Have you ever wondered why the scale doesn’t always reflect your hard work in the gym? In this episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I dive deep into the transformative power of strength training, especially for women over 40. It's time to embrace the journey of building lean muscle for women, which not only enhances body composition but also empowers us to feel stronger and more confident in our own skin. I understand that many women experience weight fluctuations when starting a strength training program, and I’m here to reassure you that initial weight gain is often a normal part of the process.

Are you confused by your body composition report—or frustrated by a body fat percentage that never feels “good enough”? In this episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I break down the one number every woman needs to know to truly understand her health, longevity, and fitness progress: lean mass percentage.

Are you ready to transform your fitness journey and unlock the incredible benefits of squats for women over 35? In this episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I dive deep into the essential role that squats play in women's health and strength. Did you know that maintaining lower body strength is crucial for reducing injury risk and improving functional movement? As I share my personal journey with squats, you'll hear about my struggles and how re-engineering my squat technique has led to remarkable improvements in my mobility and strength.

Are you ready to redefine your strength and embrace a healthier, more empowered version of yourself? In this episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I delve into the transformative power of strength training specifically designed for women. With over 30 years of experience in women's health and fitness, I reveal the five essential exercises that not only build lean muscle for women but also enhance overall health and well-being. These exercises—deadlifts, squats, upper back pulling movements, overhead presses, and lunges—are crucial for reinforcing the movement patterns we rely on in our daily lives.

Are you tired of battling stubborn belly fat as you age? You're not alone; many women over 40 face this challenge, and it's more than just an aesthetic concern—it's a significant health risk. In this episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I dive deep into the realities of fat loss and how it relates to women's health, particularly as we navigate the changes that come with menopause and midlife. Did you know that belly fat can increase your risk for heart disease and diabetes? It's crucial to understand the underlying factors contributing to this issue, including hormonal changes and muscle loss.

Are you struggling with weight loss as you navigate the complexities of midlife? You're not alone. In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I sit down with Michelle, a remarkable client who has undergone a transformative journey over the past year. At just over 50, Michelle faced daunting challenges related to hormonal balance, weight management, and muscle loss, particularly as she entered perimenopause. Despite her dedication to the gym, she found herself battling a decline in muscle mass and bone density, prompting her to seek my guidance in her late 50s.

Have you ever wondered why knowing what to do for your health and fitness doesn’t always translate into action? In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I sit down with Amber Krzys, a coach and teacher with a profound understanding of the psychology of human behavior. Together, we dive deep into the intricate relationship between our subconscious mind and our daily choices, particularly in the realms of womens health, weight loss, and overall wellness for women.

Are you aware that nearly 30% of muscle mass can be lost by the age of 70, leading to significant changes in body composition? In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I dive deep into the critical importance of muscle maintenance and growth for women over 40. As we age, the risk of sarcopenia—the age-related loss of muscle mass—becomes a pressing concern, and it's essential to understand how to combat this natural process effectively.

Are you struggling with stubborn belly fat despite your best efforts? You're not alone. In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I sit down with Niki, a courageous participant in my Body Composition Project, to delve into the common challenges women face with fat loss, particularly those over 40. As we navigate the complexities of women's health and wellness, Niki shares her heartfelt journey, revealing the frustrations she encountered with traditional fitness methods that simply didn't deliver results.

Are you tired of following health and fitness advice that just doesn't seem to work for you? You're not alone! Many women, especially those over 40, find themselves caught in a web of myths that hinder their progress in achieving their health and wellness goals. In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I delve deep into the three major myths that are holding women back in the realms of weight loss, nutrition, and strength training.

Are you a woman over 40 who feels like achieving a super fit and ripped physique is just a distant dream? You’re not alone! Many women experience dissatisfaction with their bodies and health, but I’m here to tell you that it’s entirely possible to attain visible abs and defined muscles at any age. In this enlightening episode of The Holly Perkins Health Podcast, I reveal the six secrets that can transform your body and mindset, empowering you to embrace your health journey with confidence.

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most powerful things you can do for your health: getting your blood sugar regulated. When your blood sugar is stable, your body can burn fat more efficiently, cravings calm down, and your energy finally feels consistent.

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound produced by the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, and stored in muscles, the brain, the heart, and other tissues. It fuels your muscles so you can produce energy quickly, perform at your best, and recover faster. Creatine is not just about strength. For women over 40, it encourages lean muscle growth by allowing heavier lifting and more repetitions. It supports bone density, protects brain health, and helps fight cognitive decline. It is one of the most effective, well-researched tools for staying strong and vibrant as you age.

Want the benefits of impact training without the injury? Impact exercises can be powerful for improving bone density, but they are also some of the most advanced movements you can do. They should only be added once you have a solid foundation of fitness. In this episode, I’ll show you the right way to train for better bones.

If you want to lose body fat and feel leaner and stronger, it’s easier than you think. There’s no single approach that works for everyone, but once the pieces are in place, the process isn’t complicated. The real challenge is staying consistent.In this episode, I break down the essentials: the most effective combination of exercise and nutrition, the best workouts for fat loss, and the biggest mistake people make with food.The research is clear: cutting calories without changing activity leads to muscle loss, not just fat. And muscle is gold for your health. To protect it, you need a smart mix of strength training, cardio, and higher protein intake. I’ll walk you through the evidence and show you exactly why this works.We’ll cover two proven strategies:Calorie restriction paired with strength training, with progressive overload and consistency.Mixed exercise (strength plus cardio) with higher protein intake of 1.1–1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight.Both approaches work, but combining all three—strength, cardio, and nutrition—delivers the best results. From there, it’s just fine-tuning.When it comes to strength training, almost any plan works if you stick to progression, volume, and smart exercise selection. But for women over 40, combining compound movements with single joint exercises is especially powerful, producing a stronger hormonal response and better results.The key is following a structured program week after week. Random workouts from social media won’t cut it.On the nutrition side, fat loss requires a calorie deficit. You need to burn more than you consume. For most of my clients, that’s just 300–500 calories per day. It doesn’t mean cutting out favorite foods or going extreme. Balanced macronutrients make it easier and help reduce fatigue, cravings, and mood swings.One common pitfall is eating clean during the week, then loosening up too much on weekends. Even small surpluses can wipe out progress. Adopting a 7-day approach instead of a 5-day one changes everything. You can still enjoy weekends, but being intentional and consistent makes results come much faster.If this all feels overwhelming, you don’t have to go it alone. Coaching can make the process simple and sustainable. And stay tuned—I’ll be hosting a free three-day live workshop called Midlife Muscle Mastery this September. You won’t want to miss it.I hope you enjoyed this episode! You can get FREE access to my 4-week Strength Without Stress program right now! This program will help you reduce the systemic inflammation that’s caused by overly intense or lengthy workouts. It’ll help you build and maintain valuable lean muscle without the fatigue from other programsTo get free access to Strength Without Stress, post a Review wherever you’re listening. Grab a screenshot of your review before you post it and upload at: https://www.hollyperkins.com/reviewThis is a limited-time offer before it sells for $197–grab it while you can for lifetime access.Topics covered(02:10) There is no one size fits all approach to losing body fat(05:38) Reducing energy intake (ie calories) only leads to loss of muscle(12:25) The power of calorie restriction, strength training and nutrition(20:42) My secret exercise protocols for women over 40(27:21) Calorie deficit, or restriction, doesn’t have to be extreme or scary!(33:09) During calorie deficit, you will have symptoms and that’s OKResources MentionedResearch about nutrition and exercise to improve body composition near...

Changing your body is not easy. It is not supposed to be. That is how our bodies protect us. But after thirty years of coaching, I can tell you the underdog often wins. Even if you think you are too far gone or you have never been lean and athletic, you can turn it around.

We all want to feel tight and lean, right? If you have ever wondered what it really takes to get lean and stay that way, this episode is for you. I walk you through 5 habits that will help you shift the way you see your body and body fat. You will learn what to focus on instead of fat loss, the kind of nutrition that supports a lean body, the most important upgrade in your workouts, and my favorite anchor meal.I share the story of my friend who has incredible DEXA scans, great body composition, and crushes it at the gym. She looks like the picture of health, but even she found it tough to lose a bit more fat. It is not just about effort. It is about mindset. We have been taught to see body fat as a problem, and that can mess with how we approach fitness. At the end of the day, we are all chasing a feeling. That feeling is usually feeling good. And let me tell you, it feels amazing to feel good in your own body.Here’s the thing: focusing on fat loss alone doesn’t work. When you only focus on losing weight, you often end up using strategies that break down your muscles. That is not what we want. Instead, shift your focus to performance. Start to think like an athlete. You will see that as your muscle grows, fat comes off more easily. Get into the habit of tracking your workouts and increasing the intensity. When your fitness goes up, fat tends to come off naturally.Next up is the habit of worrying about what other people think. This is a big one. It is totally normal to care, but other people’s opinions should not control your choices. You might feel like you are being too rigid or making things awkward when it comes to food, but that is just your old programming talking. Your choices are your own. They are not hurting anyone, and they are not anyone else’s business. You do not need to explain yourself or argue. Just let the comments roll off your back. That is what freedom feels like.Now let’s get into food. Did you know it’s really easy to eat more calories than your body needs, and that exercise does not burn nearly as many calories as people think? Fitness trackers often exaggerate calories burned, so take those with a grain of salt. Remember, your workouts are not meant to cancel out last night’s dinner. They are meant to improve your body so you naturally burn more throughout the day.Start paying attention to your food, especially your protein. Track what you eat once in a while to get clear on your numbers. This is not about restriction or guilt. It is about awareness. Try different protein sources and remember that what works for someone else might not feel great for you.Which brings me to breakfast. A balanced breakfast sets the tone for the day. Each morning try to get a mix of about half your calories from carbs, a quarter from protein, and a quarter from fat. Yes, carbs belong at breakfast. All three macros matter and your body needs them to function well.And finally, the most important training habit is progression. If you want to change your body, you need to increase the weight you lift. For women over forty, this is especially important. Increasing your strength month by month builds the kind of muscle that sticks around and gives your metabolism a serious lift.If all of this feels confusing, it’s probably because you are getting too many mixed messages from the internet. The truth is actually simple. Build muscle with strength training, and get your nutrition right. That is the recipe for getting and staying lean.And if you are still feeling lost, go back and listen to earlier episodes! You already have what it takes to become everything you want to be.I hope you enjoyed this episode! You can get FREE access to my 4-week Strength Without Stress program right now! This program will help you reduce the systemic inflammation that’s caused by overly intense or lengthy workouts. It’ll help you build...

A raw Q&A on womens health including weight loss drugs, creatine for women, and macros.

When it comes to effective strength training for women, the "how" is just as important as the "why". Barbells, dumbbells, bands, machines: how do you know which to use? I'll teach you in this episode.