Loving Your Body & Gaining Confidence The FASTer Way - Fitness Program

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

SWIMSUITS C/O RED CARTER SWIMWEAR

To say that I've always loved my body and my curves would be a lie.  Just like most women, there have been many times where I have felt great about my body and many times where I haven't.  I've always been somewhat self conscious of my curves...feeling as if my hips were too wide, my butt too big, my waist not small enough, my legs not long enough...you get the picture.  I sense that I'm not alone.

People may call you crazy...tell you that you are beautiful no matter your shape or size but that doesn't matter if you don't believe those things yourself.  After all...true beauty comes within, right?!  The number on the scale, the size of your waist, the inches from head to toe, the size of jeans that you wear...these aren't the things that make you beautiful.  BUT, they are some of the things that can play a significant role in how confident you feel.

As I look back on the highs and lows of my personal body confidence I can easily remember the highs but the lows are those moments that give you a good ole punch in the gut.  I've always considered myself to be a active person but I haven't always been a healthy person.  I've never really struggled with my weight (well at least not until the last couple of years).  My biggest struggle over the years has been allowing myself to get into brief ruts where I eat whatever I want and don't work out or do any physical exercise.  A lot of times, these ruts are caused my stress or significant life changes.  My mental game gets off so of course that impacts everything else and most times, that means that I start to put on a little bit of weight...my clothes fit tighter and I'm not thrilled with what I see in the mirror.

I've had to come to the realization that my "shape" is what God has given me and that is what I have to work with.  Over time, I've grown to love my body and truly appreciate the curves that I have.  I keep telling myself...why not work with these amazing curves and make them the most beautiful curves possible. This year has especially helped me turn the corner...to find a place of contentment.

What I'm most proud of is that I am a Mom of two.  My body has carried and delivered two beautiful children...one of the biggest blessings and gifts I could have ever received.  I've gained the weight and I've worked hard to get it off.  At times I have been complacent and not cared but I'm more motivated than ever to maintain my current place of contentment and continue setting an example of health and fitness for our children.

If you have been following my journey since the beginning of January, you know that I've been participating in the FASTer Way to Fatloss bootcamp program.  This is my "how" behind how I have reached my current goals and how I have truly found contentment.  My body is transforming, my curves are more beautiful, and my mind and soul are in the right place.  My confidence has shifted and I feel like a much more well rounded ME!

I'm wrapping up my 3rd full round in with the FASTer Way bootcamp and I'm joining my 4th round on June 12th.  I shared my 12 week results in a prior post...you can read about and see that HERE.

This bootcamp program has really played an important role in helping me turn the corner and learn to love my body.  I'm happier now with my body and level of physical fitness than I ever have been.  Hence why I continue to join round after round.  Yes, I could do this all on my own but I love the camaraderie of joining the FASTer Way army of women who are all like-minded and who are there to cheer each other on!

Tell me about a time that you struggled with body self confidence?  I'm certain that many of you reading this post can relate.

Is it time for you to make a shift in the way you think about and feel about your body?  Maybe the FASTer Way to Fatloss bootcamp is for you.  I encourage you to read more and email me at kbstyled@gmail.com with any questions.  I've had several personal friends join this program who have all thanked me time and time again for introducing them to the FASTer Way.  Would be happy to have you join me on June 12th!

As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read today's post.  Hope you have been having a wonderful weekend!

Bootcamp - 6 Weeks In - Before & After

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

DENIM || WORKOUT LEGGINGS || SNEAKERS

The last time we met here to talk about health and fitness, I shared more with you all about the program that is changing my life...the FASTerWaytoFatloss Bootcamp!  If you missed my first post, don't worry, I've linked it HERE in the case you wish to catch up on why I decided to start this particular program in the first place.  Simply put...enough was ENOUGH for me and I HAD to make a change...and FAST!

Yesterday I wrapped up my first 6 weeks of this bootcamp and today, I'm excited to share my results!  I first must say that not only has my body transformed but my mental and emotional health has greatly improved as well.  The FASTerWaytoFatloss Bootcamp has taught me more about food than I have ever known...what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat, and how to properly fuel my body.  I learned a lot about food when doing Whole 30 but I've learned soooooo much more since starting this bootcamp.  I feel so much more educated and well equipped to make much smarter food choices!

In a short 6 weeks, I have realized that I have way more willpower than I have ever given myself credit for.  In the past, I struggled with my food choices and this program has given me food freedom.  I have so much more control over my choices and I no longer spend so much time thinking about my next meal.

In a short 6 weeks, I have grown stronger and have become leaner.  I am fueling my body with the right foods and I am working hard to burn fat & build lean muscle.  I feel stronger than I have in a really long time.  I'm sleeping better at night and both my mental and emotional well being has improved so much as well. I'm a happier and much healthier me.

It's hard to describe exactly how I feel (there's just so much I want to tell you all)...BUT simply put, starting the FASTerWaytoFatLoss Bootcamp is THE BEST decision I have EVER made for my health and overall well being.  Hands down.  This has now become a lifestyle...one that I can actually maintain and one that I am

So to now share a bit about my results from my first FASTerWaytoFatloss Bootcamp...

I've got to say, it was NEVER about the scale...we actually did not weigh ourselves until our last day of the 6 week program (I lost 7lbs this first round).  It was about understanding how to fuel our bodies & working out hard to burn fat and build lean muscle.  Of course, as you do those two things, the number on the scale will drop and so will the inches.

My personal success can be seen in the before and after pictures posted below!!!  Yes I lost weight & yes I lost inches BUT what I am most proud of is the way my body is starting to transform into a strong fit body that is capable of doing so much!  It was tough for me to share these images because the before image reminds me of a place that I never want to return to.  I place of dissatisfaction, a place of embarrassment, a place of sadness, a place where I couldn't find my inner strength, a place where I was unmotivated and had zero desire to do anything to better myself.  We have all been in that "place' at some point in our lives and you may be in that "place" right now.

I share all of this because I am beyond passionate about the FASTerWaytoFatloss bootcamp...I am personally experiencing something life changing and you can too!  I loved my first 6 weeks so much that I have already signed up for my second bootcamp that kicks off on 2/27/17!  I can't wait to get started again and join so many other amazing women who have walked in the same shoes.

If any of this resonates with you and if you are looking to make a change in your health and fitness lifestyle, I highly encourage you to consider joining me on 2/27!  It would be so great to have you on board with me!  You will be a part of a supportive group of women who share many of the same goals and who offer lots of support and encouragement too!

There are only a handful of spots left for the 2/27 bootcamp so grab your spot while you can.  You can join this amazing bootcamp HERE!

If you are considering joining me in this next round yet you have questions, please email me at kbstyled@gmail.com and I'd be happy to answer them!

Thank you for being so kind and taking the time to read today's post.  I hope you will decide to join me on a personal journey to change your life too!  Have a great start to your week!

The program that is changing my life!

Work hard, make a life change for the betterment of your health, then oh wait oops, I'm back to my old unhealthy habits.  Eating whatever I want and not working out.  How many times has this happened to you?  I know it has been one too many times for me.  The cycle is hard and frankly EXHAUSTING!

In 2016 I spent the first half of the year on Whole 30 making "that change" for once and for all and I saw great results but before long, life happened and I went back to my old ways of eating poorly and not working out.  So the weight that I lost starting to quickly pile back on.  Of the 30lbs that I lost, I ended up putting 20lbs back on in a short period of time.

Just typing that makes me so mad at myself.  I'm saying to myself, "what was the point of working so hard just to turn around and let it all go to waste".  Truly, I feel disappointed in myself because that initial weight loss did not come easy...I worked very HARD to lose that weight and was eating all things that were Whole 30 compliant (and no, I didn't cheat every once in a while).

Thinking back, it has become more clear to me why I may have fallen off of the wagon so much.  First off, I was doing it alone...sure some of my friends also did Whole 30 but no one did it as long as I did.  No one but myself was holding ME accountable and clearly over the long run, I couldn't continue to hold myself accountable.  I also wasn't educated enough about what to eat, when to eat it, how much of it to eat, etc.  My workouts became boring and I was no longer motivated.  I just couldn't sustain what I was doing so I gave up...literally.

Hence a New Year is around the corner and I knew I needed to make a change...once again.  I don't typically make resolutions at the start of a New Year but I committed to myself to get "it" back...to get my body back and to become a more healthy fit ME.  So what did I decide to do...I decided I was going to start Whole 30 all over again and start the same at home DVD workouts.

I was excited to have a plan but I honestly wasn't excited about the plan I had.  I was dreading it a bit, simply because I was going to be doing the same thing that I ultimately had great success with last year but it was also "the plan" that I wasn't able to sustain long term.  Leading up to the start of this year, I was honestly feeling unmotivated.  I know so many of you can probably relate to that feeling as well.

I need more and I was looking for something but I didn't know what I was looking for and then it HIT me square in the face.  I happened to see a post that my friend Beth, of @seersuckerandsaddles, posted on Instagram about a health and fitness program that she was doing and her testimonial immediately drew me in (not to mention her crazy good abs).  I immediately began to read more and the more I read the more I wanted to be involved...I wanted THIS PLAN to be MY PLAN!  It took me no more than about 10 minutes of reading to know that I was signing up and I was in!

Excitement consumed me...it was meant to be and I felt that I finally found something that was going to help me make a life long term change for the betterment of my health and fitness.  I will admit that I was a little nervous as well but the nervousness quickly subsided once I got started.

I'm sooooo HAPPY...let me tell you why...

The AMAZING program that I joined is Amanda Tress' FASTer Way to Fat Loss and I'm now 4 full weeks into the program and I'm heading into my 5th week.  This is THE program that is changing my life and that I expect will continue helping me make life long changes.

I can't say enough great things about this program...in such a short time, it has helped me understand food on a whole new level and it has helped me understand how working out and weight lifting will transform my body into a strong fit healthy body!  A body that WE ALL deserve to have...its a gift that we can give ourselves.

This program has also introduced me to the importance of intermitten fasting, which I knew nothing about beforehand...I mean NOTHING.  The only fasting I've ever done was fasting before having blood work taken.  Don't let the word fasting scare you (I'll be honest, it scared me at first) but it is an effective way to burn that stubborn body fat.  You will be so surprised with how easy it becomes to fast on a daily basis while still being able to eat plenty of food to fuel your body.

The FASTer Way to Fat Loss program has educated me so much on the right foods to eat, when to eat them, how much of them to eat, etc.  Amanda Tress provides you with detailed information on how to track your caloric intake while eating the right amount of protein, healthy carbs, and healthy fats.  It is mapped out and simple to follow.

Another thing that I have especially loved about this program is that you are in a Facebook support group with other women who are trying to achieve many of the same goals.  Being a part of a virtual support group has absolutely helped me with accountability.  We check in each day, we share recipe ideas, and we encourage one another along the way.  It's so amazing to not know many of these women but to feel like they are all there genuinely rooting you on wanting to see you succeed.

PLUS Amanda Tress is there acting like a personal trainer and coach along the way.  Simply put, she is AMAZING!  Amanda is always available to answer questions, to provide you with encouragement when you need it most, and to support you every step of the way throughout her program.  She wants every single person on her program to succeed and she will absolutely help you reach your goals.

Through the FASTer Way To Fat Loss, you'll learn how to fuel your body effectively to maintain optimal energy levels throughout the day.

• You will teach your body to burn fat naturally. 
• 
  
• You will be given the tools you need to restructure and repair your metabolic 
• system and increase your metabolism.
• 
  
• You will improve your hormone levels so you feel satiated.
• 
  
• You will learn how to workout in a smart, effective and efficient way.

I could go on and on and on about how much I LOVE the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program and how I highly recommend it to any of you who are looking to make a positive life change...one that will help set yourself up for long term success.  You've heard my thoughts and I want to share more of the ins and outs of the program with you.

Explore and learn more about the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program HERE!  I can tell you that I've already signed up for my second round and it will start on 2/27 (I'm so excited to continue on this journey)!  Amanda is currently accepting new clients for a 2/13 start and a 2/27 start.  If any of this speaks to you and if you are ready to get out of that vicious cycle that I personally just got myself out of, then this program is definitely for you.

To share with you all, I can definitely tell I've already lost weight (will weigh in at the end of 6 weeks) and inches (will take measurements at the end as well) and I've also taken some before/afters at 3 weeks in that I am beyond pleased with the results so far!  Seeing and feeling my results has lit my fire even more.  I'd be happy to share my results at 3 weeks in with you.

I get so excited just talking about it and I would be more than happy to answer any questions!  Please leave a comment below with any questions or you can always email me at kbstyled@gmail.com and I'd be happy to chat with you via email.

Thanks so much for taking time to read more about my personal journey and why I'm LOVING the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program.  I hope you will decide to join me in the program this month!