lost 31 pounds in about 60 days. “I’m keeping it off, which hasn’t happened before,” she says. “If you’re anything like me, your body has some surprises in store for you. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something different!”

MEXICAN RICE Toss 1⁄2 cup brown rice, 1⁄4 cup beans, 1⁄2 cup corn, half a diced avocado, 1 Tbs. olive oil, lime juice, onion, cilantro and salsa (11 grams of protein)

CHIPS & FRUIT1 serving sweet-potato chips made with coconut oil and 1–2 servings berries or any low-sugar fruit, such as grapefruit or pome-granate (3 grams of protein)

Breakfast Lunch DinnerSnacks

Eat to boost fat burn!

FAST-METABOLISM COFFEEIn a vented blender, blitz 2 cups hot brewed coffee, 11⁄2 Tbs. grass-fed unsalted butter and 1 Tbs. coconut oil or MCT oil until frothy (0 grams of protein)

GREEK SALADTop romaine lettuce with sliced bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, 1⁄4 cup feta and 2–3 Tbs. olive oil vinaigrette; 1 whole-grain pita (9 grams of protein)

Though protein -cycling works at every stage of life, we tend to accumulate more junk and damage over the years—so the older you are, the more you stand to benefit!

Real-world wowStarting in her mid-30s, Brandy Werle says, “I was always tired and wasn’t happy with how I looked, but I thought it was just part of getting older.” The Florida mom and HR director, 44, tried plenty of diets. “I’d lose a little, then put it right back on, plus more.” A friend finally told her about protein-cycling. “I liked the concept of using up what’s inside of you, so I tried it.” The low-protein days were an adjustment, but once Brandy figured out foods she enjoys—like minestrone soup and stuffed sweet potatoes—“I looked forward to them!” Her energy shot up; her skin and mood improved too. She also

much faster,” says Whittel, who first experimented with protein- cycling after she heard top researchers were using the technique personally. Another key: Renewed cells optimize

levels of many hormones, including ones that

regulate hunger and mood. Dr. Wang says there’s evidence that levels of insulin —a hormone that stores excess blood sugar

as fat—improve too. “And as insulin normal-

izes, diabetes risk is reduced and fat burning increases,” notes Whittel.

Improved insulin and reduced cellular waste are also factors that help soothe a type of internal inflammation linked to weight gain, brain fog, skin problems and health conditions often blamed on aging. So all those problems start to disappear. Bonus:

hauls them to the ‘recycling cen-ter’ within each cell,” explains University of Texas metabolism expert Richard Wang, M.D., Ph.D. Recycled material is then used to meet the body’s protein needs. As an incredible bonus, experts say our healthy cells are purged of any toxic junk, while “broken” cells are destroyed and replaced with new ones. So lower-protein days not only make you feel younger, in a very real sense, they help you become younger!

Expect amazing benefitsOne of the first things women using Whittel’s plan tend to notice is a huge increase in vital-ity. One big reason: “The tiny metabolic furnaces in each cell are able to turn fuel into energy

We’ve long heard that protein speeds metabolism—and

it’s true. Protein maintains muscle, which keeps us strong and stokes calorie burn. “You’ll still consume all the protein you need, but you’ll get it

in concentrated doses on higher-protein days,” Whittel explains. And then on low-protein days, surprising and transforming things happen…

The alternate-day secret Whittel’s protein-cycling approach is inspired in part by Nobel Prize–winning research that found when our bodies sense a nutrient shortage, they sound an alarm and suddenly it’s “recycling day” inside of us. “The body gathers up what are essentially little garbage bags of cellular waste and old damaged cells”—most of which happen to be very rich in protein—“and

Over 50? Metabolism slowing down? There’s an easy weight-loss plan that was literally made for you! Wellness expert Naomi Whittel created it while looking for strategies that adapt best to a woman’s changing hormones, and the gist is this: Just start alternating between days with higher- and lower-protein intakes. “It’s such a simple strategy, yet research tells us it makes our cells act younger, slowing and even reversing the aging process,” reveals the Glow15 author. Most notably, it targets age-related weight gain. In a University of Jacksonville study, scientists found that 100% of perimenopausal and postmenopausal “protein cyclers” lost weight—dropping up to 10 pounds a week as wrinkles disappeared, blood pressure improved and sleep deepened. Adds Whittel: “You can feel totally rejuvenated in 15 days!”

Not long ago, Debbie Ferrell’s health was in a downward spiral. “I had constant fatigue, swollen ankles, shooting pain from my back down to my knees,” recalls the Tennessee grain inspector, 56. “I knew my weight made it worse, but I couldn’t seem to lose.” Luckily, she heard about protein-cycling in a docu-mentary. “I liked that it was different from all the other diets I tried that didn’t work.” She found low-protein days easy, enjoying huge salads and veggie stir-fries. “I felt so good, and I lost 17 pounds in my first 15 days!” In mere months, she shrunk from a size 20 to a 10. Her tiredness, pain and brain fog are all gone. “I feel like I’m 25 years old again!”

Debbie lost 73 lbs!

J. M

ulle

r P

ho

tog

rap

hy. H

&M

: Je

ssic

a P

ee

ble

s. G

ett

y (3

); S

hu

tte

rsto

ck. T

ext:

Alli

son

Ne

me

tz

Enjoying meals like this just three days a week is all it takes to work magic

On three nonconsecutive days each week, have the special cof-fee (at right), for breakfast (it jump-starts the cell renewal process), then limit yourself to 25 grams of protein throughout the day—the amount in 11⁄2 cups of black beans or 3 oz. of meat. A free food log like the one at MyFitnessPal.com makes tracking protein easy. On higher-protein days, eating is unrestricted, but aim for plenty of protein (you want 100 grams total). To maximize results, opt for natural, unprocessed food on all days. As always, get a doctor’s okay to try any new plan.

Woman’s World 10/7/19 23

Discover the protein-cycling trick that can help you

LOSE 17 LBS IN 15 DAYS

For more great tips, guidelines and recipes, pick up a copy of Glow15 or check out NaomiWhittel.com

In blender, in batches, puree 2 cans beans and broth. In soup pot, sauté garlic in hot oil 45 seconds. Add bean puree, kale, pepper flakes, remaining beans and addi-tional seasoning to taste; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until kale wilts, 15–20 minutes. 6 servings

3 (15 oz.) cans white beans, rinsed, drained

1 (32 oz.) cont. reduced-sodium beef broth

3 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. olive oil 4 cups kale, chopped Pinch of red pepper flakes

Easy, Comforting Bean Soup! This satisfying recipe boasts 13 grams of protein for a generous, hearty bowlful…

BEFORE

Heal a broken metabolismSLIMMING SUCCESS

IT WORKS!

Protein-cycling triggers cellular renewal linked to 69% more brainpower, 56% fewer sick days, 44% better mood and

a 32% lower risk of diabetes

Fact!