Are GLP-1 medications the answer to weight loss — or just one piece of a much bigger picture?

Episode #252 🎙️ In this episode, Megan Ramos and Dr. Terri Lance unpack the growing conversation around GLP-1 medications and how they fit into a broader health journey.

With increasing pressure, confusion, and mixed messaging around these medications, they explore a more balanced perspective — one that removes shame while also setting realistic expectations. GLP-1s can be a helpful tool for some people, but they are not a standalone solution.

They discuss how these medications work, common misconceptions, and what happens when they're used in isolation without addressing nutrition, fasting, and mindset. They also share practical guidance on how to use them responsibly — including dosing, side effects, and why "more" is not always better.

👉 What you'll learn: • What GLP-1 medications are and how they work • Why they are not a complete solution on their own • How fasting, nutrition, and mindset fit alongside GLP-1 use • The risks of relying on medication without lifestyle change • Why dosing matters (and why more isn't always better) • How to think about GLP-1s as part of a personalised toolbox

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — GLP-1s as a "tool, not the toolbox" 00:44 — Why GLP-1s are suddenly everywhere 03:00 — Common medications and what they're used for 04:43 — How GLP-1s became associated with weight loss 08:45 — Can you fast while taking GLP-1s? 09:47 — The "all or nothing" mindset problem 12:14 — Real-world use: GLP-1s as a short-term tool 14:52 — How GLP-1s fit into overall health strategy 15:57 — Why there is no "magic bullet" 17:30 — What happens when GLP-1s are used alone 19:27 — Fasting vs GLP-1s: short-term vs long-term tools 21:50 — Side effects, dosing, and quality of life 24:13 — How long should GLP-1s be used? 26:01 — Why behaviour change still matters 28:07 — Medication vs mindset change 30:59 — Why fasting alone isn't enough either 33:04 — Ultra-processed foods and GLP-1s 35:00 — Responsible use and long-term health 39:50 — The bigger goal: independence from tools

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

You've hit your goal weight… so why does it still feel fragile?

🎙️ In this bonus episode, Coach Heather Shuker explains the phase nobody talks about — the period after weight loss but before true weight stability.

Even though you've reached your goal, your body may still be trying to pull you back to your previous weight. This is the most vulnerable stage of the journey — where regain is most likely to happen.

Heather breaks down why this happens, how your body's set point plays a role, and why waiting until you've finished losing weight to think about maintenance is one of the biggest mistakes people make.

🔗 Webinar registration link:

https://thefastingmethod.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-_yZCIk6SUmuJfnN35qm_Q#/registration

Learn more about Make It Stick here:

👉 https://mailchi.mp/thefastingmethod/makeitstick

What made this time different after years of losing and regaining weight?

Episode #251 🎙️ In this episode, Coach Heather Shuker is joined by Susan to share her 69-pound transformation and the mindset shifts that finally made it sustainable.

After losing significant weight multiple times in the past, only to regain it, Susan approached this journey differently. Instead of focusing only on the scale, she prioritized health, biomarkers, and building habits she could actually maintain long term.

Together, they discuss the importance of consistency, community support, and creating structure that fits real life. They also explore the emotional side of change — including grieving old habits and learning how to move forward without falling back into all-or-nothing thinking.

👉 What you'll learn: • What made this transformation different from past attempts • Why focusing on health (not just weight) changes everything • The role of consistency over perfection • How coaching and community support impact success • Why grieving old habits is part of the process • How to recover from setbacks without starting over

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Health vs weight loss: what changed this time 00:52 — Multiple past weight loss attempts and regain 02:59 — Starting with simple structure (2 meals, no snacking) 03:39 — Creating a sustainable way of eating 04:39 — Coaching, journaling, and daily reinforcement 06:23 — Biomarkers, health progress, and non-scale wins 07:46 — What made this time different 09:34 — Obstacles, setbacks, and avoiding all-or-nothing thinking 11:12 — Why consistency mattered more than intensity 13:17 — Tracking progress and building momentum 14:06 — Giving yourself grace and having a re-entry plan 15:25 — Food choices, trade-offs, and long-term thinking 17:06 — Health risks as motivation for change 18:01 — Advice for getting started 19:13 — Fear of regain and long-term maintenance strategy 20:04 — The role of consistency and community 21:19 — Support, mindset, and staying on track 22:04 — Final reflections and key takeaways

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Make It Stick — Coach Heather Shuker If you've lost weight but worry it won't last, this is the phase that matters most.

Make It Stick is a 12-week, coach-led program designed specifically for the transition from weight loss to maintenance — helping you stabilise your results, reinforce habits, and build a way of eating that holds up in real life.

👉 Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/thefastingmethod/makeitstick

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How do you know what your body actually needs — and what you don't?

Episode #250 🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Terri Lance is joined by Coach Lisa Chance to break down the confusion around supplements, vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and peptides.

Rather than following generic supplement lists or copying what others take, they explain how to approach supplementation intelligently. From understanding the roles of different nutrients to using testing and symptoms as feedback, this conversation emphasizes a personalized, evidence-based approach.

They also explore practical considerations like timing, absorption, and how fasting changes how supplements should be used.

👉 What you'll learn: • The difference between enzymes, hormones, vitamins, and peptides • Why "test, don't guess" is key for supplementation • How to assess what your body actually needs • Why copying someone else's supplement routine doesn't work • How timing and absorption impact effectiveness • Common supplement mistakes and how to avoid them

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Enzymes, hormones, vitamins: understanding the basics 01:56 — Why supplement confusion is so common 05:09 — "Test, don't guess": how to assess your needs 06:44 — Timing, absorption, and fasting considerations 08:01 — Real example: vitamin D timing and sleep 09:59 — How to know if a supplement is working 10:42 — Functional and blood testing explained 12:24 — Absorption strategies and common mistakes 13:50 — Nutrient interactions and spacing supplements 16:12 — When supplementation is actually needed 18:17 — Quality, dosing, and reading labels 20:57 — What fasters should consider with supplements 22:54 — Taking supplements while fasting 24:45 — Avoiding "expensive urine" and over-supplementation 26:14 — Food first vs supplementation 27:25 — Advanced testing and working with practitioners 29:38 — Individualization and biofeedback

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Why does one meal a day work at first—then suddenly stall?

Episode #249 🎙️ In this week's episode, Megan Ramos breaks down the pros and pitfalls of one-meal-a-day fasting (OMAD).

While OMAD can produce quick early results, it often plateaus for people with insulin resistance. Megan explains why daily OMAD can shift the body into chronic calorie restriction instead of true physiological fasting—and why that distinction matters.

She also shares practical strategies for using OMAD more effectively, including how variation in fasting schedules can help preserve metabolic rate, trigger a true fasting response, and break through stubborn plateaus.

👉 What you'll learn: • Why OMAD often works at first but then stops working • The difference between calorie restriction and true physiological fasting • How the body adapts to the same fasting pattern every day • Why insulin resistance changes how OMAD affects results • How metabolic rate can slow during chronic calorie restriction • A smarter way to structure OMAD using fasting variation

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Why OMAD works at first but then plateaus 01:14 — What OMAD actually means 02:57 — When OMAD can work 04:02 — Why OMAD stalls for insulin resistance 05:22 — Daily fasting and metabolic adaptation 06:09 — Calorie restriction vs physiological fasting 08:15 — The household budget analogy 09:45 — Why the body slows its "spending" 11:22 — What happens during true fasting 14:07 — Why fasting variation matters 16:45 — The 30/16 OMAD variation strategy 18:16 — When eating more can break plateaus 19:50 — Structuring OMAD by fasting hours 20:52 — Situations where OMAD can still work 23:34 — How to batch 24-hour fasts safely

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Bonus Bundle Order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team.

⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/

👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Why do we keep eating when we're not physically hungry?

Episode #248 🎙️ Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Terri Lance explore hedonic hunger—the drive to eat for pleasure rather than physical need.

In this episode, Terri and Dr. Fung examine how ultra-processed foods are engineered to maximize reward, how dopamine and food addiction shape eating behavior, and why the advice to simply "eat less" misses the real problem. They also explore conditioned hunger and how environment, advertising, and daily habits can drive eating even when the body does not physically need food.

This conversation challenges simplistic calorie-focused advice and reframes overeating through a biological and behavioral lens.

👉 What you'll learn: • What hedonic hunger is and how it differs from physical hunger • How ultra-processed foods are engineered to maximize pleasure and minimize satiety • Why some foods can trigger addictive eating patterns • How food addiction parallels other addictions in the brain • Why "eat less" fails to address the real issue • How conditioned hunger and environment influence eating behavior

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Why we eat for pleasure, not just hunger 02:29 — What hedonic hunger really is 05:15 — How ultra-processed foods are engineered for reward 08:19 — Food addiction and why moderation advice can fail 12:45 — Why identifying the real problem matters 19:23 — Conditioned hunger and the food environment 23:20 — Social influence, habits, and automatic eating 27:21 — Using behavioral psychology to change eating patterns 33:06 — Why this is not your fault 38:20 — Mindset shifts, real food, and changing the conversation

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Pre-Order Bonus Bundle Order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Jason Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team. ⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/ 👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

When motivation rises, intensity often follows — but more isn't always better.

Episode #247

🎙️ As March motivation kicks in, many people feel tempted to fast harder and faster.

In this episode, Megan Ramos and Dr. Terri Lance explore what it really means to "turn up the dial" on fasting — and how to do it strategically without sabotaging consistency. As vacations and summer plans approach, it's common to focus on how many pounds can be lost in a short window, but, as Terri reminds us, focusing on habits and behaviors instead of the scale leads to far more sustainable results.

Megan and Terri discuss alternate day fasting, planning in two-week blocks, building pivot plans for when life happens, and why meal planning is just as important as fasting structure. They also cover better progress metrics beyond the scale — including inches, body composition tools, glucose variability, and tracking hunger patterns.

If you're feeling inspired to fast more this spring, this episode will help you do it in a way that builds momentum — not burnout.

👉 What you'll learn: • Why focusing on habits beats chasing pounds • How over-planning can sabotage progress • Why alternate day fasting improves consistency • The importance of building pivot plans • How to plan meals alongside fasting days • Why "you can't out-fast a poor eating relationship" • Better metrics to track than just the scale • How to carry consistency into summer

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — The travel deadline mindset trap 02:51 — Why March motivation surges 04:06 — Habits vs. outcome obsession 06:03 — The danger of over-aggressive plans 07:31 — The power of alternate day fasting 09:45 — Why you must plan your meals too 11:04 — You can't out-fast your eating relationship 13:38 — Micronutrients, balance, and sustainability 14:22 — Building "safe food" systems 17:31 — Better progress metrics than the scale 20:18 — Inches, body composition & ZOZOFIT 22:34 — Glucose variability & coefficient of variation 23:52 — Tracking hunger & cravings 25:02 — Closing strategy for spring

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Pre-Order Bonus Bundle Pre-order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Jason Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team. ⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/ 👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

What really happens when you try to quit sugar — and why perfection isn't required to experience freedom.

Episode #246 🎙️ You don't have to be perfect to change your relationship with sugar.

In this episode, Coaches Terri and Heather explore what actually happens when people try to quit sugar — especially when perfectionism and cultural pressure get in the way. They discuss the common fear of "missing out," why short-term challenges can be powerful experiments, and how reducing sugar can quiet food noise, reduce cravings, and improve fasting success.

Rather than framing sugar as a lifelong ban, this conversation focuses on practical experience: What happens when you step away for 30 days? What do you learn? And how do you avoid the all-or-nothing trap that derails so many attempts at change?

👉 What you'll learn: • Why perfectionism sabotages most sugar resets • How catastrophizing keeps people stuck • Why short-term challenges are easier to commit to than lifelong rules • What happens to cravings and food noise when insulin drops • How cultural and family traditions influence food choices • The difference between moderation and abstinence • Why "dose makes the poison" • How to evaluate whether sugar truly adds value to your life

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Sugar and the "but I like it" belief 02:11 — The idea of a "Free February" reset 04:08 — What the no sugar, no grains challenge revealed 06:27 — Why perfectionism derails progress 09:03 — Culture, holidays, and food identity 12:10 — Why short-term experiments work 13:48 — The early discomfort phase 16:15 — Sugar is everywhere: environmental priming 19:22 — Would your event really be better with sugar? 22:28 — Vacation, Disney, and defined indulgence rules 24:29 — Touching the hot stove: learning from experience 25:31 — Final reflections and encouragement

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Pre-Order Bonus Bundle Pre-order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Jason Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team. ⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/ 👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Why shorter fasts often stop working once insulin resistance is established — and what therapeutic fasting is actually designed to do.

Episode #245 🎙️ If you're fasting daily and still feel stuck, you may be stopping right before the real metabolic shift begins.

In this solo episode, Megan Ramos explains why shorter fasts — like 14–18 hours — often stop producing results once insulin resistance is established. She breaks down what insulin resistance really means (even without a diabetes diagnosis), why hormones and life stage change your fasting response, and when time-restricted eating is no longer enough.

This episode blends commonly asked questions with foundational strategy, helping you understand when it's time to move beyond short daily fasts and how to safely use therapeutic fasting to actually break insulin resistance.

👉 What you'll learn: • Why 14–18 hour fasts often stop working • What insulin resistance really means (with or without diabetes) • Why insulin doesn't drop into a healing range until around 24 hours • How menopause and estrogen dominance affect fasting results • The difference between time-restricted eating and therapeutic fasting • How to structure 24-hour fasts to rebuild your fasting "muscle" • Why heavy cream and fat-based fasting aids can stall progress • How to use the "rule of three" to improve eating days

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Why short fasts stop working 02:00 — The 16–18 hour plateau 07:03 — The 24-hour insulin drop explained 10:06 — Menopause, estrogen dominance, and insulin resistance 11:11 — Starting with time-restricted eating properly 13:11 — Batching 24-hour fasts 16:43 — What therapeutic fasting actually means 18:01 — Electrolytes and salt: what to use and when 22:31 — Why fat-based fasting aids stall progress 23:33 — Eating day mistakes 24:59 — The "rule of three" for food variety 30:26 — Satiation, fatty protein, and dialing it in 32:06 — Closing thoughts

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Pre-Order Bonus Bundle Pre-order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Jason Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team. ⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/ 👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Why calorie counting fails — and why hunger, not willpower, drives eating behavior.

Episode #244

🎙️ If calories alone controlled weight, calorie counting would work. But it doesn't — because hunger is the real driver.

In this episode, Dr. Terri Lance is joined by Dr. Jason Fung to unpack why the traditional "eat less, move more" model fails so many people. They explain why calorie counting ignores the biology of hunger and how hormones, food quality, and different types of hunger determine whether calories are burned or stored. This conversation reframes weight gain as a biological process — not a personal failure — and lays the groundwork for understanding eating behavior through hunger regulation rather than willpower.

👉 What you'll learn: • Why calorie counting fails for long-term weight loss • How hunger — not willpower — drives eating behavior • Why hormones determine whether calories are burned or stored • The difference between homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned hunger • How ultra-processed foods disrupt satiety and increase hunger • Why focusing on hunger leads to more sustainable results than restricting calories

⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Why calorie counting became the dominant model 02:50 — Calories vs hormones: what really controls fat storage 05:00 — Why identical calories have different effects on hunger 08:03 — The alcoholism analogy: why "just eat less" fails 10:39 — Asking "why" to find the real cause of weight gain 11:45 — Homeostatic hunger and the role of hormones 13:42 — Hedonic hunger, food addiction, and ultra-processed foods 18:43 — Hunger, metabolism, and why restriction backfires 22:18 — Conditioned hunger and social environment 26:35 — Body weight set point and the "thermostat" analogy 32:29 — Food processing, digestion, and hormonal response 37:07 — Why calorie math leads to blame and shame 41:01 — Closing reflections and what comes next

📝 Transcript The transcript for this episode is available on our website: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

📘 The Hunger Code Pre-Order Bonus Bundle Pre-order The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung and receive access to a powerful bonus package, including The Hunger Code Masterclass and a guided 5-Day Fasting Reset, hosted by Dr. Jason Fung and The Fasting Method coaching team. ⏰ Deadline to claim the gift bundle: March 22 👉 Learn about the Masterclass + 5-Day Reset: https://www.thefastingmethod.com/the-hunger-code-masterclass-5-day-fasting-reset/ 👉 Claim your gift after pre-ordering: https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer

✨ Partner Offer 🧪 Curious about Aeira? Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem. The use of any other products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.