CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

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CUCUMBER SANDWICHES

4 SERVINGS | 5 MINUTES

MACROS

carbs - 5g | fiber - 1g | fat - 7g | protein - 8g

INGREDIENTS

2 large cucumbers

8 teaspoons mayonnaise, divided

2 roma tomatoes, sliced

4 leaves lettuce

4 ounces turkey slices

INSTRUCTIONS

CUT both ends off each cucumber. Cut each in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, cut in half to make them half the length.

SPREAD a teaspoon of mayonnaise inside each cucumber cavity (8 total).

TOP one cucumber boat with lettuce, tomato slices, and 2 turkey slices. Roll a 3rd turkey slice and place into a second empty cucumber boat, so that it fits in there. Close the second half over the first.

ENJOY!

Tip: Change it up with other deli meat or sliced fish.

Kid-Friendly Tip: children love these! Instead of slicing the cucumber lengthwise, cut into rounds and make mini sandwiches—they become small-finger friendly!

Sign up below to receive your FREE 5-Day Sample Meal Plan! 

 
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Top 5 Tips to Thrive Through the Holidays

If you’re going to take a trip for the holidays, don’t let it be a guilt trip! Today we’re sharing our top five tips to THRIVE through the holidays because special days were meant to be enjoyed with family, food, and fun. 

Holidays are NOT the time to stress about food choices, count calories, or do extra workouts to “make up” for eating an extra piece of pie. Holidays are a special time to spend with family, enjoy traditions, and eat.all.the.pie. Our top five tips won’t just keep you on track while thriving through the holidays, they’ll give you food freedom! 

The stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is typically the most challenging time. As we often say, it’s not the actual holidays that cause the trouble, it’s all the days in between. Stick with these tips and you’ll continue to see progress without feeling deprived!

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Top 5 Tips to Thrive Through the Holidays

  1. Get your workout in. Get your body moving in the morning or even later in the day! This will help alleviate some of the stress that comes with the holidays (and let’s be real, the stress of dealing with certain family members!).

  2. Extend your fast on the big day. Instead of breaking your fast at the usual time, extend your digestive rest and wait until the main meal to eat. 

  3. Break your fast with veggies and protein. Flood your body with micronutrients! For most people, it’s easy to get carbs and fat in, it’s typically protein and nutrient-dense foods that are the challenge. Start with those and you won’t need to think about it

  4. Focus on intuitive eating. Don’t preplan your macros or log it in MFP. Just eat until 80% satisfied (or 100% because we love holiday food!). Listen to your body. Make sure you’re eating enough and not undereating.

  5. Commit NOW to getting back on track or back into your regular routine. If you want to enjoy your leftovers on Friday, go for it! But plan when you’ll get back into your regular nutrition.

BONUS TIP: Perfection is NOT the goal—focus on progress!

Need some new gear for the new year? Be sure to check out fasterwayshop.com! We’ve got you covered from bands to water bottles to cute and comfy apparel, you’re sure to find something you love.

How to Track Macros Over the Holidays

The holiday season is here, and one question we always hear from clients this time of year is, “How do I track macros over the holidays?” We get it, tracking macros during the holidays can feel overwhelming when we don’t always know exactly what will be served at a holiday meal or can’t accurately track each ingredient in every dish. 

Read on to discover our favorite tips for tracking macros over the holidays, and be prepared to thrive this holiday season!

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Focus on Protein

If tracking every single dish just isn’t feasible, focus instead on logging your protein throughout the day to ensure that you’re eating enough. While all three macros (fat, carbohydrates, and protein) are important, consuming enough protein is absolutely necessary for feeling satisfied, keeping your blood sugar stable, and helping you avoid mindless eating.  

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Don’t Drink Your Macros

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine at dinner or joining in on a celebratory toast, but if you’re tracking macros, try not to drink your calories. Stick to one drink and be sure to properly log it. 

Alcohol is the fourth macronutrient along with carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The main difference between alcohol and the other macros is that alcohol is not essential. Because of this, food tracking apps don’t account for it (even though we need to!).

Alcohol can be tracked as carbs OR fat (not protein), but it does require a little extra math. 

Here’s a macro breakdown:

  • 1g alcohol = 7 calories

  • 1g carbs/protein = 4 calories

  • 1g fat = 9 calories

When you know how many grams of carbs and/or fat to log, simply search your tracking

app for carbs or fat (rather than the name of the food) and enter the grams you calculated.

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Plan in Advance

Try making a loose macro plan for the day, even if you don’t know what’s being served at the big meal. Focus on fueling up with protein and veggies leading up to the celebration so you have plenty of carbs and fats remaining to enjoy the full spread… and avoid feeling hangry upon arrival. 

Progress, Not Perfection

Above all else, remember the FASTer Way mantra: progress, not perfection. Tracking macros on holidays can be plain hard, even when you’re making your best guess. Instead of stressing, make the best choices available, enjoy the people around the table, and know that tomorrow is a new day!

Want more tips on thriving through the holidays? Be sure to read this post on being stress-free through the holiday season!

Find Out What You Missed This Week in the FASTer Way Community!

The weekend is here, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! In the chaos of the coming week, be sure to practice gratitude and take some time for yourself. We are incredibly thankful for you! 

It was another incredible week in the FASTer Way community, and we don’t want you to miss out on any of the amazing updates. 

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Coach Information Event

This week, we held a LIVE Coach Information Event and were able to share about the FASTer Way to Fat Loss Certification Program with hundreds of qualified applicants. We loved interacting and interviewing each of you, and we’re thrilled to have a new class of Certified Coaches play a vital role in transforming the lives of their clients!

FASTer Way Conference December 5-7, 2019

The FASTer Way Conference is just days away! We can’t wait to come together as a community to grow, connect, and rise together. It’s not too late for you to join us and hear from our variety of speakers featuring FASTer Way founder and CEO Amanda Tress, Dr. Stephen Cabral, influencer Whitney Abraham, FASTer Way Dream Team member Lindsey Murray, and more! Register for the conference and prepare to be inspired! 


Exclusive Gift for VIP Membership Community

Have you heard the news?! All FASTer Way VIP Members enrolled in December will receive an exclusive FASTer Way long-sleeved t-shirt to keep you motivated through the remaining holiday season. AND you can use promo code HOLIDAYSALE to score $20 off the monthly rate. If you’ve completed a round of the FASTer Way, take advantage of these amazing offers and join the community today!

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FASTer Way Transformations

There’s nothing better than celebrating our clients’ amazing transformations. Check out these stories and see for yourself!

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“Hard Work. ⁣That’s the main difference between these two pictures. I decided to make a change and I stuck with it. Maybe you’ve tried all the things. You’ve quit too many diets to count. Why would this one be any different? Because I actually enjoy it! No deprivation, an easy to follow nutrition plan, quick and effective workouts and the BEST community! When we do it together, we succeed! ⁣

⁣Don’t let the busy holiday season hold you back. You can do this because we will do it TOGETHER!”

–Liz, FASTer Way Community Member

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“With the 1 year anniversary of my FASTer Way journey quickly approaching, I thought now was a great time to talk about all the success I have had. I started the FASTer Way this time last year. I was feeling sluggish and unmotivated, self conscious and down in the dumps. I knew that I needed to do something that would help me stop with the downward spiral. I spoke to a good friend of mine, Kerri, who recommended that I try The FASTer Way. I secretly stalked her for several months, watching her transform right before my eyes. So I decided,that after many excuses, I would give it a try. I am so glad I did. My first thought was that there was no way that I would be able to stick to this. My round started in the beginning of November of 2018 and ended right before the New Year. I figured I was going to sabotage myself with holiday treats and family gatherings like I did in the past. The thing is, with THE FASTer Way, I was able to enjoy some holiday goodies and family gatherings without guilt. It was to my sweet surprise that after my first round, I lost over 14 lbs and 15 inches. All of this during the holiday season. Not only did I lose weight, I built strength and confidence too. I had an amazing support system that helped me through the entire process. I built so much confidence that back in May, I became a certified FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach. Now, I can help others learn to lose weight, build strength and confidence, burn fat, and feel great.” 

–Susie, FASTer Way Community Member

Are you ready to start pursuing YOUR transformation? Our next round for new clients starts December 30, and you can register now to receive instant access to all the program materials!

If you’ve completed a round of the FASTer Way, the monthly VIP Membership is the place for you to continue the lifestyle, see results, and thrive. Join the VIP Membership today and use promo code HOLIDAYSALE for $20 off!

We can’t wait to help you be well, prevent disease, and fulfill your purpose through the FASTer Way to Fat Loss. 



3 Tips to Rock Your Micro-Influencer Marketing

3 Tips to Rock Your Micro-Influencer Marketing

Micro-Influencers are a powerhouse in the social media world. Believe it or not, you don’t have to have a huge following to make an impact in your industry and grow your business—as long as you’re smart about it! Use these three tips to improve your marketing and serve your clients well, no matter how big your following. You might be surprised, it’s not all about them!

Micro-influencer marketing


Courtney appeared as a guest on the Accelerate Your Success with Amanda Tress podcast. Listen to the full episode here.

If you prefer to read the full transcript, you can find it below.

Amanda had a fantastic conversation with Courtney! You’ll be inspired by her journey, both in business and in health.

You wouldn’t know it just by looking at her, but Courtney suffered a stroke at the tender age of 24, not long after her second baby was born. This was a life-changing event for Courtney as she navigated a new path toward wellness. It eventually lead her to the FASTer Way, where she has since become a successful affiliate partner (which means she makes a generous commission every time she refers someone to the program), and she’ll be releasing a cookbook in 2020 called “With Heart” that will share her journey to heart health plus delicious heart-friendly recipes.

As of now, Courtney doesn’t have a large Instagram following and she’s not really on Facebook, so how has she managed her success? With these simple but oh-so-practical tips for making sure she serves her audience well.

3 Tips to Rock Your Micro-Influencer Marketing

1. Meet your audience where they already are.

You may think this sounds like common sense, but it’s actually something a lot of micro-influencers don’t get right. You can’t be everywhere, and it’s most likely that whatever platform you love is where you’ll find “your people.” So if Instagram is your jam, don’t think you also have to be on Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, and Pinterest every day. That’s a recipe for burnout. Instead, focus on the one or two platforms you love and either ignore the rest or delegate them to a VA (virtual assistant).

You simply don’t have to have a huge number of followers in order to be an effective influencer.

Instead of going a mile wide and an inch deep (meaning a more superficial relationship while focusing on account growth), go an inch wide and a mile deep (cultivate a more meaningful relationship rather than focusing only on growth). Your following might be small, but serve them well and develop a real relationship with them—they’ll be worth far more than a large, unengaged audience.

2. Take time for self-care.

A focus on self-care has made a revival in the last year or two, and for good reason! Burnout is a very real thing and when you feel depleted it’s impossible to feel fulfilled in your work or serve your audience at your highest level. When you take time to create space for yourself to rest and recharge, then you’ll find energy and satisfaction in your daily tasks.

Courtney shared her morning routine with us, which is her way of recharging and making sure she’s taking care of herself. She wakes up before everyone else in the house, pours a cup of coffee, and spends 30–45 minutes in quiet time including prayer, reading, and journaling. She went on to say that if she skips her morning routine, she can always feel it later in the day! Exercise is also an important part of her self-care, which she does a little later in her morning.

3. Keep learning.

You don’t have to go back to school to get an incredible education. There are countless books and podcasts that can teach you anything you want to know! Those in-between times (folding laundry, school pick-up, the daily commute, getting ready for the day, etc.) are perfect for listening and learning. Courtney shared her top three picks with us and we can’t wait to read (or listen) to them!

  • Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.

  • Stories that Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business by Kindra Hall. 

  • The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst. 

Micro-Influencers are seeing incredible success as they learn to incorporate these tips. Engagement goes up, which is usually followed by an increase in sales, and they’re enjoying their work rather than living in a constant state of stress and burnout. 

Learn more about our affiliate program and see for yourself why Courtney loves it so much!

Find Courtney on Instagram @courtneybschultz or at courtneybschultz.com

Which tip will you start implementing today? Tell us in the comments below!






Is the Keto Diet Right for Me?

We’re here to breakdown the good, bad, and ugly of the ketogenic diet to help you make an informed decision for your health.

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

The FASTer Way community is made of a diverse group of men and women—Doctors, teachers, firefighters, stay at home moms, and military members. Today, we honor the sacrifices so many men and women make for our freedom.  Our FASTer Way Veterans. Time at sea, deployments, moving to new countries, and separation from those they love.

Meet the families that have committed to serve and protect us each day.

Anna Avery- Hyes, Captain, US Army, 2004-2012

To me, service means using your skills to support someone to reach their full potential in their endeavors. In the military I worked as a logistician. My job was to support soldiers in their missions with all the “background stuff” they needed to do their job to the best of their ability. This is exactly what I continue to do as a Clinical Nutritionist and now as a certified FASTer Way to Fat Loss Coach. By supporting my clients with “background stuff” like nutrition and prioritizing their health I am able to serve them as they work towards their full potential in their respective skill sets, jobs, and passions!

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Kristi Rice, Military Spouse

Husband: Jesse Rice, E-5, US Army 2003-200

Service means sacrifice and honor, courage and perseverance. It’s putting the cause before your own wants and needs. It’s living open-handed. It’s giving everything you have - body and mind - to give to those you’ll never even meet.

Katie Preston, Captain, US Air Force

Husband currently serves as Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force

Service, Defined: Service means everything to me! I truly believe in God, Country, Family and serving those entities. For me, being in the service was about being a part of something larger than myself with like minded individuals. I was truly in love with our Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. I was excited to see that the FASTer Way to Fat Loss had such similar values.

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Marian Collins: Major, US Air Force 1990-2010

Service, military service in particular, means to sacrifice and commit to something more than yourself. It means to put others needs before your own, and many times before your own families' needs. To serve is to give of yourself to better humanity.

Did you miss these FASTer Way updates?

Did you miss these FASTer Way updates?

The weekend is here, and we have so much to celebrate in the FASTer Way community! Read on to see the important updates you may have missed this week, and be sure to follow @fasterwaytofatloss to stay up-to date on all the FASTer Way news!

FREE Marketing Webinar with FASTer Way Creator and CEO Amanda Tress

If you run a business, you’ve probably noticed that the social media marketing strategies you were using even just six months ago just aren’t working anymore. That’s why FASTer Way creator and CEO Amanda Tress offered a FREE webinar this week on the right strategies you need to implement to share your message and expand your movement! 

Weren’t able to catch the webinar live? No worries! Click here to watch the replay and learn Amanda’s cutting-edge tips to help your business cut through the clutter! Watch the replay

LIVE Coach Information Event

We’re excited to announce that our next LIVE coach information event will be held on Monday, November 18. Don’t miss your chance to jumpstart a rewarding business! 

The best part about becoming a certified coach? You won’t be on the journey alone. You’ll be a member of our online coach community with over 1,600 other coaches who are passionate about bettering the lives of their clients. Our online coach community will be a safe place for you to foster community, stay up-to-date on the latest coach news, and grow as a coach and business owner. 

During the LIVE Coach Information Event, you’ll hear from FASTer Way creator and CEO Amanda Tress, meet members of the FASTer Way Dream Team, and be inspired by men and women just like you who took the leap of a lifetime. You won’t want to miss it! Join the event waiting list to get all the details. 

Client Success Stories

We are constantly inspired by the amazing FASTer Way community members who take BOLD ACTION in sharing their incredible transformations! Have your own story to share? Be sure to tag us at @fasterwaytofatloss so we can celebrate with you!

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“I don’t have a ton of before/after in the same clothing because, quite honestly, I was anxious to get rid of everything that was TOO big. I thought it would be too tempting to revert back if I had “safety clothes” that I held onto. But, you can ask Clay, any time I purge my clothing, I have a really tough time getting rid of anything Carolina related. I have an irrational fear someone else won’t take care of them like I do (I said it was irrational) 😂 It’s yucky outside, I’m feeling a little under the weather, and my plans today involved ONLY school work. So getting ready was not in the cards today. I just threw on this pullover and some leggings. And then I remembered my sister snapped the picture on the left a couple of years ago. And I love it because I love my sweet little niece, but man, what a difference. Not just a difference in what I look like, but a difference in how I feel, how I see myself, how I fuel my body, and how I treat myself. It’s amazing what a little guidance, a little tracking app, some macros, and some knowledge can do for you.”

–Stephanie, FASTer Way Community Member

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“This is too GOOD not to SHARE...I can’t say enough great things about the Faster Way to Fat Loss program. I started this program in May, and 4 months later, my life has changed in so many wonderful ways I never could have imagined.
I needed ACCOUNTABILITY!!
I needed a new LIFESTYLE, not a fad diet. Been there, done that.
I needed ENERGY!!

The Faster Way program has completely changed my relationship with food. I finally have Food Freedom!! I loved learning about whole food nutrition and what foods my body needs. No special shakes or supplements, just real food!! I am a busy mom.
How could I have time for this?? But my coach helped me learn quickly how to provide my body with the right nutrients to lose fat and gain lean muscle. This program changes your body into a fat burning machine and is backed by research-based strategies that works for EVERYONE!! More Food, Less Cardio!! Who knew?! I’ve learned how to eat clean healthy food and I never felt deprived. I am enjoying wine 🍷, peanut butter and dark chocolate with no guilt. Was I perfect everyday, nope! But I needed a program that was realistic. I have consumed more food on this program then any other “diet” I have done in the past.
One thing this program brought me was COMMUNITY, it’s a community of women all supporting each other. This has been the most rewarding. I joined this program looking to lose FAT, I never could have imagine what God has brought into my life because of the Faster Way lifestyle. I was always an ALL or NOTHING type of person and I have learned to give myself GRACE and now I live by PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION.” - Jen, FASTer Way Community Member


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It’s regular macro day in the FASTer Way community and we are ready to refuel with all the healthy carbs! Need some help nailing your carb goals today? Try this yummy Kiwi-Pineapple Fruit Smoothie! Packed with healthy carbs (43g to be exact) and lots of tropical flavor, this smoothie is sure to be a crowd pleaser.


KIWI-PINEAPPLE FRUIT SMOOTHIE
2 SERVINGS | 5 MINUTES
MACROS
carbs - 43g | fiber - 10g | fat - 5g | protein - 5g

INGREDIENTS

2 cups baby spinach
1 cup peeled and sliced kiwi
1 banana, sliced
¼ cup chopped pineapple
¼–½ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp chia seeds (or flax)

INSTRUCTIONS
COMBINE spinach, kiwi, banana, pineapple, orange juice, and chia or flax in blender.
COVER and blend until nearly smooth, stopping to scrape down sides of container as necessary.
DIVIDE evenly between two glasses. If desired, top with additional pineapple and/or kiwi slices.
ENJOY!

RASPBERRY LEMON FAT BOMBS

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RASPBERRY LEMON FAT BOMBS

6 SERVINGS | 10 MINUTES ACTIVE + FREEZE 1 HOUR

MACROS

carbs - 10g | fiber - 6g | fat - 19g | protein - 2g

INGREDIENTS

Raspberry Layer:

½ cup coconut butter

1 cup freeze-dried raspberries (can use fresh or frozen if necessary) 

1 tablespoon confectioners Swerve or powdered erythritol 

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

¼ cup + 1 tablespoon coconut milk 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Layer:

½ cup coconut butter 

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon confectioners Swerve or powdered erythritol

1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

Instructions: 

COMBINE the raspberry layer ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

STIR together the lemon layer ingredients in a small bowl.

DIVIDE the lemon mixture between 6 muffin cups. Top with raspberry mixture, pressing down to combine the two. 

FREEZE for 1 hour.

ENJOY!

Fun Tip: Freeze in cute molds like hearts, stars, and other shapes

Sign up below to receive your FREE 5-Day Sample Meal Plan! 

 
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Can't miss items from this week!

Happy Saturday, FASTer Way family! We’re bringing you all the amazing highlights from the week so you don’t miss out on any updates. 

FASTer Way 5K

You’ve probably heard about the upcoming FASTer Way 5K benefiting a community-favorite charity, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Pediatric cancer research is extremely underfunded, and we want to do our part as a community to help. This week, the VIP Membership community kicked off the FASTer Way 5K training challenge! We’re spending the next five weeks training for a Thanksgiving Day 5K.

BUT, we’ve heard from so many of you who are interested in participating in the FASTer Way 5K that we are opening up registration to the whole FASTer Way community! Grab your friends and family and get ready to run or walk for a cause. Sign up for the FASTer Way 5K today

FASTer Way Conference

The FASTer Way conference is just one month away, and time is running out for your to register! If you’ve been on the fence, the FASTer Way conference is THE place to learn life-changing strategies to accelerate your business in 2020 while celebrating the FASTer Way community with other influencers and coaches! Don’t miss this must-attend event of the year. Grab a friend and register for your spot today!

Client Wins

There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing our incredible community members’ transformations! Check out these amazing stories.

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“6 month transformation photos! This was a big one for me bc it marked half a year in @fasterwaytofatloss. When was the last time you stuck with something for that long? I don’t know about you but New Years resolutions don’t last long around here. So why has FWTFL been different? Because I actually enjoy it! I love feeling healthy and confident in my choices and having a plan that is easy to implement and stick to! .

So 6 months in... I finally hit my goal of pre-pregnancy weight and am wearing clothes I wore pre-babies! I feel strong 💪 and am lifting heavier than ever before. I have more energy and feel better all-around. I am sleeping better (when my baby doesn’t wake me up 🤪). I don’t have any plans of going back to my “old ways” because of how great I feel! And I get to eat donuts on this plan.... so I’m sticking with it.”

–Liz, FASTer Way Community Member

“If you’ve been following me recently, I’ve been posting more about my new health journey with @fasterwaytofatloss and my coach @thefastingfox. This is the first time I’ve committed to something pretty much 7 days a week for 2 months straight. I haven’t been going as off the rails on weekends and actually haven’t had very much wine - which is shocking in and of itself! 🍷🍷

I’m definitely going to be sticking to this. Please keep me accountable and let me know when you see progress to encourage me!! ❤️❤️ 

FASTer Way Wins

💎Wedding Ring fits again after 2 years

💎Belt on 1 tighter notch

💎size 16 jeans are big

💎size 14 jeans are tight but fit - zip up and button, which I couldn’t do before 

💎more physical stamina

💎face is slimmer

💎fluffiness is gone

💎bra size is about 2” smaller 

💎11 lbs down

💎shirts are looser

💎pants/underwear doesn’t roll

💎hourglass figure starting to show

💎a little more confident for pictures”

–Marybeth, FASTer Way Community Member

Wow, what amazing stories! Have your own FASTer Way success story to share? Be sure to tag us on Instagram at @fasterwaytofatloss so we can celebrate with you!

Did you know that the FASTer Way Shop is packed with amazing FASTer Way gear?! We’re currently offering a limited edition FASTer Way water bottle, FASTer Way PopSockets, t-shirts, measuring tapes, cloth resistance bands, and more! Check out a few of our favorites below!

Healthy Tips for Enjoying Halloween

Healthy Tips for Enjoying Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time to enjoy treats, dress up in costume, and celebrate with friends and neighbors. But we hear from clients all the time that Halloween is one of the hardest holidays to navigate– the candy seems to appear around Labor Day and stick around till Thanksgiving. So how can you enjoy the day without totally derailing your health progress?

We’re here to help! Today we’re breaking down healthy tips for enjoying halloween.

Pre-Plan Your Macros

If you’re tracking macronutrients, it’s always a good idea to do your best pre-planning macros around special occasions and holidays. Since carb and fat-heavy foods are usually prime party foods, fill up prior to the party with clean fats and lots of veggies. Leave plenty of room in your macros for a few Halloween treat!

Limit Alcohol

Alcohol is the fourth macronutrient, along with carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The main

difference between alcohol and the other macros is that alcohol is not essential. Because of this, food tracking apps don’t account for it, even though we need to! If tracking alcohol isn’t something you want to mess with over holidays like Halloween, limiting yourself to one alcoholic drink is a great way to enjoy the celebration without getting off track from reaching your goals.

Consider Healthy Alternatives

Heading to a party? Bring a healthy alternative or two! Pinterest has lots of healthy Halloween options sure to please both adults and kids. You can also browse the @fasterwaytofatloss Instagram feed for some of our favorite healthy Halloween ideas. 

Find a Lifestyle that Works for You

Here’s the thing: we want you to enjoy holidays and celebrations to the fullest. That’s why we don’t believe in deprivation in the FASTer Way to Fat Loss! Our clients use our cutting-edge nutrition strategies and workouts to effectively burn fat and build lean muscle, all while enjoying their favorite treats! We’re passionate about helping our clients maintain a healthy lifestyle that works for their busy lives. 

The next FASTer Way round starts soon! Let us help you thrive through the holidays. Sign up today!

Exciting Updates in the FASTer Way Community!

It’s been another amazing week in the FASTer Way community, and we don’t want you to miss these exciting updates!

FASTer Way 5K Announced

Each month in the FASTer Way VIP Membership we participate in a fun health or fitness challenge as a community. The monthly challenges are a highlight for our VIP Members! This week we announced that in November, we’ll be holding the FASTer Way 5K Challenge, a 5-week training program leading up to a turkey trot run on Thanksgiving Day! 

Generosity is one of the core values of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, we encourage you to pay what you can -- all profits from this initiative will be contributed to charity. Every dollar counts!

Here’s the best part: for a limited time only you can take advantage of the founder’s rate of just $79 per month! Use promo code FALL20 to receive $20 off the monthly membership fee.

The challenge will officially kick off on October 28, and you’ve completed a round of the FASTer Way in the past, you do not want to miss it! Join the VIP Membership community today!

New FASTer Way Water Bottles

The FASTer Way Water Bottle was such a huge hit that we brought it back… in black! Like the original, we’re anticipating that they won’t be around long. Visit the FASTer Way shop and order the all-new FASTer Way to Fat Loss Water Bottle!

These 17-ounce stainless steel, double-wall water bottles will keep your beverage cool all day long while repping your favorite health and fitness lifestyle. 

Client Transformations

There’s nothing we love more than celebrating our clients’ transformation stories. Check out these incredible success stories!

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Have your own transformation to share? Take BOLD ACTION and share your story on Instagram! Be sure to tag @amandatress and @fasterwaytofatloss so we can celebrate with you!

Intermittent Fasting: Fad or Fact?

Intermittent Fasting isn’t a new concept, but it’s a fast-growing trend in both the health and fitness industries.  The physical results are impressive, but when you look at the health benefits, it’s no wonder everyone is getting on board with this strategy!


The act of fasting, or abstaining from food for a set time, is an ancient practice. Indeed it is still an important part of many cultures and religions today. It is used for bringing mental focus and spiritual clarity. However, fasting specifically for physical health, is a relatively new concept and it’s spreading fast because the results speak for themselves.  


After learning about the idea of Intermittent Fasting for fitness reasons, I decided to start trying it out 3 years ago. I experimented with different protocols and strategies to see what truly gave the best results without compromising health or safety.  I dialed in what was working best for myself and my clients; the results have been absolutely incredible!


Intermittent Fasting isn’t complicated, but many people simply aren’t sure what it is or the right way to do it. With the rising popularity of “IF” (as it’s referred to in the industry) has also come misinformation, and a lack of specific training in how to follow a healthy Intermittent Fasting strategy.



Exciting updates in the FASTer Way community!

Exciting updates in the FASTer Way community!

Happy Saturday, FASTer Way family!

It’s been another amazing week in the FASTer Way community, and more exciting updates are on the horizon!

New FASTer Way Gear Launching

Love repping the FASTer Way? All-new FASTer Way merchandise is now available! Take your leg day workout to the next level with the FASTer Way Resistance Band, and track your progress with the FASTer Way Tape Measure. Visit the FASTer Way shop to purchase your FASTer Way gear!

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FASTer Way Conference

The FASTer Way Conference for Influencers and Coaches will take place in Orlando FL on December 5-7! Join us as we connect as a community, share the most effective branding, marketing, and wellness strategies, and RISE together as we prepare for 2020! You do NOT want to miss out on this highly valuable conference! Click the button below to reserve your place with a $100 deposit. We can’t wait to see you!

Updates from the Community

We love celebrating your progress. Check out these amazing stories from our community members!

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So inspirational! Ready to share your FASTer Way transformation? Be sure to tag us on Instagram at @fasterwaytofatloss.

How to Make the Most of Your Leg Day

At the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, we don’t believe in deprivation. That’s why we designed our food cycle to allow our clients to enjoy their favorite treats on Leg Day, totally guilt-free. We work out a large muscle group—our legs—which results in a ramped up metabolism, turning our bodies into fat-burning machines all day long.  

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Our weekly food cycle builds up to Leg Day, and trust us, we love it as much as you do! But is there anything worse than feeling like your Leg Day is a flop?! To help you avoid a “Leg Day let down,” here are a few tips to make the most of it.

Crush Your Workout

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You probably know that we’re serious about our donuts, but we’re even more intentional with our workouts. Leg day isn’t the time to skip your workout or to “get through it” half-heartedly. Whenever possible, schedule your Saturday around your workout. Prioritize hitting the gym or your home exercise area before you enjoy your treat. Can’t stand the thought of spending 45 minutes of your Saturday exercising? Make it fun! Grab a friend to workout with you, or move your weights outdoors and enjoy the view.

Leg Day is the perfect day to push yourself. Whether that means increasing your weights or graduating from the low impact workouts to the gym or home exercises, give 110% of your effort. Remember, you’re not working out to “earn” your treat, but don’t let that stop you from challenging yourself.

Be Intentional with Your Macros

A common misconception about Leg Day is that it’s a cheat day. Our weekly food cycle includes low carb days and regular macro days, but note that there’s no mention of a cheat day.

Being intentional with your macros on Leg Day is the major difference. Take time to pre-plan your macros. Enter your planned treat first, and fill the rest of your macros with balanced whole foods. This will help you stay on track through Leg Day and avoid letting one treat snowball into a day of bad choices.

It’s also important to be intentional with your treat of choice. There’s nothing worse than indulging in a treat just to see something you’d rather enjoy later. Being choosy with your treats will keep you from mindlessly grazing throughout the day.

Progress Over Perfection

We get it—life happens and leg day treats can get out of hand. If your leg day ends up looking like more of a cheat day, don’t beat yourself up! Learn from your mistakes, and get right back on track the next day. That’s the beautiful thing about the FASTer Way lifestyle; you can pick up right where you left off. Remember, our motto is progress over perfection. Every day is the opportunity to make progress in our health and fitness goals.

Are you ready to jump into the FASTer Way and experience these strategies for yourself? Register today!

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The super simple secret to success as a FASTer Way coach

The super simple secret to success as a FASTer Way coach

Our coaches are the best in the industry, but it’s not because they’re trained in the science behind our strategies (although that’s important). It’s because they are truly passionate about helping other people get well, prevent disease, and live with energy. It’s because they care about being a force for good and creating change in the world. An incredible example of this is Coach Queena, who was recently certified to coach the FASTer Way.

She is on fire—it was so much fun to talk to her and soak in her wisdom and enthusiasm. We had a great conversation that we’re excited to share with you because everyone can learn something from this amazing lady.

What was your journey like prior to the FASTer Way?
I was working out and eating clean—I felt like I had everything going on! My husband and I had recently gotten married and we were ready to have a baby. I got pregnant right away and I continued working out during my pregnancy, but I was NOT eating clean anymore. I just wanted all the McDonald’s!

I put on about 60 lbs BUT I just knew that I was going to bounce back.

I ended up having an emergency c-section, which I was not prepared for mentally, physically, or emotionally. I was so happy to have my son arrive safely, but I was broken down. This was not what I was supposed to look like OR feel like. My body was in so much pain that I couldn’t even move. I felt like everything I had worked toward during (and even before!) my pregnancy was stripped away from me.

I had no idea how I was going to make it, so I just kept looking every single day to see if the marks, saggy skin, and bandages were still there, and yes, they were still there. I went to my OBGYN and asked her what was going to happen to me. When would all this go away? She said, “Queena, all you can do with it is diet and exercise.” I didn’t want to hear that! I already knew about diet and exercise and it wasn’t working for me. So then she said I could also get surgery. That was NOT an option for me—I didn’t want to have surgery! 

I remembered that when I was pregnant I watched a FASTer Way coach that kept talking about carb cycling and intermittent fasting. I had studied these things before I was pregnant, but I had never thought to put them all together. She was so passionate about it that I wanted to try it because I knew if I put them all together, it would work! So, I reached out to this coach and said, “Quincy, I want to be a coach!!” 

I didn’t think I needed to go through the program first, but she told me I had to. And I thank God that I signed up because I saw how everything comes together—how I trained my mind to learn about food freedom. Before the FASTer Way, what I knew about clean eating was that I needed chicken, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. And that’s what I was eating every single day because that’s the only thing I knew. But when I got educated about the different types of food I could eat and make it work for me, that was what really set me on fire and made me want to take the FASTer Way to the next level and have it become my own.


I fell in love with the program because before, I always felt like I was put inside a box and I had to starve myself. But with the FASTer Way, I was enjoying so many different foods that I was inspired to start cooking! Honey, before the FASTer Way, you couldn’t pay me to cook! But now I’m making all kinds of food I never thought I’d make and I enjoy eating them all. These foods are helping me hit my goals and I no longer have to starve myself.


And can we talk about the workouts?? Before I was pregnant, I was in the gym 6 out of 7 days every week. I didn’t make the 7th day because I was extremely exhausted—and even then, I felt like a failure. I felt like I had to be in the gym every single day in order to feel like I had accomplished something.


So when I was presented with the FASTer Way plan that told me to take 2 days off and only work out for 30 minutes on days I did work out, I was worried!! I thought I needed to be in the gym for an hour! It was really hard for me to let go of that, but once I did, I felt free.

I love that I can now rest and put my mind on other things. I can do yoga or just go on a walk. I appreciate that this program believes we just need time to take a breather.

I also love that the program focuses on progress, not perfection. I love that because I am a work in progress! I constantly need grace. Sometimes I eat too much hummus or natural peanut butter but my mindset is different—now I know what my plan is. I know that tomorrow I can use that food for fuel to take me through my next workout. Or I’ll just make sure I drink the water I need. I’m not a failure. I don’t have to feel like I fell off of anything. I just have to keep going!! That’s what I tell my clients. Just keep going and learn from it!! Life doesn’t have to stop.

Another aspect I love about the FASTer Way is the morals centered around God. I’m centered around my base and who I believe in, so when I hear everyone talk about giving back to your community and church, I know this company isn’t just about money. It’s really about helping people. That’s what let me know that this is where I needed to be.

I’m just on fire to encourage other people that YES, you can do this!

What kind of example do you hope to set for your kids, family, and community through your work as a FASTer Way coach?

I feel like that example is already being put into place! My mother is now asking me for advice instead of giving it because she sees that this is real. I love that I’m leaving the education behind with the people I talk to!

I hope the example I give is to empower women and men that they can be educated enough that they feel they can do this on a day-to-day basis. This is not something that only lasts for 30 days. This is something you can do for a lifetime. And ALSO giving yourself grace—that’s very important to me.

My goal as a coach is to TEACH you how to fish, not simply to give you a fish.

Ultimately, I want to ask three things. Can I educate you? Can I encourage you? Can I empower you? 

That right there? Honey, my job is done!

What goals do you have as a FASTer Way coach?

I want to take 300 men and women through this program by the end of this year. And by next year, I would love to double that. I would also love to have people fall in love with the program so much that they want to be a coach and help other people too. I want to help the coaches under me see what THEY can do as well.

What does coaching mean for your family?

Coaching is everything. This helps my family because my mother recently suffered two strokes. She found out she has hyperthyroidism, which is what lead to the strokes. So now we can take a look at what she’s eating and make sure she’s balanced so she doesn’t have to go through something like that again.


In my house we’re talking about protein, we’re talking about fat, we’re talking about carbs! My eight-year-old son is reading labels—he’ll tell me how much protein something has and we’ll decide if we should eat that or something else.

My husband and I are a great team. We help each other by cooking, I check his macros, and we keep each other accountable.


What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a coach but is hesitant because they don’t have all the experience?

You don’t need experience! But I get it! There are so many amazing coaches, and rightfully so, there should be. There are so many people that are called to this because it’s in their spirit and their heart and you see the passion that comes out every single day.

You wonder, can I do it? I say BE YOU. Be authentic because people love that. People want YOU. They don’t always want the most experienced person with every single degree and title. People just want you to talk to them like a human being and help them at their level.

Ask yourself this, DO YOU CARE ABOUT PEOPLE?

DO YOU LOVE THE FASTER WAY TO FAT LOSS AND ITS STRATEGIES?

If you love people and you love the FASTer Way, you will be successful! It takes practice, but you have to put yourself out there. You will fumble and make mistakes, but life doesn’t end, just give yourself grace. People love when you’re authentic. Be real about it, correct your mistakes, and move forward.

What advice would you give to new coaches?

Put yourself in your client’s shoes. What do they need? What would YOU need if you were in their place? How can you meet them where they’re at?

Take the time to learn. Be engaged. Be involved.

You might not know everything, but just know that people have trusted you enough to sign up. It is your job to go above and beyond.

There are so many nuggets being dropped in our coach group that we just have to pick them up. We have to take a risk and apply it!

Don’t worry about how many people are signing up, just make sure you’re giving a message that represents the values of this company, and share what you’re doing and the strategies you’re living. People will come.

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See what we mean? Coach Queena is one of a kind and we are honored to have her as a coach and friend. If you’d like more information about how to become a coach, be sure to join us for our next live coach event! We open this opportunity only once every three months, so don’t miss your chance to see what it’s really all about!

How to Prioritize Personal and Professional Development

How to Prioritize Personal and Professional Development

As CEO and creator of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, it’s no secret that I’m serious about health and wellness. If you follow me on Instagram, you know whole food nutrition and daily exercise is a huge part of my daily routine. This is how I continue to reach my fitness goals and inspire thousands of clients to do the same!

In the same way that exercise is necessary for physical growth, prioritizing personal and professional development is equally important. Take it from me: growing a business is all about personal and professional development. In fact, your success and failure as a business owner or employee relies on development. We learn and grow through the obstacles, trials, AND wins.

When we start viewing challenges as gifts and opportunities to grow, our perspective can shape our circumstances. Through them, make the choice to be proactive about your personal and professional development strategy.

Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered! In a recent LIVE video on Facebook, I rounded up my favorite podcasts, books, and strategic events that will serve as a launching point for anyone ready to dig deeper and develop as a leader.

Podcasts

Podcasts have played a huge role in my professional development. They’re amazing ways to learn from a variety of leaders and storytellers. Here are some of the podcasts I’m currently listening to:

In his podcast, Donald Miller provides effective marketing strategies and perspectives in an easy-to-consume format with lots of tips for small businesses. The most recent episode was especially applicable to the FASTer Way!

Ali Brown interviews the most powerful and influential female entrepreneurs that reveal vulnerable conversations on unique topics. Ali is my business coach, and I had the honor of being interviewed on episode 147.

Through this NPR podcast, Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies.

He may be polarizing, but it’s hard to listen to Tony’s podcast and NOT be inspired. He shares proven strategies and tactics to help listeners achieve massive results in business, relationships, health and finances.

When I want to listen to an expert on health and wellness, this podcast by my friend Dr. Stephen Cabral is my go-to. Dr. Cabral is a wealth of knowledge, and we’re thrilled to have him join our new scientific advisory board for the FASTer Way. We’ll be announcing more details soon!

Pro tip: Don’t think you have time to listen to podcasts? Get creative! Use your workouts, commutes, or down time wisely. I listen to podcasts first thing in the morning while I get ready for the day!

Books

Podcasts are a great way to learn about a broad variety of topics, but I always have a book on hand when I’m ready to dig deeper. Here’s what I’m currently loving:

I’ve been learning so much from this book! In it, Hendricks discusses the “upper limit problem” and how we can break through it to live in our zone of genius and rise to our highest potential. We all can apply this to both our personal AND professional lives.

This book is an incredible tool that will empower you to share your brand and communicate with your audience regardless of your position.

This book has been foundation through the last three years of growing and scaling my business.

Events

Full disclosure: I’m a homebody, and traveling is not my strong suit. I really have to push myself out of my comfort zone to travel for events. I have found, though, that when I push myself out of my comfort zone, these events and the people I meet are life-changing! They provide space to freely think about growing my business and spend time face-to-face with incredible leaders of the marketplace.

Conferences are important and should be attended strategically, but I admit that this is SO hard for those of us with young kids. When I travel, I miss my family terribly. Despite missing my husband and kids, being at these events is key and worth it in the long run. Events to attend will vary depending on your field, but here’s an example of events I make time for:

  • I’m a member of a mastermind group with Ali Brown. We meet in Scottsdale, and spending time with a group of women that really cheer for each other, encourage one another, and push each other is absolutely worth the hassle of travel!

  • This week, I’ll be traveling to California to speak at Keri Murphy’s Brilliant event for female entrepreneurs. I can’t wait to share with other women eager to grow their businesses, and learn from them in the process!

Regardless of how you choose to practice personal and professional development, don’t simply listen to the podcast, read the book, or attend the event. You must IMPLEMENT what you learn. Take the actionable content and hold yourself accountable to practice it. Power hours are great, but pursuing bold action is key. Habituate yourself to fear, take yourself out of your comfort zone, and act.

I’d love to hear from you! What are you listening to, reading, or attending to grow professionally? Comment below!


XOXO,

Amanda Tress

3 Lessons Learned in Creating an Online Business

You’ve probably noticed that we’ve been hard at work adding incredible members to the FASTer Way corporate DREAM TEAM. In addition to continuing to service our clients and continue to grow the FASTer Way, with the help of my team members, I finally have more margin to spend time sharing about a topic I’m passionate about: entrepreneurship.

It’s hard to believe that eight years ago this week, I started my virtual fitness business. I started my business as a blog that was actually inspired by training a gym client who told me I needed to share my program by writing a book. I laughed and told her that I couldn’t write a book (which is ironic considering my first book was released last week), but I COULD start a blog. I created my fitness blog as a way to share value, publish content, and provide virtual training for clients that had moved out of state.

My blog quickly took off and allowed me to connect to a number of professionals and companies that greatly helped me when I first started and then eventually created the FASTer Way just three years ago. Since then, I’ve learned so much about starting, growing, and scaling an online business. Here are three lessons to help as you create your own online business:

1.Be willing to iterate and do it quickly

When you ramp up a business and prepare to scale, you have to be willing to iterate. What was working when you first started your business might not be working anymore. Listening to the marketplace to get a good pulse on what people want and need is key.

Eight years ago, fitness bloggers like me were limited to one-on-one training. That eventually led to group workouts, and then I even created two workout DVDs. But fast forward a few years, and thanks to technological advances, the FASTer Way is disrupting the marketplace and creating a new category of fitness and nutrition industry. We’re the only company to combine digital fitness with nutrition and support to empower our clients to change their lives. We are moving at the speed of the internet, and this is required to rise above competition and fill a need in the marketplace. Adaptability is now a core value for my corporate team, and it should be a core value for you as well.

2. It’s not the critic who counts

If I allowed internet trolls and haters to stop me, we would never have launched the FASTer Way over three years ago. When I first introduced intermittent fasting as a core strategy to the program, I received so much criticism that my husband Brandon told me that anyone else would have quit. But we didn’t do that, and we still won’t budge when criticism comes. And guess what? Intermittent fasting is now a mainstream trend.

This quote from Theodore Roosevelt sums it up perfectly:

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

It’s taken some time, but my skin has thickened to negative reviews and copycat programs; they no longer trigger me. As you follow your mission, you might be criticized by friends, family members, and strangers. But this doesn’t matter. Keep your confidence in your vision and mission, and turn the criticism into fuel.

3. Team is everything

You cannot do it all on your own. You can try, and you might even be able to grow your business, but you won’t scale. You need people who can come alongside you to help your business take off. Our team has changed over the years and it will continue to change, but that’s a GOOD thing.

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Not everyone is adaptable or willing to embrace a start-up culture, and sometimes it’s necessary to part ways with team members. Embrace the change, and know that the empty seat on the bus WILL be filled by the right team member. I’m so grateful for each and every person on the FASTer Way team, and can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together!

I hope this list of just a few of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years will help you focus on what really matters in creating your business. I can’t wait to share more with you soon!

-XOXO, Amanda Tress