• How Movement Shapes Your Health with John Thyfault
    Jan 29 2025

    What happens to your body when you stop moving? While most people think of metabolism as something that just runs in the background burning calories, the truth is far more complex and fascinating. Your metabolism is constantly adapting to your activity levels - or lack thereof - in ways that can profoundly impact your health.

    Join Holly and Jim as they welcome Dr. John Thyfault, Director of the KU Diabetes Institute and one of the world's leading researchers in metabolism, obesity, and exercise physiology. Together, they explore the intricate connection between movement and metabolism, revealing how even small changes in activity can have rapid effects on your body's ability to process nutrients and regulate energy.

    Discussed on the episode:
    • The surprising speed at which metabolism changes when you stop moving
    • Why your genes aren't necessarily your metabolic destiny
    • The truth about "slow" metabolism and what really impacts your metabolic health
    • A game-changing perspective on exercise that turns conventional wisdom upside down
    • The critical link between movement and insulin sensitivity that most people miss
    • Why the new weight loss medications aren't a complete solution without movement
    • Simple strategies to break up sedentary time that can improve your metabolism within hours
    • The often-overlooked connection between movement and healthy aging

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Lowering physical activity impairs glycemic control in healthy volunteers
    • Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses
    • Fitness and Fatness as Health Markers through the Lifespan: An Overview of Current Knowledge

    Connect with Dr. John Thyfault on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/john-thyfault-85312092

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    45 mins
  • Make America Healthy Again: What Would It Really Take?
    Jan 22 2025

    Making America healthy again sounds like a noble goal - but what would it actually take? With over 75% of U.S. adults overweight or obese and 60% battling chronic diseases, our nation's health is headed in the wrong direction.

    Join Holly and Jim as they dive into this complex challenge, examining potential solutions and uncovering why quick fixes won't work. You'll discover why focusing on just one aspect - processed foods, exercise, or weight loss - isn't enough to turn the tide. Along the way, you'll learn about emerging opportunities and get an inside look at what a true "health moonshot" might require.

    Discussed on the episode:
    • Why putting a grocery store in a food desert isn't enough to change eating habits
    • The surprising truth about who really uses workplace wellness incentives
    • How the Mediterranean diet improves health - but falls short in one key area
    • Why Europe's public transit system gets vacationers moving more
    • The game-changing role of mindset in maintaining healthy behaviors
    • What America's moonshot to space can teach us about transforming health
    • The three non-negotiable pillars for making lasting health improvements

    Resources Mentioned:
    • Physical activity and coronary heart disease in men: The Harvard Alumni Health Study
    • Physical activity patterns associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced mortality: the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study

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    42 mins
  • Amy's Success Journey from Resistance to Resilience
    Jan 15 2025

    Success stories inspire us not just because of the results achieved, but because they show us what's possible in our own lives. In this episode, we meet Amy, whose journey began with a simple goal to "lose a few pounds" but evolved into something far more meaningful.

    What starts as a weight loss story transforms into a tale of rediscovering joy, embracing vulnerability, and finding unexpected adventures - including joining a cycling club at 64! Amy's candid sharing of her six-year journey reveals how weight loss isn't just about the number on the scale; it's about opening yourself to new possibilities and creating a life you don't want to step away from.

    Discussed on the episode:

    • The surprising mindset shift that turned "just another diet" into lasting change
    • Why being the slowest cyclist in the group became a source of pride instead of shame
    • How the fear of maintaining weight loss forever eventually fades away
    • The unexpected way Amy's transformation inspired changes in her family
    • The real reason Amy won't go back to her old lifestyle (it's not about the weight)
    • What happened when COVID threw a curveball into Amy's maintenance journey

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    34 mins
  • Unsolved Mysteries of Obesity Science with David Allison
    Jan 8 2025

    Did you know that despite decades of research, some of the most fundamental questions about obesity remain unanswered? In this episode, we dive deep into the mysteries that continue to puzzle researchers and clinicians in the field of obesity medicine.

    Join Jim Hill and Holly Wyatt as they welcome Dr. David Allison, Dean of the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and one of the world's leading obesity researchers. With over 600 published scientific papers to his name, Dr. Allison brings his analytical rigor and intellectual curiosity to tackle some of the most perplexing questions in obesity research.

    Discussed on the episode:

    • Why the concept of a "set point" for body weight might be more complicated than we think
    • The surprising truth about why some people seem to gain weight more easily than others
    • A provocative perspective on the microbiome's role in obesity that challenges conventional wisdom
    • What science really tells us about ultra-processed foods and their relationship to weight gain
    • A thought-provoking discussion about who should have access to new weight-loss medications
    • The complex relationship between personal responsibility and biological factors in obesity

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    50 mins
  • New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick: The Science Behind Success
    Jan 1 2025

    New Year's resolutions - they're as traditional as champagne at midnight, but just as likely to fizzle out before February rolls around. Did you know that while 40% of Americans make resolutions, only 9-12% feel successful a year later? Yet here's the surprising twist: those who set resolutions are actually 10 times more likely to achieve meaningful change than those who don't.

    Join Holly and Jim as they dive deep into the science and psychology of New Year's resolutions. Whether you're a resolution skeptic or a goal-setting enthusiast, you'll discover why the "fresh start effect" makes January 1st so powerful, and more importantly, how to harness that energy for lasting change in 2025.

    Discussed on the episode:

    • The unexpected #1 New Year's resolution (hint: it's not weight loss!)
    • Why treating resolutions like temporary fixes sets you up for failure
    • 10 common resolution mistakes that derail even the most motivated people
    • The psychology behind successful goal-setters (and how to become one)
    • Why going "all in" in January might be sabotaging your success
    • The surprising truth about willpower (and what to rely on instead)
    • How baseball wisdom can help you handle life's curveballs
    • Why waiting until April to "have fun" with your goals is a recipe for failure

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    44 mins
  • Alexia's Success Journey from Stuck to Strong
    Dec 25 2024

    Weight loss journeys are deeply personal and often filled with challenges, self-discovery, and remarkable transformations. But what does it truly take to lose weight and completely reimagine your relationship with health and self?

    In this episode, we dive into Alexia's extraordinary journey of losing 50 pounds and, more importantly, rediscovering herself. Her story goes far beyond numbers on a scale—it's a testament to the incredible power of mindset, community, and believing in your potential. From feeling physically limited to conquering mountain peaks, Alexia's transformation will inspire you to see weight loss as a pathway to personal liberation.

    Ready for a conversation that will challenge everything you thought you knew about sustainable health and personal growth? This episode isn't just another weight loss story—it's a blueprint for a life-changing transformation.

    Discussed on the episode:
    • The unexpected mindset shift that made weight loss feel like a joyful journey
    • How community support can be the secret ingredient to lasting change
    • Why your identity is more powerful than any diet plan
    • Surprising strategies for creating a supportive home and social environment
    • The moment Alexia realized she could do what she once thought was impossible
    • How 70 minutes of daily movement can completely transform your life
    • The difference between focusing on weight loss and focusing on lifestyle

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    36 mins
  • The Top Weight Loss Myths of 2024 Debunked
    Dec 18 2024

    Want to know why some of the weight loss advice you've heard doesn't seem to work? In this episode of "Weight Loss And...", Holly and Jim tackle the top weight loss and wellness myths of 2024. Whether it's social media feeds filled with so-called solutions or well-meaning advice from friends and old-school experts, misinformation is everywhere. As we wind down 2024 and look ahead to the New Year, it's time to arm yourself with the knowledge that truly supports long-term health goals. Listen as Holly and Jim separate fact from fiction, offering science-backed insights and practical strategies to help you set realistic and effective health goals.

    Discussed on the episode:

    • Why "just eat less and move more" is an oversimplification
    • Understanding the difference between body weight and overall health
    • The truth about willpower in weight loss and the role of physiology
    • Debunking the myth of carbs and fats as enemies
    • Why rapid weight loss isn’t always bad and might be beneficial
    • The real story on detox diets and technology in weight management
    • Hidden truths about the interplay between sleep and weight loss

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    45 mins
  • 100 Years of Obesity Research with Dr. George Bray
    Dec 11 2024

    Step into a fascinating journey through the century-long evolution of obesity research with one of the field's most distinguished pioneers. In this episode, Dr. George Bray, a legendary researcher who has shaped our understanding of weight, metabolism, and health, takes us on an illuminating exploration of how science has unraveled the complex mysteries of obesity.

    Imagine peering through a scientific time machine, tracing the incredible developments in obesity research from the early 20th century to today's groundbreaking medications. Dr. Bray offers a rare, insider's perspective on how our understanding of weight has transformed dramatically over decades. You'll discover the pivotal moments that changed everything we thought we knew about obesity, from early misconceptions to today's sophisticated understanding of metabolism, genetics, and environmental factors. Tune in to hear a true pioneer reveal the hidden history of weight science and gain insights that could revolutionize your approach to health.

    Discussed on the episode:
    • The century-long journey of obesity research from its earliest beginnings
    • Why Dr. George Bray wants to replace the term "obesity" with a more compassionate alternative
    • The surprising environmental and dietary shifts that triggered massive weight gain in the 1970s
    • How genetics, brain chemistry, and personal choices intersect in weight management
    • The game-changing potential of new weight loss medications
    • Why exercise might be the single most important intervention for health
    • The complex biological factors that make weight loss and maintenance challenging

    Resources Mentioned
    • Obesity: a 100 year perspective

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    46 mins