Greetings from San Miguel de Allende! I’m here for a few days with my boyfriend, balancing a little bit of shooting with a lot of much-needed relaxation. This city has always felt like a second home to me—I’ve been visiting since I was ten years old, and every time I return, it brings back a flood of warm memories. San Miguel has that rare magic of being both peaceful and buzzing with energy, and we’ve been soaking it all in. Most days we find ourselves walking miles and miles through the winding streets, which, I have to admit, doubles as a pretty fantastic workout.
Speaking of workouts, I started something new last week that I’ve been so excited to share with you all. If you spend even five minutes scrolling through fitness content on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen transformations from Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide (BBG). Her community is massive, and the results speak for themselves—people who commit to her program look strong, energized, and incredibly confident. I’d been feeling a bit uninspired by my own fitness routine lately, so with curiosity already tugging at me, I decided to dive in and give BBG a try.
Taking the Leap into BBG
To kick things off, I downloaded Kayla’s app, Sweat!, which lays everything out in a clear, approachable way. At first, I was pleasantly surprised by the structure: three 28-minute circuit workouts per week, plus three days of cardio. My immediate reaction? “That’s actually less time than I’m already spending working out—sign me up!”
But here’s the thing: don’t let those 28 minutes fool you. From the very first circuit, Kayla makes every second count. Squats, burpees, push-ups, ab burners—you name it, it’s in there. Within minutes I was drenched, heart racing, and gasping for air. And you know what? I loved it. I hadn’t felt that level of challenge in a long time, and it reminded me how rewarding it is to push beyond your comfort zone.
I just wrapped up my very first week, and let’s just say I am sore everywhere—but in the best possible way. It’s that kind of soreness that lets you know you’ve woken up muscles that were half-asleep. I’ve committed myself to completing Kayla’s full 12-week program, including the four optional beginner weeks, which means I’ll be wrapping things up around the end of October. That feels like a long haul, but I’m genuinely excited to see where this journey takes me.
My Pre-BBG Routine
Before starting BBG, my workouts leaned heavily toward low-impact, dance-inspired routines. Pilates, Ballet Beautiful, and Sleek Technique were my go-tos. I still adore these workouts—they build strength and grace in such a unique way—and I don’t plan to abandon them. Instead, I’m weaving them in as part of my cardio days. The great thing about BBG is its flexibility; you can tailor the cardio to what you enjoy, whether that’s a brisk walk, a jog, a spin class, or in my case, ballet-based movement.
That balance feels important to me. It allows me to hold onto what I love while also pushing myself in new ways. Fitness, after all, doesn’t have to be about giving something up—it can be about expanding the toolbox and finding what keeps you motivated.
A Wardrobe Upgrade
Here’s a funny (and slightly embarrassing) confession: my entire fitness wardrobe until recently consisted of ballet leotards and leg warmers. That setup worked perfectly fine for my living-room pilates sessions, but not so much for, say, jogging around the neighborhood. It became pretty clear that if I was going to take on BBG, I needed to update my gear.
So, I treated myself to a few new pieces from Lorna Jane to kick off this adventure. I wanted functional items, but also ones that felt fun to wear. There’s something about pulling on a pair of sleek tights and a supportive sports bra that makes you feel like you’re truly showing up for yourself. And honestly? Cute workout clothes really do make a difference when you’re trying to stay motivated. They’ve made me excited to get moving, which is half the battle.
Looking Ahead
Right now, I’m only a week into this challenge, but I already feel reinvigorated. That spark of excitement I had when I first started working out years ago has returned. BBG is tough, no question, but it’s also approachable and incredibly rewarding. I know the next several weeks will bring more sweat, more sore muscles, and hopefully some noticeable strength gains.
I’ll keep sharing my progress as I go, along with any lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re brand-new to fitness, in a rut like I was, or just curious about BBG, I hope my updates can give you some insight—and maybe even a little inspiration—to try something new.
Here’s to sore muscles, fresh challenges, and cute workout gear. Wish me luck—I’ll need it!
