To register for the next round of FASTer Way to Fat Loss, Click here!
11 Months Postpartum Fitness Update
As many of you know, fitness is a huge part of my life and is super important to me. After I had my first and second son, it took me a LONG time to get back to where I was pre-pregnancy. Like…18 months. I always chalked the long ((and slow)) postpartum weight loss journey to nursing. I was really scared to limit too much food intake because I was so worried about my milk supply. I also figured my body just wanted me to hold on the extra weight until I was done nursing. And, bottom line, that I wasn’t like some people that were able to drop the weight while nursing and “bounce back” in a few months.
Fast forward to postpartum baby 3, and I happened to see a few other mamas who had just had babies, were nursing, and started a program called FASTer Way to Fat Loss. The reviews seemed pretty good, and these mothers looked AMAZING, lost their baby weight…and kept their milk supply! BUT, I’m like any other person out there and resisted any sort of change. Because lets be real: change is scary! And it puts you out of your comfort zone. I kept pushing it out of my mind thinking “There’s just no way that would work for me….”
But then something in the back of my mind thought “what the hell. If you do what you always do, you’ll get what you always get.” I thought 6 weeks isn’t really that long of a time (the length of the program) and if it didn’t work at least I would know and I TRIED. So, I put myself out there. And so I went for it. Because, at the end of the day I wanted change. I wanted to feel good about myself, feel confident, have more energy, feel like I was on a plan, and mostly wanted to fit in my clothes again!
I can hands down say that FASTer Way to Fat Loss is THE BEST THING I have ever done for my nutrition, eating habits, my lifestyle.. I’m happier, I’m more confident AND I’m eating more carbs. HELL YES. I’ve had pizza almost every week since I’ve started the program, I’ve had cake, cookies, gummy bears, pancakes, syrup. ALL OF THE THINGS. I’m not done yet, but the progress I’ve made in the last 2 months has been incredible.
Update: I continued on the program through January of 2020 and continued to see results! I did not sign up for another round, but just continued to do the program on my own!
I lost 18 lbs, and lost 14 inches in 6 months
As you can see, there is a huge difference between these photos. Also.. this is not easy for me to post because I am definitely not where I want to be yet…so be kind, friends! The reason I show this is that I want to help other people and honestly feel this program is truly amazing and I thought these photos spoke volumes.
I’m leaner, fitter, and so much happier. I’m still not where I want to be, but I feel like I’m on a structured plan and I’m totally focused on something that is sustainable, that works, and is HEALTHY for me and my baby! Believe it or not, my milk production/supply is BETTER now than before I started.
As you all know, I mentioned that I wanted to try this out before even really talking about this on my blog. I wanted to be sure I believed in it, and it worked, before I even really spoke about it (I was your guinea pig!)! Well, here I am, 8 weeks later, living proof that this program works. No gimmicks, no supplements. Just fueling your body at the right times with good, whole foods.
I 100% believe in this program.. If you’re interested in registering for the program, click here: .
Now, on to how this program works, what it entails…
What is FASTer Way to Fat Loss?
The FASTer Way to Fat Loss is a 6-week online fitness program. The program was created by Amanda Tress, and it helps you learn to fuel your body effectively and maintain energy throughout the day while you naturally burn fat. It’s basically a strategic program that combines intermittent fasting, carb cycling, macro counting, and strategically paired workouts so that you are working smarter, not harder. If you have no idea what those words mean, I’ll answer them in the Q&A below!
What makes FASTer Way to Fat Loss different ?
First, it’s NOT a diet. Or a fad. I hate the fact that this sounds even the slightest bit gimmicky because it is the farthest thing from that!
It’s a healthy way of eating. We count macros (proteins, carbohydrates and fats), not calories. The focus is on why proteins, carbs and fats are each essential parts of a healthy diet. Carbs are not bad, and fat doesn’t make you fat. This is a lifestyle change that is actually sustainable!
I’m not sure the name FASTer Way to Fat Loss (or FWTFL for short) does it justice, but its different than any other program out there. No supplements. No gym memberships. No crazy meal plans. No weigh ins. In fact, they want you to stay off the scale. They want you to focus on keeping/building muscle and losing fat. The goal is sustainable progress, not overnight transformation.
What are macros & why do I need to count them?
Macronutrients (or macros) are the molecules our bodies need to grow and be active. We use these molecules as energy to do work on a cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal level. This energy helps us break down nutrients, repair damaged cells, grow new cells, and more. Macronutrients are broken down into three basic categories: carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
I was familiar with doing macro counting…however this was still a little bit of a learning curve! It was 100% COMPLETELY worth it though! I can say that it is an adjustment tracking all of your food and entering it, but after the first week it just becomes part of your day. Most of the time I enter everything the night before, or right when I wake up.
How do you track your food?
This program encourages you to use the MyFitnessPal app to track calories and macros. It’s a free app to download on your phone. Using the MyFitnessPal app is pretty easy! You put in your weight and your goals and then it calculates everything for you. Then every day you enter in the food you’re eating and watch the chart change to try to hit your goals.
During Prep Week of FWTFL, there are helpful videos ( I listened to these videos driving in the car-time is something I don’t have a lot of these days! ha!) that teach you how to set up and effectively use MyFitnessPal to track your macros based on the program, and once you get through the first week it is like second nature. I do have to say that planning your day out is the most important part of tracking your macros! I try to enter my meals and snacks the night before so I have time to adjust each macro before eating a thing ie. Do I need to add more carbs? Fats? That way I don’t get stuck at 6 pm wondering what else I need to eat/find that I’ve eaten too much one.
What is carb cycling?
We not only track our macros in FWTFL, but we also cycle our carbs and fats. This may sound a little overwhelming, but it’s actually a very simple practice of varying our carbohydrate intake each week to maximize the body’s ability to burn fat. The program has 3 regular macro days (higher carb), 2 low macro days (this was still a lot of carbs for me!) and only 2 low carb days! Every week, I actually look forward to the low-carb days where I can fill up on healthy fats and protein (think nut butters, avocados, olive oils/sunflower oils, nuts, etc., but then love that following the low-carb days I can then go back and enjoy the carbs that I missed for the 2 back to back low carb days. This is such a departure from what I have done in the past- limiting carbs 5/7 days ( I did do carb cycle but only on 2 days). I find this is so much more managable and a LIFESTYLE! The fact that I can have a plentiful amount of carbs 5/7 days is amazing and I’m SO. HERE. FOR. IT.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
During the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, you engage in a daily 16/8 fast protocol. This means that you fast for 16 hours each day (most of which are overnight while you are sleeping), and consume ALL of your daily calories during an eight hour feeding window. While there are other fasting schedules that can be followed for similar results, this is the one that worked for me!
Daily periods of fasting changes your body at a cellular level. In addition, it helps to regulate hormones like insulin and HGH to make the fat stores in your body more accessible energy sources. The time given to your cells to repair during fasted periods, allows cells to remove waste and function optimally.
Intermittent fasting allows time for the body to utilize fat as its main source of energy, which means you not only lose weight overall, but will see an improvement in your overall body composition. Intermittent fasting allows you to maintain muscle mass which speeds up your metabolic rate, while helping you shed fat.
This is the only part of the program that I hadn’t had experience with (in the past I have counted macros and done some carb cycling) and was most nervous for. I am a huge breakfast lover and proponent of it!
And guess what? I love it.
Honestly, its one less thing I need to do in the morning when I have 3 kids 5 & under…! Do I get hungry? Yes..sometimes I’ll feel a pang of hunger but I drink a TON of water and any feeling of hunger doesn’t last for very long. Even though I break my fast at noon, I usually eat breakfast foods because I just love them that much (ie. oats, pancakes, eggs, turkey bacon, etc.)But you can break your fast with whatever you want!
I will say that I slowly worked my way into the fasting during prep week. I started with 12 hours, then 14 hours, and then all the way to the 16!
Can you do this when breastfeeding?
Yes. Basically what you alter for being a breastfeeding mom is the lower carb days (you don’t go below 100 g net carbs, regular program is 50).
What made me feel so confident was seeing other mom’s do it with no issue with their supply, and the fact that my coach is a Labor & Delivery nurse (medically qualified & educated), who also did FWTFL while nursing and was successful. There are no supplements, drinks, etc. to take doing this and you are just eating plain, natural food that God has created for us to eat!
I can tell you that I had NO issues with my supply, if anything I had an increase!
Who will coach me through this?
I had an amazing coach in Allie Janszen! She is a Labor & Delivery nurse as well as a pregnant mama of two (soon to be three). She is so encouraging and helpful on a daily basis! After you join the program, she will contact you to join a facebook group that will be integral to your success! Every day you send a screen shot of your macros. I love that there is accountability built in this program. Everyone is super encouraging to each other and Allie is so accessible for any questions you may have, especially when prep week can seem a little overwhelming.
Do you have to do the workout portion of the program?
FASTer Way to Fat Loss comes with a workout program has two options: at home and gym. I love this about the program especially for people who may not have the experience that someone like myself has (professional sports background). I personally did a combination of the workouts they suggested, as well as my own strength workouts through STA Sports performance (highly recommend if you live in WNY). Most of the workouts I used from FASTer way were the low carb days where we did HIIT or sprint workouts and it helped me have a bit more variety to my sprint sessions.
For those who aren’t experienced, they have great options for home workouts with videos & explanations of every single exercise! I love that they offer a home and gym option for those who may not be able to get to a gym!
Most of the workouts can be completed in 45 minutes or less!
Please know that you can decide to not do the workouts at all, or do some of the workouts. Also, the schedule is fairly flexible. Technically, the week is: Monday & Tuesday- Low Carb, Wed, Th, Saturday- Reg Macro, Friday & Sunday-Low Macro. However, due to my work schedule/child care I switched some of the days around. The only thing that you have to abide by is the 2 low carb days in a row, with a regular macro day following. I love the flexibility of the program!
What did I eat on the program?
Like I said earlier, I broke my fast on most days with breakfast at 12 noon. I have oatmeal almost every day (its great for nursing mama’s and a good slow burning carb!). I add in eggs, chicken sausage or turkey bacon and put peanut butter in my oatmeal. On my higher carb days, sometimes I have Kodiak Pancakes WITH Maple syrup. Yes, real maple syrup. Not low sugar, fake syrup!
In the afternoons, I usually have a salad with avocado, especially on low carb days. I have Quest bars and lots of fruits on higher carb days- think bananas, apples, plums, strawberries, blueberries. Dinner it honestly varies every day. I use Sunbasket meals twice a week so I enter the macros on those days straight from the recipe card. Other days we will grill out and I enter how much I’m eating of everything. Go -to’s are salmon, grilled chicken, fajitas, burrito bowls, sweet potatoes, salads, avocados, brown rice & stir fries, fruit, steamed vegetables, sweet potato fries. ANY of the recipes on my website are also fair game- you just need to fit them into your macros!
The hardest days are my “regular macro” (higher carb) days when I have to go to work just because of the amount of food I have to pack for work. I usually pack simple foods -like oatmeal, an apple & banana, and some eggs/bacon. Then I try to eat more between 5-8 pm so I don’t have to pack as much.
Do you have to be dairy/gluten free?
I know some coaches for FASTer way do require you, but my coach Allie does not. I still saw results and I have had yogurt, gluten and cheese throughout the 6 weeks.
Can you drink alcohol?
YES! Just fit it into your macros. And obviously they recommend limiting alcohol intake to 1-2 times per week.
Can I have coffee in the mornings?
You will be fasting in the morning, but coffee is okay to have.
Can I have treats? I have a sweet tooth!
Yes! Your coach will actually URGE you to have a treat on Saturdays! I also sneaked in different snacks during the week- ie. gummies, 1/2 cookie, etc. I always just made sure it fit into my macros and that I did it on a high activity day (leg day usually!). Like I stated before, this is all about manipulating what & when you are eating, and manipulating it to work for you, not against you!
Also note that I had pizza & cake 3/6 weeks I was in the program! I can’t tell you how much freedom this program gives you while still seeing results.
#PROGRESSOVERPERFECTION
What I love about this program is there are some days where I’ve gone over with my macros, gone under my macros, missed a workout…etc. but still, I have some incredible results to show for it and am constantly working towards my goal everyday. The mantra of the program is “Progress Over Perfection”.
My plan moving forward:
I’m continuing to follow the FASTer Way program including macro counting, the FASTer way schedule AND the intermittent fasting combined with my own workouts. Stay tuned for my next update in 6-8 weeks!
HOW DO YOU JOIN?
The next round of FASTer Way To Fat Loss starts on January 4th with Coach Allie! The best part of the program is that you are part of an amazing community and have a coach who is there to help you every step of the way! Sign up with my referral link .
Also, if you have ANY questions whatsoever, please feel free to reach out to me in the comments below or via email or FB/ instagram!
xo
Alex
