




AN UPDATE ON MY BBG JOURNEY + PROGRESS
If you’ve been following along on SnapChat or reading this blog since the beginning of last summer, you’ll know I’m a member of the #BBGCommunity! I started doing the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Itsines back in May and have been hooked ever since. For information on the program, how I do it, and some tips for sticking with it, check out out this post (definitely try it – it’s only $50 for the initial twelve week workout guide!). When I first started the guide, I completed the initial 12 weeks without having to modify any of the workouts due to lack of gym access or travel. It was great! I saw impressive results within just a few weeks of starting the guide, and by the end I was stronger and had more muscle definition than I’ve ever had in my life. Even when I was doing PureBarre 5 days per week I didn’t have this kind of ab, leg, butt and arm definition. The very apparent progress is what totally got me hooked and made me want to really stick to this program long-term.
Once the initial twelve weeks was up, I started again with week one of the same guide. Throughout the fall I had a few big trips (New York Fashion Week and Asia) where I didn’t have easy access to a gym where I was staying. I’m not sure how far into the guide I was before my first trip, but I was feeling pretty trim and strong upon arriving in NYC! With those trips, I had to modify my workouts to fit the situation. For example, instead of signing up for day passes at a gym in NYC, I signed up for classes at KORE NYC, which has a very similar setup to the BBG workouts – high intensity intervals that’ll basically make you want to die. So hard! It was a great alternative to BBG while I was in NYC, and I kept going to FlyWheel classes while I was there too. Asia was a little more difficult, because we were in AirBnB’s for awhile with no access to a gym, equipment, space and we had to keep pretty quiet during our stay so we wouldn’t bother the neighbors. Instead of trying to make the harder workouts work within that space, I created my own circuits using the BBG guide as inspiration! We just removed the jumping exercises and ones that required big weights or major equipment. That’s what I love about these printable guides – you can comb through the whole packet and create your own circuits based on your location and equipment if you can’t make a certain day from the guide work that day. It’s been the easiest way for me to stay on track no matter where I am!
Once I got back from Hong Kong, I started over with week one again, and now I’m about to complete my second full round of BBG 1.0! Since I will have now done the initial guide twice (well really, more than that – just moved around!), I decided to invest in BBG 2.0, the next set of guides for weeks 13-24. The workouts in this guide are quite a bit more challenging and require a little more equipment than I currently own, but thanks to Amazon I’ve been able to order most of it with Prime delivery in just a day or two. I’m looking forward to giving this next guide a go! If you’ve done the second guide, let me know what you liked and what you didn’t in the comment section below this post!
If you aren’t already, be sure to follow along on SnapChat where I’ll be sharing timely updates, progress pics (EEK!) and more from my BBG journey. Here’s to sticking to our fitness goals, #amiright?!
Lululemon Tee // Lululemon Sports Bra // Lululemon Leggings // Nike Sneakers // Nike Socks // Bosu Ball // Medicine Ball
Way to go, Merritt! So impressed with your commitment and persistence.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Love hearing this! I’m only on week 6 now, but in just 6 weeks I’ve noticed MAJOR changes! I feel and look so much stronger and have so much more energy :) I love the idea of modifying them for travel too!
Would love to see before and after pictures and a rundown of how many lbs/inches you lost on the program.
Hey Melissa,
I’m not sure I’m comfortable sharing before/after photos on the blog, but I have shared progress photos on SnapChat every now and then! While I’ve definitely lost weight and inches, I really haven’t been keeping track of that. I’m more in it for toning and tightening.
Hope this helps!
Merritt
Hi Merritt,
This looks like something I want to do as I am in an absolute gym slump! I clicked on the link your provided in the above post (“the initial twelve week workout guide”) above and it while it takes me to the site, the cost is now $69 and change. Am I am not being directed to what you are referencing in your post? Thank you
Hi Katherine,
If you go to this link: https://www.kaylaitsines.com/collections/guides#purchase and then select the far right option, it is $53.66 USD! Hope this helps!
Merritt
Hi Merritt!
Great post! We just started BBG and love reading about the results you’ve seen – it’s keeping us motivated!
Cheers!
Emily
http://www.fortuitousfoodies.com
Thank you, Merritt!
Looking fierce, girl! With all these Bikini Body posts, you know what must come next– A BIKINI POST! Can’t wait to see you show off all your hard work! You look GORGEOUS!
I have a back injury that has taken me out of working out. I need to start doing something to lose weight and get back in shape. is this program customizable for issues such as a herniated disc?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for reaching out! That’s a question I’m not totally comfortable answering since I’m not an expert – You may want to contact the BBG team (via their website) and ask. It’s certainly customizable, but I’m not sure I would recommend it if you have back problems.
xx
Merritt