Self Care Simplified

Elevated blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol - growing health concerns that are probably on your radar. Yet figuring out how and what to eat to help address these issues can feel so stressful and overwhelming. To help us break it down, I’ve invited Mia Rigden to join me on the podcast. Mia is an LA-based nutritionist, trained chef and the author of multiple cookbooks and nutrition guides that...

In so many ways, our bodies are like a symphony. A delicate balance of “instruments” that, when they work together, keep us functioning at our best. But what happens when part of the symphony gets out of balance? Let’s take the hormone cortisol for example. Listener Dessa asks: “I just listened to your episode on inflammation (Episode 348), and I’m curious - does inflammation affect cortisol? How...

Did you know that your shoulder is the most complicated joint in your body? And probably one of those you don’t think about until something goes wrong. Frozen shoulder, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears - all debilitating shoulder issues, and also totally preventable. But most women are going about it all wrong. In this episode, you’ll learn what you should be doing NOW to create really hea...

You don’t have to spend much time online to see lots of different nutritional strategies for fat loss. But which ones work and which ones are a waste of time? Are any of them worth the effort? Listener Courtney wondered the same thing: “I’ve been seeing a lot of programs out there that really hype up carb cycling, dialed-in macro counting and intermittent fasting, and I’m getting confused. Can you...

Are you in need of some simple tips to instantly ease your back or hip pain? Well, you’ve come to the right place - today’s episode is going to deliver EXACTLY that! Recently, I joined Susie Pettit on the Love Your Life podcast to discuss the problem of back and hip pain. The questions that Susie asked were so good, the topics were so relevant, and the tips were so actionable, that we decided to a...

At some point we’ve probably all thought it: “just tell me what to do to lose weight! Is there a magic number? A special formula?” Listener Gina asked this very question: “How much of a calorie deficit do you have to be in to lose weight?” And as you can imagine, the answer is both simple and complex at the same time. In this quick episode I’m going to break down what you need to be doing to move...

Whether we’re sitting at our desks, hunching over our phones or slowly slumping in our chairs, bad posture has a way of catching up with us. And while it may not seem like a big deal right now, as we age poor posture can become a habit with far reaching consequences. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much for poor posture and alignment to be corrected - and I’m going to tell you how! In this episode I’m...

Do you ever feel like your workouts have kinda stalled out? But what’s the most effective way to get out of a rut and start seeing progress? Gina finds herself in this same situation: “Hi, Megan. In a recent podcast episode, you had a guest talk about spending less time at the gym, but doing heavier weightlifting and fewer reps. I was wondering what that might mean for someone who is 63 and has be...

Let’s talk about diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes is on the rise, and more and more women are wondering how to properly manage their blood sugar levels. This focus becomes even more important for women over 40. Menopausal hormone shifts can have a dramatic impact on insulin sensitivity. To help us discover more about this connection between hormones and insulin, is Melissa Slemp. Melissa is a hea...

Why is it the older we get, the harder it is to lose weight? And all the things we did in our 20s, 30s and even 40s don’t seem to work for us anymore? Listener Gina has the same questions: “I’m 63, and over the last maybe six or seven years I have gained about ten to twelve pounds. I've been eating protein and produce, but I'm still struggling with losing the fat. I'm fairly active - I...

See if this sounds familiar? It’s the beginning of summer, and you’re ready for a fresh new start! It’s time to make some changes so you can feel really good in a swimsuit! So you make a plan: 30 minute workout 5 days a week; more salads and less snacks; 8 glasses of water each day; a 20 minute walk after dinner; evening wind down and earlier bedtime. No problem! And things start strong - Monday,...

PROTEIN. All the health and fitness experts tell us we should be eating more, more, more! But trying to fit 100+ grams of protein into your day can feel daunting. Listener Jamie feels the same way: “You're always talking about ‘Eat Your PROs’ and produce is easy, but I want to be eating more protein. Can you give us some other options for protein besides string cheese, peanut butter, and chick...

As we get older, it’s easy to look around and think the chance to change our fitness has passed us by. That in our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, we have missed the opportunity to get strong and now have to just “settle” for what we have. But nothing could be further from the truth! Meet Rachel Cosgrove - one of the most influential trainers and strength coaches in the industry, and author of the book...

In the confusing world of supplements - and influencers touting their miraculous benefits - it’s hard to know what’s worth taking and what you should skip. Listener Lynn asks: “I would like to know what supplements you recommend for a healthy 76-year-old to take other than a multivitamin and a probiotic? Thanks!” In this quick episode we’ll talk all things supplements and which ones I recommend, w...

So often stress can feel mental and emotional - but the reality is stress can take a physical toll on your body and health, as well. When you’re stressed, your body unleashes a domino effect of internal reactions to help you manage and overcome the perceived threat. But what happens when you can’t turn the stress off? In this episode we’re going to dive into the importance of stress management - a...

You’ve probably seen it on social media - influencers and fitness buffs touting the benefits of weighted vests. But are they worth the hype? Listener Sandra asks: “I have a question about weighted vests, and in particular, walking with a weighted vest. I'm seeing more of it on social media from different trainers about using a weighted vest. So I would like to know if you think there are a lot...

Bone Density. Osteopenia. Osteoporosis. While these may sound like your grandmother’s conditions, the truth is bone loss BEGINS in midlife. In fact, you can lose up to 20% of your bone density during midlife, leaving you vulnerable to fractures and serious injury even earlier than you might think. The good news is taking steps NOW can help prevent bone loss and reduce your risk of injury - and we’...

Have you ever tried to tackle pain or tightness with stretching, only to feel like it just made things worse? Listener Donna has had a similar experience. She asks: “I've been suffering with hip pain for about three months now, and it's stopping me doing any kind of exercise because it just seems to flare it up. I'm wondering if your hip and back pain course would be good for me. I&#39...

If you’ve ever experienced sciatica - that firey pain that radiates down your leg, often coupled with tingling, numbness, and a deep throbbing pain in the hip socket - then you know first hand how debilitating it can be. In fact, you’re not alone - it’s estimated that 40% of adults will experience sciatic pain at some point in their lives. This week we’re going to talk all things sciatica: what is...

As women, through so many stages of our lives we have to wrestle with a hormonal roller coasters. From puberty to pregnancy - both pre-natal and post-natal - to the intense fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause, it can be a wild ride. And this new, unknown season of life can feel pretty overwhelming - and often lonely. Listener Dessa asks: “Hey, Megan, I appreciate that you think of women of...

Aging gets such a bad rap!! For too long, there has been such a stigma for women around getting older, getting gray hairs, going through menopause… almost like as women, our value and our self worth begins to diminish and dwindle with each passing year. Katie Fogarty is joining us on the podcast this week. She’s the host of A Certain Age Podcast and has the unique perspective of interviewing hundr...

Everybody’s looking for the wonder pill - a simple supplement that will dramatically improve your health in pill form. Colostrum is fairly new in the supplement space, and it’s rapidly gaining popularity for its claims on improving immunity, gut health and even bone and muscle health. Is colostrum worth the try or is it just another “snake oil”? In this shortie Ask Megan episode, I share insights...

So often, when faced with joint pain, chronic inflammation or even a Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis, women are given very few treatment options. It’s usually prescription medication and hope for the best. But what if there was more you could do? Liz Revilla joins me again on the show this week, and she has personally dealt with all of this. However, as a registered dietitian, instead of listening...

When you start changing your nutrition habits and shifting the way you eat, one of the biggest challenges can be figuring out when and how to splurge responsibly. You don’t want to get off track, but you also want some fun mixed in with all the nutritious food you’re eating. Listener Corie has this same question: “Hey Megan, my question is in response to one of your recent Friday episodes about sp...

We are well into spring - the days are longer, the temps are warmer, and summer is just around the corner! But with summer on the horizon, it’s natural to start thinking about our fitness - am I ready to tackle all the fun things summer has in store, and feel good doing it? Last week we kicked off a 2-part Summer Shape Up series with a solid, sustainable nutrition plan to get you on your way to fe...