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Wellness Wednesday: Holiday Weight Gain: Separating Myth from Reality and What You Can Do About It
Every year, as pumpkin pies cool and champagne flows, the fear of holiday weight gain looms large. Headlines warn of rapid seasonal weight spikes, social media posts dramatize “holiday bulge,” and diet culture pushes quick-fix “detoxes.” But what does the science actually say? How much of that extra weight is fat versus temporary bloat, and why does it tend to linger?
Let’s unpack the biology, behavior, and evidence behind holiday weight gain, and show you practical strategies to navigate the season without guilt.
Wellness Wednesday: All About the Antioxidants
Imagine your body as a bustling city. Every day, millions of tiny “sparks” fly off from normal processes like breathing, digesting food, or exercising. Left unchecked, those sparks—scientists call them free radicals—can damage the city’s buildings and infrastructure, accelerating wear and tear over time. Now here’s the twist: your body has its own defense squad—antioxidants—that race in to neutralize those sparks before they cause harm. But here’s the real question: are you giving your body enough of these defenders, and are supplements the answer—or is the truth more complicated than we’ve been led to believe?
Wellness Wednesday: Why Regain Happens and What Evidence Really Shows
Jasmine had done everything “right.” She counted calories, hit the gym five days a week, and proudly watched the scale drop 40 pounds over the course of a year. Friends praised her discipline, and her doctor called her progress “life-changing.” But five years later, the story looked very different. Nearly all the weight had crept back, despite Jasmine’s best intentions. She wasn’t alone, her experience mirrored a startling trend that research has confirmed time and again.
Why is it that up to 80% of people who lose weight eventually regain it? Is it simply a matter of willpower, or are there deeper forces at play, hidden in our biology, environment, and even psychology, that make weight maintenance far more difficult than weight loss itself?
Wellness Wednesday: Autism, Early Detection, and Vaccine Safety
As both a health professional and a parent, I know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate questions about your child’s development. When my own child was young, I found myself watching for milestones with equal parts pride and quiet worry—wondering if every new word, gesture, or behavior meant things were “on track.” For parents who suspect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or are simply trying to separate fact from fear, the flood of information—and misinformation—can be daunting. Adding to the challenge is the loud, persistent debate around vaccines, medication exposures like acetaminophen, and environmental factors, which often leaves families caught between fear and fact.
Wellness Wednesday: Metabolic Adaptation: Why the Body Fights Back During Weight Loss
Have you ever wondered why your weight loss suddenly slows despite sticking to your plan—or why it comes back even after months of effort? The answer isn’t lack of discipline—it’s your body adapting in ways most people don’t realize. From hormonal shifts to metabolic slowdowns, this hidden mechanism can undermine even the best intentions. Discover how metabolic adaptation works, why it happens, and what evidence-based strategies can help you reclaim control over your weight and health.
Wellness Wednesday: What Science, Coaching, and Media Teach Us About Weight Loss
As a board-certified health and wellness coach with a background in exercise science research, I approach weight management through a lens that combines rigorous scientific evidence with practical application. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients navigating the complexities of metabolism, behavior, and lifestyle, witnessing firsthand how the human body responds to both stress and habit change. Few cases illustrate these dynamics better than The Biggest Loser. While the show captivated audiences with dramatic transformations, a closer look at the research and lived experiences of contestants reveals a more nuanced story, one that underscores the delicate balance between biology, psychology, and sustainable health strategies.
Wellness Wednesday: How Gut-Friendly Foods and Supplements Shape Health
Over the last decade, gut health has moved from a niche topic in research labs to a central theme in everyday nutrition conversations. Yet despite the buzz, there’s still plenty of confusion about what prebiotics and probiotics are, how they work, and whether they truly live up to the promises linked to digestion, immunity, and overall health. As a dietitian would point out, the science is both exciting and nuanced, while evidence supports their role in shaping a healthier microbiome, not every claim is fully backed by human trials. To separate fact from hype, it’s important to examine what the research says, where the gaps remain, and how individuals can make informed choices tailored to their own needs.
Wellness Wednesday: How Feeding Your Gut Fuels a Longer, Healthier Life
We tend to think of fiber as little more than “roughage,” but emerging research shows it may be one of the most important keys to long-term health. From protecting your heart and balancing blood sugar to fueling a diverse gut microbiome linked to longevity, fiber does far more than most people realize. But are you getting enough, and from the right sources?
Wellness Wednesday: A Doctor’s Guide to Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Take GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications have been hailed as breakthrough treatments for diabetes and weight loss, but are they safe for everyone? While some patients see life-changing benefits, others face risks that can’t be ignored. From hidden contraindications to emerging long-term questions, this article breaks down who should, and who shouldn’t, consider these drugs.
Wellness Wednesday: GLP-1 Medications and Pancreatitis: What the Science Really Says About Risks, Pathways, and Patient Outcomes
GLP-1 medications are revolutionizing the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health, but not without controversy. While these drugs have shown incredible promise in controlling appetite, regulating blood sugar, and supporting long-term wellness, lingering questions remain, especially when it comes to their potential link to pancreatitis. Are the concerns warranted, or are they more myth than fact? Dive into the science behind GLP-1s, the mechanisms they trigger in the body, and what the latest research actually says about risks and benefits.