The Balanced Approach

Is 10,000 steps really the best target for activity? . Is being active outside of work enough for my health? . In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m breaking down all things activity in the modern world of sedentary jobs., and if we're able to make big differences with small changes. We cover; If 10,000 steps is achievable or realistic for most people. Why frequent movement-sna...

Does one 'slip up' lead to you hitting the 'f**k it' button? . Do you constantly feel like you'll finally get it right next week, only to hit another stumbling block on repeat . In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m breaking down how I teach clients to overcome setbacks and break the cycle of starting afresh each week only to fall off the wagon. We cover; If the...

Is the food shop a weekly afterthought or even a stressful weekly chore? . Do you dread it all week and then get it done as quickly as possible? . In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m breaking down how I teach clients to simplify the process that pretty much puts healthy eating on autopilot. We cover; How supermarkets and shops are set up to make you overspend without even realisi...

Do you struggle with late night snacking? . Are you struggling to keep it in control and in-check? . If so then this is for you! . In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m breaking down all things to help you get in control of late night snacking .We cover; What is actually causing you to feel out of control just before bed Why it could all be prevented the night before and a few simp...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, we're concluding the two-part series on protein with some easy, practical and realistic high protein options for each meal; taking last week's what, why and when and showing you how to reach your protein goals easily each day. We cover; What are my go to options for the meal most people struggle with Some tips and tricks on some high protei...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the biggest sticking points for fat loss and body composition: getting enough protein without making it weird, obsessive or overcomplicated. . We cover; How much protein you actually need, why the average UK intake often falls short despite hitting the RDI. Why your protein needs change depending on your goal, and how prote...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast I’m talking about the bit nobody wants to admit: it’s not food that’s the problem, it’s the relationship you’ve built around it. This episode is about moving from rules, guilt and all‑or‑nothing cycles toward a calmer, more flexible way of eating that actually lasts. . We cover; What a healthy relationship with food CAN look like for you. Why strict...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking about how to eat well when food is expensive, money feels tight, and “just eat healthier” advice doesn’t match your reality or budget. . We cover; If healthier foods often cost more per calorie, and why cost per  meal  tells a very different story. Budget‑friendly staples (think beans, lentils, oats, potatoes, frozen veg) that quietly u...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m answering the big exercise question: is cardio better, is strength training better, or is the real answer a bit more practical than that? . We cover; Why there isn’t one universal “best” exercise for weight loss, and why the better question is what helps you lose fat, keep muscle and stick to the plan long term. How cardio and strength training...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking about how to become more active without needing a gym membership, a full workout plan or a perfect routine. . We cover; What daily movement actually counts as – from walking and steps to chores, standing and breaking up long periods of sitting. How much walking is enough, why more movement tends to mean better health, and why step targe...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking about all things emotional eating - why it happens, why it’s more common than you think, and how to break the cycle without relying on willpower alone. . We cover; What emotional eating actually is (and isn’t), how to tell it apart from physical hunger, and why stress and poor sleep make it so much more likely. Simple tools like the BHA...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m tackling one of the biggest questions I get: “What’s the best diet for fat loss; low‑carb, low‑fat, meal replacements, fasting… or something else?” . We cover; Why no single named diet is the best, and how most plans that work depending on one thing. How to choose an approach that fits your real life, preferences and budget, so you can actually...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m answering a big one: how do you actually lose body fat and keep it off  without  feeling obsessed, miserable or like it’s your full‑time job. . We cover; What really makes a calorie deficit work in plain English – and why “eat as little as possible” is the fastest way to burn out. Why most diets fall apart long‑term (it’s not because you’re wea...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking to the people who feel like they “don’t have time to eat well” – and showing you how to make healthy eating the path of least resistance, even if you hate cooking or your schedule is chaos. . We cover; How to make protein a priority stupidly easy without faff. How to outsource the boring bits so you actually cook more often instead of a...

In this week’s episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking about the 3 things I’d change if I was starting again (which I kind of am) based on what I know now. We get into: Why I’m being more decisive with my deficit and what has made me do it differently Why I’m shifting away from low calorie snack bars and what I'm choosing instead If I'm measuring progress the same as when I l...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking about why you don’t need a full life overhaul to make progress; you just need small, repeatable 1% changes that quietly add up over time. We cover; What the “compound effect” actually means for your habits, using a simple, real-world example. What 1% better, 0% (holding steady) and 1% worse look like in real life with food, movement and...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, I’m talking to the people who feel like they’re “trying” but not getting anywhere - and are starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with them. We cover; Why waiting for the “motivation bus” keeps you stuck in all‑or‑nothing starts and stops – and what it looks like to start walking instead. Where avoiding being a beginner (in the gym, with fo...

Fitness trackers, steps, calories, closing rings… helpful tool or just another way to feel like you’re failing? In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, Louis breaks down what fitness trackers are actually good at, where they fall short, and how to use them as a supportive nudge rather than a noisy judge. We cover; Whether trackers genuinely help people move more and support weight‑loss e...

Most people obsess over the wrong numbers when they’re trying to lose body fat. They fixate on the scales this morning, the calories on the packet, or how many minutes they did on the cross‑trainer… and then wonder why nothing feels any clearer. In this episode, I break down the 5 numbers I actually care about with clients and patients – the ones that quietly transform progress without turning you...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, Louis breaks down what processed and ultra‑processed foods really are, why the labels are helpful but imperfect, and how your budget, cooking skills and access to basic kitchen kit all shape your choices in the real world. We cover; What the NOVA categories actually mean (with real‑life examples) and why “processed = bad” is far too simplistic. How...

Welcome, In this episode of The Balanced Approach, Louis shares  3 big things he’s changed his mind on  as a Nutritionist, PT and NHS health coach. He covers; Why fibre has gone from a “nice extra” to one of the quiet heroes of appetite, health and long‑term weight management. Why “more” (more steps, more workouts, more tracking) isn’t always better – and how finding the  right dose  for you leads...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, Louis talks about why tracking things like food, steps and weight can quietly transform your habits – even when it’s scruffy, inconsistent and far from perfect. . We cover; What the research shows about how badly most of us underestimate what we eat and how active we are. Why self‑monitoring (in some form) is one of the strongest predictors of succ...

In this episode of The Balanced Approach Podcast, Louis digs into why so many diets lead to short‑term weight loss but long‑term regain, and why that’s about biology, environment and design, not a lack of effort. We cover; What “diet failure” really means and why weight regain after initial loss is so common. Where most diets are set up to backfire. From rigid rules and over‑restriction to “just f...

Welcome, In this episode of The Balanced Approach, Louis shares 5 simple Monday questions that make weight loss and getting healthier feel more doable and less “start again every week”. You’ll hear; Why “I’ll just try harder this week” doesn’t work as well as having one clear health focus for the next 7 days. How looking honestly at what  has  and  hasn’t  worked for you before can stop you repeat...

Welcome, In this episode of The Balanced Approach, Louis discusses 2 simple steps that will help make change stick this year and beyond. He covers; How most people don’t stick to their New Year health goals aren't just lazy or trying hard enough. Why expecting to fail; and knowing exactly how you’ll come back the next day, can radically change your long‑term results. How a simple “Plan A / Pla...