If you’re looking for a new fitness program I highly recommend using the Sweat app by Kayla Itsines. It’s a mobile app version of her hit workout guide: Bikini Body Guide. I downloaded the app when Kayla ran a special (12 weeks for $1). It was a dollar so I thought, “why not?” I’m so glad I decided to join the Kayla movement, not only have I seen immense progress in my health and fitness goals, but I’ve learned a lot. Below you'll find 11 of the many things I’ve learned so far from using Sweat with Kayla Itsines:

1. Everything is Hard

While that may not immediately seem like a motivating sentence, you’ll come to understand why I think it is. Working out is hard. Finding and staying motivated is hard. Eating right is hard, but so is not doing all of those things. Being out of shape is hard. Not fitting in your clothes is hard. Losing confidence is hard. You just have to choose which hard you want to ‘do’. Would you rather give your all for 28 minutes out of a day, or would you rather give your all to fit in your favorite jeans? It’s your choice.

2. Food is Awesome

Okay, I admit, I may have already known that. This program has inspired me to venture out and try new recipes though. It’s nice to be able to use my creativity skills in the kitchen. If you’re like me and you work in the service industry, you know it can be hard to find time to not only cook, but to find time to eat while you’re at work. Finding new and easy recipes to make each day so I meet my macro goals has been fun and keeps me motivated to make the time to cook my food and take a break to eat instead of waiting until I get off work and scarfing fast food.

3. Gym Anxiety is Real

It can be truly terrifying to work out in front of other people. I still do my workouts in the side room of my gym where I can hide from other people. I constantly wonder if people are watching me or critiquing my form. At the end of the day though if I had to choose between working out in front of a crowd, or not working out at all, I would choose to suck it up and do my workout. Everyone started somewhere.

4. Be Kind

To feed off of my last point, be kind. Don’t snapchat/Instagram/facebook people while they’re trying to work out (unless in my case your mom is being excessively loud on they elliptical machine… sorry mom). But in all seriousness, people are there trying to better themselves, don’t hate.

5. Love Your Sweat!

I don’t know about you guys, but I love when I leave the gym covered in sweat. I know a lot of girls get embarrassed by the amount that they sweat, but to me my sweat is like the trophy I get to take home. I love it!

6. Water is Essential

I already knew I had to drink a certain amount of water a day to keep water weight away, but I didn’t realize how water made me feel. If I don’t drink enough water, the next day I will feel sluggish and not motivated to do my workout. Instead I’ll crave junk food and want to stay inside all day bingeing Shameless on Netflix. As much fun as that is, sticking to my program is important to the results I’m working towards.

7. Cheat Meals are Important

Okay, cheat meals aren’t that important, but they are key to a successful lifestyle change. Just like that rebellious teenager, if you deprive someone of something they crave it more. So have that cookie, or basket of wings, one meal isn’t going to ruin your goals. Just work a little harder the next day. Don’t let one meal cause you to give up.

8. Workout Buddies are Hard to Come By

If you’re lucky enough you have a workout partner. Mine is one of my best friends, but I still have those days where I have to go to the gym by myself and I have to admit it’s not as fun. If I try to find a replacement buddy it’s hard to get anyone to agree to go, let alone agree to 28 minutes of resistance training.

9. Resistance Training is the Devil

Just kidding! But it is super hard. But like I mentioned earlier, hard is worth it! Kayla really likes to make you do stuff that is NOT fun like burpees, or lay-down push-ups. I usually finish those circuits with wobbly knees and arms/legs feeling like jello, but about an hour later I’m feeling on top of the world! Endorphins are a (wo)man’s best friend.

10. If at first you don’t succeed… you know the rest.

Let me tell you guys, I could not for the life of me do straight leg sit-ups when I first started using the Sweat app. However, I kept trying, mostly because I was embarrassed that my friend could do them and I couldn’t. Either way I determined to do them and three weeks later, Voila! So basically what I’m saying, that age old adage has some truth to it. If you can’t do certain moves when you first start working out keep trying, your body will adapt and get stronger with time as long as you keep practicing.

11. The BBG network is Strong!

Not only is Kayla’s Army physically strong, but they are strong in support. Not long after I started using Sweat, I joined a Facebook group for BBG (Bikini Body Guide) users around the world. At first I just wanted to join to see if there were any tips/tricks to sticking to the program, but I quickly learned that this was the trick! The girls on there keep me motivated! Not only do they share tips/tricks they also share their down falls, their gains, their struggles, they ask questions, they praise, it’s probably the best decision I’ve made, besides downloading Sweat, when it comes to fitness. If you’re not part of the group, join! You will see what I mean.