Let's talk a little about health and wellness today... I know you gals usually show up for fashion, but today I am switching it up a bit. If you follow me on Instagram you know I have been absolutely RAVING about this nutrition and fitness program that I have been doing for the last 6 weeks.
Here's the backstory... since turning 35 I feel like my metabolism has absolutely stopped. It seems that no matter how good I was eating or how much I was working out I was gaining 2-3 extra pounds a year. Fast forward to today and I'm turning 40 this year and those extra pounds are really adding up at this point. My jeans were getting tight so I was buying the next size up, I kept buying shirts looser and no matter what I tried (limiting calories, quitting gluten, scaling back on alcohol, etc, etc) - nothing worked. I wasn't feeling like my best self and I was sick and tired of my clothes getting tighter and tighter all while I was making healthy choices and watching what I was eating. I was SUPER frustrated.
I had witnessed a few other bloggers trying the FWTFL program and have great success, so when my husband suggested we both try something new in 2018 - I suggested this program. I was very skeptical of anything working and also didn't want to further limit the calories and food I was eating - I felt like I couldn't limit it any further with another crazy diet. But you guys, this program is an absolute GAME CHANGER.
6 weeks later: I am a new person! I have lost 10 pounds, about 6 inches, I feel GREAT and finally, FINALLY have found success in looking and feeling my personal best. How did I do it? The Faster Way to Fat Loss is unlike anything I've ever tried before. It's a combination of intermittent fasting, carb cycling and fitness. In my opinion, it's the key to unlocking the weight loss I have wanted for so long and it's also a ROAD MAP for keeping it off in the future. I know you are probably thinking "what's intermittent fasting?" or "what the heck is carb cycling" and a million other questions... I'll answer a few of the most common questions I get and then you can check out the website for more info or I can answer more questions in the comments!
Question: What is carb cycling?
Answer: Carb cycling is all about eating the RIGHT foods as the RIGHT time. Some days you will limit your carbs, some days you will limit your calories and some days you will eat regular calories. You will NOT be deprived and you will NOT feel hungry. Most days on this program I eat MORE carbs and more food than what I am used to - but it's the GOOD kind of carbs and they make a huge difference in fueling your body.
Question: What is intermittent fasting?
Answer: Intermittent fasting is simply closing the window of time that you eat during the day. For this program you will eat during an 8 hour window each day and "fast" for 16. My eating window is 11am to 7pm. But you can make it work for you. Many girls do noon to 8pm. This may sound crazy and it takes a week or so to get used to, but it's actually pretty easy when you train your body to do it. During your fasting period you can have water, black coffee, or tea. I usually start my day with TONS of water and end it with an herbal tea - both during the 16 hour fast.
Question: Isn't skipping meals dangerous and unhealthy?
Answer: This isn't skipping meals. I still eat 3 meals a day plus a snack, I just condense it. For me that is usually eating my breakfast at 11am, eating lunch at 12:30pm, then having a snack at 4pm and dinner at 6pm. You will get a full days worth of calories, but in a shorter time.
Question: Are we counting calories or restricting calories?
Answer: The program focuses on hitting the right calories to see results but not to starve or deprive yourself. Instead, as I mentioned before, we are more focused on eating the RIGHT foods at the RIGHT time - so you will focus a ton on tracking your MACROS (fats, proteins, carbs). It all sounds a little confusing at first, but once you get started it's super easy to get the hang of.
Question: Is this like the Keto Diet?
Answer: No. We eat carbs!
Question: What about my kids/husband? Will they hold me back?
Answer: No! My kids eat what we eat (when they are home from school) and when they eat breakfast I simply sip on my water or hot tea. They are actually LOVING the dinners we have been having lately and have commented on it! I've even heard of husbands that aren't on the program losing a little weight alongside their wives without even trying.
Question: Isn't this a little expensive?
Answer: I agree, it's not cheap. I had a little buyers remorse after I hit "buy" myself. But NO LONGER! This program is 7 full weeks of coaching and like I mentioned earlier, a road map for the future. What I have learned in this 7 week program will be the program I will stick to for LIFE. I don't intend on quitting this system any time soon. It has brought a new level of education and awareness about the fueling my body. I'm SO thankful for what this system has taught me that it's worth every last penny.
Question: What are the workouts like? Can I do them at home if I don't have a gym membership?
Answer: The workouts range from home, beginner and advanced levels and are all explained for you. You don't need a gym membership or fancy equipment. This program is about 80% about the nutrition piece. If you are overwhelmed by the workouts - like me - then focus on keeping the nutrition piece super tight and you will still see amazing results then you can slowly add in the workouts.
Question: Is this only for women? Or can men participate?
Answer: Men can absolutely participate. My husband and I are doing it together! He is in the men's group and I am in the women's group. Some of the details are a little different, but it's really easy to do together! It's been fun to learn this system together and when you sign up as a couple you get a discount too. My husband has LOVED this program and has seen amazing results (why can guys lose weight so easily!?!).
Question: What does a usual day look like for food?
Answer: There is a lot of room for making this program your own, so every day will look different.
The usual low-carb day looks like this... (or you can see more of my low-carb meal ideas here)
Breakfast: Protein Shake (see my protein shake ideas here! They are so delicious!)
Lunch: Homemade Chicken Salad on Greens with blueberries on the side
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: Salmon with Roasted Broccoli
A usual regular carb day looks like this...
Breakfast: Protein Shake (see my protein shake ideas here! They are so delicious!)
Lunch: Whole Grain Sprouted Toast with Avocado and Turkey Sandwich Meat
Snack: RX Bar (I am LOVING these)
Dinner: Sweet Potato with Grilled Chicken and a Green Salad
You can find out more information on the website HERE. The next round starts soon and I already have early word that it is filling up quickly! If you have plans for getting in shape for Spring Break or your New Years Resolutions are in the tank and you are feeling hopeless in your weight loss and health and wellness journey - you will NOT regret signing up for this program! And feel free to ask any additional questions I may not have answered!
Okay... now for the final piece... the BEFORE AND AFTER photos! I am NOT too excited about posting these photos at all.... I mean AWKWARD! But I will say you can definitely see the difference - I'm super excited to head into my second round and see even MORE results. And again, you know, AWKWARD... you've been warned. The "before" is on the left and the "after" is on the right!
Keep in mind, I'm not a doctor, dietician or fitness expert - I'm simply seeing great results from this program. All technical questions should be directed to the Faster Way to Fat Loss team.
