Episodes
Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. You've probably heard me rant about it before, but it’s worth emphasizing again: BMI is NOT the be-all and end-all statistic measuring our health. Widely adopted in medicine and by insurance companies, it's often used to justify various treatments and decisions. But the truth is, BMI measurements can...
Published 06/10/24
Are you grappling with the side effects of GLP-1 medications? If so, you're not alone. In previous episodes, we've tackled some of the most common challenges that patients face when starting these medications, including sulfur burps and nausea. Today, we're diving deeper into three additional hurdles that can crop up along your GLP-1 medication journey: persistent headaches after injections, exaggerated responses to viral illnesses, and appetite suppression or low desire for food.These three ...
Published 06/03/24
Nausea is one of the most frequently reported side effects of GLP-1 agonist medications used in obesity treatment, such as Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Victoza. Although not everyone will experience it, the nature of these anti-obesity medications can often lead to nausea, caused by the slowing of gastric emptying.Anyone who has experienced nausea before, especially during pregnancies, will understand just how debilitating it can be, impacting your daily life and work. So, what level of na...
Published 05/27/24
Ever had a burp that smells like bad eggs? It’s certainly not pleasant - especially in a social setting! But like most medications, anti-obesity medications come with side effects that you may have to navigate, particularly at the start of your journey. And one side effect that I don't hear enough people talk about, are sulfur burps.So today, we’re doing a deep dive into why sulfur burps can happen on anti-obesity medication, what to avoid, and potential remedies to alleviate symptoms. We’ll ...
Published 05/20/24
While psychiatric medications can be essential for improving mental health, they often come with unwanted side effects, including weight gain. Historically, a lack of integration between psychiatrists and other healthcare providers has meant that the impact of these medications on weight has often been overlooked.Today, I’m excited to bring Dr. Mark Novitsky (husband of Dr. Ali Novitsky!) into the conversation, who is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and o...
Published 05/13/24
Menopause and the years leading up to it - perimenopause, are periods of significant change in a woman’s body. Working as a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how these hormonal changes can affect women, especially those struggling with weight.Unfortunately, if you're in the obesity category and considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the lack of clear guidance and support. The crucial link between weight management, menopause, and HRT often gets overlooked...
Published 05/06/24
As anyone who struggles with weight management knows, it takes a lot more than waking up one day and deciding “it’s time to get healthy”. Our health is shaped by the countless small decisions we make each and every day and when we don’t see instant results, it can feel hard. But one of the key things that keeps me going? My love for my future self.When you think of yourself in five years, what do you see? Do you see yourself still consumed by food, weight, and stress, missing out on life's jo...
Published 04/29/24
As humans, we thrive through connection. And when we embark on a journey to improve our metabolic health, I’m a strong believer that we need continual inspiration to guide us along the way and remind us that we’re all in this together. For me, a huge source of that inspiration has come from Angel Scheer, someone who I have followed for a long time on TikTok.Angel has struggled with obesity and weight her entire life. And what I've observed over time since following Angel is the evolution of h...
Published 04/22/24
Feeling extra hungry lately and not sure why? After recently transitioning from Wegovy to ZepBound, I noticed a significant increase in appetite. But whether or not you've changed medications, there are a whole bunch of factors that could be contributing to increased hunger pangs.
But instead of hitting the panic button when hunger strikes, remember that tough times in your health journey are the perfect opportunity to put on your detective hat and uncover the root cause. Join me today as we...
Published 04/15/24
When people start working on their health, one of the first things they usually want to know is: what is the best nutrition plan? But when it comes to the “best” nutrition plan for you, it really hinges on your own personal health goals. What are you actually trying to get out of the changes that you're making?
For the purpose of today’s episode, we’re going to be focusing on what kind of nutrition plan could be best for losing body fat. Drawing from both clinical observations and key...
Published 04/08/24
Do you love a good challenge or do you actively avoid it? In today’s modern world, there’s no denying that building healthy habits and living a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. And sometimes, it really can feel like the entire world is conspiring to make it harder for you to work on your metabolic health.
Without doubt, those moments where you feel defeated are uncomfortable. However, it's important to remember that they offer valuable opportunities for growth and learning. In this...
Published 04/01/24
Most of us have been there when trying to lose weight… following a diet to the T, only to get discouraged when the scale doesn't budge. But the truth is, weight can’t tell us everything about our health and can even be detrimental to our own body image. I know if I had let the traditional scale determine my own success, I would have stopped years ago.
While the diet and fitness world continue to be overly obsessed with weight, today we’re exploring why body composition, i.e. the breakdown of...
Published 03/25/24
Weight loss coach Jennifer Watts often felt defeated by traditional diet plans. Each attempt ended in what felt like failure, creating a cycle of frustration and self-doubt. It wasn’t until Jennifer finally received her ADHD diagnosis, that she could truly understand the reasons behind her weight challenges.
Jennifer’s diagnosis allowed her to transform her approach to weight loss, and discover the strategies that resonated with her unique neurodiversity. Her breakthrough was so profound...
Published 03/18/24
Do you feel drained and fed up with the constant effort it takes to prioritize your health? Every few weeks, it seems like I hit a wall where the thought of sticking to my health routine feels like a monumental task. I get sick of the protein goals, getting the movement in, and everything else that comes with it.
The good news is, the exhaustion and frustration are not signs of failure, but indicators of growth. When we reach a point of feeling drained and fed up, it's a clear sign that...
Published 03/11/24
Bariatric surgery can be a powerful tool for hitting the reset button on your metabolic health, but people often underestimate the mental and emotional components of weight loss surgery. Surgeons, dietitians, and therapists all agree that long-term success has less to do with what happens in the operating room and more to do with the mindset and behaviors that follow.
That's why I'm thrilled to introduce our guest today, Kathryn Shallow, an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) specializing...
Published 03/04/24
If you’ve been following me for some time, you’ll know I’m no stranger to discussing why your health isn't solely determined by the number on the scale. And while you might happily nod along with this approach, I know that many of us *still* can’t escape that nagging urge to weigh less.
If you are someone who tends to fixate a bit too much on what the scale says, I want to use today’s episode as a reminder that our health is so much more than that. I’ll also be sharing a recent example from...
Published 02/26/24
Years ago, the standard approach to obesity in primary care was to “eat less and move more.” Now, we’ve come to learn that without intensive behavioral support, that approach is largely ineffective. What many people don’t know is that obesity medicine is actually a medical specialty on its own that focuses on the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of obesity.
If you're struggling with the physician you're currently working with, feeling they offer little guidance and understanding about...
Published 02/19/24
There’s no denying that obesity among children is on the rise. But we also know what a sensitive subject weight can be–and one that many parents are reluctant to broach. Do you mention their tightening waistband and risk hurting their feelings? Or do you choose to stay quiet and risk causing even more damage in the long run by not addressing the issue?
As parents, it’s difficult to know how we can support children who are struggling with their relationship with food and their bodies,...
Published 02/12/24
“I feel hungry all the time” or “I just can’t control my cravings!” It’s a complaint that nearly always crops up as people get further into their journeys working on their health: hunger and cravings.
There’s no denying that this is a frustrating part of the journey. But it’s also not your fault. Eating a healthier diet isn’t just about willpower or self-discipline; there are powerful biological forces at play governing how hungry you feel.
So today, join me as I uncover the reasons why...
Published 02/05/24
Like it or hate it, we just can’t help comparing ourselves to others. Whether it be our looks, intelligence, success, or wealth, the comparison trap is real– but especially when it comes to our health.
We know deep down that our bodies are all unique. Yet, that little voice inside nags us, making us believe we should be mirroring someone else's journey. While comparison is completely normal, it's crucial not to let it become a roadblock on your path, leading to a place of despair.
In this...
Published 01/29/24
Setting new goals for ourselves is exciting. In the first few weeks, we’re motivated, we have a new way of looking at things, and it's a whole new Disney ride. But as the road gets harder, life starts to get in the way, and old thought patterns creep back in…how can we make sure we don’t throw the towel in completely?
Although we're just a few weeks into January, I want us to use this opportunity to take a quick pulse check to see where we’re at with the goals and intentions we set at the...
Published 01/22/24
Like many medications, GLP 1 drugs come with side effects and one of the most common (and bothersome!) among them is constipation. Even if you're not taking anti-obesity medication, constipation remains a common problem for many, which is not only uncomfortable, but also detrimental to your well-being.
In this episode, I’m looking at the pivotal role fiber plays, not only in combating this side effect, but also in your overall health and weight management. We’ll dive into the practical ways...
Published 01/15/24
Maintaining your weight isn't just a stagnant phase in your health journey; it's a powerful win that deserves recognition. I always say that there's a season of life when you're going to push and there's a season of life where you're just going to sit still. No one can be in push energy all the time.
We have just had to navigate the holiday period – and part of that might have included eating foods you wouldn’t normally eat or going out for meals with family. But it’s not a problem if that...
Published 01/08/24
As the new year approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and contemplating the changes we want to make in the coming months. But as you prepare to set your health goals for the new year, I encourage you to embrace both intentionality and agility.
Too often, we expect the journey toward our goals to be linear. But when we move away from rigidity and focus on building habits aligned with your identity and values, the outcome is often much more positive. In this...
Published 01/01/24
What if I told you that there’s no such thing as failure, only perception?
A beautiful journey is one full of twists and turns, and ups and downs. And in all the challenges and changes, it gets really easy to lose your motivation and develop a skewed, pessimistic perspective. But the truth is that looking at the glass as half empty doesn’t change what’s in the glass, it only changes your attitude and motivation towards your situation. So today I want to get you to a place where you maybe...
Published 12/25/23