*Disclaimer: results may vary.

We’ve been told for decades that we need to “eat less and move more” in order to lose weight and keep it off. But if you’re like millions of people that eat small portions and exercise regularly, you probably know this doesn’t work as well as you’d like. Sure, you might lose some weight initially, but eventually you plateau, restrict your calories further, work out harder… and still feel frustrated with your lack of fat loss, muscle tone, and overall results.

What’s the solution? You must eat the RIGHT amount of food at the RIGHT time and for the RIGHT reasons.

Carbs aren’t the enemy... but you do need to use them wisely

Diets that are completely carb-free are not the answer. Your body needs carbs for energy, proper organ function (especially the thyroid), and proper hormone production. Using carbs wisely to fuel your workouts is a necessity. Eating clean carbs—at the right time—is incredibly important for your overall energy levels. However, eating too many carbs, even if you are under your calorie limit, can keep you from building lean calorie-burning muscle, affecting your overall body composition.

Protein is your friend

In order to recover well from your workouts and build lean muscle, you need a big portion of your calories (or macros, for our FASTer Way to Fat Loss clients) to come from protein. Protein is like food for your muscles, and for most women, something they are deficient in. Upping your protein intake is something you need to focus on, but do it slowly, as it can have an effect on your digestive system.

Fat is good for you

There are naturally occurring, healthy fats that are crucial to your body’s overall function... including brain function. These fats are found in nuts, healthy oils, and meats. While fats are an important part of fueling your body well, you do need to be careful with them as they are more calorie-dense than carbs and proteins (carbs and protein contain 4 calories per gram, fat contains 9 calories per gram).

You need to eat enough

One reason carb cycling is so effective is that it naturally ensures you are eating enough each day. There are some days when you will have a higher carb/calorie allowance, and other days when you will have a lower carb/calorie allowance. Then we have days with discretionary calories where we get to enjoy all kinds of fun treats (hey, hey, hey...donuts!). Overall, you need to ensure that your body is getting enough of all three macronutrients to ensure optimal performance and burn fat effectively.

To say that food is fuel is a bit of an understatement. Without giving your body the nutrients it needs each day, you will be low on energy and will depress your metabolism. In order to increase your body’s ability to burn fat, it is absolutely critical that you fuel it properly! Carb cycling with intermittent fasting and macro counting are the foundation of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss. Read this article to learn more about carb cycling and intermittent fasting.

The FASTer Way is all about giving your body exactly what it needs, when it needs it. If you’d like to join thousands of other clients who are burning fat while getting leaner and stronger, sign up for the next round before spots fill up!