Summary
Weight gain, especially among women over 35, is often misunderstood and mismanaged, according to hormone nutritionist Monica Iva. She emphasizes that traditional weight loss methods, which focus solely on calories in versus calories out, fail to address underlying health issues. Iva argues that many women mistakenly attribute weight gain to muscle growth, when in fact, it may be a symptom of hormonal imbalances or other health concerns.
Iva shares her personal journey, detailing how her own struggles with weight led her to explore holistic nutrition. After experiencing fatigue and weight gain despite a healthy lifestyle, she discovered that her hormone levels were alarmingly low. This prompted her to delve deeper into functional health, ultimately leading to a successful transformation that involved a more balanced approach to nutrition and exercise. She highlights the importance of understanding the body's holistic needs, including digestion, hormone regulation, and stress management, rather than adhering to restrictive diets or intense workout regimens.
The conversation also touches on the psychological aspects of weight management, with both Iva and her co-host stressing the detrimental effects of diet culture on women's self-esteem. They advocate for a shift in mindset, encouraging women to prioritize their overall health and well-being over mere weight loss. By focusing on nourishing the body and addressing root causes of health issues, women can achieve sustainable weight loss and improved energy levels without the stress of calorie counting or excessive exercise.
Show Notes
Eating less, exercising more, and STILL gaining weight?
In this episode of the Body Freedom Podcast, Michele Scarlet sits down with hormone nutritionist Monika Eva to explore why women over 40 struggle with stubborn weight gain, belly fat, fatigue, and weight loss resistance despite doing everything they’ve been told to do.
After gaining 20 pounds while exercising twice a day, Monika discovered that working harder wasn’t the answer. She shares how changing her approach to hormones, nutrition, stress, and digestion helped her lose over 25 pounds without obsessive calorie counting or endless cardio.
Together, Michele and Monika challenge the traditional calories-in, calories-out mentality, explain why daily weight fluctuations don’t necessarily mean fat gain, and discuss why unexplained weight gain deserves a closer look rather than another restrictive diet.
If you’re eating healthy, working out, and wondering why your body isn’t responding, this episode will change the way you think about weight loss.
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