The Truth About Midlife Weight Gain — Hormones, Your Body & Your Options

So many women reach midlife and feel like their bodies have suddenly changed the rules. You’re eating the same. Moving the same. Doing what always worked — and yet the weight won’t shift. Or it comes back faster than ever. And too often, the message women receive is that they simply aren’t trying hard enough. In this episode of Hey Soul Sista, host Mel Histon, sits down with bariatric surgeons Dr Martin McLeod and Dr Mark Gately from Sea Change Clinic for a compassionate, honest, and myth-busting conversation about weight, health, and wellbeing in midlife. Together we explore the biological, hormonal, emotional, and societal factors that shape women’s weight — and unpack why this is about far more than willpower or discipline. This episode isn’t about shame or quick fixes.It’s about understanding, empowerment, and informed choice. In this conversation we explore: Why weight gain often happens in midlife The role hormones, sleep, stress, and muscle loss play How chronic stress and emotional load impact metabolism Why shame and stigma make weight challenges harder The shift from viewing obesity as willpower to chronic health condition The truth behind common weight loss myths Understanding “set point” and weight regain Evidence-based support options including: Lifestyle approaches Medical support GLP-1 medications Bariatric surgery When additional support might be appropriate — and why that isn’t failure What sustainable success actually looks like Compassionate reframing for women navigating body changes As always on Hey Soul Sista, this conversation centres women’s lived experiences, wellbeing, and agency — because your body is not a problem to fix. It’s something to understand, support, and care for. Connect with DR MARK AND DR MARTIN:  Instagram: @seachangeweightlossclinic Facebook: facebook.com/seachangeclinic Website: seachange.com.au Connect with MEL HISTON: Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! Instagram @melissahiston Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista Website: heysoulsista.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.