Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

The holidays can be tough when you're trying to stay on track with your health goals. From pushy relatives to unwanted comments about your weight, it can feel overwhelming to navigate these challenges. In this episode, I’m sharing how I handle sabotage and criticism from loved ones while staying focused on my health. I’ll explain why people might behave the way they do, how I s

Is diet culture helping or hurting us? Earlier in my journey, I didn’t question what diet culture was—I simply accepted its ideas as fact. From counting calories to trying extreme diets, I thought all these efforts were necessary for my health and happiness. But as I dug deeper into obesity medicine, I learned how diet culture leads us to label foods as "good" or "bad," drives

Did you know? Perimenopause can cause unexpected weight gain—even with no changes in diet or exercise. In this episode, Dr. Shelley discusses how hormonal changes during perimenopause—like declines in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—can lead to weight gain, especially around the abdomen. This transition period also brings a slowed metabolism, reduced lean muscle mass

Turning to food for comfort is a common habit, but emotional eating often leaves us feeling emptier than before. In this episode, I discuss emotional eating, where stress and other emotions drive us to food for comfort rather than actual hunger. Emotional eating is reinforced by biological responses like the release of cortisol and dopamine, creating a cycle of eating to soothe emo

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health—and often, the two are more connected than we realize. In this episode I emphasize the link between mental health and weight loss. I explain how stress, anxiety, and burnout can raise cortisol levels, leading to weight gain and emotional eating. Also, I offer practical tips for busy individuals, like setting small go

Did you know that the hormone responsible for regulating your reproductive system also plays a major role in how your body manages weight? In this episode, I discuss the role of estrogen in weight management. I explain how estrogen, a hormone essential for regulating reproductive functions, also influences fat storage, metabolism, appetite, and muscle maintenance. I also cover how

Ever wonder why you feel hungry or full? Two key hormones—leptin and ghrelin—might be the reason. In this episode, I discuss the roles of leptin and ghrelin in controlling hunger and weight. Leptin signals when you're full, while ghrelin triggers hunger. Also, factors like stress, sleep, and diet can disrupt these hormones, leading to overeating and weight gain. Although there'

Are you finding it hard to lose weight, no matter what you do? It could be your thyroid! In this episode, we’re going to talk about how this small gland in your neck can affect your weight and make it harder to lose. I’ll break down how thyroid hormones work, and how they impact your metabolism, energy, and even your mood. You’ll learn about common thyroid issues like hypothy

Could stress be the hidden culprit behind your weight loss struggles? In this episode, I discussed the role of cortisol, the stress hormone, and its impact on weight loss. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, is essential for managing stress but can hinder weight loss when chronically elevated. When stressed, cortisol triggers an increase in blood sugar, fuels muscles for acti

Insulin is the key to unlocking your body's energy storage. Understanding its role is crucial for managing weight and overall health. In this episode, I discussed insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels and energy storage in the body and how hormones influence weight gain and loss, emphasizing insulin's five primary fu