Dear friends,
I’m here today to talk about something that’s a huge part of my life but rarely garners any attention here on the blog: fitness!
I did write a post on the topic many moons ago, when I was just starting out as a freelancer and still traveling full-time. My approach to fitness on-the-go hasn’t changed much and I stand by the same principles I touted then:
- A workout doesn’t have to be long to be effective
- You don’t need a gym
- You don’t need fancy equipment
This means that for us travelers, who often don’t have access to a gym or shiny equipment and would rather spend our time out exploring a new destination, there are still really no excuses to let fitness fall by the wayside while on the road.
Related: Nutrition for Travelers: Back to Basics
I tried a number of different things over the years (traveling with a jump rope or resistance bands, yoga videos, local fitness classes) but it wasn’t until late 2013 that I stumbled upon a solution that finally worked for me–or at the very least, one I could stick to.
As many people do, I discovered Kayla Itsines on Instagram and was immediately impressed with the results her clients had achieved using her program. After doing a little more digging and even trying out a week of her free sample workouts, I decided that buying her first Bikini Body Guide (BBG) would be well worth the investment.
Though I was stationary at the time (living in Colombia) I knew that even when traveling I’d be able to manage these 28-minute circuit workouts, regardless of how much (or how little) space I was working with.
What I Love About Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Guides
The best thing about Kayla’s Bikini Body Guides? The girl herself! It’s hard not to want to join Kayla’s army (as her following is affectionately called) when you hear her positive messages about health and body image and the way she empowers all women to be their best version of themselves. And it’s clear she knows what she’s doing in the gym–I mean, have you seen those abs?
Her routines are quick and to the point; they take just 28 minutes to complete, they require little if any equipment (you can easily get by without), and you need only about as much floor space as a yoga mat.
And they are absolutely killer; that is, if you want them to be. The circuits allow you to progress at your own pace–you do as many reps as you can in 7 minutes–so at the end of the day you’re only competing against yourself, to do better than you did the day before.
The workouts become progressively more challenging week by week to avoid the dreaded fitness plateau, they’re easy to follow (complete with visual guides showing how to do each move), and come in ebook format–no paper wasted and no waiting for a package in the mail. You can have your guide as soon as you make the purchase.
The Truth About My Fitness Routine
Bear in mind, I use the word routine very, very loosely here. The truth is, I don’t actually use the BBG in the way that you’re supposed to if you want abs like Kayla’s or results like her clients’. The workouts are designed to be completed three times per week with cardio on your “off” days and one rest/stretching day. 
The guide is still an integral part of my fitness routine, but what I came to find was that for a multitude of reasons, the rigidity of the program just wasn’t sustainable for me.
For starters, brief though these workouts are, my travel schedule is often so unpredictable that I can’t know when or if I’ll have time to squeeze one in. Sometimes it’s just easier to go for a quick 15-minute run (another workout that can be done almost anywhere and with no equipment!).
And just like the rest of you mere mortals, I have plenty of those days when I just can’t even. Let’s get one thing straight–BBG workouts are intense. They often leave me collapsed on the floor by the end and sore for days afterward. For me to stick to a fitness routine like this would be pretty extreme considering washboard abs are not my end goal, and what I really don’t want is to balk at working out altogether if I put too much pressure on myself to stick to the program and then one day I wake up and just. can’t.
Consistency is the goal, even if it means some days I choose yoga or a hike over the BBG.
Seamless sports bra // Adidas tights // Asics Gel-Fit sneakers
Finally, as someone who has always been into fitness (I’ve played sports all my life and took up running and weightlifting as early as high school) I’m not after some incredible transformation. I’ve come to appreciate my body for what it is and what it can do and am perfectly content knowing I’ll never win a fitness competition.
What I AM after is a reliable way to ward off any weight gains that would otherwise arise from a few too many fried snacks in Colombia or a few too many tapas in Spain. I’m after an effective, no-fuss way to build strength and muscle. I’m after a program that helps me feel good in my own skin and that I can do anywhere, anytime. BBG affords me all of those things, even when used as a complement to my established habits rather than in place of them.
So, after all that, where does BBG fit into my on-the-go fitness routine?
Whenever and as often as I can. Sometimes that’s three times a week, other times it’s just one. My fitness routine is as flexible as my travel dates, and I like it that way.
I have some serious respect for the girls that stick to the workout regimen with laser-like precision; so many women have changed their lives for the better with this program and it’s truly inspiring to see.
As for me, do I have shredded abs like Kayla? NO!
Will I ever? Probably not!
Do I love beer? HELL YES!
Am I in the best shape I could possibly be? Absolutely not. But I know that with the help of Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Guide, I can become the best version of myself possible, even at the ripe old age of 28.
And most importantly, I’m approaching fitness in a way that’s sustainable for the lifestyle that I’m living.
Regular cardio AND strength training, whether it’s BBG or a workout of my own creation.
Is Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Guide Right for You?
Obviously, this may not be the fitness solution for everyone and what works for me may not work for you.
If you like to travel and often find yourself at a loss for how to stay fit on the go, then these guides may be a good solution for you. Even if you don’t travel and just want a low-cost, at-home fitness solution, this could be a good fit for you, too. The 12-week guide costs 69 AUD, far less than three months’ worth of a gym membership!
Whether the Bikini Body Guides form the backbone of your fitness program or simply function as an auxiliary component, they can help you feel healthier, stronger, and more confident.
I tell all my friends about this program not because I’m getting anything out of it (trust me, I’ve not been paid to say any of this!) but because I sincerely believe in it and the message Kayla is spreading.
It has worked for thousands of women around the world, and it works for me.
What’s your fitness solution when you’re on the go? I’d love to hear how you stay fit while traveling.
