The Wag Doll Protocol: 2 Month Update...The Moment of Truth!

How time flies when you're having fun...or working flat out!

It's 2 months since I began 'The Wag Doll Protocol, Eating Clean & Looking Lean' regime, in preparation for a project I'm involved in.

I described the Eating Clean side of the regime here and that's been going really well, I've stuck to the principles of my diet pretty much consistently. I did have a a major fall from grace with a girlie weekend away, but that was planned for and well worth it! There has also been much experimentation in the kitchen, some of which I've blogged about and some recipes still to write up.

For the 'Looking Lean' fitness side of the equation, I've been doing a 30 minute high intensity workout 4 or 5 times a week. But there's only one way to see if the regime is working...cue the dreaded fit test, tape measure and scales to see what, if any, progress I've made.....eeek.

Read on for the results..and gratuitous close ups of my flesh with a tape measure!


OK so let's get the torture...errr...fit test out of the way.

In the Show me what you're working with! post I listed the routine, and also my results. I'd become quite nervous about re-doing the fit test as I know I've worked hard, but I was worried the results would disappoint me.

For a recap this is a standard fit test: 8 rounds of 50 seconds work, 10 seconds rest. Doing as many reps as possible while keeping good form.

Fit Test                 14th April 2012          22nd June 2012

Squat jumps                    34                             38        
Push ups                          20                             32
Burpees                           15                             19
High knees                      57                            126
Switch lunges                  21                             26
Tuck jumps                      20                             31
Tricep dips                       43                             54
Sit ups                              35                             37

High five, break open the champagne and celebrate! There's been an improvement in all areas of my fit test, some modest, some jaw dropping!

High knees, what can I say? I was can-can'ing away like the Moulin Rouge! Full push-ups, 50% improvement even though I had a pretty good score to start with. Tuck jumps, yes I might hate you with a passion but take that!

I was pleased with my sit-up improvement because on the original test I was nearly crying, and cheated with feet under the sofa, this time no cheating...or crying.

Again I was totally exhausted because the fit test just doesn't get any easier. But I suppose that's the beauty of it, you push yourself hard and it doesn't get easier, you just get better.

I've made a note of the areas I'd like to see more improvement, cardio for one, these quick bursts of explosive energy really sap your oxygen levels. And lower body strength, the old thighs were burning.

So onto my stats. I have noticed my clothes feeling baggy but I'll let the scales tell the tale.....

Well excuse me while I pick myself off the floor! I was absolutely gobsmacked by the weight loss. Without even trying to 'lose weight' I've lost over a stone in 2 months. The yellow marker was my starting point :-)

14th April 2012 - 9st 4 lbs (130lbs or 59kg)
22nd June 2012 - 8st 1 lb (113lbs or a smidgeon over 51kg)

So where was this blubber shed? Let me grab the tape measure and camera and show you. Look away now if easily offended...I'm about to get the flesh out!

Bust 33" (was 35" in April, so 2 inches gone off the puppies, not sure if I should be happy about that?!)

Waist 25" (was 28" in April, so 3 inches gone.....am definitely happy about that!)

Hips 35" (was 38" in April, so 3 inches gone. I still got junk in ma trunk, but more toned and less jiggle!)

Thighs 19.5" (was 23" in April, so 3.5 inches off each thigh....jaw dropping!) I'm shocked at this one because I knew my thighs had changed shape, less sideways saddlebag and more curving quads at the front, but I wasn't expecting such a dramatic loss of inches. Squats, I now love you!

I was so happy I had some photos taken to update my Twitter and Youtube pages.

So there we have it, after 2 months of regular high intensity workouts and clean eating I've seen an improvement in cardio and strength. I can see muscle definition, have abs (!), lost over a stone and 15 inches off bust, waist, hips & thighs. I eat more than I used to, sleep better and have more energy. What's not to love? Here's to the next update because this is a journey, and I'm loving the view!

Thanks for all the support, comments and help I've had from family & friends both online and real world, I really appreciate it. What's really made me happy is that so many people have contacted me to say they've made changes to their diet, or have started a fitness routine, now that really makes me smile. Cue the happy dance...high intensity of course!