So for those of you who have challenged yourself with completing Kayla Itsine's 12-week bikini body guide, I'm sure you've learned many things along the way. Yes, I learned an abundance of new workout regimes, but more importantly, I learned lessons that will help me in future workouts and things I can apply to my every day life. Completing this 12-week program was challenging, but absolutely rewarding. Here are some lessons I learned in the past 12 weeks, and hopefully you may feel the same way:
1. How influential a workout buddy is
These workouts are tough, and having a friend to motivate each other every day will make the workouts more fun and more likely to hit the gym every day while giving the circuits your all.
2. The number on the scale doesn't matter
Don't focus on the number on the scale. That number doesn't define if you're 'skinny' or 'in shape.' Muscle and fat weigh the same, however, muscle is more dense, so ignore the number and focus on how you look and feel.
3. There is no such thing as a perfect body
There is no definition of a perfect body, being skinny, or looking good.
4. Abs (or as close to abs as I can get) are made in the kitchen
It doesn't matter how much you work out, abs comes from clean eating. You should never be in the mindset that you can eat whatever because you worked out that day.
5. Look good, feel good
Go treat yo self and buy some cool new workout clothes! After all, you're gonna be in the gym every single day, mind as well look cute while you're dripping in sweat!
6. If you aren't sweating, you're not doing it right.
You will never be leaving the gym the way you came in. You'll have to get used to the frizzy hair and sweat-covered T-shirts.
7. 28 minutes is equivalent to a millennium
28 minutes broken down in four circuits of seven minutes is longer than I expected. Not looking at the timer slightly helped, but barely.
8. Your workout environment is everything
There is such a difference in incentive to workout when working out in a gym versus your living room. Surround yourself with a motivational environment, a good pump up playlist.
9. The most annoying workouts are the most beneficial
Yes, commandos, lay-down pushups, and burpees are probably the most hated, but there is a method to the madness so I learned the hardest workouts are the most beneficial and the ones you should never skip.
10 . Pictures are your best friend
The numbers on the scale don't matter, but pictures do. There are always slight changes happening to your body and sometimes looking at yourself every day, you won't notice them. Pictures every four weeks will really help you see your progress.
11. You don't have to stop after just 12 weeks
Yes, be proud that you accomplished so much and reached your goal, but you don't have to stop here. Just because the 12 weeks of BBG ended doesn't mean your workouts need to end, too.
12. You can do anything you set your mind to
I set my mind to completing the 12 weeks of BBG and although it was extremely difficult at times when I was sore and couldn't walk or raise my arms for days, it has been such a rewarding experience to see the results I've been trying to obtain for years. I never knew I could accomplish so much in just 12 weeks.