to 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day and only ate non processed, “clean foods” (no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no corn) I gained weight very quickly after I stopped acting.
With acting, I had very little control. My days revolved around waiting for an audition and going to callbacks. Sometimes I’d be on set for 12 hours for a job. The cycle would repeat. This left me with a lot of time on my hands. I filled my time with exercise and the latest healthy food craze on an obsessive level. These were things I could control in my life.
When I started my YouTube channel, I found so much joy in creating content and being apart of a community that had nothing to do with acting. I started spending all my free time creating videos and watching YouTube. My diet changed along the way as well because I was struggling with what I wanted to do with my life. Should I continue the constant cycle of auditions or focus on creating content I enjoyed?
All I ever knew as an adult was acting. When I told my mom I wanted to stop, she was nervous and worried about me because what was I going to do for a living? Where would my life go? Everything in my life revolved around acting including my husband. That's how we met. All my friends were actors or performers of some sort.
FEAR
Before we go farther, I have a lot of fear about posting my results after 16 weeks of BBG. When it comes to body image and healthy there is a lot of judgment from everyone as well as myself. Most of my life I’ve strived to be as skinny as possible. Not healthy and strong. I’ve always been a bit curvier, even as a pre teen. I remember developing breasts and feeling very self conscious in dance class because I was “bigger” than the other girls.
Spending most of my teens and adult life in the entertainment industry didn’t help either. While I never felt direct pressure to lose weight, I knew it was part of my job and I was surrounded by people constantly obsessing over their bodies.
A SLOW FALL
As my lifestyle changed, I started to gain a little weight. I would still exercise, but not as much and my diet definitely changed. Looking back I think I was dealing with a lot emotionally about giving up this career I’d been so accustomed to. While it was a struggle and caused a lot of heartache, it was familiar. I was lax about my diet and ate a lot of chips and In N Out.
During this time, while I gained a little weight, it wasn’t noticeable yet and I was about to start BBG. At the time I had heard about BBG through other bloggers, specifically Remi Ishizuka of rrayyme and thought it was a perfect way to kickstart my workouts again.
LIFE LIKES TO KICK YOU WHEN YOUR DOWN
Right around the time I was planning to start BBG the first time, my mom had her stroke. I was a wreck and could barely function. Working out and my health were the least of my priorities. I ate whatever I wanted including anything that would bring me comfort. My life became very sedentary. Zero working out.
As my mom’s condition stabilized a bit, I would always try to start up again, but failed to maintain a routine. Again eating whatever would bring me comfort.
Last February I lost my mom and it’s taken almost a year and the urging of my doctor to get me to finally focus on my health again. So this past December, I decided I would start AND FINISH BBG. No matter what, I was going to finish this damn 12 week program.
WHAT IS BBG?
BBG is short for Bikini Body Guide created by Kayla Itsines, an Australian fitness trainer. Her 12 week circuit training program that includes a 4 week pre training guide for those who are not use to this type of training has amazing transformation claims all over the world. Check out all the #BBGtransformation on Instagram or www.kaylaitsines.com for real women transformation photos and stories.
PRE TRAINING
SUCKS! I was so out of shape at this point and the heaviest I’d ever been at 150lbs that the pre training workouts would knock the wind out of me. I'd want to throw up after each workout. Having always been pretty fit, this was a huge blow to the ego. This is where I like to point out that while most people would not consider me overweight or in need of a health overhaul, my health was not okay. It’s not always about size or weight, it’s about the fact that I was weak and out of shape for someone my age.
I stuck through the first 4 weeks to complete pre training with the motivation that if you can do this for a month, it then becomes a habit. The first month is the hardest.
BBG 12 WEEK PROGRAM
We all know that I finished the 12 week guides + 4 weeks of pre training by now, but the feeling of accomplishment is more than I can express. Am I where I want to be? No, but I finished and here are the things I learned as I continue my health journey.
LIFE AFTER BIKINI BODY GUIDE
What’s next? I’m going to repeat the 12 week training for now. At some point I’d like to do my own thing or get a trainer to help with my workouts, but for now the BBG program is working for my circumstances.
HEALTH GOALS
I still have some weight to lose. Currently I’m around 143 lbs, still heavier than I should be, but I’ve stopped focusing on my weight and more on my fitness level. I’d like to tone up even more and not be out of breath easily. My cardio can definitely improve and I’d like to add more weights to the exercises.
Diet wise, I don’t deprive myself of anything, but I can always eat better. There are certain foods my body does not function well on, so I will avoid those. Overall I feel like I could eat more. With the schedule I keep and eating whole foods, I need to eat more to fuel my body so my metabolism doesn't slow down.
MORE?
Would you like to see more about my health journey here? What types of posts about health would you like to see if so? What are some of your own experiences? I’d love to learn more about you in the comments.
Xoxo
Serein
You May Also Enjoy
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.
I came over from your favorites video and girl, I disagree! The results are there! You are looking so much more toned and stronger, but more importantly, good job on continuing the fitness journey! 🙂
Author
Thanks Stella! I do feel like there were results, but I needed to figure out a diet plan. BBG did help me get started and develop a good habit of workout out. Thanks for stopping by and for the encouragement!
this is amazing babe!! I’ve heard such great things about BBG and especially post-baby, can’t wait to get back into it!
XO, Jessi
https://jmalay.com/coachella-what-to-pack/
Author
I’m really happy with how the program helped me get back on track. Hope it helps you too, even though you already look AMAZING!
xoxo
Serein
Awesome! Good job on sticking with it! I find myself starting & stopping (mostly stopping) exercise routines. It’s really hard for me to find time for it. But I could maybe work out later in the evening. I’ve heard that messes with sleep patterns though. Did you have any issues with falling asleep after working out late? I have to get up on weekdays at 5:30 am to get ready for work, so I don’t really need issues falling asleep. 🙂 But, I do need to work out. I’m 43 & have somehow managed to weigh the heaviest I ever have. (Actually, I know how it happened. I increased my soda consumption & haven’t really cooked at home in a few months. That will do it.)
One more question with this BBG program, did it require a gym membership to have access to a lot of work out equipment? Just curious.
Working out is not an easy thing…wow congratulations on finishing the program!!!! In the last few years my weight has fluctuated a ton. My first year of culinary school I gained almost 40 pounds due to not exercising and eating literally everything. Since January of 2017 I have lost 67 pounds and my mom has lost 45. We have been trying to take walks everyday and eat better. I also workout in the mornings with my boyfriend Michael, and he helps encourage me to work hard for what I want. I am still working to do more but it really does feel amazing to do something, stick with it, and see results. I personally know how challenging it can be. Congratulations Serein!!
Author
Ashley that is amazing! It sounds like you’re making lifestyle changes vs. diet choices, which is I feel the hardest to do and also the most effective in the long run. Thank you so much for sharing your own journey. I definitely have harder weeks than others, but I’m excited to start the program again and also incorporate other more weight training exercises in the circuits.
Wow girl !!! Looking awesome !!! I need to get on a program too !
Author
Hi Jo-
Thank you so much for reading and for the encouragement!
Congrats!
I am trying to gain my body confident after my baby but is not easy. Can you maybe give us a gide of your rutine? or where we can get it without pay for it…
I love to see your chanel and now that you are going to clean stuff more.
You look amazing, but not because your body, before i though you were amazing already, but your eyes are happy 🙂
Thanks, you have no idea how much your chanel helped me in the pass and continue doing so.
Hugs
C!
Author
Hi Caroline, thank you so much for reading and for your support.
The guide I used is a paid guide and copyright. So I would never share them since this is how Kayla makes a living and this is her specialty. For me the $50 I spent has definitely lasted me years and I can alway use the exercises. Personal trainers cost more than that for one session. I also think of it as a way to invest in myself and my health. When I pay for something, I also tend to value it more and therefore determined to finish it at some point.
That being said there are tons of free workouts on YouTube and via fitness blogs you can explore if you wanted to figure out where to start and what types of exercises you’d enjoy. I even list a few in my digital magazine. You can also test out the guide for 7 days free and the Sweat with Kayla app has a free trial as well.
Hope that was helpful.
xoxo
Serein
I’m so proud of you Serein you look great! i’d like to know more about your diet, what kinds of foods are you eating so you’re eating better? You’re an inspiration to me! i am going to start working on my health, I’m disabled and can’t do running but am going to start with weights and workouts that i can find that i can do!
Author
Thank you so much Kathleen! I’d love to share more about my diet and other ways to stay healthy. I am not on any crazy strict diets or eating plan, but I do try to keep it clean and healthy and listen to my cravings too. I mean I still want to enjoy life! Lol. I hate running, I actually use to force myself to run because I thought it would be good for me, but it’s not the best for my body and I have a lot of injuries that can pop up when I run. You can definitely still get fit without running. It’s so important to maintain flexibility and core strength as we age. I saw how important when my mom was in the nursing home. I know you can do it!
xoxo
Serein
Way to go Serein, you look amazing! I need to get my act together and start exercising and eating healthier. I’m going to be 40 this year and I’m starting to feel it. ☹️
Author
Thank you so much Camille! My sister who is in her 40s found boot camps to really kick start her workouts. I just hate waking up early, lol. I believe in you! You can do it, it’s just about finding the right workouts and making it a habit.