My FASTer Way To Fat Loss Journey

Yep, that pretty much sums up how I feel about eating.  I like food and I want to have all the good things.  But... I also want to fit into my clothes.  I have a lot of favorites and don't want to start over again.  

I'm sure we've all fought with our weight at one time or another.  And trust me, the older you get, the harder it is. The struggle is really, really real.  Up until five years ago, I was able to eat whatever I wanted, in moderation, as long as I was exercising regularly.  But then the midlife-metabolism-tank happened, and I came to the hard realization that I needed to make some big changes.

I tried a few diets here and there, but like I said, I want to eat good food.  And I don't want to be hungry.  Then a Seattle blogging friend told me she had been doing the Faster Way To Fat Loss and I was intrigued.

I'm sure you've heard of it, but here's my take:  every part of the program is the opposite of what you've been told all your dieting life, but the bottom line is, it works.  In a strong, healthy, satisfying way.

The basic concepts:

➽ Eat MORE, of the right kinds of foods.  The program teaches carb cycling and macro tracking to learn how to fuel your body correctly.  I'm never hungry and I was surprised at how many things fit into my macros.  I discovered quickly that I hadn't been eating enough.

➽ Exercise LESS, but do the right kind of exercise on the right days.  Most of the workouts are done in 30-40 minutes, 5 days a week.

➽ Intermittent Fasting.  Huh?

Intermittent fasting was the hardest part for me to wrap my brain around.  We've all been told not to skip breakfast, and to eat small meals throughout the day to keep our metabolism up.  The problem with this, and it makes total sense, is that we never give our bodies a chance to burn the fat we've already stored.  We're just digesting the last meal we ate.  There are lots of other benefits to IF, including hormone and insulin regulation.

I follow the 16/8 method.  Each day I eat during an 8 hour window, and then fast for 16 hours.  My usual "feeding" schedule is noon to 8pm, which took a little getting used to.  But now I can't imagine eating any other way, and I feel great.

Now that I've rambled on, let's get to the important stuff:  the results.  To date, I've lost 15 pounds and 10 inches overall.  I've gained muscle, gotten stronger, and my clothes fit again.  But I know that I have a bit more work to do.

So I'll keep on keeping on.  Progress, not perfection, right?  The best part is that this program works perfectly for REAL life.  I'm healthier and more fit than I've been in years, and I've learned how to incorporate clean eating in a way that's sustainable for the long haul.

If you'd like more information, head over to the Faster Way To Fat Loss website.  I think the next round starts on March 26th, and usually every month after that.  And of course, if you have any questions, ask away!

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Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  Thomas is on his way home for spring break, and although it's not very springlike around here, it will be great to have him home for a week.  What are your plans for the weekend?