Belle Vitale vs. FASTer Way to Fat Loss: My Honest Midlife Review

The midlife glow up...

If you’re a midlife woman navigating hormone shifts, stubborn belly fat, and the deep craving to feel good in your body again, this post is for you. I’ve walked the path (and still am on the path). I’ve felt the overwhelm and defeat.

And today, I want to share an honest, from-the-heart comparison of two holistic programs I’ve personally committed to: Belle Vitale and The FASTer Way to Fat Loss.

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My Starting Point: The Breaking Point

At 45, with a hysterectomy behind me (age 38) and years of failed "diets" and minimal results, I found myself wondering, "Is this just how it is now?" 

The weight, the aching joints, the night sweats, the low energy—they were all taking a toll. I was hiding from photos, avoiding social media, and just not feeling like me. It was impacting EVERYTHING...my social life, my business and my parenting.

So I said enough. I committed.

First to Belle Vitale, and later to The FASTer Way.

Here’s what I experienced and what I think every midlife woman should know.

Program #1: Belle Vitale...first and foremost, this is an amazing program and very well put together. Autumn is my spirit trainer-hahaha!

What it is: A 12-week holistic reset divided into three progressive phases. Includes:

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, corn free, alcohol-free eating

• A container-based system (like portion control)

• Intermittent fasting (start at 12 hours, build to 14)

• Carb cycling

• Supplements (for blood sugar and stress)

• Long Pilates + strength workouts

• Weekly breathwork and lifestyle rituals (optional) for stress

  
  

My experience:

• Phase 1: I felt amazing within 4 days. I loved the structure and the breathwork. I thrived with the food and with the combination of weights and pilates. It was new, fresh, fun! It did however lack community. This is huge part of my journey I am still working towards...we underestimate the power of connection with weight loss and midlife glow ups.

• By Phase 3: The workouts became too long (up to 75 minutes because I had to pause to switch bands), and I started to feel burnt out. As a Human Design Projector, I noticed bitterness creep in when things felt unsustainable. My back took a toll as well with the up and down from the ground. This is just me though, I am not saying it will happen to you.

• Results: Lost ~11 pounds total. Broke a plateau I hadn’t cracked in 4 years. But by the end, I was ready for something different—more freeing, more intuitive.

Belle Vitale Results...I didn't take before pics or measurements because I was at such a low. I lost 11lbs.

Program #2: The FASTer Way to Fat Loss

What it is: A lifestyle-focused program designed to teach you how to eat, train, and thrive long-term. Starts with a 6-week round and flows into VIP for continued results. The 6-week round is like an activation (or kickstart). It teaches you the WHY and allows slow progression of each pillar of the FASTer Way (whole foods nutrition, intermittent fasting, hydration, macros, carb cycling, aligned workouts with nutrition). I loved this because it wasn't a "day 1 all in" kind of feeling. It was more of a "build on your habits" feeling.

Includes:

• Macro tracking instead of containers

• Flexible intermittent fasting (12–16 hours)

• Weekly carb cycling (Monday + Tuesdays)

• Whole food nutrition (gluten/dairy free)

• 30-minute strength-based and HIIT workouts

• Mindset + community support

• Easy-to-use app with everything in one place

  
  

My experience:

• Transition: I started parts of FASTer Way to Fat Loss during my last 2 weeks of Belle Vitale. The freedom, simplicity, and results won me over fast.

• Within 2 weeks: My body changed in ways I hadn’t seen in years. The shorter workouts fit my life better, and the macro focus helped me realize I wasn’t eating enough protein. Can I just tell you how much I love macros and intermittent fasting??? I shunned it for many years-hahahaha

• Now: I feel stronger, more intuitive, and so empowered. This is a lifestyle, not a diet!!

  
  

I’m currently obsessed with the FASTer Way VIP programming—especially their fresh monthly wellness themes that keep things exciting, focused, and aligned with how I want to feel.

April 4th-May 15th when I transitioned to FASTer Way to Fat Loss

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Belle Vitale	FASTer Way
Length	12-week program	6-week round + lifestyle ongoing VIP community
Nutrition	Container-based + food list	Macro-based + food freedom
Fasting	12-14 hr progression	12-16 hr, flexible
Workouts	Pilates + strength (60-75 min)	30 min strength +HIIT with recovery days like Yoga +Pilates
Supplements	Required	Optional (can pair with their line or any line)
Community	None	FB group AND my coaching and check ins
Sustainability	Rigid but powerful	Flexible, empowering, fun

My Honest Advice

If you’re looking for a reset and love structured plans, Belle Vitale might work well. You do need the time to complete the longer workouts. If you’re like me—in midlife, craving results with more ease, joy, and freedom—The FASTer Way is where it’s at.

I’ve never felt more aligned with my body, my mission, and my confidence. I’m back in the pictures. I’m showing up in my business. I’m having fun again. I even got certified to coach the FASTer Way...that's how much I love it!!

My full midlife glow up thus far...I am still going. I am finding beYOUty in the becoming.

Update on Supplements

I’ve recently been testing some new supplements to enhance my results. While I’m still a fan of the LifeVantage MB GLP-1 Activating System, I experienced some sensitivity to maltodextrin in certain products, so I’m taking a pause to reassess and will share my full review soon. Currently I am taking Creatine and Collagen from FASTer Way, Hydrate + Detox (Hugh & Grace), Make Wellness Fit and Lean.

I love my drinks and I am the one who wants to test it all and then compile what works! So most likely I've tried many of the companies and supplements if you ever want my honest opinion. I am an affiliate for FASTer Way, Hugh & Grace and LifeVantage. We are all so different and different things work differently for everyone. Just call me your midlife tester.

Join the StrongHER Midlife Movement

This journey reignited my love of fitness and nutrition as the FIRST step to a midlife glow up and inspired me to launch the StrongHER Midlife Movement—a community helping women gain clarity, energy, intuition, self-awareness, and confidence using the FASTer Way.

If you want:

• To feel strong again (physically + mentally)

• A coach who gets it

• A program that works with your life, not against it

Join me. 💫 I coach using the FASTer Way Method!

Learn more about my next StrongHER Round with FASTer Way

Final Thoughts

Midlife is not a crisis—it’s an awakening. If your body is whispering to you, it’s time to listen. Whether it’s Belle Vitale, FASTer Way, or a blend of both, my mission is to help you find your glow-up groove.

You’re not behind. You’re right on time!!!

A great first step to stop dieting and still burn fat is to grab this free guide here ASAP! Learn the secrets to successful fat loss without the dieting chaos.

PS: My heart will always love Bodi for all the years and joy it has given me (there was a ton of not so fun things that came from those years too, but more joy than not). If you feel like Belle Vitale may be a better choice, I am an affiliate...but I don't coach using this program. Here is the link. Use code KELLYJ1BODI for 15% off.

My FASTer Way Shop. I am obsessed with the Mango Collagen.

My Hugh & Grace Store. I am obsessed with Hydrate + Detox.