Episode 75: Why “Calories In, Calories Out” Is Terrible Weight-Loss Advice
For years, women have been told that weight loss is simple: eat fewer calories, burn more calories, and try harder.
So why does it feel so much harder for some of us than it does for others?
In this episode, Michelle challenges the oversimplified “calories in, calories out” advice that has left generations of women blaming themselves for their hunger, cravings, and weight struggles.
Yes, calories matter—but your body is not a calculator. Hunger, fullness, hormones, sleep, stress, muscle mass, food quality, dieting history, medications, and blood-sugar fluctuations can all influence how your body responds to food and restriction.
Michelle also shares her personal experience of watching naturally thin friends effortlessly push away their plates while she was still hungry—and wondering what was wrong with her.
Spoiler: Struggling with hunger doesn’t mean you lack discipline.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What “calories in, calories out” gets right—and what it completely leaves out
- Why two meals with the same calories can affect your hunger very differently
- How chronic dieting and calorie restriction can influence appetite and energy expenditure
- What GLP-1 medications reveal about the biology of hunger and food noise
- Why protein, fiber, nourishing fats, sleep, stress, and muscle matter
- How to build meals that leave you nourished and satisfied
- The mindset shift that helped Michelle stop treating hunger like a personal failure
The goal isn’t to find the fewest calories you can tolerate. It’s to build meals and habits that help you feel nourished, satisfied, strong, and able to make supportive choices without constantly fighting your body.
Your body needs support—not punishment.
If this episode makes you think of another woman who has spent years blaming herself for struggling with food or weight, please share it with her. And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode!
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Email: michelle@theinspiredwellnesscoach.com
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Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not discontinue or change a prescription medication, including a proton pump inhibitor, without consulting your prescribing healthcare professional.
