The Thriving Metabolism: Weight Loss Beyond Diets

In this episode, we'll be uncovering how your gut health is linked to your hormones and weight management and even how the environment of your gut can change how many calories you absorb. I'll be sharing my favourite fact from the past week and this one is from research that explores how what our grandparents did may impact us now. And I answer a listener's letter all about eating a vegan diet.

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Are you having a tough time reaching your weight and health goals? Perhaps you’ve experimented with different approaches – crash diets, weight loss clubs, workout routines, even meticulous calorie counting – but still find it hard to remain consistent.

It’s incredibly frustrating when your best efforts to lead a healthier life don’t yield your desired results. But what if there was an easier, simpler path to achieving your goals without feeling overwhelmed?

In this episode, Louise sits down with Christelle from The Nourish Method team to discuss her journey of thriving after 40 without relying on restrictive diets. Christelle candidly shares her own struggles with weight loss, the transformative changes she made for her health, and how she supports her clients in achieving their goals while still enjoying food and freeing themselves from the stress of strict diets.

Tune in to discover eye-opening insights into why weight loss can feel like an uphill battle, even when adopting healthy eating habits and exercise. Find out what crucial first step you can take to feel great in your own body and start simplifying your approach to overall well-being.

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

--TOPICS COVERED–

00:00 - Episode Start

01:43 - Dive into Christelle's upbringing on a typical French diet rich in carbs and gluten

02:39 - Understand what triggered her to start exploring different diets and exercise

04:00 - Uncover the challenges of losing weight after having a second child

04:48 - Witness how a diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease became the turning point for Christelle to change her approach to weight loss

11:23 - Reflect on why self-improvement can be a struggle despite the abundance of tools and resources

12:23 - Discover the power of mindset work in making real, tangible progress in Christelle’s journey

13:20 - Challenge the misconception that weight loss determines self-worth

15:20 - Peel back the layers of emotional eating, a common occurrence among Christelle's clients

16:10 - Explore how childhood experiences shape our relationship with food

17:54 - Shift your perspective on diet and nutrition by focusing on variety rather than labels

20:30 - Reduce stress around meals by prioritizing balance over perfection

21:38 - Begin your weight loss journey sustainably without relying on fad diets, intense exercise, or calorie counting

23:58 - Understand that weight is merely a symptom of underlying issues

25:26 - Embrace the holistic nature of achieving wellness, acknowledging that it takes time and involves multiple factors

• Book a free Weight Loss Breakthrough call - https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/discovery

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Let's dive into how stress affects weight loss, especially around the belly, where elevated cortisol often plays a role. While cortisol naturally rises and falls throughout the day, chronic high levels can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and stubborn weight gain. Women between 35 and 55, as they approach menopause, are especially vulnerable to stress due to hormonal shifts.

Topic covered:

• Understanding Cortisol and Its Impact on Weight Loss
• Hormonal Changes and Stress in Women Over 40
• Strategies to Lower Cortisol Levels
• Balancing Fasting and Cortisol Management
• Listener's Question on Chocolate and Heavy Metals

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Let’s talk about the often complex relationship we have with food and how balancing hormones and rebuilding metabolism is key to lasting weight loss. 

In this episode, I’ll also address the emotional and physical hurdles many of us face—like cravings and constant hunger. I’ll also share helpful strategies for managing insulin resistance, especially for those with PCOS, and how protein can play a big role in controlling appetite and cravings. You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation!

Topics discussed:

• How emotional eating and unhealthy coping strategies with food can be as hard to break as bad relationships.
• The difficulty of transformations seen online
• How food is often used as a reward or comfort in various life situations, from childhood to adulthood.
• The unhealthy coping strategies that people use to numb pain or give themselves a lift, such as comfort eating or drinking alcohol
• How unhealthy habits can manifest in guilt and shame, which are detrimental to long-term weight loss success.
• Strategies to improve relationship with food
• Addressing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• The Role of Protein in Appetite Control

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Losing weight in your 40s can be tough, especially with all the changes your body goes through, like shifts in metabolism. But in one of my most downloaded episodes, we tackle these challenges head-on. We dive deep into how to manage those changes and, more importantly, how to address the underlying imbalances through smart diet and lifestyle adjustments.

Topics discussed:

Understanding Weight Loss After 40

• How weight loss strategies harm metabolism, leading to further weight gain

The Role of Sex Hormones in Weight Management

• Ways to balance hormones through food and lifestyle
• How sex hormones play a crucial role in weight management
• Hormonal shifts as women move into their 40s, starting around age 35

The Importance of Balancing Hormones

• How the amount of exercise is dependent on the individual's life stage, goals, and any underlying health issues like thyroid problems or stress.
• Scaling back on cardio in favor of low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, yoga, or Pilates and incorporating more strength training.

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

In this popular episode, we explore the crucial practice of really tuning into your body and why a personalised approach is key—even when it comes to supplements. We’ll also explore the big question: Do supplements really work? Let’s break it all down together!

• Challenges Faced by Women Over 35
  • The difficulty women over 35 face in losing weight, especially those close to menopause.
  • Hormonal changes and muscle loss in women lead to decreased metabolism, making it harder to lose weight through calorie restriction.
• Factors Influencing Weight Loss
• Importance of Personalised Nutritional Therapy
  • Practise listening to your body's signals when trying new dietary or supplement regimens.
  • The benefits of green tea include reducing inflammation and supporting hormonal and metabolic health.

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

While you wait for Season 2, we want to keep bringing you top-notch content!

So, we're excited to revisit an episode that's all about the perfect starting point for lasting fat loss!

Here’s what we have for you:

• Blood Sugar Balance and Its Importance
    
  • The importance of working on mindset and paradigm before focusing on nutrition and lifestyle for lasting weight loss. 
  • The concept of blood sugar balance (BSB) and its significance in weight loss, explaining how food impacts blood sugar levels. 
  • The role of insulin in regulating blood sugar and the consequences of uncontrolled blood sugar, such as fat storage, energy slumps, and cravings

• Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Levels
    
  • Why blood sugar control is crucial for everyone, not just those with diabetes, and how lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, and food intolerances can affect blood sugar. 
  • The need for a lifestyle change to achieve lasting success in weight loss, rather than just focusing on food.

• Balancing Blood Sugar with Protein and Carbs
    
  • Why including protein with every meal help slow down the absorption of carbs and sugars, which aids in blood sugar control.
  • Vitamin D and Body Fat Connection
  • The importance of checking vitamin D levels, especially for those with higher body fat percentages, and suggests taking a high-dose supplement if deficient.
  • The link between vitamin D and body fat

If you're dealing with stubborn weight and want to learn how to reverse it, book a call with me for a personalized guide!

https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/discovery

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

We're excited to bring back another favorite episode that many of you loved!

If you’re in your 40s and finding it challenging to lose weight or maintain weight loss, sluggish metabolism could be the culprit. In this episode, we dive into the reasons why this happens and explore ways to reverse and prevent it.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Understanding Metabolic Downregulation:
  Louise Digby breaks down how weight loss diets can lead to metabolic downregulation, where your body slows down its metabolism. Discover why dieting isn't always about burning fat, as your body often burns sugar stores first, and how low-carb diets might lead to muscle loss and a lower metabolic rate.

• Reversing Metabolic Damage:
  Learn why weight loss can become stubborn and how to counteract metabolic downregulation. Louise shares tips on the Nourish method, which focuses on nutrient-dense foods and hormone regulation for sustainable weight loss.

• Navigating Hormonal Changes During Perimenopause
  Explore how hormonal shifts during perimenopause can impact weight gain, exercise routines, and overall health.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and actionable tips for managing your metabolism and maintaining a healthy weight!

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

Let’s go back to where it all started!

This episode is a reply to Louise’s very first episode, diving into the origins of The Thriving Metabolism Podcast. Join us as we revisit the inspiration behind Louise’s journey and get a fresh perspective on why she launched this podcast to help you thrive!

0:00 Why calorie counting is ineffective for weight loss

• Louise Digby discusses weight loss challenges for women over 40, criticizing traditional approaches.
• Dr. Tim challenges the conventional wisdom that calories are the key to weight loss.

4:32 Hormones' impact on fat burning and weight loss.

• Hormones control metabolism, including insulin, which impacts fat burning.

10:30 Nutrition and weight loss, including the importance of protein 

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

***This is one of our most downloaded episodes, and that's why we're excited to share it with you again!***

Frustrated by the weight gain that seems to happen after turning 40 despite maintaining your usual routine?

Do the diets that once seemed like magic now fail to make any difference, leaving you feeling defeated?

Even with careful attention to your diet and consistent physical activity, it might feel like your efforts are in vain. You've experimented with various diets, yet none have lived up to the success stories you've heard.

It can be incredibly discouraging, but you're not alone in this struggle.

In today's episode, Louise Digby takes another look at the myth that calories are all that matter and explores the real reasons why weight loss can become more challenging after 40. We're moving past the era of restrictive eating and number crunching to explore the broader factors contributing to effective and lasting weight management.

Prepare to leave behind the cycle of frustration and finally achieve your health goals!

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1

--TOPICS COVERED–

00:00 - Episode start

02:10 - Debunking the myth that weight loss is solely determined by calorie deficit

03:38 - Exploring additional factors for efficient fat burning beyond the calorie deficit

05:20 - Retraining our bodies to prioritise fat-burning

07:07 - Understanding the role of metabolism in weight management

09:33 - Exploring how muscle mass fuels fat loss and maintains a healthy metabolic response

12:54 - Investigating the impact of hormones on weight gain, specifically during perimenopause.

16:26 - Examining the connection between gut health, inflammation, and brain function

19:35 - Discussing the effects of a high toxic load on hormone detoxification and weight gain

22:01 - Highlighting the dangers of a prolonged calorie deficit and how to use it strategically

27:57 - Choosing nutrient-dense foods and antioxidants for sustainable weight management

35:37 - Shifting our mindset towards a healthy relationship with food

41:42 - Embracing a holistic approach to weight loss, addressing the whole body rather than just dieting

If you enjoyed this episode, please head to Apple Podcasts, give this a follow, and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thriving-metabolism-weight-loss-beyond-diets/id1667816127.

Or reach Louise via the links below:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisedigbynutrition/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouiseDigbyNutrition
• Book a free Weight Loss Breakthrough Call: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/discovery

Ready to learn more about taking a holistic and sustainable approach to weight loss?

Make sure you get our Metabolism Cheatsheet, here: https://pages.louisedigbynutrition.uk/cheatsheet-1