Energy In vs. Energy Out

Think menopause is why you're gaining weight? It’s not. The truth: your metabolism stays stable from age 20 to 60. What does change? Your energy balance—and most women don’t see it happening. In this episode, I unpack the real reason weight loss feels harder now, and what you can do to shift it.

You’ll learn how energy in (food) vs. energy out (movement) drives fat loss, why tracking intake matters more than ever, and how your body subtly burns less as you lose weight—without you even noticing.

What you’ll walk away with:

• Why “calories” are just energy—and why mindset around them matters

• The law of thermodynamics: no one gets around it

• How untracked changes in daily movement stall fat loss

• Why tracking isn’t about judgment—it’s data to guide your goals

• What’s really behind midlife weight gain (and it’s not your hormones)

Cut through the confusion. If weight loss has felt impossible lately, this might be the missing piece.

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Podcast Produced by Virtually You!

Sources:

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• Thomas, J. G., Bond, D. S., Raynor, H. A., Papandonatos, G. D., & Wing, R. R. (2017). Comparison of smartphone-based behavioral obesity treatment with gold standard group treatment and control: A randomized trial. Obesity, 25(6), 964–972. Chronic intestinal electrical stimulation improves glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in diet‐induced obesity rats

• Ducrot, P., Méjean, C., Aroumougame, V., Ibanez, G., Allès, B., Kesse-Guyot, E., ... & Péneau, S. (2017). Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 12. Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults - International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

• Catenacci, V. A., Ogden, L. G., Stuht, J., Phelan, S., Wing, R. R., Hill, J. O., & Wyatt, H. R. (2008). Physical activity patterns in the National Weight Control Registry. Obesity, 16(1), 153–161. Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Gray Matter Volume in 1,428 Healthy Individuals

• Butryn, M. L., Phelan, S., Hill, J. O., & Wing, R. R. (2007). Consistent self-monitoring of weight: A key component of successful weight loss maintenance. Obesity, 15(12), 3091–3096. Consistent Self‐monitoring of Weight: A Key Component of Successful Weight Loss Maintenance

• Wing, R. R., & Phelan, S. (2005). Long-term weight loss maintenance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 82(1), 222S–225S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/82.1.222S

• Wing, R. R., Papandonatos, G. D., Fava, J. L., Gorin, A. A., Phelan, S., McCaffery, J., & Tate, D. F. (2008). Maintaining large weight losses: The role of behavioral and psychological factors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 1015–1021. APA PsycNet

• Mayo Clinic. (2021). Menopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread. Mayo Clinic. The reality of menopause weight gain

• Jefferson Health. (n.d.). The truth about menopause: Debunking 6 common misconceptions. Jefferson Health. The Truth About Menopause: Debunking 6 Common Misconceptions | Jefferson Health

• American Heart Association. (n.d.). Food diary – How to keep track of what you eat. AHA Healthy Eating. Food Diary — Keep Track of What You Eat and Drink

• National Weight Control Registry. (n.d.). NWCR Facts. https://www.nwcr.ws

• McGrath, E. (2025, May 29). Using this 'inclusion strategy' can help you lose weight — and means you get to eat dessert. New York Post. Using this 'inclusion strategy' can help you lose weight — and...