Eat the F*cking Food

Your lowest weight is not automatically your healthiest weight, and if you got the most compliments during the season of your life you now recognize as your worst, this episode explains exactly why. If you have ever chased a smaller number on the scale only to end up exhausted, not sleeping, and dealing with new perimenopausal symptoms, you are not imagining it. Undereating does not just stall your results, it can wreck your digestion, your sleep, and your hormones, and most women do not connect the dots until years later.Kristin Collins, nutrition and body composition coach and host of Eat the F*cking Food, sits down with Kylie Larson, a nutrition, strength, and mindset coach for midlife women navigating perimenopause without dieting themselves into worse symptoms. Kylie breaks down the real math behind maintenance calories, including her own jump from 1,600 calories a day to 2,250 before her metabolism, sleep, and body composition actually improved, and why progressive overload strength training builds muscle in ways group fitness classes cannot. She also introduces her six-week program, Lift Beyond Lean, where women learn to eat and train for change that lasts. You will walk away knowing the difference between group fitness for fun and strength training for results, why a rising scale number can mean you are getting healthier, and how to find your own maintenance calories instead of guessing with an app. If you have been falling apart while everyone keeps telling you how great you look, press play.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why your lowest weight is not automatically your healthiest weight, and how compliments during your hardest season can keep you chasing a body that was never sustainable to begin with.Why undereating is quietly common in midlife women, and how living on 1,500 calories a day can stall your results instead of speeding them up.How to find your maintenance calories, and why increasing intake from 1,600 to 2,250 calories can improve your metabolism, sleep, and body composition over time.Why lifting weights does not make you bulky, and what actually happens to your body when you build real muscle instead of fearing the number on the scale.The real difference between group fitness and progressive overload strength training, and why one is for fun while the other is for measurable results.Why an app or a chatbot cannot replace a coach, and what human factors like stress, sleep, and emotional eating a calculator will never account for.Why commenting on another woman's weight or body is never as harmless as it sounds, and what those compliments are actually reinforcing.We talk about:00:00 Why we should not comment on other women's bodies 02:00 Your lowest weight is not your healthiest weight 04:00 What undereating actually looked like in her own body 08:00 Why perimenopausal women make symptoms worse by restricting 09:00 The scale number versus how your life actually feels 16:00 Her first build phase and carrying weight differently at midlife 18:30 How long does it really take to change your body 20:30 Why you cannot diet your way into someone else's physique 24:00 Why nutrition coaching is an investment worth making 27:30 Group fitness versus progressive overload strength training 32:00 How to protect your workout time on a busy day Connect with KylieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekylielarson Lift Beyond Lean Waitlist: https://www.theelementalcoaching.com/LBL_Waitlist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekylielarson Website: https://www.theelementalcoaching.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeNutrition #AntiDiet #AntiDietCulture #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #PerimenopauseNutrition #MaintenanceCalories #StrengthTrainingForWomen #ProgressiveOverload #UndereatingAwareness #NutritionCoaching #WomensHealth #DietCulture #BodyImage #MidlifeWomen #WomenWhoLift #HormoneHealth #NoMoreDieting #BodyComments #EatTheFuckingFood

Are carbs bad for menopause? Not even close. If you have spent years cutting carbohydrates to chase a smaller number on the scale, this episode explains why that restriction has been working against you, not for you. Carbohydrates are your body's preferred source of energy, and going without enough of them can leave you exhausted, hangry, and unable to sleep through the night. That drop on the scale after cutting carbs is mostly water weight, not fat, and the crash that follows in your energy, mood, and digestion is real.Kristin Collins, a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, breaks down exactly why midlife women need carbohydrates now more than ever, not fewer of them. She explains how carbs protect your muscle mass by giving your body glucose to burn instead of pulling energy from muscle, how low carb eating raises cortisol and can lower thyroid function, and how carbohydrates support progesterone during the menopause transition. You will also learn the simple pairing trick, carbs with protein or fat, that keeps blood sugar steady and energy consistent all day. If you are ready to stop fearing food and start building a plate that actually works, this episode is your permission slip to eat the fucking food.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why carbohydrates are your body's preferred source of energy, and how eating too few carbs leads to afternoon energy crashes, poor sleep, and constant hunger.How carbohydrates protect your muscle mass in midlife by giving your body glucose to burn instead of pulling energy from the muscle you are trying to build.Why low carb diets raise cortisol and can lower thyroid function, since women are already far more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism.How eating enough carbohydrates supports progesterone during perimenopause, helping with bloating, fluid retention, and the calming effect progesterone has on your body.Why high fiber, slow digesting carbs like oats and whole grains can improve your sleep by preventing the blood sugar drops that wake you up at 2 or 3 in the morning.Which carb sources to add back to your plate first, including potatoes, rice, oats, fruit, and whole grains, and why pairing them with protein or fat matters.Why the 80/20 approach to eating, not perfection or restriction, is what actually makes a nutrition plan sustainable for midlife women.We talk about:00:00 Why are midlife women so afraid of carbs00:35 The low carb era and what it did to your body02:39 What actually counts as a real carbohydrate04:25 How carbs help you keep and build muscle06:22 Are carbs bad for your thyroid07:37 Why low carb diets raise your cortisol09:20 How carbs support progesterone in perimenopause11:00 Why carbs are key to sleeping through the night13:40 How fiber from carbs protects your heart15:09 The best carb sources to add back to your plate17:33 How to pair carbs with protein and fat20:19 Why 80/20 beats all or nothing eatingConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #CarbsAreNotTheEnemy #MenopauseNutrition #PerimenopauseSupport #MidlifeWomen #AntiDietCulture #NutritionCoach #ThyroidHealth #BloodSugarBalance #MuscleOverMonths #HormoneHealth #SleepAndNutrition #FiberForWomen #EatEnoughToThrive #DoneWithDieting #MaintenanceCalories #WomenOver40 #GutHealthWomen #NoMoreRestriction #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins

Why women don't start nutrition coaching usually has nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with timing myths, body fear, and stories they have told themselves for years. If you have ever said, "I'm too busy right now," or "I need to lose weight before I can maintain it," you are not lazy, you are stuck in a narrative Kristin hears constantly from midlife women. Every month you wait for a quieter season is a month you could have spent learning how to actually feed your body.Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, breaks down the three objections she hears most before women ever start working on their nutrition: not having enough time, needing to lose weight before learning maintenance, and believing their body is simply built to feel this way. She explains why finding your true maintenance calories usually means eating 100 to 400 more calories a day, not less, and why perfectionism, not busyness, is the real thing standing between you and feeling good in your body. This is your permission to stop waiting for a better week to start.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why "I'm too busy" is not actually the barrier keeping you from starting nutrition coaching, and what to ask yourself instead of waiting for a slower season of life.Why you do not need to lose weight before learning your maintenance calories, and why maintenance is often the missing piece women skip entirely.What actually happens when you find your true maintenance calories, including why most women end up eating 100 to 400 more a day, not fewer.Why "this is just how I am" is only half true, and the difference between genetics you cannot change and habits you have never questioned.Why the fear of gaining weight keeps so many women stuck, and what maintenance actually looks like when it is done slowly and correctly.Why there is no such thing as the perfect time to start eating better, and what months of waiting actually costs you.How to stop chasing a scale number before you address how you actually feel, your energy, your sleep, and your everyday joy.We talk about:00:00 Why so many women hesitate to start nutrition coaching01:00 Excuse one, I'm too busy right now03:28 What happens when life falls apart mid program06:30 The client who waited five years to start08:02 Why maintenance calories are the missing link10:12 Do you need to lose weight before learning maintenance10:47 Excuse two, this is just how I am14:19 How learning to eat changed how Kristin feels every day14:41 Excuse three, fear of gaining weight in maintenance17:33 Why energy and sleep matter more than the scaleConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #NutritionCoaching #MidlifeNutrition #MaintenanceCalories #AntiDietCulture #WomenOver40 #MenopauseNutrition #EatEnough #FoodFreedom #StopDieting #NutritionCoachForWomen #HealthyHabitsMidlife #PerimenopauseNutrition #NoMoreStartingOver #BalancedPlate #WomensHealthCoach #DietCultureRecovery #EatTheFood #MidlifeWellness #NutritionMindset #StopWaitingStart

Midlife weight loss mistakes usually come down to four sneaky habits, not a lack of willpower. If you have cut calories, skipped meals, and still are not seeing results, your body may be stuck in survival mode instead of fat-loss mode. This snack-sized solo episode breaks down the exact patterns keeping midlife women plateaued, exhausted, and frustrated with the scale.Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, walks through the four mistakes she sees most often in coaching, from undereating and treating weekends as a free-for-all, which is 42 percent of your week, to trading consistency for perfection. She shares how learning her own maintenance calories inside her Game On Nutrition method ended years of yo-yo dieting and helped her build visible muscle after six years of consistent strength training. Give yourself permission to be boring, and watch what changes.In this episode, you’ll discover:Learn why eating too little is one of the most common midlife weight loss mistakes, and how undereating trains your body to store fat instead of releasing it.Find out why the weekend makes up 42 percent of your week, and why treating Friday through Sunday like a free-for-all quietly stalls your progress.Discover why consistency beats perfection every time, and how one small daily habit compounds faster than an intense workout you only do once a month.Understand what maintenance calories actually are and why learning yours is the missing link that makes any weight loss sustainable long term.Hear why building muscle in midlife takes years, not weeks, and how three years of progressive overload finally created visible definition.Get the honest signs you are undereating, including waking up tired, crashing at 3pm, and dealing with worsening perimenopausal symptoms you may be blaming on something else.Learn why giving yourself a full year, not five days, to build new habits is what actually makes lifestyle change stick.We talk about:00:00 Welcome back and an update on the current cohort01:44 Why eating too little is a common midlife mistake03:34 Are you undereating? Signs to check on your plate07:00 Why weekends make up 42 percent of your week09:16 Consistency over perfection, the real key to progress11:47 Learning your maintenance calories the boring way15:24 Six years of strength training and finally seeing muscle18:16 Recap of the four biggest nutrition mistakes19:23 Are one-size-fits-all diet programs failing you21:29 Why giving your body time changes everythingConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeNutrition #AntiDietPodcast #WomensHealthMidlife #EatTheFuckingFood #MaintenanceCalories #MidlifeWeightLoss #StopDieting #PerimenopauseNutrition #ConsistencyOverPerfection #BalancedPlate #NutritionCoach #KristinCollins #GameOnNutrition #WomenOver40 #DietCultureRecovery #StrengthTrainingWomen #UndereatingSymptoms #MidlifeWomen #FoodFreedom #EatTheFckingFood

Non-negotiables for busy women start with the one thing most entrepreneurs skip first: eating enough. If you are running a business, a household, or both, and you keep pushing lunch, skipping snacks, and telling yourself you will rest once things calm down, this episode is the wake-up call.Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, sits down with health and wellness coach Relle Dixon of Be Well with Relle, who works with female entrepreneurs to keep their bodies from becoming the last thing on the to-do list. Relle breaks down the body audit she runs with clients, why sitting all day quietly wrecks blood sugar even after a good morning workout, and why sustainable beats extreme every time. You will walk away with a short list of non-negotiables that fit into a real schedule, not a fantasy one.In this episode, you’ll discover:Non-negotiables for busy women look different every season, and Relle explains how to build a flexible routine around protein, movement, and water instead of chasing a perfect oneWhy the promise women break first is the one they made to themselves, and what that pattern quietly costs energy, mood, and business performanceWhat a body audit actually checks, sleep quality, daily steps, and how long you sit still, before any conversation about food even startsWhy being sedentary after a morning workout still spikes blood sugar and undoes the benefit, and the 20-squat fix that changes itHow under-fueling shows up as brain fog, low patience, and a stalled creative mindset, not just a rumbling stomachWhy letting go of rigid, all-or-nothing routines actually builds more consistency than chasing a perfect one ever willWe talk about:00:00 Welcome and why busy women put themselves last01:26 Kristin's free maintenance masterclass for July02:32 Meet Relle Dixon, coach for entrepreneur health03:12 What happens when you break your own promises first04:41 What happens when women stop taking care of themselves06:05 Why routine beats rigidity for eating enough08:36 The hunger cue and ADHD connection entrepreneurs miss11:48 The non-negotiables that shift with every season14:57 Why letting go of rigidity lowers your stress19:34 How fueling your body changes your business capacity22:43 How a body audit actually works26:54 Why sitting all day can undo a morning workoutConnect with RelleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewellwith_relle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relle.dixon/ Website: https://bewellwithrelle.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #NonNegotiablesForWomen #FemaleEntrepreneurs #BusyWomenSelfCare #BurnoutRecovery #BodyAudit #MidlifeWomen #AntiDietCulture #EntrepreneurHealth #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #RelleDixon #SelfCareIsntSelfish #NervousSystemRegulation #ProteinForWomen #BusinessOwnerBurnout #StopUndereating #WomenWhoDoItAll #BoringBasics #HealthyIsntHard #SustainableOverExtreme

Optimal vs normal thyroid levels is not just a technicality, it is the reason you can have "normal" bloodwork and still feel exhausted, foggy, and stuck in your midlife body. If your hair is thinning, your sleep is wrecked, your weight will not budge, and you are constipated more than you would ever admit out loud, your thyroid and your gut may be the missing piece your last doctor never fully investigated.On this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, sits down with Ashley Cruz Arata, a board certified integrative health practitioner, to break down why a TSH between 0.8 and 6 is technically normal but 1 to 1.5 is where most women actually feel their best.Ashley shares the three day stool testing she uses to catch root cause gut and hormone imbalances, why constipation is one of the most overlooked signs of low thyroid function, and the two limiting beliefs, "I don't have time" and "I'm not ready," that keep women stuck longer than they need to be. Press play and stop settling for normal when optimal is possible.In this episode, you’ll discover:The difference between normal and optimal thyroid lab ranges, including why a TSH of 0.8 to 6 is considered normal but 1 to 1.5 is where most women actually feel their best.Why functional medicine testing goes beyond a basic TSH and T4 panel to look at gut health, nutrient status, and whole body patterns most conventional doctors never test.Why constipation, defined as fewer than one to two complete bowel movements a day, is one of the most overlooked signs of an underactive thyroid.Why Kristin Collins and Ashley Cruz Arata both point to gut health as the piece conventional care skips when women complain of stubborn weight, mood swings, and poor sleep in midlife.Why "I don't have time" and "I'm not ready" are the two limiting beliefs Ashley sees holding women back most, and how to work around both.How daily journaling and scripting in the present tense helped Ashley shift her mindset and health outcomes before she even got her lab results back.We talk about:00:00 Welcome back and the free maintenance calories masterclass01:01 Meet Ashley Cruz Arata, board certified health practitioner02:45 Ashley's burnout, thyroid nodules, and life at Amazon07:14 What functional medicine really means09:30 Two questions to ask before choosing a provider11:41 Why normal thyroid labs are not the same as optimal17:00 Why your gut controls your entire hormone system18:44 What counts as a drama free bowel movement22:40 How to choose the right gut and hormone testing24:50 Journaling and scripting to change your health story28:30 The two limiting beliefs holding women back34:25 Where to find Ashley Cruz Arata and The RevealConnect with AshleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleycruzarata/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashleycruzarataWebsite: https://ashleycruzarata.com/Check out the free guide! Normal Isn't Optimal: The Essential Hormone Lab Guide That Shows You What "Normal" Labs are MISSING. ➜ Download here: https://ashleycruzarata.myflodesk.com/normalisntoptimalConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collinsWebsite: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/#ThyroidHealth #FunctionalMedicine #GutHealth #HormoneBalance #MidlifeWomen #RootCauseHealing #ThyroidLabs #WomensHealthAfter40 #EstrogenDominance #IntegrativeHealth #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #AshleyCruzArata #HormoneHealth #ThyroidNodules #NormalVsOptimal #GutHormoneConnection #WomensHormones #FunctionalMedicinePractitioner #MenopauseSupport

Is soy bad for you in menopause? That myth has kept women away from one of the most protective foods available in midlife, and it is time to set the record straight. If you swapped your soy latte for almond milk because someone warned you it messes with your hormones, you are not alone, and you were misinformed. Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, sits down with Attessa Bradley, founder of Standing Tall Foods and a 25 year veteran of the natural food industry, to break down why soy protects your heart, your bones, and your brain as estrogen declines. Attessa explains the science behind phytoestrogens, references a recent Journal of Menopause report on plant protein and hot flashes, and shares what it took to launch a soy snack brand at 48. If you have been avoiding soy out of fear, this episode gives you permission to eat it.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why the fear that soy raises breast cancer risk or disrupts hormones is a mythHow soy's phytoestrogens work in the body, gently binding to estrogen receptors instead of acting like synthetic estrogen, and why that matters as your own estrogen declines in midlife. The specific ways declining estrogen affects heart health, bone density, and cognition, and why soy is one of the only plant foods with an FDA heart healthy seal of approval. What a recent report from the Journal of Menopause found about eating more plant protein, including soy, and its effect on managing weight and reducing hot flash frequency. Why Attessa Bradley left a 25 year career in natural foods to launch Standing Tall Foods at 48, and what it has actually been like building a company with her husband in midlife. How to start adding soy back into your diet without overthinking it, from edamame and tofu to a one ounce roasted soybean snack you can keep in your car, bag, or desk.We talk about:00:00 Meet Attessa Bradley, founder of Standing Tall Foods 04:00 Where the name Standing Tall Foods came from 08:00 What is Standing Tall Foods and why soy 12:00 Is soy bad for you? Debunking the breast cancer myth 16:00 What are phytoestrogens and how do they work 20:00 Why estrogen protects your heart, bones, and brain 24:00 What the new Journal of Menopause report on soy found 28:00 Starting a food company at 48 in a second act 32:00 What surprised her most about building a business in midlife 36:00 The power of community when you start over 40:00 Simple ways to add soy back into your day 44:00 Where to find Standing Tall FoodsConnect with AttessaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/standingtallfoods/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584017549826Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@standingtallfoods Website: https://standingtallfoods.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #IsSoyBad #SoyForMenopause #Phytoestrogens #MenopauseNutrition #AntiDietCulture #MidlifeWomen #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #BoneHealthWomen #PlantProteinForWomen #EatTheFuckingFood #SecondActAt50 #WomenFoundedBrand #StandingTallFoods #EdamameBenefits #NaturalFoodIndustry #EatTheFood #KristinCollins #AttessaBradley #MenopauseMyths

Building healthy habits before perimenopause is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body, and most women don't start until things are already falling apart. If you're eating the same way you did in your 20s, doing the same workouts, and wondering why nothing is working, it's not a willpower problem. Your body is changing, and what used to work just doesn't anymore. In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist Kristin Collins sits down with Avery and Anne of Noos Worthy, a health coach and registered dietician duo dedicated to helping women in early perimenopause build real, lasting habits. Together they break down the fiber and carbs conversation women are scared of, the "canary in the coal mine" mindset shift for perimenopause prep, and why one hard challenge a year, what Avery and Anne call their Misogi, can rebuild your relationship with what your body is capable of. If you've been waiting for permission to stop doing health the hard way, this episode is it.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why fiber keeps getting skipped and how to actually get more of it without cutting the foods you love, even when carbs feel off limits in perimenopause. The difference between mindless habits and intentional ones, and a simple journaling practice Avery and Anne use with clients to spot which is which. What the Misogi challenge is and why doing one physically hard thing a year, from a 20-mile run in a snowstorm to your first in-person event, can change how you see your limits. Why what used to work in your 30s is not going to work in perimenopause, and what Anne says you need to let go of before you can actually make progress. Why building healthy habits before the hormonal noise gets loud is the foundation Kristin wishes she'd had starting in her late 30s.We talk about:00:00 Welcome and free maintenance calories masterclass 00:48 Meet Anne and Avery of Noos Worthy 02:10 How Noos Worthy started and what it covers 04:00 The boring basics: what baseline healthy habits actually are 07:15 Are carbs the enemy? Breaking down fiber vs. sugar for perimenopause 10:00 How to spot habits that aren't serving you 12:04 Mindless snacking, social media scrolling, and the habits you don't notice 13:00 What topics are resonating most with Noos Worthy readers 16:04 Anne's 40th birthday essay and the perimenopause canary in the coal mine 17:55 Is it hormones or lifestyle? What to actually look at first 18:21 What you need to accept when perimenopause changes your body 19:30 Why building habits before perimenopause matters most 21:37 What is a Misogi? 22:57 Anne and Avery's Misogi: 20 miles in a snowstorm on Anne's 40th birthday 25:03 Why challenging yourself physically translates everywhere 26:30 How to scale a Misogi to your life if a 20-mile run isn't happening 28:20 Noos Worthy's first News Night in-person event as their own MisogiConnect with Anne + AveryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noos_worthy/ Substack/Podcast: https://noosworthy.substack.com/podcast Website: https://www.noos-worthy.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #HealthyHabitsPerimenopause #PerimenopauseNutrition #MidlifeHabits #AntiDietPerimenopause #FiberAndCarbs #ProteinFatFiber #MisogiChallenge #DoHardThings #MindfulEating #MidlifeWomen #HormoneHealth #HabitsForWomen #BreakBadHabits #IntentionalLiving #NoosWorthy #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #AnneAndAvery #PerimenopausePrep #MidlifeNutrition

Diet myths for women over 40 are keeping you tired, stuck, and frustrated, and most of them have been baked into your brain since childhood. If you've been cutting back when the scale creeps up, avoiding carbs because they're "bad," beating yourself up for cravings, or waiting for the scale to move before you trust the process, this episode is going to shift something for you.Kristin Collins, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, breaks down five of the biggest diet lies midlife women are still holding onto. She covers why chronic undereating trains your body to slow down and cannibalize muscle, why your brain alone needs 125 grams of carbohydrates a day, why willpower is a finite resource (not a character flaw), why scale stagnation doesn't mean nothing is changing, and why the cookie might actually be the healthy choice. This is a snack-size solo episode with zero fluff and five things you can let go of today.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why eating less in midlife backfires: chronic undereating slows your metabolism, causes afternoon crashes, and leads your body to burn muscle for fuel instead of fat.The truth about carbs and your brain: your brain alone needs 125 grams of carbohydrates daily, and cutting them causes brain fog, fatigue, and the cravings you've been blaming on weakness.Why the scale not moving is not a red flag: during the first 12 weeks of eating up to your needs, the scale stays put while your sleep, energy, hunger cues, and body composition all improve.Why willpower has nothing to do with it: cravings and overeating at night are almost always a sign of undereating earlier in the day, not a lack of discipline or self-control.How removing moral value from food is the first step to sustainable eating: no food is good or bad, and variety, satisfaction, and abundance are just as important as any macro count.We talk about:00:00 Welcome and today's topic: diet myths in midlife01:13 Myth 1: Eating less is always better02:38 Why muscle loss is the real cost of undereating03:32 Myth 2: Carbs are the enemy05:33 Myth 3: If the scale isn't moving, you're doing it wrong08:02 Myth 4: You just need more willpower09:25 Myth 5: Healthy eating has to be boring and restrictive12:08 Which myth are you holding onto? Kristin wants to knowConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #DietMythsDebunked #MidlifeNutrition #EatingLessBackfires #CarbsAreNotTheEnemy #WillpowerMyth #WomensHealth #Perimenopause #AntiDietCulture #MaintenanceCalories #ScaleNotMoving #BodyRecomposition #FoodFreedom #MidlifeWomen #HormoneHealth #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #NutritionCoach #IntuitiveEatingMidlife #MenopauseNutrition #UndereatingSymptoms

Nutrition coaching for women in midlife is not about another set of rules. It is about learning how to eat enough, build real energy, and stop starting over every time life gets messy. In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist Kristin Collins sits down with her actual client Laura Dumont, a teacher, runner, and self-described child of the "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" era. Laura shares what made her finally reach out for help after years of restrictive programs that worked until they didn't. They talk through what 11 weeks inside Kristin's Game On Nutrition program actually looked like, from reintroducing carbs and eating breakfast earlier to watching her energy stabilize and her body composition shift without the scale budging. The biggest surprise? She did not have to blow up everything she was already doing. If you have been afraid to hire a coach because you feel like you should be able to figure out eating on your own, this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why nutrition coaching for women in midlife works differently from a standard program, and what it actually looks like inside 11 weeks of working with a coach How Laura went from fearing carbs her entire adult life to eating them at every single meal and feeling more energized and satisfied than ever before Why your body composition can change dramatically without the scale moving, and why that is actually the goal What maintenance calories are, why Kristin starts every client there first, and why that approach feels completely counterintuitive until it suddenly clicks How eating as a teacher with an unpredictable schedule requires a different strategy than any rigid program can give you The mindset shift that helped Laura stop calling imperfect weeks a failure and start recognizing them as progress Why restricting the foods you love the most is the exact reason you keep thinking about themWe talk about:00:00 Meet Laura: a real client's story and why she finally reached out 03:00 What made hiring a coach feel scary even when you know what healthy eating looks like 05:30 Why one-size-fits-all programs stop working in midlife 07:00 How eating as a teacher makes fueling your body a daily challenge 09:30 What 11 weeks inside Game on Nutrition actually changed about Laura's eating 11:00 Reintroducing carbs at every meal and what happened to her energy 13:00 Why are women so afraid of carbs? The diet culture history behind it 16:00 Learning what an actual serving looks like without measuring forever 18:00 Why Kristin starts every client in maintenance, not a deficit 21:00 What does maintenance actually mean and why it is the foundation for everything 24:00 The moment Laura stopped waiting to lose weight and started trusting the process 27:00 Body recomposition: why your pants fit better even when the scale doesn't move 29:00 Food is energy: the mindset shift that changes everythingConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #NutritionCoachingForWomen #MidlifeNutrition #EatTheFuckingFood #AntiDietPodcast #DietMentalityDetox #CarbsFearNoMore #WomensNutrition #MidlifeWellness #BodyRecomposition #MaintenanceCalories #PerimenopaueNutrition #NutritionCoach #EatingForEnergy #WomenOver40 #BalancedPlate #StopDietingStartEating #MidlifeHealthCoach #NutritionPodcast #GameOnNutrition #EatTheFuckingFoodPodcast

If you have ever had a hard week, decided you failed, and quit everything you were doing to feel better, this episode is for you.In this solo episode, Kristin gets back to basics and breaks down exactly why midlife women keep abandoning their health goals, and why perfectionism is not a personality trait, it is a product of decades of diet culture telling you that anything less than 100 percent does not count.She walks through the simplest version of what a balanced plate actually looks like, no tracking, no calorie math, no rules. Just a practical framework built around the three macronutrients your body needs most: protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fat. She covers why carbs are not your enemy, why your brain cannot function without them, how fiber protects your heart as estrogen drops through the menopausal transition, and why lean muscle mass is the most important longevity investment you will ever make.That gap between what we expect of ourselves and what we actually do is where most women quit. This episode closes it.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why midlife women keep quitting their health goals and what is actually driving the all-or-nothing cycleWhat a balanced plate looks like and why the plate method is the simplest place to startWhy carbohydrates are your body's preferred energy source and the threshold that changes everything for energy, mood, and sleepHow much protein women need and why lean muscle mass is your best longevity strategyWhat healthy fats actually do for your brain, skin, hair, and hormonesWhy fiber matters more than most women realize, especially for heart health after estrogen dropsHow to build a snack that holds you over and keeps your energy stableHow to stop the quit spiral and keep going even when the week falls apartWe talk about:00:00 - The perfectionism trap: why midlife women believe if it is not perfect it does not count03:00 - It is what you do consistently over time, not what you do perfectly for 30 days03:30 - How to build a balanced plate: protein, carbs, vegetables, and healthy fat without overthinking it06:00 - Why carbs are not the enemy: the 150 gram threshold and what changes for your energy, mood, and sleep07:00 - Why losing lean muscle is the real longevity risk and how protein protects against it09:00 - Healthy fats at every meal: what they do for your brain, skin, and hair10:00 - Three meals a day minimum, how to build a snack that actually works, and why skipping meals is working against you11:30 - Why fiber matters more than most women think, especially for heart health as estrogen drops13:00 - Why women quit mid-program and what Kristin sees happen every single week in her practice15:00 - The client who thought she had a terrible week and had actually done really well16:30 - Good enough gets the job done: how to reframe a hard week instead of throwing it all away20:00 - Detox from Diet Mentality: Kristin's upcoming masterclass on June 17th and how to sign upConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #WhyWomenQuit #AllOrNothingThinking #MidlifeWomen #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #AntiDiet #AntiDietCulture #DietMentality #NutritionForWomen #BalancedPlate #MacrosForWomen #ProteinForWomen #CarbsAreNotBad #FiberForWomen #HealthyEatingHabits #MidlifeNutrition #HormoneHealth #MenopauseNutrition #LeanMuscleWomen #EatTheFuckingFood

What if the strongest version of you is on the other side of 50, and the only thing in the way is a lifetime of being told to take up less space? In this episode, Kristin sits down with Kim Munoz, founder of the strength-and-aging apparel brand Old Lady Gains, to talk about getting strong after 50 and reclaiming the words old lady on your own terms. They get into how to start strength training when you have no idea where to begin, why your workout hour is non-negotiable and how to protect it without guilt, and the mindset shift from punishing exercise to movement you actually enjoy. Kim shares how she went from couch to triathlete to CrossFitter, why no is a complete sentence, and the truth most women never hear: you have to eat to build muscle, and the diet-culture rules have been working against you the whole time. This is the episode for the woman who has spent decades trying to shrink. There is another way, and it is a whole lot stronger.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why strength training is one of the most powerful things a woman over 50 can do for a long, independent, and active life How to start when you do not know where to begin, and why finding your workout is a lot like dating The non-negotiable boundary that protects your training time and how to hold it when the people around you push back Why showing up at 40 percent on a hard day still counts as giving 100 percent, and how to modify a workout instead of quitting it The truth about getting bulky and why one hour in the gym will never do it How much you actually have to eat to build muscle, and why there are no good or bad foods How to let go of the Gen X diet mentality you were raised on and redefine what aging is allowed to look likeWe talk about:00:00 - Meet Kim Munoz and the story behind Old Lady Gains 03:30 - Reclaiming old lady and redefining what aging is allowed to look like 07:00 - What aging well actually looks like: independence, travel, golf, pickleball, and never declining on the couch 10:30 - Making yourself a priority: the non-negotiable gym hour and the corporate pushback around it 15:00 - No is a complete sentence: setting boundaries with family and coworkers without guilt 19:00 - Red Rover survivors and letting go of the Gen X diet mentality we were raised on 22:30 - How to start when you do not know where to begin, and treating fitness like dating 27:00 - Finding community and joyful movement instead of punishment 30:30 - Why half-assing a workout still counts, and giving 100 percent of what you have that day 35:00 - Strong is the new attractive: pushing back on the get small message 38:30 - You have to eat to build muscle: protein, balance, and the no good or bad foods truth 43:00 - Owning your voice and where to find Old Lady GainsConnect with KimInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldladygains YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oldladygains Website: https://oldladygains.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #StrengthTrainingForWomen #WomenOver50 #BuildMuscleAfter50 #StrengthAfter50 #AntiDiet #AntiDietCulture #MidlifeWomen #GenXWomen #WomensFitness #AgingWithStrength #JoyfulMovement #CrossFitWomen #ProteinForWomen #StrongNotSmall #EatTheFood #BoundariesMatter #OldLadyGains #WomensHealth #FitnessOver50 #MidlifeStrength

What happens when the system meant to protect your health is the one that plants the seed of shame in your body?In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin sits down with body-inclusive yoga instructor and studio owner Alia Khan. Alia was told she was obese at seven years old by doctors using BMI as gospel. That early message shaped decades of shame and comparison. As a curvy South Asian woman who entered yoga spaces not built for her body, she turned that frustration into a mission: making yoga accessible for every body, not just the slim, flexible ideal modern Vinyasa was built around.This conversation is for every woman who has ever told herself yoga is not for her. Because the practice was never about the pose. It was always about coming home to yourself.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why being called obese at seven set off decades of body shame and what Alia found when she looked back at photos of that little girlThe truth about BMI and why it was never meant to be used as an individual medical standardHow modern Vinyasa yoga was designed for a preteen boy's body and why that explains so much about why curvy women feel excludedWhy yoga props are not cheating and how Alia teaches so every student feels like they belongThe moment she joined Yoga with Adriene's teacher community and was brought to tears by people who finally felt seen on a matWhat the Yoga Sutras actually say yoga is and why touching your toes has almost nothing to do with itHow ego and comparison rob us of joy and the Sanskrit principle that connects body image to living your truthThe questions to ask before walking into a yoga studio for the first timeWhat ahimsa (non-harming) has to do with the way you talk to yourself in the mirrorWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Alia Khan and what brought her to body-inclusive yoga02:00 Being called obese at age seven and the body shame that followed05:00 The truth about BMI and why it's the "bullshit mass index"08:30 From lawyer to yogi: leaving the path she was supposed to follow11:00 Living your truth and what it actually means beyond the wellness cliche14:00 How modern yoga was designed for a preteen boy's body and what that costs curvy women17:30 Using props in yoga: why it's not cheating, it's intelligent practice22:00 The Yoga with Adriene moment that made Alia cry and why belonging on the mat matters25:00 How to find a yoga studio that's actually right for you28:00 What yoga is actually for: calming the mind, not perfecting the pose33:00 Ego, comparison, and how much joy we lose paying attention to other people's standards38:00 Ahimsa: the yoga principle that applies to the way you talk to yourself41:00 Alia's full offering: studio, on-demand library, Zoom classes, and where to find herConnect with AliaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliajkhan Substack: https://aliajkhan.substack.com/ Website: https://yogawithalia.vhx.tv/ Personal website: https://www.aliajkhan.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #BodyInclusiveYoga #CurvyYoga #BodyImageHealing #YogaForEveryBody #MidlifeWomen #BodyConfidence #IntuitiveMovement #BMIMyth #LivingYourTruth #YogaBeginners #BodyDysmorphia #SelfTalkMatters #AhimsaInAction #YogaWithAlia #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #AliKhan #InclusiveWellness #BodyNeutrality #YogaSutras

What does it actually take to build a life you love when the early chapters nearly broke you?In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with corporate confidence coach Julie Seidl for one of the most honest conversations this show has ever had. Julie opens up about developing an eating disorder at eight years old inside the competitive figure skating world, using alcohol as an escape through her teens and twenties, and the moment at 24 when she made the decision to get help and never looked back.Eighteen years later, she coaches women in boardrooms, in their bodies, and in their lives.This conversation is for the midlife woman who has spent decades pouring into everyone else and is only now starting to ask: what do I actually want? Julie talks about the identity crisis that hits when the kids leave, the confidence struggles women face at work, why sharing your story is the fastest path to feeling less alone, and why joy is not something you earn when everything is perfect. It is something you choose right now, exactly as you are.Because perfection does not exist. And the most powerful thing you can do is stop waiting for it.In this episode, you’ll discover:How the pressure to perform in a "perfect" body inside competitive figure skating planted the seeds of Julie's eating disorder at just eight years oldWhat the road to sobriety and eating disorder recovery actually looked like and why facing food every day is harder than giving up alcoholThe small daily tools Julie still uses to manage body dysmorphia and stay grounded in her recoveryWhy so many midlife women hit a wall and suddenly don't recognize themselves anymoreThe number one confidence struggle Julie sees in corporate women and why it has nothing to do with skillHow to start trusting your voice at work even when everything in you wants to stay quietWhy the empty nest phase triggers a full identity crisis for so many women and what to do when it doesThe reframe that makes putting yourself first feel less like selfishness and more like survivalWhy sharing your story out loud is one of the most powerful confidence tools you haveWhat "find joy in where you're at" actually looks like as a daily practice, not just a motivational quoteWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Julie Seidl and what brought her to confidence coaching 02:30 Growing up as a competitive figure skater and the eating disorder that started at age eight 07:30 The night everything changed and the decision to get help 10:30 Eighteen years sober and why recovering from an eating disorder never fully ends 13:00 The midlife identity crisis nobody talks about 18:00 How to make yourself a priority without the guilt 23:00 Women in the workplace and why your voice matters more than you think 27:00 Why sharing your story is the fastest path to confidence 31:00 Find joy in where you are right nowConnect with JulieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/corporateconfidencecoach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-seidl/ Website: https://www.corporateconfidencecoach.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #WomensConfidenceCoach #CorporateConfidence #EatingDisorderRecovery #BodyImageHealing #SobrietyStory #MidlifeWomen #MakeYourselfAPriority #WomensVoice #BodyDysmorphia #NormalizeStruggle #ConfidenceForWomen #MidlifeIdentity #EatTheFuckingFood #KristinCollins #JulieSeidl #RecoveryStory #WomenAtWork #FindYourVoice #SelfPriority #JoyInProgress

What if the number your doctor is using to define your health was never designed to measure your health in the first place?In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with anti-diet physician Dr. Mara Gordon to unpack one of the most misunderstood, overused, and emotionally charged metrics in modern healthcare: BMI.From its origins as a 19th-century statistical experiment to its rise as a medical “diagnosis tool,” this conversation reveals how BMI became the default lens for evaluating bodies, and why that lens is deeply flawed.This is a grounded, honest conversation about weight stigma in healthcare, the rise of weight loss drugs, and how women, especially in midlife, can begin to reclaim agency over their bodies, their choices, and their health.Because health is not a formula. It is personal, nuanced, and deeply individual.And the most powerful shift you can make is learning how to advocate for yourself inside systems that were never built with you in mind.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why BMI was never meant to measure individual health and how it became medical standardThe real history behind BMI and how pharmaceutical influence shaped its useWhy weight is often overemphasized in healthcare and what gets overlooked because of itThe difference between treating disease and shrinking bodiesWhen GLP-1 weight loss drugs can be helpful and when they can do more harm than goodWhy these medications don’t fix body image, shame, or your relationship with foodHow to navigate doctor’s appointments without feeling powerless or dismissedWhat “anti-diet doctor” actually means in real clinical practiceWhy health is deeply personal and cannot be reduced to one universal formulaHow to advocate for yourself without confrontation, fear, or overwhelmWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mara Gordon and anti-diet medicine02:00 What an anti-diet physician actually does (and doesn’t do)04:00 Why weight is overemphasized in healthcare05:00 The real history of BMI and how it was created07:00 How BMI became a medical standard (and why that matters)08:30 Pharmaceutical influence and the “obesity epidemic” narrative09:30 GLP-1 weight loss drugs explained, who they help and why12:00 Why these medications don’t fix body image or shame13:30 What actually supports health alongside medication15:00 Why health looks different for every person and stage of life18:00 Why BMI classifications often don’t reflect real health20:00 The reality of weight loss, sustainability, and body biology22:00 Can you refuse being weighed at the doctor? Here’s how25:00 How to advocate for yourself in medical appointments27:00 Real story, avoiding unnecessary surgery through self-advocacy31:00 “Normal vs optimal” health, and the truth behind the messaging33:00 How medical guidelines actually evolve over time36:00 The rise of health misinformation and wellness marketing37:00 Where to find Dr. Mara Gordon and her workConnect with Dr. MaraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maragordonmd Substack: https://maragordonmd.substack.com/ Real Talk With a Doc: https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-88953/health-questions-doctors-answers Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #AntiDiet #BMI #WomensHealth #HealthAtEverySize #WeightStigma #BodyAutonomy #MidlifeHealth #GLP1 #WeightLossTruth #HealthcareAdvocacy #FoodRelationship #BodyImageHealing #EatTheFuckingFood #DoctorPatientRelationship #HealthMyths #WellnessTruth #MedicalMisinformation #SelfAdvocacy

What if the reason you can't stop eating has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with a belief system that was never built to protect you?In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with Michelle Petties, author of Leaving Large: The Stories of a Food Addict and founder of the Brand New transformation framework, for one of the most honest, grounded conversations about food addiction, emotional eating, and what it actually takes to change your relationship with food for good.Michelle spent four decades in the cycle, gaining and losing over 700 pounds, trying every plan, every powder, every protocol, before she discovered that the problem was never behavior. It was belief. And until you change what you believe about yourself, about food, and about why you're worth the work, no diet in the world will stick.This conversation goes deep on processed food addiction, food stories, emotional triggers, and why joy must be homegrown and not found at the bottom of a bag of chips.Because you were never broken. You were just running on the wrong operating system.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why food addiction is a real, biological response and not a failure of willpower or self-controlThe difference between food and processed food, and why your body treats one as nourishment and the other as a drugWhy behavior modification alone will always fail and what belief modification actually looks likeWhat food stories are, how they form, and how to rewrite themWhy food is not a joy delivery system and where joy actually comes fromHow to disarm emotional triggers instead of avoiding themWhy cravings are signals, not weaknesses, and what they're really trying to tell youThe BRAND NEW framework for transformation: the step-by-step belief shift that changes everythingWhy women of color carry a unique weight in this conversation, and why you are worth the workWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Michelle Petties 02:00 Leaving Large and why the subtitle would be different today 06:00 Michelle's personal story: 700 pounds gained and lost over four decades 09:00 Belief vs. behavior and why behavior change alone will always fail 11:00 What food stories are and how they shape what you eat 14:00 How your brain has been hijacked to trust what is not food 17:00 Food neutrality vs. food addiction: where these two frameworks meet 20:00 The Boston hotel story: grief, cravings, and what you really need 25:00 Joy must be homegrown: why food can never deliver it 27:00 Triggers are thoughts, not things. Here is how to disarm them 30:00 The BRAND NEW framework for transformation 32:00 Sleep, water, and prescriptive writing as nourishment 35:00 The one belief shift that makes processed food lose its power 39:00 What Michelle eats now 41:00 Where to find Michelle and get a signed copy of Leaving LargeConnect with MichelleInstagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/iambrandnewnow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iambrandnewnow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-petties/ Website: https://michellepetties.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/

What if the reason you feel exhausted, inflamed, and out of control during menopause has nothing to do with eating too much, and everything to do with decades of being taught to eat too little?In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with Dr. Jenn Salib Huber, registered dietitian, naturopathic doctor, intuitive eating coach, and author of Eat to Thrive During Menopause. Together they dismantle the food rules, diet myths, and cultural conditioning that have kept women hungry, confused, and stuck in cycles of restriction for most of their lives.From the truth about soy and phytoestrogens to why your brain needs carbohydrates to function, why satisfaction is the secret sauce of any sustainable way of eating, and why the scale is one of the worst metrics you can use to measure your health in midlife, this conversation will change how you think about food.Because your hunger was never the problem. The rules were.In this episode, you’ll discover:What intuitive eating actually means and why most people have it completely wrongThe difference between not dieting and truly eating intuitivelyWhy satisfaction is the missing piece of every nutrition plan that has ever failed youThe truth about soy, phytoestrogens, and why the breast cancer fear was based on bad scienceWhy your brain needs at least 125 grams of carbohydrates a day and what happens when it does not get themHow eating patterns matter more than individual foods during perimenopause and menopauseWhy outcome-based goals almost always fail and what to set insteadThe real reason bodies change in midlife and how much of it is actually within your controlWhy cheese is not the enemy and what the research actually says about dairy fatHow to unlearn decades of diet culture rules and start trusting your body againWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jenn Salib Huber and why this conversation changes everything01:30 What intuitive eating actually means versus what most people think it means05:30 Why permission is the foundation of trust with food09:00 What undieting your thinking means and why it has to come before intuitive eating12:00 Why satisfaction is the secret sauce and what sensory specific satiety actually means16:00 How eating patterns during menopause affect symptoms more than individual foods17:00 Why carbohydrates are essential for sleep mood and brain function in midlife19:00 The truth about soy phytoestrogens and the breast cancer myth debunked21:00 Why the question is not how do I lose weight but how do I want to feel25:00 Why outcome based goals fail and what behavior based goals do instead28:00 Why your results will never look like someone else's and why that is completely okay31:00 Cheese coffee and why no food should ever be off limitsConnect with Dr. JennInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopause.nutritionist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennND YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@menopause.nutritionist Book: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/Book Website: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/ / https://www.jennsalibhuber.ca/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MenopauseNutrition #IntuitiveEating #MidlifeHealth #EatTheFuckingFood #PerimenopauseSupport #HormoneHealth #FoodFreedom #UndietYourMind #MenopauseDiet #AntiDietCulture #WomensHealthOver40 #CarbohydratesAndHormones #SoyAndMenopause #MidlifeFeast #DrJennSalibHuber

What if the real transformation isn’t about losing weight… but rebuilding who you are from the inside out?In this episode of Eat the Fcking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with author and health & wellness copywriter Carrie Williams to unpack the decades of conditioning that shaped how women think about food, movement, and their bodies… and what it actually takes to break free.Carrie shares her deeply personal story, from her first “I’m fat” moment in third grade to navigating years of dieting, self-doubt, and starting over, again and again. What changed everything wasn’t another plan or protocol… it was a mindset shift rooted in doing hard things on purpose.This conversation moves beyond surface-level nutrition advice. It explores how strength training, emotional healing, and self-worth are all connected, and why building muscle is about so much more than how you look.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of starting over… this episode will feel like a reset.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why your relationship with food started earlier than you thinkThe hidden conditioning from childhood that still impacts your body todayWhy dieting teaches you how to lose… but never how to maintainThe truth about building muscle and why most women aren’t lifting heavy enoughHow strength training improves not just your body, but your confidence and identityThe connection between emotional health, self-worth, and nutritionWhy doing hard things on purpose rewires how you handle lifeHow small, consistent steps create massive long-term transformationThe four pillars of true health, movement, metabolism, mindset, and meaningWhy self-love is the foundation of sustainable healthWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Carrie Williams and her journey01:30 Meeting during a maintenance phase and unlearning diet culture03:00 Carrie’s first “I’m fat” moment in childhood05:30 How early conditioning shapes lifelong body image07:00 Why dieting teaches you to lose, not maintain08:30 The missing piece, learning how to sustain results10:00 Why building muscle changes everything12:00 Strength training, confidence, and taking up space14:00 The emotional and spiritual side of health16:00 Why everything, food, movement, mindset, is connected18:00 The struggle of prioritizing yourself in midlife20:00 Overcoming fear of lifting heavy and building strength22:00 Carrie’s back pain transformation through glute strength24:30 Why doing hard things builds resilience and identity27:00 The Phoenix Effect and rewriting your storyConnect with CarrieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrie.m.williams/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.m.williams.940 https://thecarriewilliamsedit.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #StopStartingOver #MidlifeTransformation #FoodFreedomForWomen

What if the reason you’re stuck with food, your body, or your confidence… has nothing to do with discipline?In this episode of Eat the Fcking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with midlife transformation coach and 15x Ironman athlete Jen Rulon to unpack the decades of conditioning that taught women to shrink, restrict, and “earn” their food, and what it actually takes to break free.Jen shares how growing up in the Weight Watchers era shaped her relationship with food, why even elite-level athleticism didn’t fix the mindset, and how learning the science of metabolism, movement, and nervous system regulation completely changed everything.This conversation goes far beyond weight loss. It’s about reclaiming your voice, rebuilding trust with your body, and finally stepping into your full power in midlife.If you’ve ever felt like you need to do more, eat less, or be smaller to be worthy… this episode will shift something in you.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why so many women believe they have to “earn” their foodThe hidden mindset that keeps you stuck in restriction and guiltHow understanding metabolism changes the way you eat foreverThe role of nervous system regulation in weight loss and energyWhy midlife is the most powerful time to redefine your identityHow strength training and movement build confidence beyond your bodyHow to stop shrinking and fully express who you areThe four pillars Jen uses to transform her clients’ livesWhy rest is just as important as movement (and why it feels so hard)How to create sustainable habits that evolve with your lifeWe talk about:00:00 Meet Jen Rulon and her midlife transformation journey01:30 Growing up in the Weight Watchers and diet culture era03:00 Learning to feel guilty around food at a young age05:00 The belief that you have to “earn” your food06:30 Discovering Ironman and entering the world of endurance training08:00 Using exercise to justify eating instead of fueling performance09:30 When fitness doesn’t fix your relationship with food10:30 Learning the science of metabolism14:30 Food shaming and why it keeps women stuck16:30 Why midlife women struggle to trust themselves18:30 The impact of childhood conditioning on self-expression21:00 The four pillars, movement, metabolism, mindset, and meaning24:30 Why longevity and quality of life become the real goalConnect with JenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjenrulon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachJenRulonMS https://jenrulon.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeWeightLoss #FoodFreedom #StopShrinking

What does it actually take to lose over 100 pounds… and keep it off?In this episode of Eat the Fcking Food*, Kristin Collins sits down with Allison O’Brien, content creator and founder of Living Simply Well, to unpack the real story behind her 140-pound weight loss journey.This is not another conversation about perfection, restriction, or chasing the next “fix.” Instead, Allison shares how she broke free from years of over-optimizing, under-eating, and constantly starting over, and built a sustainable approach rooted in nervous system support, nourishment, and self-trust.From closing a six-figure business to reclaim her health, to redefining productivity and using tools like GLP-1 intentionally, this episode is a powerful reminder that lasting change happens when your habits actually fit your life.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why doing everything “perfectly” can still leave you feeling exhausted and disconnectedThe real reason weight loss plateaus happen (even when nothing changes on paper)How nervous system regulation impacts metabolism, energy, and consistencyWhy discipline alone isn’t the answer, and what actually creates peaceHow to build sustainable weight loss habits that work in real lifeThe truth about GLP-1 medications and how to use them as a tool, not a crutchWhy your habits must evolve with your season of lifeHow to stop tying your worth to productivity and outcomesWhat a “bare minimum day” looks like and why it prevents burnoutHow to move out of all-or-nothing thinking into long-term consistencyWhy you don’t need to choose between success, health, or peaceThe mindset shift that allows you to finally trust your body againWe talk about:00:00 Meet Allison O’Brien and her 100+ pound weight loss journey01:30 The cycle of perfectionism, under-eating, and burnout03:00 Why “doing everything right” wasn’t working anymore05:00 The plateau that forced a deeper mindset shift06:30 Burnout, anxiety, and closing a six-figure business08:00 Redefining productivity and success as a woman10:00 Building a life-first, not business-first, approach12:00 Creating space, routines, and intentional mornings15:00 The power of walking, movement, and mental clarity17:00 “Bare minimum days” and staying consistent in hard seasons19:00 Why health looks different in every season of life21:00 Losing 140 pounds and learning to take up space23:00 The mindset shift that made everything sustainable25:00 The truth about GLP-1 and metabolic health28:00 Why wellness has to become your identity, not a phase30:00 Consistency, flexibility, and letting go of perfectionConnect with AllisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamafinallyX: https://www.x.com/mamafinally https://www.livingsimpleandwell.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #SustainableWeightLoss #StopStartingOver #HealthyHabits

What happens when life completely derails your routine… and you’re trying to stay consistent with your health?In this solo episode of Eat the Fcking Food*, host Kristin Collins hits record anyway. No guest, no perfect plan, just a real-life moment where things didn’t go as expected, and a powerful reminder that your health habits have to work in real life, not just ideal conditions.Kristin breaks down what it actually looks like to stay consistent when your schedule is unpredictable, your options are limited, and motivation is low. From navigating chaotic weekends and less-than-perfect food choices to redefining what “healthy” really means, this episode challenges the all-or-nothing mindset that keeps so many people stuck.If you’ve ever felt like you have to “start over” every time life gets busy, this conversation will help you build habits that actually last, even in the middle of the mess.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why your life isn’t going to slow down, and why your habits need to work anywayThe hidden reason consistency breaks when your schedule gets busyHow to stop restarting your health routine every few monthsWhat “healthy” actually looks like in real, messy, everyday lifeWhy perfection is quietly sabotaging your progressHow to make balanced food choices, even with limited optionsWhen convenience foods support your goals, not derail themSimple ways to fuel your body when everything feels chaoticWhy hydration, movement, and small actions still matterHow to shift out of all-or-nothing thinking into sustainable habitsThe mindset that makes consistency easier, not harderWhy your routine should hold up in hard seasons, not fall apartWe talk about:00:00 When life goes sideways and you choose to show up anyway01:00 Why a busy life is not the problem, your approach might be02:00 The “I’ll start later” mindset that keeps you stuck03:00 Breaking the cycle of stopping and starting over04:00 Redefining healthy beyond rules and perfection05:30 Letting go of rigid food beliefs06:30 Making better choices when your environment isn’t ideal08:00 Using convenience foods as a tool, not a failure09:00 Building habits that work during stressful seasons10:00 Small, realistic actions that still move you forward11:30 Escaping the all-in, all-out pattern12:00 Learning to trust “good enough” and keep goingConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #HealthyHabits #ConsistencyOverPerfection #HealthyLifestyle

What if the reason you feel exhausted, unfocused, or stuck in your health journey has nothing to do with willpower… and everything to do with skipping meals?In this episode of Eat the Fcking Food*, Kristin Collins sits down with certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and running coach Kelly Chall to break down the simplest approach to nutrition that most women overlook.From her viral “lunchtime cooking with Kelly” videos to her philosophy of eating enough to fuel performance, Kelly shares how small, consistent habits can completely transform your energy, workouts, and relationship with food.They explore why lunch is the most skipped, yet most important meal of the day, how to build balanced meals without overcomplicating it, and why cutting foods out often leads to more frustration than progress.If you’re tired of overthinking food, under-eating, or feeling drained halfway through your day, this episode will help you reset your approach in a way that actually feels sustainable.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why skipping lunch is one of the biggest energy mistakes women makeHow to build simple, balanced meals without strict meal plansWhy eating more can improve energy, digestion, and performanceThe truth about carbs and why your body actually needs themHow to stop overcomplicating healthy eatingWhy “meal prep perfection” often leads to wasted food and burnoutA simple formula for creating meals with protein, carbs, and veggiesHow nutrition impacts athletic performance and daily energyWhy under-eating can slow recovery and limit progressThe mindset shift that makes healthy eating sustainable long-termWhy no food should be labeled “good” or “bad”How removing restriction helps reduce cravings and overeatingWhy consistency beats perfection in building lasting habitsWe talk about:00:00 Why most women skip lunch and feel drained02:00 Meet Kelly Chall and her approach to simple nutrition04:00 How “lunchtime cooking with Kelly” started05:30 Why healthy meals don’t need to be complicated07:00 The problem with traditional meal prep09:00 A simple formula for balanced meals11:00 Why carbs are essential for energy and performance13:00 Nutrition for runners and active lifestyles16:00 Energy balance and fueling your body properly18:00 Common mistakes in fitness and nutrition20:00 Why recovery and eating enough matter22:00 The role of strength training in performance24:00 Long-term health, injury prevention, and quality of life27:00 Why food has no morality (and why that matters)29:00 Removing restriction and building a healthy relationship with food30:00 Kelly’s favorite foods and final thoughtsConnect with KellyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/challkel Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #HealthyEating #BalancedNutrition #WomenHealth #SimpleMeals #NutritionTips #FuelYourBody #MealPrepMadeEasy #FitnessNutrition #EnergyBoost #EatTheFoodPodcast

Midlife weight gain rarely happens overnight.For Terry Tateossian, the turning point came at 37 after years of stress, entrepreneurship, raising children, and slowly gaining 80 pounds while trying every diet imaginable.After multiple ER visits that turned out to be panic attacks, Terry realized the problem wasn’t just food or exercise. It was a combination of nervous system dysregulation, emotional eating, sleep disruption, and years of dieting misinformation.In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with Terry, known online as Your Midlife Bestie, to unpack the five foundational shifts that helped her rebuild her health.They explore why diets fail, how addiction patterns around sugar and alcohol develop, why nutrition directly impacts mental health, and how resistance training becomes one of the most powerful tools for women navigating perimenopause and midlife health.If you feel like your body changed in your late 30s or 40s, this episode will help you understand why, and what to do about it.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why midlife weight gain often has deeper roots than diet and exercise aloneHow emotional eating and addiction patterns around food and alcohol developWhy nervous system dysregulation can drive cravings, anxiety, and burnoutHow perimenopause can begin earlier than most women realizeWhy chronic dieting damages metabolism and leads to weight regainThe connection between blood sugar regulation, mood, and energy levelsWhy nutrition is the true foundation of sustainable health changeHow sleep disruption impacts cravings, stress, and hormone balanceWhy resistance training is essential for women navigating midlife healthHow progressive overload helps reshape body composition and strengthWhy sustainable habits outperform extreme short term diet plansHow small daily changes can rebuild metabolism, energy, and long term healthWe talk about:00:00 Terry’s midlife health turning point03:00 Entrepreneurship, stress, and weight gain06:00 Diet cycles and why weight kept coming back08:00 Panic attacks and the wake up call10:00 Emotional eating and addiction patterns13:00 Nervous system dysregulation explained16:00 Why nutrition affects stress and cravings19:00 The role of sleep in metabolism and hormones21:00 Why resistance training matters in midlife25:00 The real reason most diets fail29:00 Rebuilding metabolism through nutrition31:00 Terry’s go-to balanced mealConnect with TerryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/how.good.can.it.get/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-tateossian/ Website: https://msha.ke/thor.wellness Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeHealth #PerimenopauseHealth #EmotionalEating #MidlifeWeightGain #HormoneHealth #HealthyHabits #EatTheFoodPodcast

If you keep telling yourself you are too busy to eat lunch, go for a walk, or take care of your health, this episode might challenge everything you believe about time.In this episode of Eat the F*cking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with time and business coach Jennifer Sise, author of It’s Only a Matter of Time, to explore why so many women feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from their health.The problem, Jennifer explains, is not actually time.It is how we think about time, prioritize time, and set boundaries around it.Together they unpack the simple but powerful idea that nine focused minutes can transform your day, your habits, and even your health. From skipping lunch and afternoon energy crashes to distraction, procrastination, and the mental scripts that keep women stuck in “I don’t have time” thinking, this conversation reframes productivity, wellness, and self-care.You will learn why hunger itself can be a hidden distraction, how setting small boundaries creates momentum, and why sustainable health habits begin with tiny decisions repeated daily.If you feel overwhelmed, stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, or constantly running out of time for yourself, this episode will show you how to reclaim control of your schedule, your energy, and your health, one focused nine-minute block at a time.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why “I don’t have time” is often a mindset barrier rather than a scheduling problemThe 9-minute method and how short focus bursts increase productivityHow nine minutes can help you build healthier habits around food, movement, and self-careWhy hunger is one of the most overlooked sources of distractionThe difference between saying “I can’t” vs. “I don’t” and why language changes behaviorHow boundaries close the gap between where you are and where you want to beWhy small nutrition habits like eating lunch can dramatically improve energy and focusSimple ways to assemble healthy meals quickly without complicated cookingHow distractions, interruptions, and environment impact productivityWhy consistency and tiny daily actions outperform all-or-nothing health plansHow to start reclaiming your time even if you have a packed scheduleWhy intentional time ownership creates space for healthier livingWe talk about:00:00 Why “I don’t have time” keeps women stuck02:30 The concept of setting apart time instead of finding time05:00 The power of the nine-minute focus method07:30 Quick healthy lunch strategies for busy days10:30 Why fueling your body improves productivity and focus12:30 Identifying distractions and how hunger impacts focus15:00 Boundaries, priorities, and owning your time18:00 The mindset shift from “I can’t” to “I don’t”21:30 Practical ways to reclaim nine minutes in your day27:30 Jennifer’s favorite quick meal and where to connect with herConnect with JenniferInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifersise Website: https://www.jennifersise.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #TimeManagementForWomen #HealthyHabits #NutritionMindset #BusyWomenHealth #NineMinuteRule #ProductivityHabits #WomenOver40Health #SelfCareHabits #HealthyLifestyleTips #EatTheFood #HealthyHabitsForBusyWomen #BuildBetterHabits #NutritionForWomen #ConsistencyOverPerfection #HealthyLivingMadeSimple

If you keep telling yourself you’ll start on Monday, after vacation, or once life “calms down,” this episode is your interruption.In this solo episode of Eat the Fucking Food, Kristin Collins strips away the overwhelm around nutrition and answers the real question most women are silently asking: How do I actually start eating healthy without blowing up my whole life?This conversation is not about perfection, strict rules, or cutting out everything you love. It’s about momentum. It’s about sustainable health habits. And it’s about understanding that starting small is not weakness, it is strategy.Kristin shares the behind-the-scenes resistance she felt even recording this episode, and how that resistance mirrors what so many women experience when trying to change their nutrition. Instead of waiting for the “perfect time,” she lays out a simple, powerful framework for building healthier habits that last for decades, not just 30 days.If you’re overwhelmed by nutrition advice, stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, or exhausted by starting over, this episode will give you clarity and a practical place to begin.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why waiting for Monday keeps you stuck in diet mentalityHow to start eating healthy today without overhauling everythingThe power of choosing one small nutrition change at a timeWhy adding foods is more effective than immediately cutting them outHow to assess your current eating habits honestly, without judgmentWhy afternoon crashes may signal low carb intakeHow protein at breakfast stabilizes energy and hungerThe mindset shift from short-term dieting to lifelong healthWhy consistency over time beats perfection in the short termHow to build sustainable nutrition habits that support your next 30 to 40 yearsWe talk about:00:00 Why this needed to be a solo episode02:00 Resistance, procrastination, and why starting feels hard03:00 Stop waiting for Monday04:00 Getting honest about what you’re actually eating05:00 Choosing one small nutrition change06:00 Adding fruits and vegetables strategically07:00 Why protein at breakfast matters08:00 Add before you cut09:00 Making healthy living sustainable10:30 Consistency over perfection11:30 Why you don’t need to stop when things go off track12:30 The long game mindset13:00 When coaching and accountability help14:00 Who Game On Nutrition is forConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #HowToStartEatingHealthy #HealthyHabits #MidlifeNutrition #WomenOver40Health #SustainableWeightLoss #ProteinForWomen #AddBeforeYouCut #ConsistencyOverPerfection #EatTheFood #GameOnNutrition

If you are doing everything right and the scale still will not cooperate, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.For years, women have been taught that weight gain in midlife means one thing. Eat less. Try harder. Cut more calories. But during perimenopause and menopause, that advice often backfires.In this episode of Eat the Fucking Food, Kristin sits down with menopause and muscle specialist Mickee Stillman to unpack why maintenance calories may be the missing link for women over 40. Despite decades of experience in strength training and nutrition, Mickee found herself struggling through her own perimenopause transition, even while doing all the “right” things.Together, they break down why many women think they are eating enough when they are not, how hormone shifts impact hunger, energy, and the scale, and why learning your true maintenance range is essential before attempting any calorie deficit.This conversation is both science grounded and deeply practical. If you feel stuck, puffy, frustrated, or confused by what used to work but no longer does, this episode will help you understand what is really happening inside your midlife body and what to do next.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why maintenance calories in menopause are foundational for long term successHow perimenopause can disrupt results even when your habits are strongThe difference between perceived maintenance and true maintenanceWhy cutting calories too soon can stall your metabolism and progressHow consistency stabilizes energy, sleep, and recovery in midlifeWhat really causes overnight scale fluctuations in womenWhy muscle is one of the most important predictors of healthy agingHow to shift from short term dieting to long term body recompositionThe role of biofeedback in guiding nutrition decisionsWhy your metabolism is likely not brokenWe talk about:00:00 Why menopause can throw off even experienced women02:00 Mickee’s personal perimenopause experience05:30 Strength training and nutrition as the true foundation07:00 What do you want now versus what do you want most08:30 Why no one cuts before learning maintenance10:00 Building a structured nutrition blueprint13:00 Overshooting maintenance and metabolic adaptation15:00 Hunger signals when calories increase18:00 The menopause and muscle approach20:00 How slowly calories should increase22:00 Hormone fluctuations and trend line data24:00 Consistency versus weekend extremes26:00 Body recomposition and scale mindset work30:00 Using photos instead of obsessing over the scale33:00 Common causes of overnight weight spikes37:00 Favorite foods and closing thoughtsConnect with MickeeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sortafitmick/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sortafitmick Website: https://www.epnutrition.co/mickeestillman Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MaintenanceCalories #MenopauseNutrition #WomenOver40 #MidlifeMetabolism #StopCuttingCalories #BodyRecomposition #HormoneHealth #ConsistencyOverPerfection #HealthyAging #EatTheFood

For decades, women have been told that if they just tried harder, they would finally “get it right.” Eat less. Work out more. Be more disciplined. Have more willpower.But what if willpower isn’t the problem at all?In this episode of Eat the Fucking Food, Kristin sits down with Dr. Kristine Gravino, licensed psychologist, integrative mental health specialist, and certified fitness and nutrition coach, to unpack why willpower is a myth and how mindset, not motivation, determines long-term success.With over 24 years of clinical experience, Dr. G explains why women repeat the same health patterns year after year, why all-or-nothing thinking sabotages progress, and why the “bare minimum” might be your most powerful tool for sustainable change.This conversation dives into nervous system regulation, identity shifts, emotional eating patterns, menopause mindset, and why trying harder keeps you stuck.If you’re a midlife woman who feels exhausted by dieting, frustrated by inconsistency, or ashamed that you “can’t stick to it,” this episode will change the way you see yourself and your health journey.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why willpower is not the reason you’re strugglingHow the brain protects you by pulling you back into old patternsThe psychology behind all-or-nothing thinkingWhy the bare minimum builds real consistencyHow identity work creates lasting health changesWhy habit change takes 6 months to 3 years, not 21 daysHow to recognize unconscious self-sabotage thoughtsThe connection between emotional eating, nervous system regulation, and stressWhy midlife women need to fuel, not restrictHow to break the cycle of “start over Monday”We talk about:00:00 Why willpower is a myth02:00 How women are conditioned to believe they just need to try harder04:00 All-or-nothing thinking and perfectionism05:30 The power of the “bare minimum” mindset07:00 Why women struggle to prioritize themselves10:00 Small habits and consistency over overhaul13:00 How long real behavior change actually takes18:00 Recognizing self-sabotage patterns20:00 Nervous system regulation and emotional eating23:00 Breaking cycles around food, wine, and stress relief24:30 Letting go of restrictive calorie mindsets in midlife27:00 Why western medicine still promotes “eat less, move more”Connect with Dr. KristineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkgravinowellness Website: https://drkgravinowellness.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #WillpowerIsAMyth #MidlifeHealth #WomenOver40 #EmotionalEatingRecovery #SelfSabotagePatterns #MindsetShift #SustainableHealth #HormoneHealth #ConsistencyOverPerfection #EatTheFood

For many women, tracking food feels like punishment. A reminder of diet culture, restriction, and years spent trying to eat less instead of live more. But what if tracking wasn’t about control at all, and was actually the key to food freedom?In this episode of Eat the Fucking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with Laura Savino, founder of Elevated Pursuit Nutrition, to reframe tracking as a neutral, empowering tool. One that removes shame, takes emotion out of food decisions, and helps women finally understand how much they can eat to feel energized, strong, and consistent.Laura explains why most women don’t have a fat loss problem, they have a maintenance problem. They’ve never been taught how to eat enough, consistently, without swinging between restriction and overeating. This conversation breaks down why eating at maintenance is foundational, how data creates clarity instead of judgment, and why learning to fuel yourself is the most radical shift midlife women can make.If you’ve ever felt triggered by tracking, stuck in the cycle of dieting, or confused about why “nothing works anymore,” this episode offers a grounded, practical way forward.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why tracking food can create freedom instead of restrictionHow diet culture disconnects women from hunger and fullnessWhat maintenance calories actually are and why they matterWhy under-eating during the week leads to weekend overeatingHow data removes shame from nutrition decisionsWhat it means to eat enough to thrive, not just surviveWe talk about:00:00 Why tracking food feels scary01:00 Reframing tracking as a tool for thriving, not restriction02:00 Why women associate tracking with dieting and eating less03:00 Learning how much food you can eat, not how little04:30 Maintenance calories explained and why they’re misunderstood07:30 Under-eating during the week and weekend overeating cycles10:30 Why eating “healthy” can still leave you underfueled13:00 Using data to remove emotion, guilt, and shame from food16:30 High-satiety vs low-satiety eating and why it matters19:30 Why maintenance feels hard before it feels freeing22:30 Individual differences in hunger, fullness, and calorie needs25:30 Learning how to eat like an adult in a diet-obsessed culture28:30 How consistency, not restriction, creates long-term resultsConnect with LauraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeungjeansWebsite: jeansy.redbubble.com Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #DietCultureRecovery #FoodFreedomJourney #AntiDiet #MidlifeWomen #EatEnough #MaintenanceMatters #WomenOver40Health #NutritionWithoutShame #BodyTrust #SustainableHealth

Midlife women were taught how to diet, not how to fuel themselves, and many are waking up to the cost. Chronic pain, fear around food, shrinking confidence, and bodies that feel fragile instead of capable are not personal failures, they are the result of decades of conditioning to be smaller.In this episode, Kristin Collins sits down with SJ Yeung, known as Jeannie, a 52-year-old strength athlete, artist, and midlife woman who chose to stop shrinking and start building a body that feels powerful, capable, and resilient.SJ shares her journey through diet culture, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, perimenopause, and fear-based nutrition messaging, and how strength training and eating enough changed not just her body, but her confidence, independence, and future. This conversation goes beyond workouts and macros and gets to the heart of what so many women are craving in midlife, energy, autonomy, joy, and the right to take up space.This episode is for women who are tired of being told to eat less, move smaller, and stay quiet, and are ready to build strength in their bodies and their lives.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why midlife women are choosing strength over shrinkingHow diet culture and fear-based nutrition messaging lead to chronic underfuelingThe connection between eating enough, muscle, confidence, and independenceWhy getting stronger changes how you move through the world, not just the gymHow fear of “getting bigger” keeps women stuck in weaker bodiesWhat it means to eat with joy instead of judgmentWhy strength training supports longevity, bone health, and future independenceHow reframing body size can unlock confidence and self-trustWhy food freedom in midlife is about capability, not controlThe mindset shift from surviving to thrivingWe talk about:00:00 Meet SJ and why this conversation matters02:00 Growing up in diet culture and the pressure to be smaller04:30 Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and the search for healing07:30 Fear-based nutrition messaging and unintended underfueling10:30 Why eating less felt “healthy” but wasn’t sustainable13:00 Discovering strength training and choosing muscle over shrinking16:30 Confidence, independence, and feeling capable again19:30 The mental challenge of getting stronger in a culture that rewards small22:30 Longevity, bone health, and future-proofing your body25:30 Why joy belongs in food and movement28:30 Favorite foods, pleasure, and letting go of food fear30:30 Creativity, artistry, and reclaiming self-expression in midlifeConnect with SJInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeungjeansWebsite: jeansy.redbubble.com Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeStrength #FoodFreedom #AntiDiet #WomenOver40 #StrengthTraining #MidlifeHealth #Perimenopause #MenopauseHealth #Undereating #BodyConfidence #Longevity #HealthyAging #WomensHealth #MuscleOverSize

Midlife women have been taught how to diet, but not how to eat, and it’s costing them energy, strength, mood, sleep, and long-term health. In this episode of Eat the Fcking Food, Kristin Collins sits down with nutrition and fitness coach Le Bergen (20+ years in the space) to talk about what most women never hear out loud: you’re not failing, you’re under-fueled.Le breaks down why “eating the minimum” might help you survive, but it won’t help you thrive, especially as you age. Together, they reframe “performance” beyond the gym (think sleep, digestion, mood, focus, and daily stamina), and explain why chasing a smaller body often keeps women stuck in weaker bodies.You’ll learn how to start eating up to your needs without panic, why carbs got unfairly thrown into the “Butterfinger category,” how to use tracking as neutral data (not punishment), and a simple hand-portion method that meets you where you are. Then they close with the most joyful mic-drop imaginable: yes, eat the bun.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why eating up to your needs matters more as you age (thriving vs surviving)What “performance over size” really means for real life, not just workoutsHow under-fueling impacts muscle, brain bandwidth, organs, skin, and vitalityWhat to say to yourself when you’re scared to eat more (start small, chase actions)Why carbs affect mood and energy, and how restriction fuels the binge-restrict loopHow to “clean up the carb closet” without demonizing foodsA practical starting point: journaling as information (not a diary, not a confession)A simple hand-portion framework for meals (your hand, your body, your needs)Why the scale can lie, and why body composition matters more than a numberThe forever shift: stop looking for an end date, build a floor, not a finish lineWe talk about:00:00 Meet Le Bergen, why this convo matters01:00 The podcast name story, food fear, bananas and carrots02:00 Why eating up to your needs matters more in midlife03:00 Thriving vs surviving, muscle, brain power, organ function04:30 What to say when you’re scared to eat more (start with protein)07:30 Performance over size, what “performance” means in real life09:00 Carbs, mood, energy, blood sugar, and the binge-restrict loop14:00 The best place to start, journal first, use data, adjust timing17:00 Tracking without obsession, hand portions, meals in daylight22:00 The scale, body composition, muscle, metabolism, bone density26:00 Stop looking for the end, make the ceiling your floor27:30 Favorite meal, hamburger + fries + milkshake, eat the bunConnect with LeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_bergin_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwtfl/ Podcast: https://lebergin.com/no-butt-serious-le-podcast/ Website: https://lebergin.com/ Connect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collins Website: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ #MidlifeNutrition #Perimenopause #MenopauseHealth #Undereating #AntiDiet #WomensHealth #StrengthTraining #HormoneHealth #Metabolism #FoodFreedom

Welcome to Eat the F*cking Food, a podcast for midlife women who are done living under diet culture rules and ready to eat enough to actually thrive. Host Kristin Collins, a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist, shares why this show exists: women have learned how to diet, but not how to eat, and it’s leaving them underfed, overwhelmed, and afraid of basic foods.In this first episode, Kristin tells her story, how perimenopause hit, and how symptoms stacked up, sleep disruption, anxiety, libido changes, and digestion so slow it landed her in the emergency room. She opens up about the trap of restriction that “worked” aesthetically while her health markers got worse, and the turning point that changed everything, eating up to her needs, lifting weights, and learning that rest and recovery are part of health too.Kristin also previews what’s coming next: guests and conversations designed to put self-care back on the table, remove fear around food, and help women fuel their bodies so they can fuel their lives.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why this podcast exists, to challenge diet mentality and help women eat enough to thrive in midlifeThe moment the name was born, after hearing women ask “Are potatoes okay?” “Can I have a banana?” “Can I have carrots?”How perimenopause showed up, sleep disruption, anxiety, libido changes, digestion issuesThe “compliments trap,” getting rewarded for getting smaller while health markers declinedWhy one-size-fits-all diets can do damage, and why this show separates opinion from factThe shift to eating up to your needs, lifting weights, and respecting rest and recoveryA simple structure for consistency, three meals, a snack, sometimes two snacks for high-energy daysRemoving morality from food, banana, cookie, cocktail, informed choices without shameWhat’s coming next, strength-minded coaching, tracking without fear by treating it as data, real midlife stories, and mindset supportWe talk about:00:00 Welcome, and why diet nonsense ends here01:00 Food as self-care, eating enough to thrive (not drag through the day)01:35 The name story, “Are potatoes okay?” “Can I have a banana?”03:00 Perimenopause, symptoms and the “that’s just how it is” lie04:20 The emergency room moment, digestion slowed dramatically05:10 Detoxes, restriction, and the compliments trap06:45 The turning point, eating more, lifting, rest and recovery08:10 “Healthy doesn’t have to be so hard”08:45 The framework, meals, snacks, consistency, lifestyle09:30 Food neutrality, taking morality off your plate10:20 What’s next, guests on strength, tracking as data, real stories, mindsetConnect with meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristin.collinsWebsite: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/#MidlifeNutrition #Perimenopause #MenopauseHealth #Undereating #AntiDiet #WomensHealth #StrengthTraining #HormoneHealth #Metabolism #FoodFreedom

Stop dieting.Stop apologizing for hunger.Start eating like a woman who plans to be here for a long time.Eat the F*cking Food is a nutrition and mindset podcast for women who are exhausted by diet culture and confused by conflicting nutrition advice. If you’ve tried low carb, no carb, calorie counting, points, powders, or “starting over on Monday” and still feel tired, bloated, hormonal, or stuck, this show is for you.This podcast helps women understand how to eat enough, especially in midlife, by breaking down nutrition, metabolism, and hormones in a way that actually makes sense. We talk about why 1200 calories is never the answer, how chronic under eating impacts hormone health, gut health, digestion, sleep, and energy, and how to build a balanced plate without fear or food rules.Each week, we cover topics like diet myths, popular diets explained, intuitive eating foundations, blood work and lab results, bloating and gut health, GLP-1 medications and lifestyle support, and how to heal your relationship with food after years of dieting.You’ll hear from nutrition coaches, strength coaches, hormone experts, and women who believe strong is better than skinny, prioritize good health, and know that nourishment is not something you earn.This isn’t about weight loss at any cost.It’s about metabolic health, energy, hormone balance, and freedom around food.Subscribe for honest conversations about women’s nutrition, body image, hormone health, and learning how to actually eat.Your body isn’t broken. It’s underfed.Connect here: https://kristincollinshealthcoaching.com/ / https://www.instagram.com/kristinrcollins/