Does Joe Wicks' diet plan REALLY work? Woman tests his hugely successful fitness regime and loses 8lbs in just 90 DAYS (but couldn't quite ditch coffee and fizzy drinks)
- Joe Wicks is the brains behind the hugely successful Lean In 15 brand
- But does it work? Writer Lauren Smith, 29, decided to give it a try
- She lost 8lbs as well as 3.5 inches from her waist in just three months
Joe Wicks is the good-looking brains (and body) behind the astronomically successful Lean In 15 brand, which has seen men and women countrywide signing up to transform their bodies with healthy recipes and accompanying workouts.
New figures show that Amazon customers in London ordered more copies of his best-selling cookbook Lean In 15: The Shift Plan than any other item in the first six months of 2016. But does it work? One Cosmopolitan writer decided to give it a try - and was left impressed with the results.
Surrey-born Wicks, 29, offers a SSS (Shift Shape and Sustain) plan, where clients pay £150 for a three-month diet and exercise plan so journalist Lauren Smith, from London, decided to give it a spin.
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Lauren, 29, from London, takes her first selfies of the challenge as she embarked on the first 'cycle' of Joe Wicks' Shift, Shape and Sustain plan which she hoped would transform her body
Writer Lauren Smith wanted to embrace a structured plan to get her health and fitness back on track
Joe Wicks is the good looking brains (and body) behind the astronomically successful Lean in 15 brand, which has seen men and women countrywide signing up to transform their bodies
Describing it on his website, Joe explains: 'The 90 Day SSS Plan is an online fitness and nutrition plan designed for men and women of all fitness levels who want to get fit, burn fat and build lean muscle.
'This tailored plan has already helped transform the lives of over 100,000 people around the world since it launched in 2014.'
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Lauren, 29, from London, explains that she was keen to get her health back on track via a structured eating and fitness regime.
After paying the £150 and filling in a lifestyle questionnaire with all of her vital statistics, she was paired with a 'support hero' who would answer any questions she had.
MONTH ONE - NOT COMMITTED
For the first month - or 'cycle', Lauren, whose starting weight was 9st 7lbs, had to do five 25-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts a week, as well as eat three meals - one meal high in carbs to be eaten after exercise, then the rest low in carbs.
For the first cycle, Lauren, whose starting weight was 9st 7lbs, had to do five 25-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts a week, as well as eat three meals - one meal high in carbs to be eaten after exercise, then the rest low in carbs - which she posted on Instagram
She had to work out all her food to the exact weight and portion size it was supposed to be - and stay off alcohol for the duration of the month.
Lauren decided to take just one supplement: BCAA powder (Branched Chain Amino Acids), with water.
Lauren wasn't as committed to the first cycle as she could have been. Although she enjoyed the food and didn't mind the workouts, she boozed at the weekends and didn't always have her snacks
Verdict: Lauren wasn't as committed to the first cycle as she could have been. Although she enjoyed the food and didn't mind the workouts, she boozed at the weekends and didn't always have her snacks.
She decided to extend her cycle by a few weeks and then saw a slight change - she was sleeping better, felt less reliant on her morning coffee and improved fitness-wise.
MONTH TWO - CARB JOY
Lauren began doing four intense workouts a week - including a lot of weight training combined with two mini HIT (high-intensity) workouts.
Lauren began doing four intense workouts a week - including a lot of weight training combined with two mini HIT workouts
She stopped just having carbs on rest days and following a set meal plan, but still ate the suggested snacks and weighed out her food.
Verdict: Lauren enjoyed this cycle better than the first one and became a lot more committed to the plan - even joining an unofficial Facebook group of other 'Leanies'.
However, she did experience noticeable bloating and even had some unusual bowel movements. But the discomfort went away after relaxing or drinking peppermint tea.
MONTH THREE - BRUTAL WORKOUTS
In month three Lauren went back to 'cycle one' principles - and only ate carbs after a workout.
In cycle three Lauren went back to cycle one principles - and only ate carbs after a workout
She began doing brutal (but short) weight training coupled with 16 minute HIIT workouts, four times a week.
Verdict: Without carbs, Lauren found the workouts knackering and she became reliant on her coffee and fizzy drink. Although, her cravings for sugar and carbs did begin to fade and she began to enjoy the weight training.
She admits to getting a bit bored with all the reps when training but definitely felt improvements.
Without carbs, Lauren found the workouts knackering and she became reliant on her coffee and fizzy drink. Soon, her cravings for sugar and carbs went and she began enjoying the weight training
OVERALL VERDICT
After three months of dedication, Lauren submitted her final pictures and measurements.
She received an email and 'graduation' report explaining what exercise she should do and what she should be eating to lose more fat or gain muscle.
Overall, Lauren thought the instructions could have sometimes been clearer but now she feels in the best shape of her life
Despite not ending up with a six pack, Lauren did lose body fat around her waist, hips and breasts and was a lot more toned.
Her end weight was 9 stone - she had lost 8lbs as well as 3.5 inches from her waist and 3.5 inches from her hips.
Overall, Lauren thought the instructions could have sometimes been clearer but now she feels in the best shape of her life.
Her end weight was 9st - she had lost 3.5 inches from her waist and 3.5 inches from her hips
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