Megan Dahlman, certified trainer and nutrition coach, is on a mission to help every woman - no matter her age - feel strong, healthy and confident in her body. In a culture that overcomplicates everything, this podcast will be a breath of fresh air! Self Care Simplified meets you right where you’re at, giving you simple, sustainable tips so you can feel fully functional and pain-free—in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. If you're looking for expert self-care advice combined with grace-filled mo ...
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446. Insomnia, Restless Legs & Midlife Sleep Woes (and How to Fix It!) with Dr. Katie Cederberg
32:28
32:28
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32:28As if hormonal shifts in midlife weren’t challenging enough, sleep disorders like insomnia and restless leg syndrome, dramatically increase as well - especially in women. And diminished sleep can dramatically impact the rest of your health… your metabolism, mood, cognitive function, and even more serious conditions. In this episode, we talk all thi…
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Midlfe can be a roller coaster of changes - and none more destabilizing and confusing than the hormone shift that starts happening. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone - what is happening in our bodies, and how in the world do we get control? Mary asks: “I’m 50 years old and I’m really trying to educate myself on hormones and hormone therapies. I …
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444. Wanting to Get Back to the Thinner Version of You?
21:12
21:12
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21:12Do you feel like you used to have a better body? Maybe your clothes were a smaller size, or that number on the scale was quite a bit lower. See if Cara’s struggle sounds familiar: “I’ve really been struggling lately with my body, mostly mentally. Back in the day, I used to be so much skinnier than I am now. I weighed a certain amount and so that nu…
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443. Core Exercises for Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Back Pain
8:49
8:49
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8:49If you’ve been told to “strengthen your core” for back pain, osteoporosis, or spinal arthritis—but don’t know where to start—this episode is for you. Discover why the pelvic tilt + exhale is the game-changing core move that builds true spinal stability, reduces pain, and lays the foundation for safe, effective progressions like planks and bird dogs…
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442. Menopause: Is This a Joke? with Tamsen Fadal
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23:47
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23:47Menopause. It’s usually spoken about with disdain, dread, or even fear - if it’s even talked about at all! You just suffer through quietly, having a million questions about what’s going on with your body, and never really getting relief or answers. Meet Tamsen Fadal, an Emmy Award winning journalist who is literally shredding the silence on menopau…
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441. Should You Limit Carbs in Perimenopause & Menopause?
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4:45
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4:45You know that in midlife you’re supposed to increase your protein consumption, focus on produce, drink more water and watch your sugar. But what about carbs? Are they really the villain that mainstream fitness and nutrition media has made them out to be? Listener Lynell asks: “I always thought whole grains like oatmeal, whole grain bread and brown …
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440. Struggling to Lose Weight After 40? Let’s troubleshoot!
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22:25
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22:25See if this sounds familiar… you’re eating healthy, working out, and doing all the right things… but the scale JUST WON’T BUDGE?! The reality is your body changes in midlife, and what worked in your 30s might not work as you get older. But don’t worry—I’ve got the tools you need to get things moving in the right direction! In this episode, we’re di…
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439. Reverse “Stiffness” to Feel Younger & More Limber
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12:11
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12:11Ever woken up in the morning feeling like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz—creaky, stiff, and in desperate need of oil? If so, you’re not alone. Many women in midlife notice that stiffness and achy joints seem to be creeping in more than ever. But what if I told you it didn’t have to be this way - and the solution is easier than you think! In this…
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438. 4 Things to Avoid if You Have Back Pain
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18:54
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18:54Did you know that 540-million adults are currently suffering from some form of low back pain. Not only that, it’s the number one reason why people see their doctor and miss days of work. If you’re one of the millions struggling with pain and tightness in your lower back, or you’re hoping to avoid it all together, I’m here to help! More than just he…
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437. Low Libido in Midlife - What’s happening??
5:53
5:53
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5:53Intimacy fizzling out in midlife? You’re not alone! In this episode, Dr. Kelly Casperson joins me to break down the truth about low libido in women over 40. We’re diving into why this happens (hint: it’s not just in your head), the role of hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and practical steps you can take to reignite your spark. If you’ve ev…
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436. Beyond the Treadmill: Rethinking Cardio for a Strong & Healthy Heart
26:09
26:09
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26:09You want to keep your heart healthy as you age. And you know that exercise is a key factor in optimal heart health. But this is where things start to get confusing. WHICH exercise is best for keeping your heart pumping happily? The answer might surprise you. Last week we looked at the big picture - all the habits that contribute to overall heart he…
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435. Instant Relief from Shoulder Blade Knots!
7:20
7:20
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7:20Whether it’s from poor posture, too many hours at a desk, or spending time hunched over a phone, neck pain and shoulder blade knots feel like an unavoidable part of life. But I’ve got some quick tips and easy moves to help bring relief fast! Tune into this shortie episode, where I’ll walk you through the best way to release those shoulder blade kno…
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434. How to Strengthen Your Heart—One Habit at a Time
23:41
23:41
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23:41When we start thinking about preventing disease in midlife, we’re usually thinking about the “Big C”, cancer, right? But did you know that the leading cause of death for women is heart disease? More than cancer, diabetes and dementia combined. And your risk of developing heart disease goes up dramatically in midlife. But the good news is 80% of hea…
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433. Specific Eating Habits to Reduce Cholesterol
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5:47
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5:47Did you know that about 10% of Americans have high cholesterol, and many don’t even know it. The reality is as we age, we become more likely to have elevated cholesterol levels, which can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. And while treating high cholesterol can be as easy as picking up a new prescription at the pharmacy, what if …
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431. Climb Down on the Floor & Get Back Up Easily - How to Build Your Strength!
9:12
9:12
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9:12I post lots of training and how-to videos on social media, and most of them get anywhere between 25,000 and 100K views if they’re really hitting. But right now, I have 3 videos right now that have reached about 1 million views. Whoa! You wanna know what they all have in common? They aren’t about complicated strength training moves, nutrition advice…
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430. The Surprising FACTS of Ovarian Removal and Breast Cancer with Dr. Corinne Menn
32:38
32:38
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32:38One in 8 women in the United States will have her ovaries removed prior to the onset of natural menopause, and this number is growing. On top of that, each year about 600,000 hysterectomies are performed and more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, many under the age of 50. If you or someone you love experienced this kind of proced…
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429. Avoid Pelvic Floor Problems (Bladder Leakage, Pressure) when Training/Weight Lifting
4:51
4:51
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4:51???
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428. Drinking Water - Are You Making These Mistakes?
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26:17
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26:17Trying to get enough water a day can be so confusing. Is is eight 8-ounce glasses a day? Or is it a gallon of water a day? Am I even getting close? The reality is if you don’t drink enough water, you’re going to feel lethargic, stiff and achy throughout your entire body, bloated, constipated, and generally unwell…which in turn, impacts your motivat…
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427. Getting Laser-Focused to See BIG Health Changes in 2025
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8:44
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8:44Have you ever felt “off” or like your body is “falling apart”? Maybe it’s coming off the holidays and feeling like your habits are out of control. Or realizing that in this stage of life your hormones are changing and it’s wreaking havoc on your life. So often in these situations we feel like we need to make BIG, DRASTIC adjustments to our lifestyl…
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426. Quitter’s Day? The REAL Reason Why Most Goals Fail
21:53
21:53
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21:53It’s January 21. How are those goals doing so far? If you set some goals for the new year, but have already “fallen off the wagon”, you’re not alone. January 10th is National Quitter’s Day for a reason - most people have already abandoned their goals and good intentions by then. So, let’s go back to the drawing board and create some goals you can A…
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425. Consistency Struggles? The Surprising Mindset Change You Need!
4:25
4:25
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4:25So often when life gets complicated our healthy habits are the first thing to go out the window. So how do you stay consistent in the face of life’s ups and downs? Listener Jessica was having this exact problem: “I've missed so much of my workout plan recently due to travel, having a new puppy, unexpected doctors appointments, the list goes on. I r…
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424. Unlocking Fascia: The Secret Key to Lifelong Energy & Health with Anna Rahe
30:20
30:20
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30:20We’re all very familiar with the different systems of our body. From digestion to reproduction to muscular, we know when they’re working well, and when they’re not. But what if I told you that one of the MOST important systems in your body is probably one you never think about? This week I’m welcoming Anna Rahe to the podcast to deep dive our cruci…
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423. This Easy 2-Step Process STOPS Mindless Snacking!
9:47
9:47
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9:47For 2025, we’re going to shake up our Friday podcast episodes. If you’ve been getting our free Weekly Jumpstart newsletter, you’ll already know that each Friday edition is called Just One Thing - one short, simple tip for your health that you can put into practice right away. Due to the overwhelming popularity of these Friday newsletters, we’re swi…
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422. The Only 4 Nutrition Habits You Need to Feel Amazing
31:30
31:30
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31:30Every year, it feels like eating healthy gets more and more complicated. So many rules, so many do’s and don’ts. Eat more of this, less of that. Avoid entire food groups but make sure you’re eating plenty of these other food groups! And when it gets too complicated you’ll inevitably feel like you’re doing it wrong, you’ll get overwhelmed, and you’l…
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421. When Discouragement (Inevitably) Hits & You Lose Motivation
6:47
6:47
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6:47We are in the season of New Year’s Resolutions. People everywhere are feeling motivated, setting goals and ready to make some real changes! But what happens in about a month when motivation is low and all those shiny, new resolutions start to feel impossible? Listener Becky has been there: “I always seem to hit a wall around the 4-week mark with my…
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420. 10,000 Steps a Day? The Shocking Truth About Walking & What to Do NOW
30:18
30:18
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30:1810,000 steps a day. We often think of this as the gold standard for movement. But is hitting that 10,000 step goal enough to actually impact your health and fitness? In this episode, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of walking for fitness. I’ll discuss things walking CAN do for you, and things walking CAN’T do for you. Then we’ll dive into how you…
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419. Intuitive Eating: Yay or Nay? (You might be surprised!)
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5:09
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5:09Do you ever hear about the latest eating or diet trend and wish you could “ask an expert”? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Listener Frances asks: “Hi, Megan. I'm curious. What do you think about this new intuitive eating craze? I've been listening to a few podcasts and reading, and I was on board at first, but now I'm not so sure because I re…
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418. What is “Heavy Lifting” & Should You Be Doing It?
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10:45
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10:45Lots of great fitness programs - including mine - encourage women to lift heavy weights. But have you ever been stumped by what exactly constitutes “heavy weights”? And how much weight it too much or not enough? Listener Lisa had the same question: “I’m wondering what you consider ‘heavy weights’. I’ve noticed you mention that you lift heavy weight…
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417. Getting Your Family On Board with Your Healthy Changes
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7:44
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7:44Today’s question comes from Holly: “I want to get rid of things in my pantry, but how can I take baby steps to get my family on board? I’ve done something “new” so many times and I just want them to see the difference this time. So, I’ve done little to force this new lifestyle on them until I feel like it’s something that I am confident in. Even th…
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416. Are You Thinking About HABITS All Wrong? with Monica Packer
28:12
28:12
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28:12How many times have you decided to implement a new habit, only for a week later to have already “failed”? Well, let me let you in on a little secret…you’re probably thinking about your habits all wrong. And I bet that when you feel like you’ve failed at your habits, you’re thinking about that wrong, too. Meet Monica Packer, host of the podcast “Abo…
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415. Do Older Women Need MORE Protein to See Strength Gains?
8:55
8:55
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8:55Do you ever have days where the weights that seemed do-able yesterday are suddenly challenging today? What is happening? Listener Julie had this same issue: “Hi Megan. I've been weight training for about the last five years and progressing slowly. But just lately the weights seem to be much harder to lift. Even though I've been doing the same weigh…
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414. The BEST Strategy to Avoid Overindulging During the Holidays!
24:33
24:33
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24:33It is that time of year! The season of joy, magic, and wonder. It’s also the season of parties, snacks and treats. So how to we fully enjoy the holiday season and still feel good on January 1st? Just in time for the holiday party season, I have a 4-step Holiday Splurging Plan that will help you navigate all the potential pitfalls of the month ahead…
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413. Improving Wrist Strength & Mobility (Plus Modification Ideas for Weak Wrists!)
8:59
8:59
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8:59Have you ever tried to tackle an exercise only to realize your wrists aren’t up for the task? If so, you’re in good company. Listener Mary has this same struggle: “I tend to struggle with any exercise that requires me to put weight on my wrists. Any suggestions? Is it ok to turns my hands a bit or make a fist to support myself on my knuckles?” Wris…
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412. How to Eat for a Better Menopause with Dr. Federica Amati
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36:30
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36:30Have you ever had the feeling that your body responds differently to certain foods as you’re getting older? Maybe that cookie or glass of wine you never thought twice about now makes you feel terrible. Well, you’re not imagining it. Your nutritional needs really do shift as you go through perimenopause and menopause. And to give us some insight int…
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411. Stuck in a Rut? New Meal Ideas to Boost Your Produce!
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4:52
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4:52You know should fill up a large portion of your meals with produce, but sometimes you just can’t handle another salad, carrot stick or side of steamed broccoli! Melissa found herself in the same situation: “I know I need to be eating a lot of produce, but I’m in a rut of steamed broccoli and roasted Brussels sprouts! Cooked vegetables are just not …
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410. Dealing with Setbacks & Finding a Way Forward - The Encouragement You NEED!
27:19
27:19
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27:19See if this sounds familiar: you’re making some positive changes, getting into a good rhythm with your workouts, and starting to see results. When suddenly you hit an obstacle everything comes to a screeching halt. If you haven’t had this experience yet, I promise that eventually you will. What do you do? In this episode, we’re going to deep dive i…
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409. Pelvic Floor Exercises for the BEST Pelvic Surgery/Hysterectomy Outcome
4:26
4:26
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4:26Last week we had Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as The Vagina Whisperer, on the podcast talking about prolapse and pelvic floor health in midlife. This week she’s back to answer your burning questions! Mara asks: “I am having a vaginal prolapse and hysterectomy surgery. What exercises can I do before surgery to help recover quicker? Exercises after?”…
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408. Got PAIN? Figuring Out What’s Causing Your Pain
28:24
28:24
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28:24Muscle soreness, tendinitis, arthritis, and even nerve pain - if you’ve got pain somewhere in your body, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, the questions I get asked the most have to do with pain: In this episode we’re going to cover the 4 most common types of pain you’re likely to experience in your strength and conditioning journey, how to add…
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407. Should You Force Yourself to Eat a Meal When You’re NOT Hungry?
8:55
8:55
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8:55One of the often-repeated nutrition tips I give women all the time is: “If it’s a mealtime, eat. If it’s not a mealtime, don’t eat.” But what if, because of time, habit or lack of hunger, you’re just not a breakfast person? Listener Tessa had this same question: “I struggle to eat in the mornings some days. I’m just not hungry until late morning an…
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406. Prolapse & Pelvic Floor Strength in Perimenopause & Menopause with Dr. Sara Reardon
32:14
32:14
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32:14As if midlife didn’t bring enough changes to worry about, you suddenly get hit with pelvic floor problems. What in the world? Prolapse, UTI’s, bladder leakage…these issues can come out of nowhere in midlife and be really debilitating. To help us navigate pelvic floor health we’ve got Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer, back on the…
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405. Should an EFFECTIVE Workout Make You Sore?
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6:59
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6:59What’s the true indication of an effective workout? Is it sweat? Breathlessness? Soreness? How can you know if you’re truly doing enough? Listener Tessa wondered this same thing: “If I don’t feel sore after a workout, was it still effective? Should I have worked out harder?” In this quick episode, we’ll talk about muscle soreness - why it happens a…
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404. Can Specific Exercises Lower Blood Pressure?
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24:48
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24:48High blood pressure, or hypertension, is not a small problem. In fact, according to the CDC, approximately 48% - and 55% of adults ages 40-59 years old - have high blood pressure. And unchecked, it can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. In addition to medication, there are lifestyle changes that can positively impact your…
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403. Kettlebells vs. Dumbbells - Which is Better?
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6:43
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6:43If you’re starting to stock a home gym, it can be easy to get confused about which equipment you need and which you don’t. Take weights for instance. With all the options available, how do you know where to start? Listener Christina asks: “Kettlebells or dumbbells? Do you have a recommendation on what would be best to purchase?” In this quick episo…
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402. Feeling Broken? UTI’s, Low Libido & Prolapse with Dr. Kelly Casperson
31:00
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31:00A lot of the changes that happen during midlife and menopause are widely discussed online and on social media - weight struggles, bone density issues, nutritional needs, hot flashes, belly fat, and hormonal shifts to name a few. But what about the challenges nobody talks about? Many women in midlife begin dealing with a bunch of “somewhat embarrass…
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Battling belly fat is one of the biggest challenges for women in midlife facing menopause. But what things should you be eating or avoiding to tackle stubborn belly fat? Emily has this very question: “Do high fat foods cause excess belly fat? And if not, which foods should I be paying the most attention to when it comes to getting rid of my belly f…
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400. 3 Common Myths About Core Training & Reducing Belly Fat
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24:42
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24:42Almost everyone wants a smaller waistline or a way to reduce belly fat. But the problem is, a lot of the information out there online or on social media is flat-out WRONG. And even worse, it could be actively working against you causing injuries and real discouragement about your midsection. If you want to address your belly fat, but are feeling fr…
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399. Vibration Plates - Just a TREND or Can They Really Improve Your Health?
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7:43Vibration plates are one of the newest trends to hit the market. But are they worth the investment? Several listeners submitted questions about vibration plates, including this one from Tanya: “Hi, Megan. I was wondering if you had any information on the vibration plates. I recently purchased one and I've used it a few times and I've heard they're …
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398. Busting “Meno-Myths” & Talking Menopause Hormone Therapy with Dr. Mary Claire Haver
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32:58For years menopause has been shrouded in mystery and hushed conversations, mostly centered around hot flashes and unwanted weight gain. But thankfully the tides have turned and menopause is now getting the attention it has always deserved, largely thanks to Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Dr. Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN who is passionate about demysti…
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397. How to Manage Joint Pain & Inflammation in Midlife
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7:40Midlife can feel like a roller coaster. One day everything is going swimmingly - you feel good, loose and pain-free. And then you wake up the next day and BAM! Joint pain you’ve never had before. What is going on?! Listener Angela experienced the same thing: “I recently turned 48 and I feel like my joints are suddenly hurting all the time. I don’t …
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396. Frozen Shoulder - Every Woman Needs to Know This!
20:24
20:24
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20:24Frozen Shoulder - ever heard of it? It happens when the strong connective tissues that surround your shoulder joint become thick, stiff and inflamed, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. And while anyone can develop frozen shoulder, it’s significantly more common in women, particularly during midlife and menopause. Whether you…
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