Well, I have completed 2 weeks of eating in the Lean in 15 way so its time for the lowdown.

Does it work – yes.

Did it work for me? No.

This program is a sound way of eating IF you stick religiously to it. And you will see changes if you exercise as instructed 5 days of the week using HIIT.

So where did I go wrong?

• I didn’t prep my meals. Sorry, but I spend the whole week running around after two children, keeping to their schedules. The last thing I feel like doing on the weekend is a massive amount of batch cooking. Its just not for me unless it is for the whole family.
• HIIT workouts – I found it very hard to fit these in. My mornings are spent getting toddler to preschool and then getting a few things done while I have just the one with me. Afternoons are hectic, evenings are the same and then it is bed. I train in Karate twice a week but I don’t think that counts.
• Food restriction – I understand cutting out the rubbish a.k.a choccie biscuits, crisps and highly processed junk. But cutting out porridge, multi grain bread, wholegrain rice is not sustainable for me. You can have these foods post workout yes, but 3 times a week is not enough for me.

I felt deprived at times and restriction lead to grab and go incidents that didn’t end well. I find any diet that restricts something throws me off the wagon.

I think Lean in 15 will work for someone with a little bit more time on their hands and someone who is willing to sign up to the program to get the individualized plan.

I have learned a multitude from it and will keep using some of the recipes, but I think I will adjust it slightly to allow an “all round” diet for me.

My planned approach:

• Water – and lots of it, everyday.
• Cut out processed food. If there are ingredients that I do not recognize, then I don’t eat it. Make my own sauces, no sugar loaded jars!
• Fruit and veg until it is coming out my ears!!!!
• Protein with every meal, and make it lean.
• Wholegrain carbohydrates in moderation – will try to keep these to heavy training days.
• Walking, as much as possible, aiming for everyday.

I didn’t weight myself on the Lean in 15. I felt an initial slimming down in the first few days but this then tapered off. I will be very interested to see how my “middle of the road” approach works.

The last thing I want to do is turn my blog into a diet and fitness site – I neither have the desire to do so nor the qualifications! So the next update on my fitness journey will be in a few weeks to see if the above approach works.

Has anyone else tried Lean in 15? I would love to know how others find it.