ADVERTISEMENT

The world's most influential fitness star Kayla Itsines tells us what you should — and shouldn't — do if you've slipped up on your diet

With a seven-million-strong Instagram following and a newly re-launched app, it's clear that Itsines knows exactly what her clients should do to stay in shape.

At only 26, Kayla Itsines is the most influential fitness star in the world.

ADVERTISEMENT

In April, she came out on top of Forbes' list of the world's top social media influencers in the fitness world, further proving the power of Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook in building a business empire.

The Australian got her start as a personal trainer, uploading progress photos of her clients onto Instagram. Slowly, she formed a community under the hash tag #BBG — Bikini Body Guides — and started to release e-book diet and fitness plans for paying customers.

Now, with a seven-million-strong Instagram following and a newly re-launched program as part of her partner Tobi Pearce's SWEAT app, it's clear that Itsines knows exactly what her clients should do to stay in shape.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, even she admits to falling off the wagon sometimes.

"I think we all do that. I do that," she told Business Insider. She said that the most important thing to remember is that the world hasn't ended because you haven't eaten good food for a few weeks.

"The point is to realise that you haven't failed," she said. "It's not a big deal. Pick up, have some healthy food, go for a walk and slowly get back into it."

"We as women judge ourselves so much," she added. "We don’t work out for a week and it’s the worst thing ever, or we’ve lost all our motivation, but we lose our motivation because we think that way. We shouldn’t think that at all."

"We should just be like, ‘Ah, well, we’ve just had a bad week, or a bad month, or a bad year,' but it’s not like we can’t fix that. It’s not like we can’t make the better choice."

ADVERTISEMENT

"It’s all about regaining balance. You don’t even need your motivation again. You just need to regain balance and make something healthy and go for a walk. Slowly, slowly, you’ll feel better."

Still, as much as Itsines loves to work out, it's undeniable that the gym isn't for everyone. However, she told Business Insider there are still many ways to be healthier without hitting the treadmill or the squat rack.

"If you hate the gym, when someone doesn’t like doing something, never try to force them. Don’t say ‘Oh, but you’ll love it.'"

"Go for a walk, listen to music, clean your house — that’s a workout in itself. Going on a holiday and going swimming, having some healthy food, stuff like that. You don’t have to go to the gym."

"Don’t do what your friends are doing. I think one of the worst things to do is if you hate working out to go for a huge run. That’s not going to make you feel good."

ADVERTISEMENT

She added: "I love going to the gym and I love the feeling it gives other women when they say ‘I don’t like going to the gym’ then they start. An option is to try it first and try something that you like. Don’t go straight into high-intensity training — go into something like yoga or pilates or go for a walk, something low intensity."

"Just do something that’s good for you that will make you feel good."

Check out Kayla’s new BBG Stronger program

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

10 African countries that waste the most food in 2024

10 African countries that waste the most food in 2024

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

ADVERTISEMENT