Lately, I’ve been hearing a version of the same thing from a lot of women: “I’m not doing any more fad diets. I’m done.” Then immediately, “But also... it’s almost Summer and I kind of want to panic-cut everything.”
I get it. You want to feel leaner, tighter, and a little more like yourself when you're pulling clothes out of storage or thinking about swimsuits and photos and all the warm-weather things. You want RESULTS. But you also don’t want to be starving, stressed, or doing something that backfires as soon as real life kicks in again.
You've been there. You've done that.
So here’s what I’d do right now if I wanted to lose fat before summer ... quickly, but without tracking, without drugs, and without turning into a shell of a person.
First, I’d eat three actual, robust meals a day. Not six baby snacks. Not random bites. Just three meals, spaced about four to five hours apart, that are big enough to hold me over until the next one. Each meal would have a solid 35 to 45 grams of protein, some fat (10-20g), and a good amount of fiber (7-10g). Enough to keep blood sugar stable and my brain quiet between meals. I'd make sure the meals were colorful for a wide variety of micronutrients and have some fermented foods in there too. And for added satiety, I'd make sure the meal had enough VOLUME. So let's say I got my protein, fat and fiber in with 1 sandwich, I'd add a bunch of volume on the side with some additional raw or steamed veggies.
Next, I’d dial in my up carbs without cutting them too much. I’d focus on whole-food carbs that digest slowly and actually give me something back ... things like squash, root vegetables, lentils, and fruit. I’d eat those in at least 2 of my meals, maybe all 3 if I were really active or trying to heal my hypothryoidism or high cortisol. But I'd be sure to stick with what my body can use in each sitting without needing to store. So around 25-35g net carbs for me (and most women).
I’d stop eating after dinner, with 3 hours of fasting before bedtime and aim for a 12 to 14 hour overnight fast. Nothing extreme — just a simple rhythm that gives your body time to reset. It’s great for digestion, blood sugar, inflammation, and it supports longevity too.
Then I’d lift 3 -4 times a week. Real strength training—two upper, two lower, or a few full-body sessions depending on frequency. The goal would be to challenge my muscles, protect my lean mass, and remind my metabolism that I’m here to build, not break down.
I’d also move more every day besides formal exercise. Walks. Errands. Extra flights of stairs. Pacing while I pretend to fold laundry. Dancing in the kitchen or between strength training sets. It all adds up. I wouldn’t obsess over a step number, but I’d be aware that daily movement is one of the quiet forces behind sustainable fat loss.
On the cravings front, I’d make sure I was actually eating enough at meals. Most cravings aren’t mysterious. They’re a sign that something earlier in the day didn’t quite hit the mark—blood sugar crash, under-eating, poor sleep, stress. When you give your body what it actually needs, it stops sending you emergency signals at 4 PM or 10 PM.
And, I’d protect my sleep like it mattered. In bed by 10. Cool, dark, boring room. No scrolling. Phone on airplane mode. Maybe some magnesium. Mouthtape. Done. Nothing will derail your energy, cravings, or hormones faster than poor sleep. Nothing will help you bounce back faster than fixing it.
None of this is fancy. It’s not sexy. But the results are! It works ... without the crash. When you give your body consistency, clarity, and enough fuel to feel safe, it responds. You can absolutely lose fat in the next several weeks this way and still feel like a functioning human while you do it.
This type of no BS strategy is exactly what me and the women inside The Metabolic Edge are focused on right now. No gimmicks. Just structure that works and support that actually helps you stick with it. If that’s what you need too, come join us! Even if you just try it out for a month -- I double dog dare you to dedicate the next full month (May 19th - June 19th) towards your goals so you walk into the new season feeling at home in your body.
XO,
Tara
P.S. Got this message from a member a few days ago. I definitely suggest taking some baseline pics now and again after 4-5 weeks inside The Metabolic Edge! You can even hide them in a hidden folder on your phone. No one needs to see them but you ... but the you in a month is going to be SO happy to have them.
