LEGGINGS: Outdoor Voices (wearing XS) // TOP: Outdoor Voices (wearing S) // SHOES: Adidas (on sale- order 1 size down) // SUNGLASSES: Quay // JACKET: Old Navy
I’m finally sharing my 12 week BBG review AND my before / after photos with you guys! Before you continue and read on, make sure you’ve read my Week 6 BBG blog post where I share the who, what, when, where, why, how, etc, of the Kayla Itsines BBG (Bikini Body Guide) Workout Program I’ve been dedicated to. I have a little disclaimer before you see the photo of my results…
Just a disclaimer for my before + after photos: the reason it’s taken me until now to finally share this post, is because I’ve been really hesitant to share the before photos with you guys! Although I’ve always been fairly slender, and have always been pretty active, I have actually never been happy with the way my stomach looked. I think we all have areas of our body we are self-conscious of and also areas we are proud of. That was mine.
Results are in: It finally took the 12 week BBG program to flatten my stomach out a little and tone it just the right amount, that I finally feel okay (and semi-confident) sharing these photos with you.
Left (week 1) // Middle (week 5) // Right (week 12)
WHITE LEGGINGS: Beyond Yoga (wearing XS), love this white pair too // SPORTS BRA: Onzie ($49, wearing S/M)
Where have I seen the biggest change in my body?
- I’ve definitely noticed the biggest difference in my abs and core. I also noticed my butt got a bit more toned and definitely my arms, and strength overall. I can do more burpees, pushups, jump squats, etc than ever before! It’s a pretty awesome feeling.
What was your diet like?
- I ate the same as usual for the most part. It’s all a balance- 80% healthy and 20% splurge. Read my grocery store haul / printable shopping list in this blog post, which is what I went by. Near the end of BBG, from week 10-12 I really honed in on my eating and ate more lean protein, a ton more veggies, and cut out some/most carbs and added sugars.
How do you get motivated for your 5:00am workouts and what is your pre-workout routine?
- I recently wrote a blog post on my new morning routine that I LOVE. Yes, it’s sometimes tiring, and yes sometimes I don’t want to get up and do it. But afterwards I feel a world of difference – it’s incredible the energy it gives me throughout the day!
How is my weight?
- I never weigh myself. It really doesn’t get me anywhere, I always go by how I feel. Plus, muscle weighs more than fat, so I don’t trust the scale.
How long did it take to notice the results?
- Like I mentioned, I never weigh myself. I did notice a big physical difference/more noticeable toning after week 8 or 9…I don’t know why or how, but something must have just clicked in my body. After about week 6 I took a week break due to my birthday, traveling, eating out, etc, but then got right back on track where I left off. From week 8 on, I noticed less plateauing and more progress. Don’t give up!! 😉
…Now what?!
I asked you guys on Instagram to weigh in on what I should do next. BBG 2.0 (week 13-24), Tone It Up, etc, and you all gave me so many great opinions and advice. This is what you guys said:
- Tone It Up app
- BBG 2.0
- PWR with Kelsey Wells in the Sweat app (everyone said they saw the best results with this)
- 80 day fix- beach body
I think with Summer coming up, and some potential trips, it’d be best for me to stick to a consistent program that I know I can rely on. Something that I can do from anywhere. I’m still undecided but by Monday will share my decision with you on Instagram, so stay tuned!
Overall: my goal is to stay toned. I don’t want to lose weight, I don’t want to become super buff, just a lean tone body is my goal. Yes I will still indulge in my weekend pancakes at brunch, and my occasional weeknight fro-yo, but one thing I know I can always count on is my steady workouts. Something about it keeps me sane, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I can’t go a day without getting some form of physical activity or movement in.
What program have you tried and seen results from?! I’d love to hear in the comments below…
Taylor says
Thanks for sharing your bbg journey with us! I love following your health journey. It helps keep me motivated when all i want to is eat my weight in cookies! I have been following the tone it up meal plans and workouts since January, and love them! They have so many good recipes to switch things up but still be healthy. I’ve also found that the tiu work outs work best for me!
Torey Beerman says
TAYLOR, thank you so much for reading about my BBG journey so far! That’s such great feedback, thank you for sharing- I’ve heard AMAZING things about Tone It up, and would love to try it! Especially some of their super yummy recipes 🙂
Heather says
Hey girl! Good on you for sharing! You look fabulous in your before pic and total #bodygoals in the after! I am absolutely loving Move Sweat Shred by Madeline Custer (@madelinemoves). I’ve been working through her guide and am amazed with the difference in definition/lean muscle strength. Four weeks in others are starting to notice too – which is beyond chill 🙂 Let me know if you check it out!
Torey Beerman says
Heather, thank you SO much! And thank you for sharing what works for you- I love to hear about other successful workout programs! I’ll definitely look into it! Keep it up babe! XO
Caitlin sauer says
Torey, you look incredible! You always look fantastic – and I can definitely see your hard work in this program. So inspiring!! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Torey Beerman says
Caitlin, thank you babe! You’re too sweet- I appreciate the love! Hope you had a fab weekend 🙂 XO
Cassie says
You look great! Here are some workouts that I love and have seen progress/results with:
~NTC app (Nike Training Club App) It has effective, short workouts that you can do anywhere
~Group Exercise Classes at the Gym (BodyPump, Athletic Training Club, PiYo, etc.) the group setting really motivates me!
~BBG workouts! I’ve done these before and they are KILLER! I didn’t follow the specific “plan” but did them a few times a week with a friend and they are HARD!
~Runs outside!
~Lunges, glute lifts, jump squats, & drop squats outside (when I’m too lazy/tired to do anything else)
I’ve noticed I’ve been in the best shape physically when I was working out 5-6 days a week with hard, long, workouts where I was pushing myself hard. I varied my workouts with strength training (lifting heavier than I ever have but wasn’t bulking up, still remained leaned and toned), runs, lots of cardio (think Turbo Kickboxing), etc. I had to scale back because I wasn’t actually doing what was “healthiest” for my body or my brain if you know what I mean. I looked great on the outside but felt horrible on the inside.
I’ve scaled back and at this point in my life 4 workouts a week seems to be my sweet spot. I’m not as lean as I used to be but I’m truly THE happiest I’ve ever been! I stopped counting calories, stopped wearing my heart rate monitor to see how many calories I was burning during my workouts, and started enjoying my life! I feel like as women we can be SO hard on ourselves which can lead to unhealthy habits and patterns.
You look amazing and seem to have such a healthy mindset! Love following along on your journey! Sorry for the rambling!!
Torey Beerman says
Cassie- I LOVE your recommendations and hearing what works for you! Having a sweet spot that is healthy and maintainable is so important as women since we try to go all out in everything we do! Loved hearing from you!! Thank you for sharing 🙂 Have the best weekend! XO