Amy Bellinger is on a mission — one that was inspired by changes in her own life.
A longtime interior designer, the fitness enthusiast realized the same desire to create comfortable, beautiful space for her clients’ homes also applied to their health.
“As a woman in my late 40s, I experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate hormone shifts, stubborn weight gain, energy dips and poor sleep,” the West Bloomfield resident says.
Discovering FASTer Way to Fat Loss, a fitness program that helps clients to lose weight and gain muscle while teaching them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Bellinger (fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=AmyBellinger) discovered that “whole-food nutrition, strategic strength training and sustainable habits could completely transform how I felt in my body — and change my body composition,” she says.
“After my own health transformation,” Bellinger says, “I felt drawn to health coaching to help others feel stronger, healthier and more confident.” Being a coach, she says, has “allowed me to guide so many women back into the confidence they thought they had lost.”
Here, a few of her favorite helpful tips.
TOP TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVING
Amy Bellinger helps clients to teach their body to burn fat for fuel through intermittent fasting, carb cycling, macro tracking and effective 30-minute at-home workouts.
“I help midlife women burn stubborn belly fat, build muscle, balance hormones and create sustainable healthy habits through whole food nutrition, strategic strength training and mindset coaching,” she says. Gone, she adds, are the days of undereating and overexercising.
• Batch Cook “I keep my food simple and family-friendly — when you have foods prepped and ready to go, you’ll be far less likely to grab mindless snacks because the nutritious choice becomes the easy choice,” she says. “I batch-cook protein like chicken, ground beef, turkey and hard-boiled eggs so I always have healthy options available. I do the same with my vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and Brussels sprouts so meals come together in minutes. While my vegetables are roasting I’ll add in sweet potatoes and cook rice a couple of times a week, so meals are grab-and-go. This keeps me consistent even on the busiest days. I add these items to salads, egg scrambles or bowls with a base of rice or potatoes.
• Planning and Prep “Eating at home is always healthier and, let's be honest, less expensive than eating out at restaurants or going through the drive-thru. A little bit of planning and prep goes a long way and will ensure you are in control of how you fuel your body,” Bellinger says. “When I do go out to eat, I set realistic expectations that it won't be perfect. I focus on dishes with protein and fiber to keep me full and satisfied. Most restaurants are accommodating when it comes to special requests: Ask to have your protein grilled instead of fried, for example. Most importantly, enjoy time with family and friends.”
• Pack and Go “Be prepared on the go by having healthy snacks prepped and ready. I always aim for a balance of protein or healthy fat paired with fiber to keep me full, energized and satisfied,” Bellinger says. “A great option is hard-boiled eggs because they are high in protein and perfect with cucumber slices. I also love tuna paired with seed crackers when I want something crunchy. For quick and portable, apples and berries are amazing high-fiber options that require zero prep. Add a handful of nuts or a spoonful of nut butter for the perfect combo of healthy fat and fiber for steady energy.”