Hello lovelies! I apologize for the lack of posts, but my last year of uni is requiring a lot of my attention at the moment + I am starting my job application process (you don't by any chance know about job opportunities in Australia? :))  I just finished a major project and am now off for one week. So, what to do? Get back into a proper fitness routine and step up my game of course! Even though I try to work out no matter how stressed I am or how little time I have, I do stray away from my normal routine in times of stress. I'm still a huge emotional eater, so my diet suffers in the days/weeks leading up to a big deadline...But now that that's all done, Stef is back! I wanted to give you a quick overview of how my workout schedule looks like at the moment, and also show you my latest workout gear obsession (scroll down to the bottom of the page for an Active In Style promo code)

As you might know, I did Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Guide 1.0 twice already, so now it's time to attack #bbg 2.0. Even though I've been doing her workouts here and there, I haven't been sticking to a strict schedule and been mixing up my workouts with weight lifting, yoga, skiing and TRX training. I'm a big fan of to-do lists, workout plans and anything organised with a structure, so there's no surprise that I made myself a nice little workout schedule for the next 12 weeks of her second guide. I also have my first half marathon coming up on the 25th of April, so I'll be doing lots of running on top of it. Here's my full schedule:

(Don't worry, I do have rest days! I don't actively plan them, but sometimes I can't do the workout I had planned and hence rest days happen spontaneously...)

A little background info on my running story

It's always been a dream of mine to run a marathon. I've already ran 10k races, and about two years ago I signed up for my first half marathon. I trained really hard and was aiming for under two hours, but unfortunately I got sick the week before and the whole plan fell flat. I signed up for another one some months later, but overtrained and started getting really bad shin splints. Even with two months of physiotherapy, it didn't go away and the doctor advised me against any type of running. Around that time, I started getting into weight lifting/crossfit style workouts and running became a secondary focus. Every time I would try, I would have to stop after a couple of kilometres because it hurt so much...So I gave up on running for a while.

But now I am up for the challenge again! I am running regularly, but I try to stretch, foam roll and put ice packs around my calves as often as I can afterwards. The biggest change however is that, now, I run with compression socks (I have the Nike  Elite Running Graduated Compression Socks). Honestly, it makes all the difference. I used to cramp up the moment I finished the run and could feel my muscles tighten up, but now my calves stay warm and relaxed during and after the run. ½ marathon, here I come! I don't have any particular goal other than running without stopping in between. I just did a 16k in 1h 29m on the weekend, so according to that I should manage in a bit over two hours. I'll do another run next weekend, but since I don't have a lot of time left and I don't want to stress my legs too much, I'll be keeping it simple.

I feel like having done #bbg has improved my cardio a lot. That's one of the reasons I love Kayla's plan; because it improves your muscle strength but at the same time includes a lot of explosive exercises that get your heart rate pumping and improves your overall stamina. Now that the weather in Switzerland is so beautiful, I like to move my workouts outside. Most of the #bbg exercises can be done outside, though it it getting a bit trickier now that the program calls for weights. But a couple of lunges and push-ups can be done anywhere!

Tessa ⅞ Tights in Black Leopard from Vie Activewear (here), Taylor Sports Bra from Lorna Jane (here), Nike Air Max Thea Lime Green (here)

Now, to the part you've all been waiting for: a promo code for Active In Style . They're a UK-based online distributor of the coolest workout gear brands and they are always stocked with the latest pieces.

Just use the code "WHOLESOMESTEF" at check-out to receive a 15% discount on any purchase until end of May. I received the Lorna Jane crop and the Vie Activewear compression tights from the lovely AIS team and am totally obsessed with them.