As I sit here munching on cauliflower pizza, I think, “my, how have things changed!” I went from indulging in buttermilk biscuits every Wednesday to working out five times a week as part of my new fitness program.
We have all heard about the different fad diets out there. Whether its tea, shakes or something else on social media, it’s all about losing as much weight as you can in the fastest, most unhealthy way possible.
If it’s not a fad diet, it’s a fitness guru on your timeline who eats boiled chicken with no seasoning, plain brown rice and steamed veggies without an ounce of flavor (and thinks posting a pic is enticing). Those same gurus meal prep every one of their meals, work out twice a day/every day, have sixteen abs and their thighs don’t touch.
Both seem ridiculous and unrealistic for those of us who like salt, crunchy, carbs and sugar. I knew sacrifice and discipline would be required, but I wanted to find a way that was realistic and sustainable.
After the holiday season, I was at my heaviest weight and feeling consistently horrible. I was tired of my stomach hanging over my pants, feeling bloated and not being able to fit into my favorite clothes. Certain shirts and dresses were just hanging in my closet, waiting to be worn again. I was annoyed yet feeling discouraged because I didn’t want to continue to yo-yo as I have in the past.
Enter Faster Way to Fat Loss (FWTFL).
I heard about this program from one of my favorite Indy bloggers, Seersucker + Saddles. FWTFL is an intermittent fasting program that teaches you how to fuel your body without depriving you of the things you love. It starts as a six-week program where Amanda Tress, founder, and CEO, provides daily work out plans and accountability. You can do the workouts at home, outside or at the gym. The workouts align with your nutrition plan for the day. You eat from 12-8, 11-7 or whatever eight-hour window works with your schedule. The program is dairy and gluten free as well (however, I did not completely give up cheese) and teaches you about macro use.
The workouts start out easy and then get harder as time goes on. I was amazed at how the inches fell off. Things started to flatten and shrink in all the right places. I learned about the right foods that fuel my body and I started saving so much money because I was cooking the majority of my meals.
I lost thirteen pounds in total and have managed to keep it off since. However, the program is not about losing weight (crazy, right?). Instead, it’s actually about being your best self, feeling energetic, sleeping well and healthy living.
I like to eat. No really, I enjoy the act of eating. Kettle corn, pizza, French fries, cake – you name it. But you know what I enjoy even more? Looking and feeling like my best self. I’m not eating perfectly and I certainly have my days. The beauty of the FWTFL is that after I have a day of not so great choices, I get right back in the saddle with fasting, eating whole foods, tracking my meals and working out. I snap right back!
I have turned into the kind of woman that tells younger ladies about how things start changing the older you get. I warn them and encourage them to enjoy the ability to eat a burger and not have it show up on your belly and upper arms in the morning. I explain how FWTFL includes HIIT workouts and strength training that is ideal for the particulars of a woman’s body.
More importantly, I share that a fitness journey is just that- a journey. Set your goals on what works for you and not what you have seen scrolling through your timeline. If you take delight in trying new, different foods- keep it up. Just put in some moderation and fit it into your macros. If you prefer to work out so you feel strong and empowered, even better! It’s not about the scale.
If you want to know more about the FWTFL, click here. You can sign-up using my referral link and we can hold one another accountable to living our best lives, one day at a time.
Living your best life is not just about being society’s version of skinny. Chase your fitness goals so you can feel great from the inside out.
