FASTer Way To Fat Loss -- My Experience

I'm sure you've all seen it. #FWTFL #FASTerWay... It's a movement. And I can't say enough good things about it. It combines intermittent fasting (don't be scared!), carb cycling, macro tracking, and workouts programmed according to how you are eating each day. When I first started back in July, I was SO CONFUSED....that lasted all of like 2-3 days. Really! The program is a total of 7 weeks with the first week being "prep week." This first week helps you to learn the ins and outs of the program, how to track, how to use My Fitness Pal, and test out the workouts. Consider it a grace period.

When I started FWTFL, I was a momma who was just shoving whatever quick food I could find into my mouth. Yes, we had dinners every night but as far as a healthy lunch or healthy snacks...it was bad. I was eating the most random things just to get by. I hadn't really started working out because I wasn't sure how I was going to fit it in. I was not in a rush to get this post partum body back to what it was pre-Luke but knew I needed to do something. Little did I know when I started this program what crazy visible and non-visible changes I would see.

I went through the first 7 weeks and was blown. away. I had more energy. My clothes were very loose. And I was eating so much healthier. One huge takeaway that I had from the first round was becoming so aware of what I was eating. That might sound dumb. But actually looking at labels (and UNDERSTANDING them) & learning all about whole food nutrition AMAZED me. We are what we eat. And I want to be the best version of myself because I have 2 people depending on me. Being a wife and mom means a lot to me.

On to the fasting. Scary? No, not really. It's all about timing folks. I eat. We do not skimp on meals. I eat all the protein, all the healthy fats, and the best...all the healthy CARBS. I am the SMALLEST I have ever been, and I eat a little over 2000 calories every day. When you start this program, you will actually find out that it is hard to hit those macros...but with time, GAME ON! Also, this program is not about calorie deficits. A deficit in your caloric intake is not something that will work long term. I could go on and on about this. The intermittent fasting has also taught me to value my food. SAY WHAT!? Yes, VALUE my food. When I break my fast each day, it's like the most delicious meal ever. Trust me, I get giddy over a sweet potato. It's all I ever want to eat. HA! Before #FWTFL, food was comfort. Now, food is fuel.

Another huge aspect that I loved about the program was my coach and the accountability. My coach, Loren, is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever "met." She is understanding. She is encouraging. And she is a great cheerleader. I wish we lived closer because she really is amazing & I want to be her BFF. All of this to say...that's why she is at the TOP of coach's board almost every month. She has a way of driving home how to fix things but does it without making you feel like a failure when you do slip. #ProgressOverPerfection

Speaking of slipping....life happens. We have a trip, Fall Break, a birthday party, the HOLIDAYS whatever. We eat all the (bad) carbs, drink all the wine, and let's not forget dessert. Let me tell you something, that is LIFE. You cannot and should not expect to be "perfect" all the time. One of the biggest things about this program is should you fall off one day, you can jump RIGHT back on the next day. This is a sustainable way of life. Yo-yoing all over the place with crazy diets isn't going to cut it. This way of life may sound difficult but it's not. Whole food nutrition is a game changer. Tracking your macros...it's EASY. Promise. Meals don't have to be complex. When you put your mind to something and really want the change, the sky is the limit.

Let's get to the good stuff. I know what you want. The before and afters. All the details. So here we go.

First Round (July)

Starting Weight 155.4 lbs

Ending Weight ~140 lbs (I was on a work trip at the end of my first round & wasn't able to weigh in so this is probably most accurate.)

Inches Lost ~11.25 inches (Again, forgot to measure after my work trip so I know it was around here.)

Second Round (September)

Starting Weight 142.8lbs 

Ending Weight 135.8lbs 

Inches Lost 6.75 inches

{...in two rounds (14 weeks total), I have lost 20 lbs & 18 inches...}

Now for pictures....as I take a big deep breath. YIKES!

 The picture on the left is the start of round 1 while the picture on the right is the start of round 2. 

Here is the final before and after. Again first, picture was taken back in July. Second picture taken at the start of my second round in September. And the last, taken this week. 

I hope you guys can read my excitement for this program. I truly LOVE IT. If you are interested, please reach out! I would love to talk to you more about my experience. If you have questions, bring them. If you have concerns, bring them. I want to hear what you think. I know it can be intimidating, but what do you have to lose (no pun intended)? I am so passionate about this since becoming a mom because a lot is expected of us. I want every mom/wife/sister/aunt/grandmother/niece to feel as good as I feel. It is attainable. I promise. You will do GREAT! And let me back up, you don't have to be a woman to do this program. This program is for EVERYONE -- MEN included. Everyone deserves to feel good. Everyone deserves to have their health in their control. What is your health worth to you? Health is wealth, y'all!

If you are still reading, BLESS YOU! HA! I wanted to share my thoughts and excitement about this. It would be amiss if I didn't. I have a link (click HERE) direct to my coach. It is an affiliate link, but let me tell you, that is NOT my main take-away here. This program will change your life. The community within #FWTFL is AMAZING. We all "get" it. We all love it. We all SUPPORT each other. And I mean that 100%. This has CHANGED. MY. LIFE. And if you do decide to join, I want LOREN as your coach. She's the best. I wouldn't have anyone else but her leading & cheering me on through this.

It's personal!

One thing I have always loved is stationery. There is something so classic about a monogrammed or personalized piece. The norm today has become emailing or texting, but I still find myself taking the time to sit down, put pen to paper and let people know I'm thankful for their generosity or even that I was just thinking of them.

When Basic Invite reached out to me, I jumped at the chance to work with them. They offer everything from invitations to wedding websites. One thing I really loved was that I could customize my paper goods and see what it would look like instantly. The possibilities are ENDLESS...even down to the envelope color...over 40 colors to choose from! I went with a classic card of different colored pink brush strokes and my name at the bottom. I plan on using these as Thank You notes. I'm obsessed.

Right now, most people are getting their family pictures taken and getting ready to start choosing their online holiday cards. Basic Invite has over 500 different designs.You can get as fancy as you want with foil choices or keep it clean and classic with simple Christmas cards. Having a Christmas party? They've got your Christmas party invitations covered too and they. are. gorgeous. I live for a party and picking the right invite totally sets the theme and gets your guests so excited. If you are ahead of schedule (unlike me), you've already gotten your pictures taken and are ready to start designing your Christmas card. If so, you can use code 'holi30' to get 30% off your order. We send out a good bit each year so these codes are always so appreciated.

Now let me go get our photo shoot SCHEDULED so I can get my order in for our card this year.

Thank you to Basic Invite for sponsoring this post. 

Life Update!

Hi Friends! Hope everyone is doing well. I'm not even apologizing for the radio silence. It is what it is. HA! Thought I would share a little life update & just check in.

I traveled back to South Carolina for our National Sales Conference. It was awesome to see everyone and get back in the groove of work related stuff. You can start to feel like an island some days when you work from home and everyone else is in the office. I wouldn't trade it for anything but I LOVE to get to see my teammates, sales managers, and actually dress up in work clothes for a couple days.

I turned 31 a week later and my parents came to visit. I managed ZERO pictures of my birthday and ONE of my parents with Luke. We also kicked off college football that weekend too! I have GOT to get better about snapping. I take plenty of Luke...and that's it. HA! Oops.

Luke turned 6 months. I cannot believe it. We have started thinking about his first birthday because if the first six months went that quick, the second half is going to FLY. He is such a joy to be around and is the HAPPIEST baby. He can be a little high maintenance when it comes to feedings but overall, he is EASY. He also graduated physical therapy on September 14th so we are moving and shaking with getting this boy 100%. He gets his second DocBand this week. He grew out of his first super quick. Cranial Technologies has been nothing short of amazing with scheduling to helping with insurance. They are AWESOME.

I became a Beautycounter consultant this month. I had been pretty strict about what we were putting on Luke and what we were eating. Well, guess what, I wasn't thinking of myself or Brian. Beautycounter offers safer skincare, beauty, and kids' line. We love the baby wash, oil & balm. I am also loving the dew skin, this palette, & this lippy in 'Twig'...the PERFECT everyday neutral!

I am training for my third half marathon & still doing FASTer Way To Fat Loss. I seriously love it and have seen TREMENDOUS results. I feel better and am overall eating 1000x better. My coach Loren Mattingly is amazing too. If you are interested in joining, the next round starts 1 week from today! I promise, you can do it.

That about wraps it up for me. If you're still reading, bless you! HA. I'm off to Vegas tomorrow for customer visits. It's my first time there so I know I'm in for a fun {quick} trip. Happy Monday, y'all!

Loving & Hating

It's Hump Day! It's been a week already and Friday can't come soon enough. We're over here just trying to survive Luke finding his way to the corner of his crib every night and getting STUCK. So. Tired. This too shall pass. Just as quickly as he learns something new or we have a tough couple days, it turns around!

I haven't shared anything recently that I am loving so I thought I'd share some today & then on a funny/lighter note some things that are just not at the top of my list.

LOVING

Beauty

Urban Decay Liner + Lipstick in 'Gubby'. It has a metallicized look & I just love it. I have been pairing both with this Buxom lip cream. It tingles a little bit which I like. This combo looks so pretty with a tan...high shine but still a nude lip.

Becca Soft Light Blur Powder. This is so light and perfect to put over your CC cream or foundation just to smooth everything right on out.

Benefit Roller Lash. I have sworn up and down how I hate those little spikey mascara wands. But, Benefit proved me wrong. I bought a small version of this just to try. It is SO good. It curls, lifts, lengthens and doesn't flake! Makes these tired momma eyes look a little bit more awake.

Shows

Is anyone watching "Very Cavallari?" I remember watching The Hills & Laguna Beach in college and thinking how much I disliked Kristin. Anyone else? She was the mean party girl and she just wasn't cutting it for me. I now follow her on Insta and love her cooking stories. Everything she makes looks SO good. She also has her jewelry line, Uncommon James and she has a shoe line?! Girl is killing it. 

Netflix -- "Anne with an E." I so love this show. It is based off Anne of Green Gables. She is the sweetest and her vocabulary kills me. If you watch, you know. I have also half watched "Better Call Saul." B LOVES it and has been binging it when Luke goes down at night. It's pretty good and ties right back into Breaking Bad. If you haven't watched Breaking Bad...GO! It was so good and so intense and we were obsessed. 

Upcoming Trips

I have a work trip coming up at the end of August. I am super excited to get back to the office for a few days and see my teammates along with my sales guys. 

Also, we have a girls' trip booked for the first weekend of November for Siesta Key! Who's been? Any good rec's on restaurants, bars, things we must do? We are all excited to escape and lay on the beach!

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Miscellaneous

COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! We have a projector room in the new house so I know all the games will be going down there. With all the treats and beverages! Go Gamecocks!

HATING

#PPHL aka POST PARTUM HAIR LOSS. Y'all, it's EVERYWHERE. When does it stop?! MAKE IT STOP. I have to vacuum so dang much. Brushing my hair, washing my hair, blowdrying....it's flying everywhere. LOL.

There is not enough time in the day... really! Working, Momming, Cleaning, Cooking, phew! I'm grateful for the life I have but man, I just can't get it all done. Once one thing is done, I move on to the next the next day. Some days there's piles of laundry, other days piles of my hair. What can I say? REAL TALK. 

100 degree temperatures....all week. Along with my first electric bill for the new house. YIKES!

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday. Leave me some of your recent loves or things that are just irritating to no end. HA!