Why Cutting Calories Isn’t Working Anymore for Women in Midlife (#20)

19/05/2025 10 min Temporada 1 Episodio 20

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Episode Synopsis

If you’re eating healthy, lifting weights and still not seeing results, this episode is for you!Host Mel Stephens explains why eating too little is one of the most common fat-loss mistakes women make in perimenopause and menopause.You’ll learn how to calculate your personal calorie needs using fat-free mass, what Low Energy Availability (LEA) is and why it stalls weight loss, and what Dr. Stacy Sims’ research says about optimal energy intake for midlife women.If you’ve been consuming less than 1,500 calories and wondering why your strength and fat loss goals feel impossible, this episode will give you the clarity (and numbers) you need to start fueling your body for what it needs.Mel Stephens is Menopause 2.0 Certified through Dr. Stacy Sims, a leading researcher and expert in women’s physiology.00:28 The Problem with Cutting Calories01:38 Understanding Energy Availability03:10 Calculating Your Energy Needs06:43 Signs of Low Energy Availability09:20 Conclusion and Next StepsImportant Numbers to Remember:LEA threshold for women: 13.6 calories per lb or 30 calories per kg of fat-free mass.Women should aim for 18 to 20.5 calories per lb or 40 to 45 calories per kg of fat-free mass Energy (Calorie) Intake Calculation Example:Total weight: 150 lbs Body fat percentage: 25%Step 1: Convert body fat percentage of 25% to a decimal (divide it by 100) = 0.25Step 2: Calculate fat mass: (body weight) 150 lbs x 0.25 = 37.5 lbsStep 3: Calculate fat-free mass: 150 lbs - 37.5 lbs = 112.5 lbsStep 4: Calculate calorie intake: 112.5 lbs x 18 = 2025 calories

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