CTC TOOLBOX LOSE THE FAT. KEEP THE FREEDOM.
A NEW BOOK BY LUCAS HEFFNER AUTHOR • CERTIFIED NUTRITION COACH • U.S. ARMY VETERAN • FOUNDER

Lose the Fat. Keep the Freedom.

A practical approach to losing weight, building habits that last, and finally getting off the diet roller coaster.

Digital PDF / EPUB available now • Founder’s Edition preorders open • Paperback coming soon First Edition Print Run
REAL PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION
Over 140 Pounds  Lost

I lost more than 140 pounds and learned how to keep it off without giving up the foods and life I enjoy.

140+ LBS LOST
16% BODY FAT
3 Years WEIGHT-LOSS JOURNEY
THE AUTHOR'S JOURNEY

I didn't write Cut the Crap because I've always had nutrition figured out. I wrote it because I didn't.

I know what it's like to struggle with weight, lose it, gain it back, and wonder why doing everything 'right' still doesn't seem to work. Eventually, I stopped looking for another diet and started learning how nutrition actually works.

I served in the U.S. Army Engineers. When it came to losing weight, I needed an approach I could realistically sustain.

Real transformation happened only when I treated my body as an engineering system: balancing the thermodynamic energy equation, leveraging protein for natural hunger suppression, and removing friction from daily life.

WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT

Energy balance
Protein
Food choices
Hunger
Tracking
Exercise
Habits
Mindset
Maintenance
How to evaluate nutrition claims
How to build a sustainable lifestyle

WHAT THIS BOOK IS NOT

A crash diet
A detox
A meal plan readers must follow forever
A forbidden-food list
A promise of effortless weight loss
Another temporary challenge

WHO IT'S FOR

Readers who have lost weight and regained it
Readers overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice
Readers who think they need more motivation
Readers who have tried restrictive diets
Readers who want to understand why weight loss works
Readers who want to enjoy food while maintaining a healthy body
Readers who want a system they can actually live with

CHOOSE YOUR EDITION

Choose your edition

PREORDER · LIMITED TO 250

Founder’s Edition

$69.99

Signed and individually numbered hardcover with the exclusive tan topographic cover.

  • Full-color interior
  • Includes EPUB + PDF downloads now
  • Shipping date not yet confirmed; pending final artwork, sample approval, printing, and signing
  • Free contiguous U.S. shipping; other destinations $14.99 per order

Lock in $69.99. The price increases 10% after every 50 copies sold. Preorder to secure the current price.

Preorder — Founder’s Edition — $69.99
COMING SOON

Paperback

$19.99

Coming soon — pending printed sample approval. The standard 6 × 9-inch paperback has the black, white, and orange cover and a black-and-white interior.

  • Choose direct website ordering or Amazon when available
  • The same book, produced by different printing services
  • Paper, finish, and binding may vary slightly

Direct shipping: $8.99 U.S. / $14.99 international. Amazon pricing, shipping, and delivery terms may vary.

AVAILABLE NOW · TWO FORMATS

Digital Bundle — EPUB + PDF

$9.99

Two downloadable formats with the standard paperback cover artwork. Buy directly from the author.

  • Full-color PDF preserves the designed page layout
  • EPUB offers adjustable text in compatible reading apps
  • Links connect you with the book’s online resources
  • Download access after payment; no shipping

The EPUB download is supplied in a ZIP file. Unzip it before opening it in your reading app.

Buy EPUB + PDF — $9.99
COMING SOON · AMAZON

Kindle Edition

$9.99

The ebook for your Amazon Kindle library, using the standard paperback cover artwork.

  • Read on a Kindle device or in the Kindle app
  • Adjust text size for comfortable reading
  • Purchased and delivered through Amazon
  • For a separate PDF download, choose the direct Digital Bundle

Buying questions

Why are there two paperback purchase options?

Paperback ordering through LucasHeffner.com and Amazon is coming soon, pending printed sample approval. Neither paperback option is available to buy yet. Both contain the same book, but different printing services produce them, so paper, print finish, and binding may vary slightly.

Buy direct to support the author directly. Review our shipping cost and delivery estimate before checkout. Buy on Amazon if you prefer your Amazon account and Amazon’s current price, delivery options, and return terms. Compare the total delivered cost and estimated arrival date to choose the option that suits you.

Will the Founder’s Edition price increase?

Yes. The price increases by 10% after every 50 paid copies sold, compounded and rounded to the nearest cent: copies 1–50: $69.99; 51–100: $76.99; 101–150: $84.69; 151–200: $93.16; 201–250: $102.47. Order Now to lock in the current book price. Your paid order’s book price will not increase later. Applicable tax and shipping are shown at checkout.

Which edition should I choose?

Choose Founder’s for the signed, numbered full-color hardcover and included downloads. Paperback is coming soon, pending printed sample approval, for readers who prefer the standard physical book. Choose the Digital Bundle for both EPUB and PDF files, or Kindle for your Amazon library.

What is the difference between the digital bundle and Kindle?

The direct bundle includes two files: a PDF that preserves the page design and an EPUB with adjustable text in compatible apps. The Kindle edition is delivered through Amazon. Relevant resource links can be included in both; access depends on your reading device or app and an internet connection.

How do I receive my digital downloads?

After payment, use the download links provided with your order. Founder’s orders also include both files. Unzip the EPUB download before importing it into your reading app. Keep your order confirmation so you can return to your downloads.

When will my Founder’s Edition ship?

Your included PDF and EPUB downloads are available immediately after payment. Physical copies are not ready to ship. Shipping depends on final artwork, printed sample approval, printing, and signing. The original December 1, 2026 target may be delayed; a shipping date is not yet confirmed.

FIRST BOOK RELEASE

Cut the Crap: The Flagship Guide

No detoxes, no forbidden-food lists, and no pretending you need to live on boiled chicken and broccoli.

THE COMPLETE METHODOLOGY • 18 CHAPTERS
CUT THE CRAP

Lose the Fat. Keep the Freedom.

A practical approach to sustainable weight loss without extreme diets, food guilt, or restrictive rules. Built on thermodynamics, habit design, and daily discipline.

AVAILABLE FORMATS

Official Book Release

Founder's Edition Hardcover
Signed. Numbered.
Limited edition
Preorder — Founder’s Edition Read Free Sample • Instant DRM-free digital downloads •
Direct distribution by Up Armor Publishing • Authored by Lucas Heffner, MBA, NASM-CNC Includes 18 Chapters • Full Field Frameworks • Free Digital Worksheets
INSIDE THE BOOK

What You'll Master in 18 Chapters

A rigorous, practical curriculum built from real client transformations, behavioral psychology, and metabolic science.

✓
The First Law of Thermodynamics Demystified

How energy balance actually dictates weight change without obsessive counting forever.

✓
The Protein Leverage Strategy

Using the thermic effect of food and peptide satiety hormones to kill uncontrollable cravings.

✓
The Minimum Viable Day Protocol

A non-negotiable floor that protects your momentum during vacations, illnesses, and busy work weeks.

✓

Enjoying real dinners, pizza with your children, and holiday gatherings without blowing up your progress.

TOOLBOX

"The book doesn't end on the last page."

Open the Cut the Crap Toolbox →
COMMUNITY

Find your battle buddy.

Join the Cut the Crap Community →
FAQ

Common questions.

What makes Cut the Crap different from another diet book?

Cut the Crap isn't actually a diet at all. It's a system built around sustainability and creating a healthy life you don't need to escape from.  Rather than relying on restrictions, rigid rules, or temporary fixes, it focuses on developing the mindset that leads to better decisions while preserving the freedom to enjoy the foods you love. The goal isn't just to lose weight. It's to build a healthier lifestyle that's achievable, enjoyable, and maintainable.  You don't need motivation or discipline. You just need to say yes.

Do I need to count calories?

No, but you do need to understand and manage your calories. Don't worry—that's a lot easier than it sounds.  You don't need to memorize calorie counts, do calculations in your head, or become a nutrition expert. I'll introduce you to simple tools that do the heavy lifting for you.  Your job is to use those tools, pay attention to what they're telling you, and make better decisions based on what you learn.  By the end of the book, you'll start viewing managing your energy consumption more like a game than a job. Instead of feeling restricted by the numbers, you'll learn how to use them to your advantage while still enjoying the foods you love.  You don't have to do the math. You just have to learn how to play the game.

Is this a meal plan?

No. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach, not a nutritionist, and Cut the Crap isn't a meal plan.  I'm not here to tell you to eat the foods I love, or the foods someone else thinks you should love.  I'm here to teach you how to make the foods you already love work for your health and your goals.Building nutritious, satisfying meals isn't a one-size-fits-all process, and this book makes no attempt to put it in a box. Instead, I'll give you the principles, tools, and practical concepts to build meals around your own tastes, preferences, and lifestyle.You'll also find examples to help you get started, but they're starting points, not rules you have to follow.  The goal isn't to teach you to eat like me. It's to teach you how to eat like you—only healthier, and just as enjoyable.

Is this only for people who need to lose a lot of weight?

Not at all. Cut the Crap is written for anyone who wants to lose weight, whether that's a little or a lot.  It's especially for those who know the frustration of losing weight, gaining it back, and repeating the same cycle over and over again. If you've ever felt like you're constantly starting over, this book was written with you in mind.  It's also written with faith-driven readers in mind. Throughout the book, we explore what Scripture teaches us about caring for the bodies we've been given. Good health isn't simply about appearance or vanity. It's about stewardship, honoring God with the lives we've been entrusted with, and becoming better equipped to fulfill our purpose.  Someone who has already reached and maintained a healthy weight may still find it an entertaining, insightful, and satisfying read.  But the primary audience is people who want to lose weight and finally make that progress last.  It's not about how much weight you have to lose. It's about taking care of the life you've been given, breaking the cycle for good, and becoming a better version of yourself along the way.

What is included with each edition?

Cut the Crap has four planned edition options; paperback and Kindle are coming soon, and every one contains the same valuable information, practical tools, and sustainable weight-loss system. No matter which edition you choose, you're getting the complete book.  Paperback (coming soon — pending printed sample approval): A traditional printed edition for readers who enjoy holding a physical book, highlighting passages, and keeping it within reach.  Downloadable PDF: A digital edition you can download and read on your preferred compatible device, without needing a Kindle account or a physical book.  Amazon Kindle Edition: A digital edition available through Amazon, designed for convenient reading on Kindle devices and the Kindle app.  Founder’s Edition Hardcover: Limited to just 250 individually numbered and personally signed copies, this premium edition was specially designed for supporters, friends, family, and fans who want to be part of the book's beginning.  The Founder’s Edition places special emphasis on the experience of receiving and owning the book. From its premium presentation to its carefully designed packaging, it's intended to be more than something you read once and put away. It's a collectible keepsake created to hold a special place on your bookshelf for years to come.A special advantage of the digital editions: If you enjoy digging deeper, consider the PDF or Kindle edition. These formats are built to include clickable and tappable links to Bible verses, scientific sources, and other resources referenced throughout the book, making it easier to explore the information behind what you're reading.  Four editions. The same valuable information. Choose the experience that's right for you.

When will physical books ship?

Digital PDF and EPUB editions are available now. Founder’s Edition orders are open and include both downloads immediately after payment. Physical books are awaiting final artwork and printer sample approval, followed by printing and signing. Our original December 1, 2026 target may be delayed; a shipping date is not yet confirmed. Paperback ordering is coming soon, pending printed sample approval.

Is the Founder’s Edition limited?

Absolutely. The Founder’s Edition of Cut the Crap is strictly limited to 250 individually numbered and personally signed copies.

This special edition was created to recognize the supporters, friends, and family who are part of the book’s beginning.

Once all 250 copies have been sold, orders for the Founder’s Edition will close permanently, and it will no longer be available for purchase through the website.

Only 250 copies. No second printing. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Still Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

Your journey doesn’t end when you finish the book.

Have a question we haven’t answered?  Visit the Cut the Crap Community, where you can ask questions, share your experiences, connect with others, and find support along the way.

And don’t forget to explore the Cut the Crap Toolbox, filled with free resources designed to help you put what you’ve learned into action.

The tools are available to explore anytime, but they’ll make a lot more sense after you’ve read the book and understand the principles behind them.

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