Review of Lean Legs 1 Program by Meryl Walters

In this blog post, I’m excited to share the inspiring journey of Meryl Walters from Wales with our most-loved Lean Legs 1 Program!

She talks about what clicked for her, the challenges she pushed through, and the amazing progress and results she achieved.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

• Name – Meryl
• Age – 44 years
• Location – Wales
• Body Type – Endomorph
• Program – Lean Legs 1 Program
• Cardio – power walks + running
• Equipment Used – ankle weights

Did you know which body type you are before doing the Body Type Quiz? Have you ever tried exercising according to your body type before you started the program?

Meryl: Yes, I’ve always known that I was more pear shaped so I wasn’t surprised to get the endomorph result. I’ve never come across an exercise program based on body shape though, so that was brilliant and a key reason why I’ve stayed with Rachael’s workouts.

What was your fitness routine before you started the program? What made you change it?

Meryl: Tried a variety of things over the years. More recently I’d tried various YouTube videos by different trainers, but didn’t find that they helped slim down my legs. If anything, some made my legs a little bigger, which was not what I wanted!

How did you find out about the program and what convinced you to try it out?

Meryl: I came across Rachael on Instagram. What convinced me to stay was the focus on ‘lean legs’ which is key for an endomorph and especially the inspiring before and after pictures, showing me actual results!

When did you first start seeing results? How did you track your progress and how did you feel when you noticed those first results?

Meryl: Being an endomorph, it was definitely a process but in time the results did come. I really had to persevere over many months. The key additional factor on top of the exercise program was nailing the diet, and especially the importance of increasing my protein intake. For a few weeks, I even started tracking my macros and that was an eye opener! I no longer do that as I’ve learnt my lessons but that was super helpful and has helped me maintain my weight, moving forward.

Related Post: How To Add More Protein In Your Diet

What was your absolute favorite part of the program and why?

Meryl: I love my 2 walks a day! I can’t imagine life without them now, but it’s become far more than just an exercise to keep my legs lean. It’s enriched my spiritual life in giving me space to seek God and pray, as well as giving me space to process life, which is great for my mental health! Walking wins!

What was the most challenging part of the program? What motivated you to keep going?

Meryl: When it’s cold outside and I’m tired after a weeks work, going outside for a run or doing a workout isn’t always easy, but it’s become my weekly rhythm, so it’s what I do now, whether I feel like it or not. Because my Monday to Friday is so full of work, I don’t manage a third strength workout which is a shame but I’m pleased with my consistent weekend workouts. My motivation is having a slim, toned and healthy body. 

How did you feel after finishing the program? What are your goals for the future?

Meryl: I don’t feel that I’ve finished. It’s a continual exercise program and lifestyle now. My goals are to maintain what I’ve achieved, enjoy the process and to keep fueling my body in the best way possible.

How many rounds of the program did you do? (One round is 8 weeks)

Meryl: I did around 2 rounds of Lean Legs 1 and am just starting my 2nd round of Lean Legs 2.

Are you happy with what you have achieved so far? How do you plan on continuing your fitness journey?

Meryl: Yes, I’m happy with what I’ve achieved. My plan is to carry on doing what I’ve been doing, which is combining a protein rich diet, with daily walks and weekend strength workouts.

Would you recommend the program to your friends? Why? What makes it stand out?

Meryl: Yes, I would and I already have! What makes it stand out for me are low impact exercises tailored to your body shape.

Do you have any advice for the girls that are about to start their fitness journey?

Meryl: As a short, pear shaped endomorph, I used to think that slim legs were an impossibility. But with that weekly discipline of walking, doing some workouts and eating the right mix of foods, I was staggered to see a thigh gap emerging! So go for it girls! Lean legs are possible for us all!

Diet Information

What was your diet like while following the program?

Meryl: I learnt to increase my protein intake whilst on the program. My diet would include a protein smoothie with berries, nuts and seeds in the morning, oatmeal most weekday lunchtimes and then a dinner of veggies and some form of protein, like turkey, chicken, tofu or salmon.

What’s your typical “plate” look like?

Meryl: My typical evening dinner plate would look like an oven baked fillet of salmon or chicken, with vegetables like broccoli, peas and carrots and some baby new potatoes. Or I’d stir fry some other veggies like peppers, onions and courgettis and have with some marinated tofu. 

Did you restrict yourself with any form/kind of food?

Meryl: I’d have any kind of food I wanted including chocolate, ice cream and other sweet treats. The only restriction would be allowing myself a chunk or two of chocolate instead of the whole bar! Or a spoon full of my favorite ice cream
instead of a lot more! I would also treat myself over the weekend to lunch out or other foods I love, like pizza! But I’d try and eat the pizza alongside other healthy foods like a chicken salad and keep the rest of the pizza for another day! On the plus side, the pizza pleasure was then spread out over a few days!

Were there any particular challenges or obstacles you faced in maintaining your diet, and how did you overcome them?

Meryl: One challenge was the late afternoon energy slump when I craved something sweet. Remembering to take Greek yogurt and some nuts into work with me helped, as was remembering to grab my water bottle instead of hunting around for a biscuit!

How did you stay motivated to stick to your diet and exercise program?

Meryl: My main motivation was the goal of a healthy-looking body I could be proud of and confident to show others. I loved putting on my favorite jeans and them not feeling skin-tight on me as well as a visibly flattened tummy beneath by favorite summer dress.

What advice and tips would you like to share with the ladies that are just starting with their fitness journey?

Meryl: Consistency pays off. Even if you can’t do the full exercise program every week, do what you can regularly and it will pay off. I hardly ever reached 10k steps and could only manage 2 strength workouts a week, but doing what I could consistently worked for me. And to remember that diet is key! With every meal, it always helped me to ask the question, where’s the protein in this meal? Also, when it came to my sweet tooth I found that a chunk of chocolate or small slice of cake was actually enough and that I could say no to the full bar or 3rd biscuit! As a pear-shaped endomorph, I thought that leans legs and a thigh gap would always be beyond me! But no, it wasn’t! It did take some time, but consistency and some good choices with both exercise and diet did pay off in the end and is now a lifestyle that I can maintain. Keep going ladies! You’ve got this!

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Thank you so much, Meryl! We are so happy that you achieved such amazing results! :)

Love Rachael xx