This One Thing Reignited My Health Journey Over 50

featured, fitness, health and wellness

I’ve documented my health journey extensively over the past 8 years on the blog.  From my Pilates workouts all the way through my total knee replacement surgery, one of my goals here at SAACA is to provide transparency into my commitment to health & wellness.   That being said, the thing that truly reignited my health journey was FASTer Way to Fat Loss. It’s a program I’ve documented and promoted extensively over the years.  But I still get questions as to why it’s important to burn fat fast, or burn fat at all.

With so many weight loss tips, diets, and information thrown our way, it can be confusing to navigate our way to a healthy lifestyle. And I emphasize healthy, here, because while you will lose weight with FASTer Way to Fat Loss, the program is focused on choosing:

  • the right foods;
  • balancing your macros; and
  • exercising

which are all important at any age, but especially as we age. So let me state again, as I know there is sensitivity around the issues of health, wellness, and weight loss—-this post is not about losing weight, nor is FASTer Way to Fat Loss as a program.  What this post is about is simple: establishing healthy habits to help us age with grace, beauty, and strength.

Unsurprisingly, the primary readership of this blog is women over the age of 40.  And a woman’s life after 40 is very different from than pre-40—it includes everything from second careers to empty-nesting to menopause to grandchildren to retirement to grieving the loss of loved ones.  And I truly believe that one of the ways we can best prepare and deal with those changes is to establish healthy habits.  

home gym workout clothes

What is FASTer Way to Fat Loss

Simply stated, FASTer Way to Fat Loss is an online program founded by CEO Amanda Burns that provides you with an app and web-based materials where

  • daily workouts
  • meal plans
  • and an online support community

are all readily accessible.

Burn fat fast

What benefits have I seen besides how to burn fat fast, even though I’m well now over 60?

  • I sleep better at night.
  • I have increased energy levels.
  • Food has become my friend, not the enemy.
  • I’ve lost inches.
  • I’ve gained muscle
  • And I feel confident that I can age with grace, strength, and beauty.

I’m definitely not a size zero ( never have been) but I am healthy and fit and feel great. And those are my fitness goals.

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What FASTer Way to Fat Loss focuses on

For the past fifty years, we’ve been told to cut calories and exercise more. Right?! Wrong. While exercise is key to staying active our diet is the most important factor to aging well. If you want to lose belly fat over 50 there are a few things to consider.

First, balance your macros.  Many of you might be wondering what macros are. They’re better known as carbohydrates, protein, and fat. We need all three in our diet. Carbohydrates provide fuel, the energy for your body and brain. It’s found in all plant foods, like grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and also milk and yogurt.

I typically stay away from grains and get my carbs by eating fruit, veggies, and legumes. Protein helps to build and repair your muscles, organs, skin, blood, and different chemicals, like hormones, in your body. It’s found in meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, tofu, and eggs, and in smaller amounts in nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Fat insulates and protects your bones and organs, acts as a backup fuel for energy, and helps in brain development. Healthy, unsaturated fats are found in olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.

Unhealthy saturated fats are found in processed foods, like cookies and donuts. These days I definitely stay away from processed foods as they are high in sugar. Consuming too much sugar increases weight gain and leads to belly fat.

With that as a backdrop, the pillars that comprise FASTer Way to Fat Loss are three-fold: 

  • carb cycling; 
  • macro counting; and 
  • intermittent fasting. 

Carb cycling

Carb cycling simply means some days you eat low carb and other days you eat moderate carbs. This ensures that you will burn fat effectively without causing hormonal damage or dips in energy.

For example, on low-carb days, I eat 50 grams or less of net carbs, where net carbs are defined as carbs minus fiber.

On regular macro days, I eat 205 carbs! This feels like a ton of food for someone who has been eating low carb for so long. Some days I have trouble eating enough.

Macro counting

Macronutrients are protein, carbs, and fat.

Simply use the free version of My Fitness Pal to record your daily intake of macros. Whenever you eat something, log it into My Fitness Pal. In the beginning, it helps to plan out your meals, so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute to fit in the right macros.

It’s not that hard I promise. And if you join FASTer Way to Fat Loss, you’ll be assigned a coach that can answer any and all questions you may have during the 6-week program.

home gym workout clothes

Intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is an important component of the Faster Way to Fat Loss. It means you stay in a fasted state for 16 hours. This may sound daunting, but it is doable, and you will get used to it. Typically, I stop eating around 7 PM and don’t eat again until 11 AM. You can ease into this and slowly work up to it if that helps.

It’s funny, now that I have been doing it for so long, I no longer crave food at night. I don’t even think about it anymore. That’s a huge win for me.

Intermittent fasting turns your body into a fat burner. It allows the body to utilize fat as its main source of energy and can help to change your overall body composition.

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Why I love FASTer Way to Fat Loss

This program is based on eating whole, clean foods, and it’s something I can do for life. It is a gluten-free and dairy-free program, but I know folks who have had success without being dairy-free. And you can drink wine as long as it fits into your macros.

Eating well and not starving myself makes my body happy. And it’s the best way to burn fat fast, which can be a challenge once we hit menopause and beyond.

home gym workout clothes

What will you get when you join the FASTer Way to Fat Loss? 

  1. All program materials for $199, to accelerate your success in the FASTer Way.
  2. LIVE training to set you up for success.
  3. Weekly workout plans that include low impact, home, and gym workouts.
  4. Community group with certified FASTer Way community specialists for daily accountability, training, and support.
  5. Four-week meal plan and recipe guide to assist you in the FASTer Way.
  6. Nutrition recommendations with a focus on whole food nutrition, balanced macros, intermittent fasting, carb cycling, and effective workouts to transform your life.
  7. Options to pause or cancel your membership at any time.
  8. FASTer Way to Fat Loss app

How do you join FASTer Way to Fat Loss? 

The new cycle starts today Monday, February 28.  Here’s how you join. 

Step 1

Purchase the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program for only $199 by clicking this link.

Step 2

Join an accountability group with a certified FASTer Way to Fat Loss coach for accountability, training, and support. You will receive the link once you have completed your registration.

Step 3

Commit to the program nutrition recommendations with a focus on whole-food nutrition, balanced macros, intermittent fasting, carb cycling, and effective workouts.

Step 4

Transition into the VIP Membership, which will automatically be billed at a discounted rate of $79/month, at the end of your initial 6-week experience. Work 1-on-1 with your FASTer Way trainer, utilize the Digital Studio classes and access our supportive online community. Pause or cancel at any time!

Healthy cooking & eating 

Food is medicine. Food is powerful. And nutrient-rich foods can impact our health and our life in sometimes unimaginably positive ways. When we make the right choices, our pants size will improve but more importantly, our quality of life will too.

I’ll say it again, this blog is dedicated to aging with grace, strength, and beauty. Even if you don’t try FASTer Way to Fat Loss, I will encourage you to focus on healthy eating.  A few months ago, I asked my daughter-in-law, Kelly, to share a few of her favorites today that will help inspire you to cook healthy at home.  I’m reposting them below.  (Click the recipe titles below to get the full recipe.) 

Mediterranean Poached Halibut 

Spinach and Mushroom Frittata

Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini 

Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken 

Southwest Bean Burgers

Baked salmon rice bowl

Meal Service Deliveries

Ok, ok. With all that being said about cooking at home, let me be honest with you:  one of the things I hate about being single is cooking for one, which is why I’ve experimented with several meal service deliveries over the past few years. 

I’m now using Sakara regularly.  They have a wide variety of healthy meals from breakfast to lunch to dinner and even snacks.  If you’re interested in trying out Sakara,  use code XOBETHD for 20% off your first purchase. 

In case you missed it

Our Spring preview series is in full swing.  In case you’ve missed any of our posts, make sure to check out: 

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.

See author's posts

-bd

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  1. Diane says:
    March 5, 2020 at 11:26 am

    Love your comments about FWFL!! I am currently in VIP. I initially joined because of your experience, along w/ confirmation from others I know who had participated.
    I haven’t lost a lot of pounds, but have lost inches & gained a sense of control, community & well-being. Thank You!!

  2. Suzanne M Smith says:
    March 5, 2020 at 11:36 am

    I am pleased to learn I am doing a lot of what you described already, although I do eat some dairy. I hadn’t realized you were eliminating dairy. My mom told me years ago that in a grocery store it was always best so shop the perimeter of the store, as that’s where all the whole, healthy foods were. I still think of that every time I shop, and she was so right. You look great, so it’s working for you, Beth!

  3. Julie Mycock says:
    March 5, 2020 at 1:12 pm

    Hi Beth, you are looking really great and we’ll done to you. I decided to start exercising more and I’ve also had my first one to one Pilates lesson today and really enjoyed it. After a few weeks at least I will feel more confident to join the class xoxo Julie from England

  4. Suzi says:
    March 5, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    Interesting comment on the Chicharrones website, “all the fat is fried out in the cooking process”. If the process is frying and the fat is fried out! What does that mean? Frying is frying! Confusing.

  5. jean says:
    March 5, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    hello!
    i love your feet!!!
    kiss!
    thank you to share!!!

  6. Paulette Levy says:
    March 6, 2020 at 7:46 am

    Love your eating program! It works and you’re happy! What can be bad? Nothing!

  7. Gray says:
    February 28, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Thanks Beth for this information. I followed your advice in 2020 and lost the 10 pounds that I had been trying to lose for decades. I also became more lean in body composition. I am actually talking about FWTFL tomorrow on my new blog. It’s one of my Fab 50 things that helps me thrive in my reinvented life. And it’s thanks to you! 💋

    • Beth Djalali says:
      February 28, 2022 at 11:27 am

      health is such a precious gift. i truly believe we have to do everything that’s within our power to keep our bodies and minds healthy and active. the two go hand in hand.

  8. Tammy Cockman says:
    February 28, 2022 at 11:01 am

    The discount code for Sakara isn’t working. Help!

  9. Susan Haggerty says:
    February 28, 2022 at 3:32 pm

    You’re DIL’s recipes sound delicious! I can’t wait to try them! I’ll be following her blog.

  10. Mudra says:
    March 1, 2022 at 8:11 am

    I love you blog. And you are my only senior “friend” that I know that can wear “fancy” shoes after a TKR! I am having mine replaced in six weeks and you are my role model!

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