Bikini Body Guide | Gym Essentials

What you wear and bring with you to the gym can change your entire workout. For example, if you forget you water bottle, you are going to either become dehydrated, or waste time running back and forth from the water fountain (which at my gym is tap water: full of bacteria and should be avoided at all cost!) So, going prepared to the gym for the Bikini Body Training Guide workouts has become essential.

Here is what I need for my BBG workout:

iPhone 6 + Headphones

Water Bottle + 1 litre of water

Victoria's Secret Sports Bra

Lululemon Crops

Lululemon Yoga Mat
Kayla Itsines Guide (of course!)

I usually don't like pink but I love all of these!!

♥

One Month In | Bikini Body Training Guide

I am 3 days out from being finished my first month of Kayla's Bikini Body Guide and let me tell you a little secret..it HURTS! Everything. Everywhere. Everyday. As I write this I am struggling in my seat to find a comfortable position. I HATE you Kayla..but I LOVE you just the same! Even though my body is hurting, I can feel myself getting stronger each week - I did burpees without wanting to puke...that's saying something. I actually crave these workouts.

Vegan Protein Pancakes. Recipe in my Instagram

I am starting to see results this week: my whole body feels tighter. I am used to lifting weights to gain muscle but I swear my back and triceps are more toned now than they ever have been (I'll post a progress picture, eventually..)

 

My motivation to get out of bed on a COLD morning. Top is Kayla, bottom left: Nat, bottom right: Morgan

 

Also, the followers of #thekaylamovement are so amazing 'I can't even'!! People from all over the world are apart of her workout 'clan' and share their thoughts and stories on Instagram for others to see. I have virtually talked to people from cities all across Canada and receive feedback on my posts from people ALL over the WORLD! It is amazing and feels so empowering that girls are all motivating each other to do their best, and offer tips whenever they can. I am so happy to actually be apart of this. Has this ever happened before: girls of the world coming together to become a healthy version of themselves? I don't know but if there has I'd love to know about it! In my opinion Kayla should be in history textbooks!

Meal prep for my work week. More on my Instagram

JK, but seriously, she is amazing! Her outlook on life is amazing! -total girl crush, I know but I can't help it! Maybe this is what week 4 does to a person..makes us fall in love with working out!

I have already looked ahead at week 5, it looks even more painful than the previous 4. Wish my luck!

❤️

Week 2 Finished | Bikini Body Guide

So, it is Sunday morning, my rest day, and it is currently storming outside. Personally, I love the snow, I think it is beautiful. There is nothing like getting cozy with your favourite blanket and book (or blog!) while a blizzard quickly coats the city with a fresh layer of powder. I try really hard to see the positive in everything, so if I am going to live in Canada, I am going to like the snow (to all you haters out there, move. If you hate the snow then move to a place that doesn't have a longer Winter than Summer!

But, anyways, back to Kayla's Guide.

Now that week 2 is finished I can say that this week seemed to focus most on legs, or at least my legs and butt are KILLING me today (and have been all week)! But, I absolutely loved this week! I felt so great after all of my workouts, even the LISS was great (which 45 minutes of cardio -at the gym- gets VERY boring). I think this week I was able to focus more on eating properly (last week was Christmas holidays) and kept my sleep on track. I feel more refreshed and am able to push myself harder during the workouts.

Photo From Kayla's Instagram

Tomorrow I start week 3 (which is the same as week 1) I am looking forward to seeing if I have improved on anything (not that it has been long, but I seriously can feel my body getting stronger with every workout). I also start at a new yoga studio tomorrow, so I will be doing the Bikini Body Training during the mornings before work and then yoga after. Some people may see that as crazy, but I see it as a way to enhance my quality of life.

Photo From Kayla's Instagram

What are you doing this year to make sure you feel as healthy and fit as possible?

♥

Bikini Body Guide with Kayla Itsines

 

I am starting the Bikini Body Guide by Kayla Itsines, an Australian personal trainer who specializes in helping women achieved a slim, muscular build without bulking. My workout routine has been off lately (or non-existent), so I am officially challenging myself to stick with the 12 week workout plan to get my body back on track.

 

This is something that I have been wanting to do for a while but have made excuses not to. Her workouts are definitely not easy but they are reasonable for time and space (if I cannot make it to the gym-cause, hey, I live  in Canada and there are snow storms-I can do them just as easy at home).

 

I will be keep track on my progress on Instagram which will include progress pictures, workout videos, food pictures, and other things that make me happy through this journey! I am starting week 2 this week and am very excited to start feeling better (Christmas vacay DESTROYED me!)

 

GOALS FOR MARCH 2015

 

Do burpees WITHOUT dying

Do a full set of push-ups (NOT 'girl' push-ups)

Have a Kayla-toned stomach

Feel comfortable in a crop-top

Reward self with THIS bikini for my new bikini body!


♥

 

Kayla - Picture from Kayla Itsines Instagram 

Kayla - Picture from Kayla Itsines Instagram 

 

Holiday Drinking | Nourish Nature

Christmas and New Years are the two holidays where people tend to over indulge in alcoholic drinks, I know that I am a fan of having a few drinks over the holidays (Christmas day usually starts with mimosas and ends with wine) So here are a few drinks that I came up with to avoid brutal hangovers from sugary drinks and bloated bellies from carbonates beers!

Kosmo Cranbucha - amazeballs!!

Kosmo Cranbucha

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. sparkling water
• 2 oz. cosmic cranberry kombucha
• 1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1-2 inch orange peel
• Ice as desired

Ging-Mint-bucha

• 2 oz. Gin
• 4 oz. gingerade kombucha
• 4 sprigs mint, roughly broken apart
• 1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice as desired

The Grape Gin-bucha

• 2 oz. gin
• 4 Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 2 oz. divine grape kombucha
• 1 oz. sparkly water
• Ice as desired

Pombucha

• 2 oz. Vodka
• 2 oz. gingerberry kombucha
• 1 oz. POM pomegranate juice
• 2 slices of gala apple
• Ice as desired

♥

These are all made with GT's Kombucha! Vegan, gluten free, and GMO free!  http://www.synergydrinks.com/