Why can’t I lose weight after 35? Can exercising more and eating less still cause weight gain? How much should I really be eating and exercising?

This week, I welcomed metabolic health expert Ashley Fillmore to talk about metabolic health for women over 35 and the framework she uses to help women achieve sustainable body composition goals. She also shares her personal experience with body dysmorphia, chronic over-exercising, restrictive eating, hormone imbalance, loss of menstrual cycle, and difficulty getting pregnant.

Early in her career working in a wellness center, Ashley noticed that the standard “exercise more, eat less” approach wasn’t working for many women—especially those doing intense training and restrictive diets. So she decided to pursue advanced training in hormone and metabolic health related to sustainable weight loss.

We unpack what metabolism means in the context of body composition, including how the body breaks down and uses calories, and the role of BMR (basal metabolic rate) and TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Ashley warns that many women unknowingly eat below their BMR—sometimes due to calorie apps—contributing to metabolic adaptation (also called metabolic damage), weight loss resistance, fatigue, stalled gym progress, irregular cycles, and sleep problems. We discuss how increasing food intake strategically can improve these symptoms.

We also talk about why weight loss resistance often increases after 35 due to hormone shifts associated with perimenopause, including declines in estrogen and progesterone and increased insulin resistance. Ashley emphasizes that insulin is a fat-storage hormone and that processed “diet” foods and blood sugar instability can prevent fat loss even when someone is in a calorie deficit.

Ashley outlines her three phases of transformation: the Repair Phase (address metabolic adaptation and hormonal/metabolic issues), the Rebuild Phase (eat at maintenance, establish strength training consistency, and build foundational skills), and the Results Phase (a strategic, sustainable body composition transformation with a conservative, science-based approach to deficits, followed by maintenance education).

If you’re a woman who has been struggling to lose weight despite “doing everything right,” are in perimenopause or close to it, or just need a little extra help getting your metabolism in check, don’t miss this episode packed with amazing advice tailored to women experiencing metabolic health struggles.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:

1. [2:45] How Ashley started working with women to fix their metabolic health
2. [11:47] What does it mean to help women “heal” their metabolism?
3. [19:40] Why do so many people struggle to lose weight after a certain age?