Get lean by eating more and exercising less
From embarking on ridiculous fad diets like the baby food diet to spending hours battling away at the gym, everyone seems to be on a mission to lose weight, without success. All hail the ‘Lean In 15’ approach, devised by The Body Coach, AKA Joe Wicks, who promises to have you eating more and training less to get lean over 90 days.
With a cookbook outselling the likes of renowned celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith in its first week, up to 300 clients signing up to his fitness plan a day, and John Terry and Ellie Goulding being cited as fans, Joe Wicks is set to be the next big thing in the world of fitness. So what’s all the fuss about?
Wicks is just one example of a new generation of celebrities, having risen to fame through the use of social media to become an internet sensation. With a mane of dark curls and cheeky grin, the man behind the plan is vaguely reminiscent of Russell Brand if Brand were a fitness guru.
The main premise of the fitness plan is to combine easy to make, protein rich meals with short intensive bursts of exercise. His 15 second Instagram video recipes of dishes including everything from Malaysian fish curry to sweet potato fritters, and a whole host of protein packed meals in between, have proved that even busy people can get fit. The 90 day SSS plan (Shape, shift and sustain FYI) that he sells for £147 combines these high protein, low carb meals with regular HIIT (high intensity interval training) training sessions 4 - 5 times a week to tackle body fat, without taking up hours in the day.
For those who don’t know what HIIT is, it involves exercising to maximum capacity for 30 seconds then resting for 45 seconds and repeating this for a total of 15-20 minutes. The exercise completed can be anything from running on a treadmill to star jumps and burpees, so can be done without even leaving the house.
So what would a standard day of eating look like for The Body Coach? To start off, a breakfast of healthy fats rather than typical cereals, for example his sweet potato fritters with poached egg and kale. Follow this up with a tasty lunch of lean protein chicken Rendang curry with cashew nuts. On training days, fill yourself up with a post workout meal made up of 1:3 carbs to protein ratio, like the honey and sesame glazed chicken with egg fried rice below. Unlike other diets, his plan promises tasty, filling foods with some treats like sweet potato chocolate and raspberry protein brownies.
Just made this really tasty honey and sesame glazed chicken with egg fried rice The perfect post workout carbohydrate refuel meal and ready in less than 15 minutes #leanin15 #food #foodie
As stated on his website, “This is not a traditional low calorie deprivation diet. It’s an education in fat loss, nutrition and macronutrients where you eat more food than ever and spend less time in the gym.” So there you have it! Is you’re still not convinced, check out his Instagram for astounding before and after pictures, demonstrating the dramatic transformation the lifestyle change can make.
The overall view is that this isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle change, and a fun one too. The workouts aren’t daunting and excessive, and Wicks’ ‘cheeky chappie’ personality makes it feel like you’re working out with a friend. He calls broccoli ‘midget trees’ and throws rice into the microwave from a distance - what’s not to love!?
Starting from humble beginnings as a personal trainer in Subiton, Wicks has his eyes on a television series and is now set to take America with his revolutionary lifestyle plan - watch this space!
