So, you caved and bought Lean in 15 The Shape Plan?! No?? …You’re still thinking about it then?? Firstly, if you haven’t already, you need to read my review of the first book in the series here…
Read – My review of book 1 – Lean in 15: 15 minute meals and workouts
…now you’re caught up on my initial thoughts on book one, lets move on. It didn’t really click with me until the second book arrived that they are planned out just like his programmes; so book one was SHIFT, book two is SHAPE and book three is the SUSTAIN plan. Makes perfect sense now!
My Thoughts on Lean in 15 The Shape Plan
- the book is still not one I would recommend for vegetarians but I applaud Joe for sticking to what he knows and loves. You can’t please 100% of people 100% of the time. He has brought out Veggie Lean in 15 so that may be more to your tastes!
- this being said, there is not a zoodle in sight. Just real honest pasta, bread, gnocchi etc etc. Carbs that you really shouldn’t be afraid of if you are training. Everything in moderation right?!
- the recipes seem to be a little more “fancy pants”. I mean, WTF are nigella seeds?! I seriously thought they were some creation / blend by Nigella Lawson! If Ocado / Waitrose don’t even sell them then why do I need them?! …I don’t go to health food shops that often and certainly didn’t expect to need to with this book. Also, the recipes have names I don’t know… erm, Panzanella? Romesco? …then Chipotle this and chipotle that!
- I love the list of hero ingredients (including coconut oil, avocado, midget trees aka broccoli, eggs, spinach, blueberries…). They are real heroes.
- the recipe I’m most looking forward to trying is the OMG Cinnamon French Toast (pictured above). ย I’m stocked up on protein bread and zero cal maple syrup already! This Cinnamon French Toast recipe is on the blog so you can try it out yourself.
- I’ve printed off my own meal plan template (from this first post) and chosen meals to make for week one. My shopping has even come in already! I’ve got a real mix of dishes planned – salmon, pork, steak, cod… and my all time favourites, smoothies. So far I’ve made the Chunky Monkey smoothie (pictured in top image) which I loved the taste of; can’t really go wrong when it tastes like a snickers bar.
- how you eat has changed. On training days, you now eat three carb rich meals and two snacks; non training days you three reduced carb meals and two snacks. And that’s because the type of training recommended in the book has changed too.
- the training now mixes HIIT with weights. Specifically volume training. I think I like it. I certainly am gonna try a session and see what I think.
You can get the book on Amazon for around ยฃ8 which like I said last time, is less than the price of a typical shop bought lunch!
Have you got your copy yet?! What’s your favourite recipe so far?!
Elle
I've been interested in his meals since I first heard about him, but then I'm vegetarian and one quick look told me it would be pointless to try. So much meat in there! Haha. That cinnamon french toast though – oh that looks heavenly.
There are so many good vege books out there that there is no point getting one that doesn't cater well for your food choices! …and the cinnamon french toast is da bomb <3 haha!
I have never heard of this book or program before. These sound like some great recipes though.
Haha! I'm doing Joe's PR for him unpaid then it seems! Well if you get the book, I hope you enjoy it! ๐
Thanks for this honest review, think I'll give this book a miss the first one was good but as I only eat fish sometimes and don't eat any other meats it's probably not the best fit for me ?
There are quite a few fish recipes all the way from cod, salmon to monkfish! lol It's well mixed in the sense that it has a variety of meats, it's just not all that great for vegetarians! I've heard good things about Clean Eating Alice's book… I'm not sure if she is vege or not though! ๐
I only ever made a couple of recipes out of the first book so wasn't convinced I'd bother buying the second. I hate when recipes need ingredients you've never even heard of! I do love a bit of chipotle though, and snickers shakes? I might be persuaded…I personally find Joe's recipes too high in fats with not enough carbs for me… Would you say the second book is the same or is it a bit more carby to go with the changed diet plan?!Christy xDinner Stories
Good question Christy… so I just counted the recipes and they are approx 35 reduced carb recipes to 45 carb recipes, plus some snack recipes. So prob the same as the first book?? The training plan also only calls for 4 days of training which is less than book one so assuming this coincides with the amount of recipes. There are so many different ways to eat, and I'm a fan of high fat / high protein so the recipes work well for me. IMO when he does use carbs, like rice, the portions are way too high / serving sizes are huge (which I highlighted in my original post). Personally, none of the recipes are rocket science. But sometimes, I just don't wanna use my brain to cook so it's great to have it to fall back on. And yes, snickers shakes are a pretty damn good selling point (theres one he says tastes like maltesers too!) – Elle ๐ x