Self Care Simplified

10,000 steps a day. We often think of this as the gold standard for movement. But is hitting that 10,000 step goal enough to actually impact your health and fitness? In this episode, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of walking for fitness. I’ll discuss things walking CAN do for you, and things walking CAN’T do for you. Then we’ll dive into how you can go beyond walking to start building strength,...

Do you ever hear about the latest eating or diet trend and wish you could “ask an expert”? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Listener Frances asks: “Hi, Megan. I'm curious. What do you think about this new intuitive eating craze? I've been listening to a few podcasts and reading, and I was on board at first, but now I'm not so sure because I really, really think your advice about eating PROs,...

Lots of great fitness programs - including mine - encourage women to lift heavy weights. But have you ever been stumped by what exactly constitutes “heavy weights”? And how much weight it too much or not enough? Listener Lisa had the same question: “I’m wondering what you consider ‘heavy weights’. I’ve noticed you mention that you lift heavy weights 2 times a week. How much do you lift?” In this s...

Today’s question comes from Holly: “I want to get rid of things in my pantry, but how can I take baby steps to get my family on board? I’ve done something “new” so many times and I just want them to see the difference this time. So, I’ve done little to force this new lifestyle on them until I feel like it’s something that I am confident in. Even then, I’m prone to nagging.” In this short Ask Megan...

How many times have you decided to implement a new habit, only for a week later to have already “failed”? Well, let me let you in on a little secret…you’re probably thinking about your habits all wrong. And I bet that when you feel like you’ve failed at your habits, you’re thinking about that wrong, too. Meet Monica Packer, host of the podcast “About Progress”, and a coach to countless women that...

Do you ever have days where the weights that seemed do-able yesterday are suddenly challenging today? What is happening? Listener Julie had this same issue: “Hi Megan. I've been weight training for about the last five years and progressing slowly. But just lately the weights seem to be much harder to lift. Even though I've been doing the same weights for a while. I was just wondering, is it my age...

It is that time of year! The season of joy, magic, and wonder. It’s also the season of parties, snacks and treats. So how to we fully enjoy the holiday season and still feel good on January 1st? Just in time for the holiday party season, I have a 4-step Holiday Splurging Plan that will help you navigate all the potential pitfalls of the month ahead. Grab some paper and a pen - you’re going to want...

Have you ever tried to tackle an exercise only to realize your wrists aren’t up for the task? If so, you’re in good company. Listener Mary has this same struggle: “I tend to struggle with any exercise that requires me to put weight on my wrists. Any suggestions? Is it ok to turns my hands a bit or make a fist to support myself on my knuckles?” Wrist strength and mobility is a super common issue -...

Have you ever had the feeling that your body responds differently to certain foods as you’re getting older? Maybe that cookie or glass of wine you never thought twice about now makes you feel terrible. Well, you’re not imagining it. Your nutritional needs really do shift as you go through perimenopause and menopause. And to give us some insight into what’s going on, I have Dr. Federica Amati, one...

You know should fill up a large portion of your meals with produce, but sometimes you just can’t handle another salad, carrot stick or side of steamed broccoli! Melissa found herself in the same situation: “I know I need to be eating a lot of produce, but I’m in a rut of steamed broccoli and roasted Brussels sprouts! Cooked vegetables are just not a favorite of mine. Tasty recipes welcome!” If thi...

See if this sounds familiar: you’re making some positive changes, getting into a good rhythm with your workouts, and starting to see results. When suddenly you hit an obstacle everything comes to a screeching halt. If you haven’t had this experience yet, I promise that eventually you will. What do you do? In this episode, we’re going to deep dive into the THREE biggest obstacles you might face in...

Last week we had Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as The Vagina Whisperer, on the podcast talking about prolapse and pelvic floor health in midlife. This week she’s back to answer your burning questions! Mara asks: “I am having a vaginal prolapse and hysterectomy surgery. What exercises can I do before surgery to help recover quicker? Exercises after?” Tune in as Dr. Reardon provides advice on the bes...

Muscle soreness, tendinitis, arthritis, and even nerve pain - if you’ve got pain somewhere in your body, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, the questions I get asked the most have to do with pain: In this episode we’re going to cover the 4 most common types of pain you’re likely to experience in your strength and conditioning journey, how to address each one and how to avoid future pain. And wh...

One of the often-repeated nutrition tips I give women all the time is: “If it’s a mealtime, eat. If it’s not a mealtime, don’t eat.” But what if, because of time, habit or lack of hunger, you’re just not a breakfast person? Listener Tessa had this same question: “I struggle to eat in the mornings some days. I’m just not hungry until late morning and I feel sick if I force myself to eat. I’ve heard...

As if midlife didn’t bring enough changes to worry about, you suddenly get hit with pelvic floor problems. What in the world? Prolapse, UTI’s, bladder leakage…these issues can come out of nowhere in midlife and be really debilitating. To help us navigate pelvic floor health we’ve got Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer , back on the podcast this week. Dr. Reardon is sharing some r...

What’s the true indication of an effective workout? Is it sweat? Breathlessness? Soreness? How can you know if you’re truly doing enough? Listener Tessa wondered this same thing: “If I don’t feel sore after a workout, was it still effective? Should I have worked out harder?” In this quick episode, we’ll talk about muscle soreness - why it happens and what it actually going on in your muscles. And...

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is not a small problem. In fact, according to the CDC, approximately 48% - and 55% of adults ages 40-59 years old - have high blood pressure. And unchecked, it can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. In addition to medication, there are lifestyle changes that can positively impact your blood pressure, including eating healthier, reduc...

If you’re starting to stock a home gym, it can be easy to get confused about which equipment you need and which you don’t. Take weights for instance. With all the options available, how do you know where to start? Listener Christina asks: “Kettlebells or dumbbells? Do you have a recommendation on what would be best to purchase?” In this quick episode, I break down the differences in the two option...

A lot of the changes that happen during midlife and menopause are widely discussed online and on social media - weight struggles, bone density issues, nutritional needs, hot flashes, belly fat, and hormonal shifts to name a few. But what about the challenges nobody talks about? Many women in midlife begin dealing with a bunch of “somewhat embarrassing” issues that can make them feel like their bod...

Battling belly fat is one of the biggest challenges for women in midlife facing menopause. But what things should you be eating or avoiding to tackle stubborn belly fat? Emily has this very question: “Do high fat foods cause excess belly fat? And if not, which foods should I be paying the most attention to when it comes to getting rid of my belly fat?” In this shortie episode, I throw the question...

Almost everyone wants a smaller waistline or a way to reduce belly fat. But the problem is, a lot of the information out there online or on social media is flat-out WRONG. And even worse, it could be actively working against you causing injuries and real discouragement about your midsection. If you want to address your belly fat, but are feeling frustrated by what you see online, then this is the...

Vibration plates are one of the newest trends to hit the market. But are they worth the investment? Several listeners submitted questions about vibration plates, including this one from Tanya: “Hi, Megan. I was wondering if you had any information on the vibration plates. I recently purchased one and I've used it a few times and I've heard they're really good for wellness and to add to your routin...

For years menopause has been shrouded in mystery and hushed conversations, mostly centered around hot flashes and unwanted weight gain. But thankfully the tides have turned and menopause is now getting the attention it has always deserved, largely thanks to Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Dr. Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN who is passionate about demystifying menopause healthcare. With over 4 million fo...

Midlife can feel like a roller coaster. One day everything is going swimmingly - you feel good, loose and pain-free. And then you wake up the next day and BAM! Joint pain you’ve never had before. What is going on?! Listener Angela experienced the same thing: “I recently turned 48 and I feel like my joints are suddenly hurting all the time. I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different, and I refu...

Frozen Shoulder - ever heard of it? It happens when the strong connective tissues that surround your shoulder joint become thick, stiff and inflamed, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. And while anyone can develop frozen shoulder, it’s significantly more common in women, particularly during midlife and menopause. Whether you’re already struggling with the effects of frozen...