Fitness, Kayla Itsines, Products I love

The First 4 Weeks of BBG 2.0

May 6, 2015

Wow, well that went by fast; it is already May and I have completed the first 4 weeks of BBG 2.0 (Kayla Itsines second bikini body guide)! I wanted to share with you all my thoughts regarding BBG 2.0 and to update you all on what’s happening with me in terms of health and fitness.

The First 4 Weeks of BBG 2.0

review of BBG 2.0 kayla itsines

How Does BBG 2.0 Differ From BBG 1.0?

There is quite a significant difference. Of course, the format is the same typical Kayla style of two circuits with four exercise moves each, with the circuits done a total of four times. However, the weights get increased in the BBG 2.0 and there are a lot more static movements and less jumping around (or flailing around like I do, haha!). For example, you do moves like weighted barbell squats, arm raises, weighted sit-ups and etc. There were also slight modifications to moves seen in BBG 1.0 such as jump squats … buuuut with double pulses at the bottom (it burns, oh how it burns). Of course, there are moves that have been introduced in BBG 1.0 such as walking lunges, push ups and snap jumps.

Do I Like BBG 2.0?

So far, yes I do! Well, okay let me back up a bit. I definitely have a love-hate relationship going on with the BBG 2.0. I love that there are more weighted exercises yet I am still sweating like mad, yet I hate that it is still so hard haha! But I know it is good that it’s hard because it is still challenging me … but I hate it … because it is hard. LOL. Does that makes sense, and someone please tell me they feel the same way?

review of BBG 2.0 kayla itsines

P.S. Nike and Lorna Jane make fantastic workouts clothes. Also, I broke my jump rope during some vigorous speed jumping lol!

Am I Doing Anything Differently in BBG 2.0?

Yeah, like I said, the weights increase so I am using heavier weights. I also decided to challenge myself by doing military style pushups, where I keep my arms much closer to my sides and ensure my elbows bend backwards and not outwards (form is so important). This tiny little adjustment has literally made me a beginner again, and I am back to doing push ups on my knees. Try it and you’ll see what I mean; it is SO much harder but it engages my core more and is working different arm muscles. It is critical we keep challenging ourselves and pushing our bodies to the max if we want to see change. 

healthy and easy 4 ingredient pancakes by honestly fitness

 An example of some yummy foods I have been eating these past 4 weeks!

Let’s See What The Next 8 Weeks Are Like …

So, I am currently on week 17 and ughhh, I was completely caught off guard with the elevated intensity of the workouts. How does Kayla keep doing this?! I will do another update on weeks 17-20 in 4 weeks time and let you all know how it went (unless I have suffered #deathbyKayla). For now, I want to set some goals for myself to keep myself motivated and accountable

  1. Start using Kayla’s HELP guide more strictly again. Although I have enjoyed experimenting and adjusting my macros; the HELP guide was the most balanced way for me to go about my nutrition.
  2. Focus on slowly increasing the MPH I do sprints. Yesterday, I did sprints for HIIT and my speed was 9.0MPH for about 10-12 minutes and I upped it to 9.2MPH for the remainder of the 3-5 minutes. 
  3. Strengthen my lower back by doing lower back extensions. This has helped a lot in keeping my back straight during pushups.
  4. Start practicing pull ups again! The second I move to Salt Lake City, I am buying a pull up bar and getting back into it.
  5. Do not plan cheat meals. I have found that if I have an unplanned cheat meal (because life happens), I get into this very negative state of mind which is not healthy at all. Instead of planning cheat meals, I should just let them happen based upon the context. It makes SO much more sense to have a cheat meal because you are out with friends as opposed to being home alone on a Saturday night.

That’s all folks! I hope you found this mini-review of BBG 2.0 helpful and I look forward to posting another one in a few weeks. I can tell that I am definitely leaning down slowly but surely and I am excited to see how much stronger I get in the next few weeks. It is NOT EASY, but it is worth it being able to look like a bad a** in the gym hehe 😉

Honestly yours,
Alice

Thank you for always supporting me! For more Honestly Fitness, check out my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest and don’t forget to subscribe!

Recipes

Healthy Horchata Pudding

May 3, 2015
healthy-horchata-pudding

Although I don’t really celebrate Cinco de Mayo, one of my lovely friends always throws a fantastic party for Cinco de Mayo which brings us all together to eat, laugh and generally be merry!

As such, her wonderful parties get me excited for Cinco de Mayo and this year, I thought it would be fun to create a healthy horchata recipe.

Continue Reading…
Fitness, San Francisco

Pilates Reformer with OnPointe Training

April 29, 2015

I love pilates reformer workouts. How can I not when people like Iza Goulart and Alessandra Ambrosio, both Victoria’s Secret models, credit pilates reformer with helping craft their long, lean and toned bodies?! Although I realize that genetics plays a major factor, pilates reformer is an intense workout and very different from the usual circuit-style training that I like doing.

The only downside to pilates reformer is that it can be expensive … and especially in San Francisco (have you seen our crazy rent prices?!). This is because of the expensive machinery involved and the fact that classes are always kept small; the maximum amount of people in a class is usually 4-6. You could say I was more than intrigued to learn that OnPointe Training offered pilates reformer classes at an affordable price. And in the Marina district of San Francisco nonetheless – for those of you not local to San Francisco, the Marina district is a very nice and pricey part of the city.

Onpointe training a pilates studio in san francisco marina

OnPointe Training

I was invited to try out a pilates reformer class at OnPointe Training last week and got to meet the lovely owner, Kaitlyn Rhoades, former ballerina turned pilates pro. We got to chat a little bit before and after class and she was extremely sweet. She told me that she wanted to open up a studio which offered pilates reformer at an affordable price because she wants everyone to be able to try it out. And she understands that not everyone can drop $45-50 for a class, two to three times a week! She informed me that to help clients afford the classes, OnPointe Training offered discounted rates through class packs and memberships. Although these options offer more of a commitment, they are a great way to help save money and motivate you to regularly commit to working out.

Onpointe training a pilates studio in san francisco marina

Although the studio space was smaller than other locations in the city, OnPointe Training is in a fantastic location right in the heart of Marina near other healthy food spots such as Seed & Salt, a yummy vegan cafe. Although the workout was not as intense as I had expected (which made sense since there was a beginner in the class I attended), it felt great to workout my body in a different way and target areas I do not normally workout. It surprises me everytime how much pilates reformer engages and works out my core; and how nice and tight it feels afterwards. I was so annoyed I forgot to bring my cute pilates reformer sticky socks and had to do the class with my ugly and old socks!!

Onpointe training a pilates studio in san francisco marina

All in all, it was a great experience and a lovely and complimentary workout to my usual fast-paced circuit workouts. If you live in the area or are visiting, I highly encourage you to check out OnPointe Training so you can experience a pilates reformer class for yourself.

Honestly yours,
Alice

Thank you for always supporting me! For more Honestly Fitness, check out my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest and don’t forget to subscribe!

Disclaimer: I was not financially compensated although I was offered a complimentary pilates reformer workout. Rest assured that my opinions will always stay unbiased and honest.