75. Breaking Up with Dieting, Surviving Perimenopause and Owning Body Image in Midlife with Leslie Weidner
Release Date: 10/07/2024
104. You Don’t Need Another Diet —Build the Body, Identity, and Life You Actually Want with Stephanie Crassweller
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
In this soul-nourishing episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I welcome back one of my favorite guests—Stephanie Fusnik (Crassweller), the CEO and founder of VitalityOET and host of The Metabolism and Menopause Podcast. If you’re in midlife and you’ve ever felt like you're doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck—emotionally, physically, or spiritually—this episode is for you. Stephanie and I shift the focus from food and fitness to something far deeper: identity, faith, and the power of knowing who you truly are. We talk about how motherhood changed her...
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103. The Shocking Truth: You Probably Have Parasites (Here’s What They're Doing to Your Body) with the Worm Queen, Kim Rogers
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
This is one of the most jaw-dropping and informative episodes I’ve ever recorded, and it will absolutely shift the way you view gut health and your symptoms. In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I sat down with Kim Rogers, also known as the "Worm Queen," to explore a topic that might make you squirm — parasites, worms, and what they may be doing inside your body. If you're dealing with gut issues, unexplained symptoms, skin flare-ups, or even mood changes, this is a conversation you need to hear. Kim shares her powerful personal journey from chronic illness to creating her...
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102. From Graves’ Diagnosis to Holistic Freedom: A Story of Joy and Resilience with Jacqueline Lovett
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend and fellow holistic health practitioner, Jacquelyn Lovett, to talk about something more women need to be aware of—Graves’ disease and thyroid health. In previous podcast episodes, we have talked about thyroid health and Hashimoto’s disease, but not Graves’ disease. I thought it was a perfect time to highlight Graves’ and Jacquelyn. Jacquelyn shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with this autoimmune condition and how she avoided surgery and a lifelong prescription regimen by choosing a...
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101. How Letting Go of Control Can Stop Emotional Eating and Improve Your Relationships
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Season 3 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode, I’m letting you in on one of the sneakiest contributors to emotional eating—control. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself trying to control not just your food and body, but also the people and situations around you. Sure, control feels like safety, but in reality, it often leads to disconnection, guilt, and a stronger urge to turn to the ice cream, chocolate and chips for comfort. Here’s what we explore in this episode: Why Control Feels Safe: Understanding how control acts as a coping...
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100. Behind the Mic in Midlife: Surprising Things I Learned in 100 Episodes of the Emotional Eats Podcast
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 100 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! I can't believe it! We've hit 100 episodes of the Emotional Eats Podcast!! I am loving this journey and want to celebrate with you, my special audience. It’s because of you that I continue to share as much information and expertise as I can. To make this episode extra special, I invited my dear friend and fellow health coach, Melissa Slemp, to put me in the hot seat and interview me. In this conversation, I share the good, the bad and the ugly of creating this podcast, the lessons learned, the evolution of content, and I...
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99. The Weight of Clutter: Why Your Space Impacts Your Eating Habits and Emotional Health with Shannon Leyko of the Paring Down Podcast
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 99 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! Have you ever felt like the clutter in your home is adding to your mental load, making it harder to focus, relax, or even stay on track with your health goals? In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, the powerhouse behind Paring Down, to explore how decluttering is deeply connected to emotional eating, stress, and mental well-being. Shannon is a former Miss New York, a professional vocalist, and an author who never expected to build a career in the world of decluttering. But after moving to Alaska, writing a book, and...
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98. Is Drinking Alcohol in Midlife Making Emotional Eating Worse? 7 Questions to Ask Yourself
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 98 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode, I’m diving deep into a personal journey—one that many of you may relate to—the connection between alcohol and emotional eating. If you’ve ever found yourself pouring a glass of wine after a long day or reaching for snacks when stress of the day kicks in, you’re not alone. But have you ever paused to consider why? I’m sharing my own experience of letting go of alcohol—not as a rigid, rule-based “quit” but as an intentional choice to release something that wasn’t serving me. You’ll hear about...
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97. The Truth About Menopause Weight Gain and the Power of Bioidentical Hormones
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 97 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! I was really looking forward to this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast because I sit down with the incredible Dr. Prudence Hall to discuss a topic that affects every midlife woman—menopause. Dr. Hall, a pioneer in women's health, shares her extensive experience in gynecology and integrative medicine to help women better understand their hormonal shifts, the power of bioidentical hormones, and the deeper root causes of weight gain. We also explore the mental and emotional toll of menopause, including anxiety, fatigue, and loss of...
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96. Menopause Stole My Brain—Here's How I’m Getting It Back (and You Can Too!) with Melissa Slemp
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 96 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, Kim Hynes is joined by fellow health coach and friend, Melissa Slemp, to discuss their personal experiences with menopausal brain fog and the challenges it presents. From forgetfulness to struggling with focus and decision-making, they dive into the cognitive shifts that come with perimenopause and menopause. They share their own journeys, their clients’ experiences, and practical strategies to support brain health during midlife. Brain fog isn’t just about misplacing your keys—it can...
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95. Midlife Love & Relationships: Emotional Eating, Dating Tips & Connection for Women Over 40 with Bob Grant
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 95 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! Kim sits down with relationship expert and author Bob Grant to explore the relationships, dating, and emotional connection for women over 40. Bob shares his extensive experience as a clinically trained relationship coach and therapist, offering invaluable insights into the patterns, struggles, and breakthroughs women experience in love and partnerships. Highlights from the Episode: Why relationships and emotional eating are connected The importance of self-relationship, voicing your needs and boundaries Common relationship...
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Welcome to Episode 75 of the Emotional Eats Podcast!
I had the pleasure of talking with registered dietitian Leslie Weidner to discuss all things women’s health, nutrition, and perimenopause. We begin by discussing Leslie’s journey to becoming a dietitian, which began after her initial career in sales and was fueled by her personal experiences with marathon training and nutrition. She shares the challenges of switching careers later in life, juggling motherhood, and starting her own business, giving listeners an intimate look at her path to helping women through nutrition.
Her decision to specialize in women’s health was driven by the desire to offer personalized
support not just with nutrition but with other factors that contribute to overall health for women in
perimenopause, such as regular exercise, sleep and stress management. Leslie’s approach is
rooted in empathy and compassion, as she understands and shares many of the same
challenges faced by her clients.
Leslie and I also discuss the often confusing and random symptoms of perimenopause, which can include everything from mood changes and sleep disruptions and anxiety to food intolerances, gut issues and inflammation. We both reflect on how many women may not immediately connect these weird symptoms to hormonal shifts, leading to feelings of frustration and confusion during this stage of life.
A big part of our conversation revolves around diet culture and its long-lasting impact on body image. Leslie shares her thoughts on how women are often expected to maintain the bodies they had in their 20s or 30s, even as they age. This unrealistic expectation can lead to restrictive eating and a constant cycle of dieting, which can ultimately harm both physical and emotional health.
We discuss food and nutrition myths and explore how carbohydrates, often unfairly demonized, are essential for brain function, muscle health, and overall well-being. Additionally, Leslie highlights the importance of muscle as we age, not just for appearance but for metabolic and physical health.
As we dive into the topic of intuitive eating, we examine how emotional eating often stems from the binge-restrict cycle. Leslie offers guidance on how women can break free from restrictive diets and start enjoying food in a way that’s nourishing and sustainable. She emphasizes that food is not only about fueling the body but also about enjoyment, culture, and community.
We also address the role of stress and cortisol in perimenopause, noting how chronic stress can worsen symptoms and lead to unhealthy eating habits.
Tune in until the end. Leslie provides practical tips on how to reduce stress and prioritize self-care during this life stage.
Be sure to follow Leslie for more tips on navigating perimenopause with confidence, and don’t forget to share this episode with that girlfriend who can relate.
Highlights:
Background and Introduction (0:02)
Transition to Nutrition Career (1:34)
Personal Experiences with Perimenopause (6:24)
Common Perimenopause Symptoms and Misconceptions (7:25)
Impact of Diet Culture and Body Image (9:54)
Challenges of Aging and Diet (13:49)
Importance of Carbohydrates (17:09)
Managing Emotional Eating and Food Restriction (21:10)
The Role of Stress and Cortisol (32:11)
Intermittent Fasting and Sustainability (35:29)
Connect with Leslie:
Website: https://lesliewnutrition.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/perimenopause_nutritionist/
Connect with Kim:
https://www.instagram.com/kimhyneshealth
If you like the Emotional Eats podcast, please subscribe/follow and give us a 5 star rating and review and tag us on social media. I would be so grateful.
Curious about coaching with Kim? BOOK A CALL. This is a free 30 minute consultation (for coaching only).
Help yourself to a free guide from Kim: 10 Daily Tips to Stop Stress Eating.
Note: The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner. This podcast is to provide conversation, information and entertainment.
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