Kayla Update Week 21

Kayla continues to kick our butts. We recently took a quick trip to Las Vegas for a business trip so we were able to utilize this GORGEOUS gym at the Aria Resort and Casino. 

Here are a couple variations for the classic plank. Planks target arms, back, and abs and each variation can continue to use and challenge each muscle as the muscle groups grow stronger. 

Here is a normal plank. Start with this position, and as it gets easier, move on to the more difficult ones. 

Plank Variation 1: Bending the knees allows you to focus on the arms and abs. Don't place your knees on the floor, just bend and keep knees about an inch above the ground.

Plank Variation 2: Try rocking back and forth slowly while in plank position. 

More tips and work outs coming soon... As soon as things slow down at my house.

Kayla Itsines Update Week 19

With summer here, I've had little to no time to update my blog on our fitness journey. June came up quick and with so many activities and family events, the blog ended up going on the back burner for a while. BUT... I'm back :)

Here is my week 19 update!

I LOVE donuts. I got this sweet shirt for my birthday and I feel like it fits my personality great :)

(Don't mind the portable a/c unit. It's basically saving our lives this summer.)

I've been more than happy with my results from the BBG. Here's to 4 more weeks to complete 2.0!

Kayla Itsines Update Week 16

I decided to do this update a bit differently. Why? Because I already ate my Cold Stone and feel like there is a large possibility I am going to be doubled over soon, and if I showed you my 'progress pic' you would probably think it was some type of pregnancy announcement. 

Instead, we took some photos of the ab exercises from today in order to give you a quick workout at home. 

Weighted Jack-knife situps: 20 reps

Side-crunches on back: 30 each side 

Weighted Toe-touch: 20 reps

Weighted straight sit-up: 20 reps

Also, here are some tips and tricks from Ty. 

It is very much a body weight exercise routine, but that doesn't mean it can't kick your butt. The first time I looked at this exercise I thought it wasn't great for guys; this is mostly for girls who want to be lean and toned. That is how Kayla has advertised and marketed her product. But for all the fellas out there, you can gear it more towards men. You can follow everything and get more fit and in better shape, but here are some things I have done to make it geared more for guys. 

1. ADD MORE WEIGHT. There are weights in some of the moves, just add more weight so that finishing the exercise move is extremely difficult.

2. JUST ADD WEIGHT. If there is a body weight exercise that isn't that hard for you add weight. Example is the step ups on leg days; in her book she doesn't use weight. Make it a real difficult move by adding heavy dumbbells in each hand. 

3. DO MORE. If you get through something really easy, do more before proceeding. Example is push ups on arm days; she only has 15 in the reps. Why not trying to do 30-40 and really get a burn going? You can also mix your push up style. Ever tried finger push ups? 

4. CHANGE ONE OF THE MOVES. If you don't feel like 1 or 2 of the 8 exercise moves in each routine is helping you work towards your goals, then change the move to something else. Example: There is a move on arm days that is a squat and curl move. It works my legs more than my biceps, so i just do bicep curls instead. 

Like I said, if you follow her program you can get fit, lean, and strong, but you can change it to fit your needs. I am not going to say your going to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger during his glory days, but you can tone up and increase your physical performance. 

Ty

Kayla Itsines update - week 7

I cannot believe we just finished week 7 from the BBG! I know ya'll are wondering, and yes, my husband looks great in his bikini thanks to this. HAHA. JK.

Seriously, I have seen such a difference! I hate to admit it, but I think I'm actually addicted. I look forward to going to the gym, sweating, and getting that sense of satisfaction that I did something that day. I've seen a lot of lifting in my buttocks area, my quads are beginning to tone, and my abs... are even there when I eat ice cream for a cheat treat!

I wanted to give everyone an update on the challenge, but also to address a few questions I have received through txt and email.

The Kayla Itsines BBG is designed for anyone and everyone that is looking to improve their body, and athletic performance. However, when you begin the workout, your not going to be completing the entire workout three times over. The way the BBG is designed is like interval training. I'm sure you all have heard of HIIT *High Intensity Interval Training*. It's proven to be one of the most effective ways to lose weight AND tone the body without spending hours at the gym.

So, the BBG runs in intervals. 4 rounds, 7 minutes each, with 30 second breaks in-between each round, bringing your total workout to 30 minutes. During each round, there are 4 exercises with a limited number of times you do each exercise. Once you finish the specific number of each exercise, you move on to the next one.

As I mentioned above, everyone will be on different levels. Some people take the 7 minutes to go through one round one time, while others may be able to finish it one and a half times. The key here is to challenge and push yourself, but also focus on your form. Push yourself to your limits, but if you begin to feel faint or like throwing up, back off just a bit.

For example, one round may look similar to this: 24 walking lunges, 15 burpees, 15 tuck jumps, and 40 bicycles. Once you finished the 24 walking lunges (whether it takes you 1 minute, or 4) you just move on to the next one, the burpees. Once you reach the end of the line-up, simply start over until your timer goes off. Hopefully that makes sense.

Here are a few moves we shot while at the gym this morning just to make sure your doing the correct form.

Mountain Climbers: 

That counts as one. Try doing 25 in a row to engage those abs. 

 Elevated Sit Ups:

There's one. Try doing 15. 

Weighted bent-leg jackknifes:

15 reps

Leg lifts:

15 reps

I hope this clarifies a few things, and helps motive a few of you that don't have the Kayla workout right now. Use these 4 moves to create your own interval! 

Vanilla Bean Dream

It's no secret, we're LDS. That means we don't drink coffee or tea. One time, like 10 years ago, my cheer team was headed back from Nationals in California. While waiting in the airport, a few of us went wandering and found this amazingly tasty drink from Starbucks that doesn't have coffee. Now, I know a lot of people are thinking, how can you go to Starbucks and not get coffee? Did you read the first sentence? I'm Mormon! Anyways, I really just wanted a tasty drink and wasn't in the mood for fruity. So, I tried out the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. Holy cow. That was the tastiest vanilla shake/malt/drink (because really, what is it?) I've ever tasted! So whenever we end up in an airport and I have an extra $10 to spend (which is never, I'm poor, remember?) I like to get the Vanilla Bean Creme Frap.

Fast forward a few years. And remember, now I'm paleo AND addicted to treats.

My husband walks upstairs with this vanilla drink thingy and naturally, I'm like, Hey, give me some of that. I take a sip and bam. Sorry charley, this is mine now! Needless to say he had to make another one for himself (poor guy). But anyways, my point is, he had pinpointed this frappuccino thing without me even telling him! Oh my heavenly goodness.

So, today as I was lashing a friend and fellow reader, I mentioned I would share this AMAZING recipe with you all.

Vanilla Bean Dream:

2 scoops Gnarly Vicious Vanilla protein
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup water
1/4 tsp cinnamon

(Adjust the ice and water ratio to make a thicker consistency)
More ice = thicker

Blend in compact blender and serve immediately.

Plus, it only has 2 grams of sugar in this baby vs the 57 in the starbucks version!

Terrible picture, but you get it, right?

XOXO

Westwood Suns

A few months back, a friend of mine launched an amazing new company that has just thrived in the industry.

Many times I have been boating and watched my poor brother lose his sunglasses in the lake. Never quick enough to dive in, he just plans to purchase another, until now.

Enter Westwood Suns.

The moment I saw these, I fell in love. I have a very small head and always have a hard time finding sunnies to fit me, and my face. At first I was hesitant, but upon the arrival of my new shades, I was instantly happy. There are a few key points I want to hit on while writing about this product, and they all happen to be reasons why I picked them.

• They float. Say what? Yep. They float! Westwood Suns are made of WOOD (duh, read the name) making them perfect for any outdoor activity including wake boarding, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, and just basking in the sun. 

• They are polarized. I have SUCH a hard time finding polarized lenses! Ty fishes A LOT and when I go with, I can never see the dang fish so I feel like he has an advantage over me (psh, I can totally out-fish him). He is NOT a very good sharer. So, it's nice to FINALLY have polarized lenses that don't make me look like a 50-year-old fishermen. (No offense to the elderly, love you mom and dad :))

• They are sexy and gender neutral! How often do you find a pair of glasses that fits both men and women?! Um.. NEVER! Tyson has the smoke color, and I have the bamboo. I LOOOVVEE them! I mean, how can you not, just look at them on my sexy hubby!

• They are light as a feather. Literally. One last issue I always run into with sunnies is they are so heavy on my head. After being on the lake all day, I feel the weight of the sunnies pushing down on my ears, making it hard to keep them on due to them being soo uncomfortable. I can tell you this, WestWoods are SOOO comfortable. I hardly noticed I had them on, and wore them on our daily walks, at the beach, hiking, shopping, anywhere and everywhere in Kauai. I can honestly say both Tyson and I fell in love with the glasses. 

• They're affordable! A few months back, Ty and I were in a sunglass store looking for a new pair of ski goggles for myself. I happened to wander over to a similar product to the Westwoods and about had a heart-attack as I read the price tag. $249? For a pair of sunglasses? Yeah no. We are still in the newlywed stage (3+ years is still newlyweds right?) and we can't afford something like that! This is what made me take the leap with Westwood. 

• They have UV protection! As a Master Esthetician, I'm constantly trying to remind everyone about wearing sunscreen, hats and sunglasses in order to avoid the dreaded age-spots and wrinkles that come our way with age. These are the perfect solution for the UV protection around the eyes! (Check out the awesome design on the ear pieces)

As of right now, Westwood Suns has 3 gender-neutral colors available, with another ready for pre-order! Plus, I talked to the owner and they have a ton of fun things in the works for their products! I'm always on their website and I can tell you, they sell out A LOT! I could honestly sit here and rave day in and day out about this incredible product, but instead, I've made a deal with the owner :)

For my readers, Westwood Sunglasses is giving you all 20% off your entire order! WOOT WOOT! As if the glasses weren't already affordable, this just gives you the extra nudge! Use offer code west20 at checkout! But don't wait, this offer is going to expire on March 6!

Oh yeah, did I mention they have some BOMB(DOT)COM Tees too? I wore mine on the last day of vacation on the plane ride home and was SOO impressed with its comfort and breathability. Every pair of sunglasses comes in a nice, wooden carrying case and a cloth for cleaning!

Hurry over to Westwoodsunglasses.com before they sell out ONCE AGAIN, I guarantee you will fall in love just like we did!

XOXO