The Metabolism, Muscles, and Mindset Podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky delves into the intricacies of perimenopause, focusing on weight management and metabolism. This marks the beginning of a three-part series aimed at equipping women with the knowledge and tools to navigate perimenopause with confidence. Personal Update

Dr. Novitsky shares her delightful Christmas experience — a perfect day in pajamas, sushi and traditional holiday meals, and watching her daughters build their new Barbie Dreamhouse. Episode Breakdown

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky explores the world of biohacking through nutrition tracking. She shares personal insights, client success stories, and actionable strategies to show how tracking can empower you to make informed dietary choices. The episode also includes updates on her transformative programs for long-term health. Key Topics: Personal reflections on the holiday season and updates on the "Transform 9.0" program.

Redefining nutrition tracking as biohacking: myths, benefits, and practical tips.

How to conduct a 7-day nutrition audit to uncover dietary blind spots.

Dr. Novitsky's biohacking insights: clear whey protein, essential amino acids, and more.

Overcoming challenges in meal prep and reframing tracking as empowering.

Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky explores the world of creatine and its benefits for women. Often misunderstood as a supplement for men, creatine is now gaining attention for its role in enhancing muscle health, cognitive function, and bone strength in women.

Drawing from personal experiences, client success stories, and scientific research, Dr. Novitsky provides actionable insights into how creatine can support women in various life stages, particularly during perimenopause.

She also shares updates on her whole health program, Transform 9.0, which includes a meal prep challenge designed for long-term success. Key Points Discussed: Personal Update: Reflecting on the fast-paced December season and inspiration from holiday preparations. Updates on Transform 9.0: Extended duration (12 months), same pricing, and added meal prep plans, including a 52-week dinner challenge. Introduction to Creatine for Women: Dispelling myths about creatine and weight gain. Creatine's benefits: enhancing workout recovery, boosting cognition, and supporting bone health. Insights from in-body scans showcasing client transformations with creatine. Types of Creatine: Creatine Monohydrate: Most studied, affordable, and effective but may cause bloating. Creatine HCL: Gentler on the stomach with potentially higher bioavailability. Practical Usage: Dosage recommendations for monohydrate (3-5 grams daily) and HCL (1-2 grams daily). Optional loading phase for monohydrate to saturate muscles faster. Importance of consistency in supplementation. Creatine’s Impact on Women: Muscle growth and maintenance, especially during perimenopause. Cognitive benefits: reduced brain fog and enhanced mental clarity. Bone health preservation as estrogen declines. Hormonal balance through improved insulin sensitivity. Client Success Stories: A woman in perimenopause achieving exceptional muscle gain and fat loss while on creatine. Encouraging ectomorphic (naturally thin) women to consider creatine for muscle building and energy. Broader Benefits of Creatine: Safe for long-term use. Potential anti-aging properties through muscle, bone, and brain health preservation. Explore Transform 9.0 for comprehensive support in nutrition, strength training, and personal growth. Check out the links in the show notes for more resources and programs. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and December Reflections 00:01:01 - Creatine Overview and Myths 00:03:20 - Transform 9.0 Updates: Meal Prep Challenge 00:06:09 - Types of Creatine and Dosing Guidelines 00:08:43 - How Creatine Works: Energy, Muscle, and Recovery 00:11:18 - Personal Experience with Creatine HCL 00:12:49 - Nutrition’s Role in Maximizing Creatine’s Benefits 00:15:05 - Cognitive and Bone Health Benefits 00:17:08 - Creatine’s Role in Hormonal Regulation 00:18:26 - Addressing Concerns About Safety and Long-Term Use 00:20:35 - Creatine in Perimenopause and Beyond 00:23:32 - Importance of Consistency in Supplementation 00:25:10 - Client Transformations and Recommendations 00:26:22 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement 00:27:41 - Program Enrollment Links and Resources

Episode Summary: In this episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky delves into the world of meal prep, sharing practical strategies and tips to help busy individuals streamline their meal planning and preparation. She begins with a brief update on her recent family trip to Disney World, where she found a surprising sense of relaxation and stress relief. This sets the stage for the main topic: making meal prep manageable and enjoyable.

Personal Update:

Dr. Novitsky shares her recent Thanksgiving trip to Disney World. She discusses how Disney World, despite its reputation for being stressful, was a relaxing experience for her. Ali mentions her family's plans to return to Disney World in January and for spring break.

Introduction to Meal Prep:

Dr. Novitsky expresses her initial dislike for meal prep and the reasons behind it. She highlights the benefits of meal prep, such as saving time and ensuring balanced meals.

Batch Protein Process:

Dr. Novitsky introduces the concept of batch prepping proteins as a cornerstone of efficient meal prep. She details a two-week process where participants prep three proteins each week (e.g., chicken, steak, shrimp, tofu) and use them in various recipes.

Ali shares her personal experience with this method, noting significant savings on grocery bills and reduced meal prep time.

Meal Prep Strategies:

Strategy 1: Batch prep proteins and store them in glass containers to

maintain freshness.

Strategy 2: Mix and match veggies and complex carbs to create diverse

meals.

Strategy 3: Make extra portions for dinner to have leftovers for lunch the

next day.

Strategy 4: Utilize the Crock-Pot for easy, set-it-and-forget-it meals.

Strategy 5: Prepare overnight oats for a quick, nutritious breakfast.

Strategy 6: Plan for a mid-afternoon mini-meal to avoid excessive hunger

before dinner.

Strategy 7: Repurpose restaurant leftovers into new meals.

Strategy 8: Purchase prepped proteins from meal services if you prefer not to prep them yourself.

Strategy 9: Consider meal subscription services for convenience.

Strategy 10: Emphasize that meal prep doesn't have to be perfect; it's about making the best decisions you can.

Additional Resources:

Dr. Novitsky announces a free download: "One Protein, Seven Lunches" guide, designed for busy people to ensure they have high-protein, nutritious lunches every day. She mentions the ongoing enrollment for Transform 9.0, a program designed to help individuals with their meal prep and nutrition goals.

Conclusion:

Dr. Novitsky encourages listeners to try out these meal prep strategies and see which ones work best for them. She reminds them that meal prep should be fun, easy, and adaptable to their lifestyle. Perfection is not the goal; making the next best decision for health and well-being is.

SUMMARY:

In this week’s episode, Dr. Ali Novitsky, MD, shares her excitement as her family prepares for their first Thanksgiving trip to Disney. As the holiday season approaches, she shifts the focus from typical New Year’s resolutions to something more meaningful: tracking progress, particularly in relation to muscle mass and body composition.

Dr. Novitsky introduces the concept of sarcopenia, the natural loss of muscle mass that begins around age 30, and highlights the importance of maintaining muscle as we age. She discusses the InBody Scale, a tool that has transformed her approach to health and fitness by shifting the conversation from mere fat loss to muscle maintenance and gain. She explains how the InBody Scale provides a more comprehensive understanding of body composition compared to traditional scales or even DEXA scans. She had been promoting The InBody for years without any affiliation due to its transformative impact on understanding body composition. Unlike traditional scales that focus solely on weight, the InBody Scale provides a comprehensive breakdown of muscle mass, fat percentage, and other key metrics, empowering users to track their progress in a meaningful way. InBody Scale has become an essential tool in her coaching and programs, shifting the focus from weight loss to strength building, muscle maintenance, and overall health improvement - and just recently, she became an affiliate with them (the only product that she is an affiliate with as of the publishing of this podcast).

If you’re ready to take control of your health in a smarter, more effective way, the InBody Scale could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for. Use the code: TheFitCollective to get 15% off an InBody Scan.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Novitsky offers insights on how to effectively use the InBody Scale, emphasizing the importance of consistency in measurements and understanding the data it provides. She also outlines her approach to setting realistic and healthy goal weights based on individual body composition rather than arbitrary numbers.

As the episode concludes, Dr. Novitsky invites listeners to join her Transform 9.0 program - enrollment begins on December 1st. This program focuses on emotional regulation, nutrition, and strength training, offering valuable resources for high-performing women and physicians.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Family Plans for Disney

00:01:20 - The Importance of Tracking Progress

00:02:02 - Understanding Sarcopenia and Muscle Loss

00:03:16 - Evaluating Muscle Mass and Body Composition

00:03:27 - The InBody Scale: A Game Changer

00:05:40 - Comparing InBody to DEXA Scans

00:07:30 - Using InBody for Body Composition Tracking

00:09:05 - Why Traditional Scales Are Not Enough

00:10:10 - Understanding Goal Weights

00:12:07 - How to Use InBody Effectively

00:13:12 - Frequency and Timing for InBody Measurements

00:14:40 - The Importance of Muscle Mass vs. Body Fat

00:18:02 - Setting Realistic Fat Loss Goals

00:20:42 - Evaluating Skeletal Muscle Mass for Women

00:21:27 - Evaluating Skeletal Muscle Mass for Men

00:22:48 - Determining Your Goal Weight

00:24:28 - The Role of InBody in Long-Term Health

00:25:50 - Conclusion and Call to Action

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