Could over-exercising and poor sleep habits be the hidden saboteurs of your energy levels? This episode uncovers the myriad factors that could be draining your vitality, with a special focus on midlife women. I dive into personal experiences and share actionable insights on how to identify root causes like low iron levels, inadequate calorie intake, and even over-exercising. We kick off by emphasizing the critical role of sleep, explaining how stress, anxiety, and blue light exposure can wreak havoc on your nightly rest. Along the way, I provide practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene and create a more restful environment, setting the stage for reclaiming your energy and improving your overall well-being. From recognizing the signs of over-exercising to addressing poor dietary habits, this episode covers it all. I highlight how consuming processed foods and lacking essential nutrients can leave you feeling fatigued, emphasizing the importance of listening to Read More . . .
Total Health in Midlife Episode #157: Listening to Your Body with Lisa & Stephanie
Ever wondered how two ordinary women, Lisa and Stephanie, navigated their struggles with weight and body image? Join us as they share their inspiring stories, from discovering intuitive eating and the Feel Good Sisterhood to overcoming menopause setbacks. You’ll be captivated by their resilience in the face of adversity and their pursuit of self-confidence and body positivity. We break away from the common gym culture and delve into the importance of finding enjoyable, sustainable forms of exercise. Be inspired by our guests’ experiences with a year-long program, where they learned to redefine their relationship with food and movement, supported by a sisterhood of women on the same journey. Listen, as we unpack emotional eating, explore the complex mind-food connection, and reveal how to make healthier choices without succumbing to guilt and immediate cravings. To wrap up, we celebrate the triumphant health transformations of Lisa and Stephanie, illustrating how aligning healthy Read More . . .
Done with Dieting Episode #118: Gut Health with Jillian Teta
Your gut health and digestion are the dirty little secret that no one wants to talk about. But it can impact so many aspects of your physical, emotional, and mental health! No one likes to feel constipated, bloated, or gassy. But more than that, as our guest on today’s episode explains, the gut is referred to as the second brain because it has just as many nerve endings as we do in the thinking brain in our heads! Those two areas of our body – although seemingly far apart, are so tightly connected! Jillian Teta brings all the information to this episode. You’re going to want to listen twice! Jillian Teta Bio Dr. Jillian Sarno Teta is the author of “Natural Solutions for Digestive Health” and the creator of Fix your Digestion. She is best known for her expertise in digestive health and has been working in this field for Read More . . .
Done with Dieting Episode #113: Menopause Series Part 3: Sleep, Stress, and Recovery
In this episode, we’ll be discussing an often-overlooked aspect of menopause: sleep, and how it affects women’s ability to manage their symptoms. We’ll also explore how better sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced recovery can help women navigate this challenging time with greater ease. Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. During this time, many women experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. Sleep problems are one of the most common menopause symptoms, affecting up to 60% of women in this stage of life. Hormonal changes, coupled with the stresses of daily life, can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia, waking up frequently, or feeling unrested in the morning. Lack of sleep can exacerbate many of the symptoms of menopause, including irritability, depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties. Poor sleep quality can Read More . . .
Done with Dieting Episode #62: Why we Eat What we Eat
When we buy food, we vote with our dollars. Which foods do you want to vote for? Why do we eat the foods that we eat? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Probably not – but you might think about it when you observe other people eating. In this episode, I’m talking about the very unconscious decisions that we make when we decide to eat one food over another. What’s super important in this episode is to become aware of WHY we DO make the decisions that we do and then decide if we want to keep making those decisions. This episode has the potential to be a game changer when it comes to your eating habits. What you’ll Learn from this Episode Why it’s important to decide what we value when we eat How when we purchase food, we vote for the type of food that we want Read More . . .
Should you hire an overweight personal trainer?
There are hundreds upon hundreds of personal trainers in your city – let alone the US or the world. Have you ever had one? How did you pick him/her? What do you look for when you hire a personal trainer? Certification? Years of experience? Did you stalk her, watch her train other clients to see how she interacted with them? Or did you select her because of her body? Choosing a trainer based on looks is a bad idea. Deciding on a trainer based solely on appearance is as bad of an idea as picking a life partner out of a magazine. I don’t need to explain that. Do I? Most people have a disconnect about what a trainer can do for them. They hire a trainer with the idea that they’re going to lose weight and look toned, and so they hire a trainer who has the body style that they, themselves, desire. There Read More . . .
Is the bodybugg worth it?
It’s true. The bodybugg is a pricey piece of equipment, and ultimately, only you can decide how much money you would be willing to pay to lose the weight you desire. I get asked this question A LOT. Is it worth it? When I started with the bodybugg, I only had 15 lbs to lose & was convinced that I had a slow metabolism. I knew that my workouts were good: I’m a personal trainer & nutritionist, so I knew WHAT I was eating was good too. What the bodybugg immediately exposed was that I was sedentary the 23 hours in the day I WASN’T exercising. We all know that moving burns more calories than not moving. The bodybugg illustrates that fact very clearly. Here’s my activity graph from one day. You can clearly see where I was moving & where I wasn’t. I apparently went for a run & Read More . . .
Question of the Day: Protein Drinks
Today’s Question is from Sarah: "I would also like to get your opinion on protein drinks. What do you think of them? Do you recommend them or suggest staying away from them? I have heard lots of people talking about them, and one even came with my workout program (which I have been taking), but I’m not sure if it’s the best thing to do. Any suggestions?" Oy! Protein Drinks! Let’s start with some definitions. Supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry. There are lots of "fitness" foods out there: Protein Drinks, Energy Drinks, Meal Replacement Powders (MRPs), Meal Replacement Drinks (MRDs), Protein Bars, Energy Bars, and Meal Replacement Bars. Meal replacements are designed to replace a complete meal, and therefore have a nutrient formula similar to what that manufacturer believes should be the nutrient breakdown of a meal. It will have an adequate supply of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. These Read More . . .
Do you need to take Supplements to be Healthy?
As a Health Educator, I receive countless offers from companies wanting me to offer their products to my clientele. Everything from whey protein to vitamins & Acai berry drinks. I do take supplements myself, but believe that with the right diet, my clients really don’t NEED to take supplements. So here’s a list of the supplements that I currently take & why: Multi-Vitamin – I do recommend that everyone take a good multi-vitamin. I don’t recommend a particular brand. Just make sure that it has the Consumer Lab’s seal of quality on it. Calcium – Women between the ages of 24 & 50 have an RDA of 800/1000mg of Calcium for bone health. Calcium is best absorbed in quantities less than 500mg, so I take one tablet 2x daily. Although I do eat a lot of leafy green vegetables, I don’t always consume dairy. This ensures that I have strong Read More . . .