Today, Lou dives into another Q&A session, addressing various questions from clients and Instagram followers. The episode covers topics such as the challenges of losing belly fat, strategies for staying motivated to exercise in cold weather, tips for improving mind-to-muscle connection during workouts, and the importance of habits in achieving fitness goals. Lou provides practical advice on managing calorie deficits, optimizing workout performance, and balancing weight loss goals with maintaining muscle mass.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Losing belly fat is not achieved through spot reduction, but rather through a calorie deficit and overall fat loss. Mind-to-muscle activation can enhance muscle engagement during workouts, leading to better results. Building habits and discipline are crucial for achieving fitness goals, especially when working from home. Walking and increasing movement throughout the day can help reach step goals even when working remotely. Balancing heavier weights with proper form and range of motion is essential for muscle growth and injury prevention during workouts. BEST MOMENTS "You cannot spot reduce fat. So wherever you likely want to remove fat from you generally can't straight away like you can't remove it from that area by trying to work out that area." "The fact that you're not hungry is amazing and it's down to the fact that you are fueling your body extremely well with whole foods, protein, vegetables." "Change happens when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of doing the thing that makes the change." "You can easily rack up 7,000 steps just from doing three 20-30 minute walks a day easily." "If you do go for a full range of motion you have potential for an injury if your form is not correct." VALUABLE RESOURCES https://linktr.ee/theexerciseengineerlou@theexerciseengineer.com HOST BIO Lou's personal journey with body confidence and food struggles began at the age of 15, where overeating and guilt around food consumed her. But everything changed during the lockdown in March 2020. Determined to regain control, Lou immersed herself in research, found joy in working out in her garden, and started tracking her nutrition and steps. Surprisingly, she lost a stone in less than three months and discovered a newfound love for fitness. Fueling her passion, Lou pursued personal training qualifications and launched her Instagram page in September 2020. After months of building a solid foundation, branding, and gaining relevant expertise, she started helping others achieve what once felt impossible—losing fat, feeling empowered, and loving the journey without restrictions. With numerous success stories, digital products, and a thriving membership program called Train with Lou, Lou now coaches, teaches, and learns about food, exercise, and mindset.