Are compounded GLP-1 meds like semaglutide and tirzepatide a smart shortcut or a risky gamble? In this episode, Dr. Lisa breaks down the real risks, pros & cons, and expert recommendations around using compounded versions of Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound. If you’re curious about affordable options for weight loss medications, or wondering if compounded GLP-1s are safe, this episode is for you. Thanks for listening! If you'd like more support during your SMART weight loss & health focu...

Do you really need to "eat the frog" and start with the hardest changes to lose weight and improve your health? Not at all. In this episode, Dr. Lisa shares her four-part framework for deciding which habits are worth your time and energy. You’ll hear stories from her own life and her clients' experiences, showing why addressing easy habits with a big impact should come first, how to layer in smaller changes, and when (and if) it makes sense to take on harder challenges. This practical approac...

If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t have enough willpower to lose weight, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa shares research from psychologists Dr. Traci Mann, Dr. Wendy Wood, and Dr. Ellen Langer to show why willpower isn’t the answer , and to reveal what actually works instead. You’ll learn how to shape your environment, build healthy habits, and use mindful awareness to transform your relationship with food. Plus, as always, you’ll drive one simple Next Best Action to start feeling more...

One in eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime, but research shows that up to 70% of cases may be preventable through lifestyle choices. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Oldson explores the most powerful, science-backed ways to reduce your risk (in addition to mammograms). You’ll learn why smoking and alcohol matter more than many realize, how even modest weight loss can cut risk by a third, and why exercise is as close as we’ll ever get to a “cancer prevention pill.” Dr. Old...

Think thin people have more willpower? Think again. In this episode, Dr. Lisa explains why sustainable weight loss has nothing to do with superhuman discipline and everything to do with building SMART, automatic habits. From skipping the cookie aisle to stacking new routines on old ones, you’ll learn practical strategies to make healthy choices effortless. Discover how to rewire your environment, create lasting habits, and finally stop relying on willpower for weight loss and better health. T...

If you’ve ever felt frustrated because your weight loss feels too slow, this episode is for you. Dr. Lisa talks about why so many people quit on themselves when the scale doesn’t move fast enough, and why that’s often a mistake. You’ll hear about Kathy, a client who lost 70 pounds over four years, and why her “snail’s pace” transformation may be the smartest way to succeed. Dr. Lisa shares her Top 5 predictors of long-term weight loss success, including why patience matters more than perfecti...

If injectable weight loss drugs like Zepbound can help people lose 20% of their weight, what about a once-a-day pill that achieves 12% weight loss, without the needles and sky-high cost? In this episode, Lisa Oldson, MD shares Andrea’s journey through the maze of weight loss medications and introduces the promising new drug orforglipron. You’ll hear how this oral GLP-1 agonist compares to popular injectables, why it could be a game-changer for millions, and the top five reasons to consider me...

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lisa calls out the real culprit sabotaging your weight loss and health: ultra-processed foods. What if we told you that quitting them is as hard, and as necessary, as quitting smoking? For those of you who are caretakers of any sort, this is critical for you, and for those you love. The food industry doesn’t want you to hear this, but it’s time to expose the addictive nature and dangerous health consequences of these “foods.” Dr. Lisa breaks down the science, ...

In today's episode of the SWLC Podcast, Lisa Oldson, MD opens up about an intensely personal period of acute stress, and uses that story to jump into the science behind chronic stress, hormonal shifts, and weight gain in women. If you've ever wondered why it's harder to lose weight when you're overwhelmed, burned out, or constantly caring for everyone else first, this episode is your roadmap. Dr. Lisa breaks down how long-term stress disrupts hormones like cortisol, ghrelin, insulin, and lept...

Is your desk job really to blame for stubborn weight gain? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lisa Oldson breaks down a groundbreaking global study led by Duke University researchers that challenges everything we’ve been told about calories, movement, and weight loss. Discover why total daily calorie burn is nearly the same in goat herders and office workers, and what that means for your personal health journey. You’ll learn about the Constrained Energy Expenditure Model, the truth behind ultra...

In Part 2 of this two-part series, Dr. Lisa shifts gears from short-term food choices to the daily habits and decisions that shape your long-term health, weight, and mobility. This episode explores how seemingly simple choices, like buying slip-on shoes or living in a one-story ranch, can quietly influence your strength, stability, and even your lifespan. From an eye-opening conversation about Sketchers to compelling data on stair climbing and cardiovascular health, you’ll learn how to spot a...

What do slip-on Skechers, ranch-style homes, and marshmallow fluff have to do with wellness and weight loss? A lot more than you’d think. In this first part of a two-part series, Dr. Lisa takes you inside the 35,000 micro-decisions we make each day, and how many of them, if repeated, quietly shape our health, metabolism, and even how long we live. Through a relatable dessert dilemma from a summer BBQ (yes, there’s fluff involved), you’ll learn how to reduce exposure to ultra-processed “non-nu...

Can you really enjoy vacation or host friends without overindulging in junk food? YES. YOU. CAN. In this episode, Dr. Lisa shares highlights from the best weekend ever...A trip to rural Michigan filled with simple pleasures, intentional meals, and meaningful reconnection with old friends. She'll talk about the common “vacation = food carnival” thought error and how to break free from it. Plus, you’ll walk away with real-life examples of how to host, travel, and reconnect without the foo...

Ever feel like your new habits are stuck in “I’ll start Monday” mode? In this episode, Dr. Lisa shares a story about her client’s husband, and her own six-month delay in starting a shuffle dance class, to explore why habit change feels so hard. You’ll learn how perfectionism, time expectations, and lack of reward can stall progress, and how to use the Tiny Habits method by Dr. BJ Fogg to finally build momentum. Whether your goal is daily exercise, better sleep, or cooking more at home, this e...

In this episode, Dr. Lisa takes a deep dive into PCOS, insulin resistance, and their link to weight gain and metabolic health, using a story about her quirky Grandma Dot to explain how insulin works. Learn how hormones like insulin, leptin, cortisol, ghrelin, and GLP-1 interact in women with PCOS, and why this condition persists beyond menopause. Dr. Oldson also reviews dietary and lifestyle strategies, from fiber-rich meals to movement and medications, that can improve outcomes for women wit...

Today’s episode dives into Retatrutide—the upcoming “Triple G” weight loss medication creating major buzz. Dr. Lisa shares the science behind this powerful GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon receptor agonist, explains why it’s being called the “Taylor Swift of meds,” and answers common questions from a recent women’s summer event. From dramatic weight loss results to calming relentless food noise, we explore why Retatrutide may redefine obesity treatment—and why support, not just medication, is key for l...

In this deeply personal and emotional episode, Dr. Lisa recounts a harrowing experience of verbal assault while en route to a local Pride parade. Through humor, vulnerability, and education, she explores the connection between hormones, stress, and emotional eating, especially in the face of trauma. Along the way, moments of unexpected kindness offer hope, and remind us of the power of allyship, self-compassion, and community. This episode offers a powerful blend of storytelling, science, and...

What do a weird car noise, two insanely good cookies, and your weight loss journey have in common? Way more than you think. In this episode, Dr. Lisa shares a personal (and oddly delicious) story about a recurring thunking noise in her car and how it led her to rethink her approach to treats, cravings, and using planning to create freedom around food. Spoiler: It all revolves around Carol’s Cookies, a local bakery legend in Northbrook, IL. If you're trying to lose weight without giving up you...

Today, Dr. Lisa explores categorical self binding, a strategy where you intentionally avoid entire categories of food (like sugary drinks or ultra-processed snacks) to support weight loss, metabolic health, and potentially even cancer prevention. Unlike relying on willpower, binding creates systems that make healthier choices easier and more automatic over time. Dr. Lisa compares food addiction to substance addiction, highlighting that some of us may need firmer boundaries with hyperpalatable...

Sarcopenic obesity is when we have an imbalance in our body composition with too much fat tissue and not enough muscle tissue. Not everyone who carries excess weight has this, but for those who do, the health and functional impact is tremendous. It changes everything from how long you live, to your risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and ability to climb the stairs. Of course Dr. Lisa swoops in with the science and the good news that it's never too late, nor is it too hard, to make changes to su...