I have been getting so many questions recently about what workouts I have been doing, so I am excited to finally share. I want to first start by saying that this post is not sponsored in anyway, that I pay for the workout program I am using, and this is an honest review of BBG. Since being cleared at 6 weeks postpartum, I have been doing Kayla Itsines program called BBG or Beach Body Guide on the Sweat App. I initially became interested in her program after seeing transformation after amazing transformation of women on Instagram while I was pregnant and made the decision that I was going to start her program as soon as I was cleared by my doctor. You can check out some of the transformations yourself on Kayla’s instagram, @kayla_itsines.
What is BBG?
I was not only interested in BBG because of the results it was producing for so many women, but also because of the short 30 to 45 minute workout sessions. I knew that it was going to be hard juggling working out and having a baby so the program seemed like it was going to be perfect for my new schedule as a first time mommy.
Let’s break it down a little further. BBG incorporates 3 resistance training sessions with the third being optional for beginners, and three low intensity (LISS) sessions a week. The 3 resistance workouts are based off of different muscle groups; legs, arms, abs, and full body. The low intensity cardio sessions or LISS, low intensity stead state, have a little more freedom. They can be either a brisk walk, jog, bike ride, or elliptical session.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, BBG is on the Sweat App. This means that you can complete the workouts anywhere, you need very little equipment, and has small clips demonstrating each exercise, taking you through each workout one step at a time with a built in timer.
What do you Need?
I almost forgot to bring up another BIG reason why this program is so appealing. You can do it all at home! All you truly need to start out is a bench, chair, or aerobic step. You will need at least one of these items to assist you in the numerous push-ups you are required to do and for step-ups on leg day. As you progress in the program, however you may want to invest in some hand-weights.
Everything I have is not necessary, but I personally use hand-weights, a jump rope, a 10 and a 20 pound weighted ball, an aerobic step, a Bosu ball, a yoga mat, and finally a treadmill and a bike for low intensity cardio.
What Have I Completed?
I am not going to lie, this program was really CHALLENGING to do right after having a baby. I had very little muscle mass and had to take several breaks in the first four weeks of starting the program. Because I had just had a baby, I personally completed the BBG Beginner twice (8 weeks), in order to make sure that my body was fully prepared to move to the next step. I am now in week 29 and on BBG 3.0. I am so much stronger and in much better shape than when I started.
During the first week of BBG I was only able to complete 8 push-ups on my knees and now I am can complete 15 standard push-ups without any breaks. I weigh as much as I did my freshman year of college, and I feel strong and lean. I truly think that this type of high intensity workout is what works best for my body type.
My Honest Review of BBG
Prior to getting pregnant I was the type of person who spent an hour to an hour and a half in the gym lifting weights and occasionally doing some HITT (high intensity interval training). I was in the gym for four years straight at least four days a week and I still didn’t feel near as fit as I feel at this point right now in my life.
I honestly thought I would miss the weight lifting aspect and that I would dread working out but that is not the case at all. Everyday, I look forward to my workouts and I thoroughly appreciate that they are only 30 minutes long. It makes it so easy to squeeze in a workout no matter how busy I am. With that being said, if you want to start this workout program, you must remember to push yourself every second during those 30 minutes. You will not see results coasting through the program.
Honest, the only negative thing I have to say about the program thus far is that I dislike when the program transitions from a full body workout somewhere around BBG 2.0, to a session based solely on abs. I personally cannot sit and perform different ab exercises for 30 minutes straight, because I just get too darn bored. As a result I have been doing EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) workouts on Fridays.
I have to also mention that diet played large role in not only my weight loss journey postpartum but also in the process of building lean muscle. I was dairy and soy free for two months, have now been dairy free the past 10 months. Stay tuned next week for my blog post about my diet and healthy lifestyle.
I hope you enjoyed this review! If you are interested in seeing what other items I think are essential to my workouts, check out my Workout Essentials post. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at thelanetofashionblog@gmail.com.
This post is not sponsored. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.