Well Beyond 40

Supporting a healthy heart and reducing your risk of heart disease starts with what you eat. In this episode, JJ shares her top 5 needle movers for heart health. You’ll learn about the most important lifestyle risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the #1 thing you need to increase for a healthier heart, the best foods to help manage blood pressure, why low-fat diets are a disaster for heart health, and the best oil for a healthy life. Plus, JJ reveals why protein is critical, how wine can support heart health (if you choose this kind), how intermittent fasting impacts cardiovascular disease, and the most effective exercise to keep your heart healthy. Focusing on your heart health helps you make the most of your years… and this informative episode provides the tools you need to do that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Stevia is one of the natural calorie-free sweeteners that I recommend in place of the nasty refined sugars that spike your glucose levels and create a cascade of health problems. In this episode, I explain how to use it smartly so you don't inadvertently stimulate your sweet tooth, and you'll learn how to retrain your taste buds to keep nagging sugar cravings at bay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re feeling down or anxious, food can feel like your best friend. But let’s be honest: many times, we choose the wrong foods that can leave us feeling worse. In this episode, JJ shows you how smart food choices can boost your mood and ward off the blues. You’ll learn why comfort foods can crash your mood, how stable blood sugar levels stabilize your mood, why feeling good starts in your gut, how chocolate can boost your mood (but only if you eat THIS kind), an easy intermittent fasting plan that gets great results, plus one food for a healthy mood that may surprise you. As JJ says, “there is no health without mental health.” Utilizing these strategies can help stabilize your mood… and it all starts on the end of your fork! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jade Teta is an integrative physician, author, and sought-after expert in the area of metabolism. He's here to talk about the ins and outs of the female metabolism, and how that can impact weight loss! Listen to find out how a woman’s metabolism is different than a man’s, as well as the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause, and how to fine-tune your diet and exercise habits at different life stages. Dr. Teta also explains the effect of stress on your metabolism, and why incorporating relaxation and stress-reducing activities into your routine is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Dr. Teta gives you tons of tips and tools to optimize your metabolism at any age! Get Dr. Jade Teta’s FREE Metabolism Course (use code: jadefree at checkout) https://www.jadeteta.com/offers/SC6NBR2s/checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While JJ always recommends starting any health journey with your diet, you're not always going to get the nutrition you need from food for a variety of reasons. If your meals have been less-than-stellar, you'll learn in this episode the basic vitamins and supplements JJ recommends to provide a helpful foundation while you work towards a healthier meal plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occur when your immune system goes haywire and attacks your healthy tissues (in this case, your thyroid). What you eat can have a huge impact on Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune conditions and boost your metabolism. In this episode, you’ll learn about the “healthy” foods that can contribute to autoimmune thyroid disorders, the connection between blood sugar imbalances and Hashimoto’s, and the trifecta to eat at every meal to support your thyroid. Plus, JJ discusses the misunderstanding about cruciferous vegetables and thyroid problems, the controversial nutrient for thyroid health, the most important thing to do for thyroid function, how intermittent fasting affects your thyroid (and why you want to be cautious about doing it), and the link between thyroid function and toxins, gut issues, and nutrient deficiencies. Whether you have an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s or want to keep your thyroid and immune system healthy, this episode provides simple action steps to support your health… one forkful at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why you eat a healthy diet but can’t lose weight? Or maybe you’re curious about what steps you should take to prevent disease, slow aging, and perform at your best. The answers lie in the 22,000 genes that make up your genetic code. In this informative episode of Ask the Health Expert, JJ speaks with Kashif Khan. Khan is CEO of the DNA Company, where unique insights into the human genome pioneer personalized medicine. Here, Khan discusses how your unique DNA can become your personal roadmap to living healthily. Listen as he shares his personal story about how being sensitive to pollutants created crazy migraines (so bad he had to be driven home from work), eczema, psoriasis, depression, and gut issues. Determined to find solutions, he looked through his own genome to find root causes. What he discovered was fascinating. You’ll learn why your DNA is your body’s instruction manual, how genes determine how you lose weight, how a toxic burden can impede sleep, and why healthcare gets female hormone health wrong. Plus, Khan discusses the single reason why you can't lose weight (even when you’re doing everything right), how a genetic predisposition can determine hunger and cravings, and how to stop stress eating. Genetic testing can pinpoint what you need to do with diet, lifestyle, and environment to live longer… and live longer better. Whether you’re struggling to lose weight, want to reduce your risk of disease and live longer, or you’re curious about how genetic testing can support things like sleep, diet, hormones, fitness, mood, and immunity, you won’t want to miss this information-packed epis Get Kashif’s FREE Sleep Report and Sleep Better TONIGHT (Use code SLEEPSPECIAL for 100% off at checkout) http://thednacompany.com/sleepspecial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Ask the Health Expert, JJ answers Maddie’s Facebook question, “What is the most accurate test for food allergies?” You’ll learn what separates a true food allergy from food intolerance, JJ’s favorite food sensitivity test, what testing ultimately reveals, what you should do before you test, signs and symptoms of food intolerance, the top foods that people respond to (which led JJ to write The Virgin Diet), and what doesn’t always show up on testing that can contribute to gut permeability. Plus, JJ reveals what makes your gut leaky (it’s not just food!), the right nutrients to help heal your gut, how long you should wait before you rechallenge a particular food, and the limitations of testing. If you’re curious about food intolerance and how testing and/ or elimination diets can help you, you’ll want to tune into this short, informative episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your hormones are out of balance, those imbalances can impact your mood, weight, sleep, stress, normal blood sugar metabolism, and much more. In this episode, JJ shows you how to get your hormones to work for you so you can lose weight and feel better. You’ll learn why sugary foods make stress worse, the hormone solution that works almost all of the time, how “healthy” foods can create hormonal havoc, and JJ’s secret to keeping your favorite foods (while getting healthier). Plus, you’ll discover the simple way to find healthy blood sugar metabolism and balance your hormones in just 3 weeks, the secret to balancing your hormones every time you eat, why snacking is the enemy of hormone balance, and the meal timing strategy that can be a “miracle worker” for your hormones. Studies show that 80% of women suffer from hormonal imbalances. With these strategies, you’ll have more energy, less stress, better sleep, weight loss, and so much more… all by balancing your hormones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samantha Harris is an author, Emmy-winning TV host, and wellness enthusiast. After being blindsided by a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 40, Samantha started investigating to discover why it could have happened and how to take back her health! Listen as Samantha shares the story behind her cancer diagnosis and the lessons she learned throughout her healing journey that inspired her to write her book, The Healthiest Healthy. Samantha also explains why you need to be aware of hidden toxins that are lurking in your beauty and cleaning products, plus she reveals her top nutritional and mindset tips for preventing illness and feeling your best. Find out how to be your own health advocate and live a long, vibrant life! Get Samantha's FREE Keep Off Your Bod List Get Samantha's FREE Chemicals To Cut List Your Healthiest Healthy https://jjvirgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Keep-Off-Bod_Your-Healthiest-Healthy-by-Samantha-Harris.pdf https://jjvirgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Chemicals-To-Cut-List_Your-Healthiest-Healthy-by-Samantha-Harris.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to evaluating body composition, measuring tape and skin fold calipers don’t provide a full picture. Your BMI doesn’t, either, because what we really want to know is what makes up the weight you see on the scale, where your body fat is, and whether that body fat percentage is healthy or unhealthy. In this episode, JJ explains how to more accurately assess your body composition, including the tools to use, the markers to look for, and ideal numbers for men and women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fatigue, headaches, skin problems including acne, joint pain, brain fog, and cravings can all be connected to gut health. In this episode, JJ explains why digestive health issues like leaky gut could be the culprit that holds your weight and health hostage. You’ll learn why our modern diet has wreaked havoc on gut health, the best way to get more fiber, why cold foods can be harder for your gut to break down, and the healing power of fermented foods, bone broth, and healthy fats. Plus, you’ll learn the connection between hydration and gut health (including JJ’s favorite tea for gut healing), why antacids can do more harm than good for acid reflux, why intermittent fasting supports a healthy gut, the #1 way to break a morning fast, and why eating breakfast can help you lose weight. “All disease begins in the gut,” Hippocrates said over 2,000 years ago. You’ll learn why – and how to help heal your gut – in this information-packed episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Has life thrown you serious curveballs? With the right mindset, we can overcome those challenges and be better than ever. In this special episode of Beginnings and Breakthroughs, JJ talks with guest, Jennifer Love, about hope, miracles, overcoming adversity, and finding resiliency. Tune in to hear Love’s moving story about being thrown off a horse in May 2021, which crushed her spine. Doctors told her that she had a 10% chance that she would ever walk again. Through tenacity and resilience, Love became determined to beat the odds and become stronger than before. Here, she shares the mindset she used to approach her emergency surgery, how setting clear intentions kept her strong, and how she found the power to create the life she wanted. Plus, Love shares how her daily ritual – including visualizing, breathing, and journaling – sets a powerful foundation for her day, the healing power of meditation, and how she creates the perseverance and resilience to stay strong. You’ll also hear JJ’s journey with her son Grant, who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident, and why JJ believes we’re never better than when we’re challenged. As CEO of the Living Well Wealthy Institute, Love’s mission is to help world leaders become emotionally and financially liberated by upgrading their human mastery. She’s living proof that with determination, hope, and resiliency, you achieve anything and be your best self. Whether you’ve been through a life-changing event like Love or you love personal development stores and need a shot of inspiration to be your best you, you don’t want to miss this very special episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stress and anxiety are at epidemic levels. But you can make your body more resilient to whatever life throws out at you… and it all starts with food. In this episode, JJ reveals why good nutrition can help 30% of mental health challenges (according to one top brain doc), the #1 way to help blood sugar, what should go first on your plate, why grass-fed meat can help brain health, and the difference between smart carbs versus dumb carbs. Plus, you’ll learn why you crave chocolate when your mood’s low (and how to get the right kind), the key nutrients to help you better manage stress, how green tea can help melt stress and nervousness, and why anxious eating only makes you more stressed. You can’t eliminate stress and anxiety, but you can lessen their impact… beginning with the end of your fork. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nagina Abdullah is a health and weight-loss coach, and she struggled with her weight and energy levels for her entire life. As she began to add spices to her meals to make healthy eating more flavorful and sustainable, the extra pounds began to melt away and Nagina felt better than ever before. Listen as Nagina explains how chronic inflammation can block weight loss, plus the spices and foods you should be adding to your menu to help reduce inflammation, boost your metabolism, and jumpstart fat-burning again. Get all of Nagina's top tips and shortcuts to help you incorporate the power of spices into your busy routine! Get Nagina Abdullah’s free Sweet Spice Cheat Sheet https://masalabody.com/JJVirgin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Most people don’t give bone health the attention it deserves until it’s too late. But as JJ explains here, being frail, suffering fractures, and getting osteoporosis aren’t inevitable consequences of getting older. In this episode, you’ll learn how to take control of bone health to prevent bone loss, including recognizing the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis. You’ll learn why strong bones are critical for being healthy, why bone loss accelerates after age 50, the risk factors beyond age for bone loss, and why calcium alone isn’t enough for strong bones (and what nutrients you need). JJ also reveals the #1 macronutrient for strong bones that you probably aren’t getting enough of, how weight loss can weaken bone density (and how to prevent that), and the best exercise for maintaining strong bones. Healthy bones are vital for aging powerfully, so don’t miss this information-packed episode to take control of bone health today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You pay so much careful attention to the ingredients that go into your meals, but have you ever considered using that same discernment with what you slather on your skin? As today's guest likes to say, the skin is a sieve, and what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in. Brian Vaszily joins JJ to discuss the state of the conventional skincare industry and to bust a myth that has been one of JJ's long-held beliefs—that it is impossible to achieve great anti-aging results with organic beauty products. Wrong! In this episode, you'll learn all about the loose regulations on chemicals in cosmetics in the US, the ingredients to avoid, and the marketing tricks that companies use to give their goods a health halo. You'll also learn why Vaszily doesn't recommend retinol, and the natural alternative he does recommend that gives equal results. You'll also hear recommendations on how to buy cleaner products moving forward, such as the most important areas of focus when selecting ingredients and the independent certifications to look for that help you know you're choosing a quality product. Being in your 40s and beyond doesn't mean you're over the hill. These are truly the best years of your life, and finding the right organic anti-aging cream and other skincare products can help you look as amazing as you feel. Get Brian’s Free Ebook 22 Essential Natural Steps for Your Youngest Looking Skin https://puritywoods.com/youngest-looking-skin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After writing The Virgin Diet, JJ noticed that there was still one last thing tripping people up when it came to reaching their health and weight loss goals—their sweet tooth! Sugar is an addiction so many of us have trouble kicking. Today's interview features community member Kate Jansen and her story about how she finally overcame her persistent sweet cravings. You'll learn how Kate followed the Sugar Impact Diet to the letter, and how important her mindset was to make that final leap into true healthy eating. Plus, JJ shares her philosophy on "A- eating" and striving for progress over perfection. Following Kate's success in getting over her sugar habit, she still has a goal of increasing her muscle mass as she moves through her 40s. JJ offers advice on how to adjust your exercise routine (whether you're a fitness newbie or well trained at the gym), provides recommendations on foods to eat to build muscle, and helps Katie figure out how to reach her optimal protein intake on a tight schedule with an early bedtime. If you've eliminated all the Hi-FI foods and are still trying to make it over this one last hump, you won't want to miss this conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting your blood sugar under control is THE single most important thing you can do to get healthy and avoid insulin resistance. In this episode, JJ shows you how by revealing what your ideal fasting blood sugar level should be, how sneaky sugars lurk in “healthy” foods, the #1 macronutrient to help balance blood sugar, and how to eat at every meal for insulin sensitivity. You’ll also learn about intermittent fasting (and a simple way to do it), the best way to break your overnight fast, the most important markers for insulin resistance, and why stress can impact your blood sugar. Whether you want to lose weight and keep it off, reduce your risk of diabetes and other diseases, and/ or look and feel your best, tune in to this informative, inspiring episode that helps you take control of your health… one bite at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, holistic plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn shares how to reverse the signs of aging and look ten years younger without resorting to surgery or other invasive procedures. Listen to learn about the wrinkle-fighting foods you should be including in your diet, which skincare products really work, plus how to build a simple and affordable skincare regimen that delivers dramatic results. Don’t miss Dr. Youn’s top tips and secrets to start looking and feeling younger today! Get Dr. Youn's free eBook What To Eat To Look Younger https://www.dryoun.com/eat-look-younger/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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If you think that menopause means giving up on life, you’ll want to hear this episode! JJ reveals 3 things you can do to avoid menopause weight gain, balance hormones, and feel your best during this transition. You’ll learn about the groundbreaking study that showed why menopause has little effect on metabolism (contrary to what we’ve been told that metabolism slows down with age), the secret to getting lean and feeling your best, and the most important thing you can do to get healthy. Plus, you’ll learn why stress management is critical, how just one night of bad sleep can make you insulin resistant, the #1 way to stay full longer, and a simple way to hack your metabolism. Whether you’re preparing for or going through menopause, these strategies will empower you to look and feel your best during this life change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is nearly impossible to live a life without stress and trauma. Fortunately, there are ways we can climb our way out of the stress cycle in order to improve our symptoms and move forward in good health. If you’ve been experiencing hormonal changes, inflammation, and digestive issues, it could be more than just being stressed out—these symptoms may have a root cause buried deeper than you realize. Aimie Apigian is a leading expert on the biology of trauma, and in this conversation with JJ she shares how trauma is stored in the body and the physical ways that it can manifest. They discuss the difference between a normal stress response and a trauma response and how to know which one you’re experiencing, including paying attention to numbing behaviors like endless scrolling on your phone or even bingeing Netflix. You’ll also learn how every chronic disease may be associated with nervous-system dysregulation in childhood trauma, the most effective therapy modalities to help release trauma from the body, and JJ shares her personal story of how daily meditation helped her heal from trauma surrounding her adoption as a child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What you eat and how much you eat matters, but so does where you start. In this episode, JJ explains why you want to focus every meal on protein. You’ll learn exactly why this macronutrient is a great metabolism booster for weight loss, the critical study that showed your metabolism doesn’t slow down as you get older, how muscle loss impacts quality of life, and why the wrong kind of exercise can work against you. Plus, JJ reveals how high protein meals can keep you full longer, why you burn more calories eating protein than carbs or fat, how much protein you need daily, the best plant-based protein sources for vegans and vegetarians, and how to build your plate around protein. With these strategies, you’ll optimize every meal to stay strong, lose weight, prevent muscle loss, and look and feel your best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Fletcher is the founder of Ziva Meditation and author of the book, Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance. After struggling with insomnia and illness while performing on Broadway, Emily experienced the healing power of meditation firsthand. Listen as Emily explains the top benefits of meditation, including how it can help reduce stress, fight insomnia, and improve your health. Emily also shares the most common obstacles to regular meditation and how to overcome them, as well as how to get started with your meditation practice. Find out how to incorporate meditation into your busy life so you can recharge your batteries and increase your productivity levels! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Resistance training is the ideal type of exercise to prevent muscle loss, maintain a healthy weight, build lean muscle, age powerfully, and so much more. Here, JJ shares 4 things to focus on as you build muscle. She shows you how to design a workout routine regardless of your current fitness level, the overlooked key for lean muscle, the #1 food in your diet to build and maintain muscle, the best way to measure and monitor your progress, and how building muscle helps you age confidently. “You’re not only going to love the way it makes you look and feel now,” JJ says in this video about resistance training. “Your future self will thank you.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women all over the world. Yet it's not talked about nearly as much as it should be. This conversation with functional medicine practitioner and heart-health expert Dr. Stephen Hussey is intended to spread awareness of how we ended up in this place, and what we can do to change it. Dr. Hussey is living proof that you can help reduce your risk of atherosclerosis through simple diet and lifestyle changes. He shares the steps he took to get healthier, as well as the five big things you can focus on in your environment to reduce potentially heart-damaging toxin exposure. He and JJ discuss heart-supportive nutrition, including why you should avoid seed oils at the grocery store (yes, you’ll even find them at the health food store, so watch your labels!). They also dispel the myth that animal fat and protein cause heart disease, and provide supplement recommendations for promoting heart health. To get started on your path to better heart health, listen in to learn what markers to look for to pick up on insulin resistance years before it can lead to prediabetes or diabetes (often a precursor to heart disease) and the right tests to request from your doctor. Get Dr. Stephen’s FREE Guide: Good Fats vs Bad Fats https://jjvirgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Stephen-Hussey-Freemium-Good-Fats-vs-Bad-Fats.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a full life can be so rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges! On this episode of Beginnings & Breakthroughs, JJ talks to Dr. Janice R. Love—mother of eight, grandmother (and great-grandmother) to three, full-time employee, and business owner—about how she juggles it all while looking and feeling fabulous. Janice has a great foundation after going through the Virgin Diet and is a regular user of Reignite Wellness All-In-One Shakes, but she still has goals of achieving a flat tummy and excellent sleep. JJ explains how these two objectives are connected (not sleeping well impacts your belly fat), and shares the simple tweaks Janice can make to achieve her goals. You’ll learn how to avoid being TOFI (thin on the outside, fat on the inside), the importance of weight-bearing exercises and a protein-first approach to food when it comes to building muscle as you age, how to adjust meal timing for more restful sleep, and the specific measurements to track and monitor to meet your body-composition goals. Plus, JJ tackles the controversial topic of snacking! Everyone wants to sneak in their favorite snacks, but is it really serving your health? Listen as she coaches Janice through letting go of this blood-sugar dysregulating habit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perimenopause provides an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming changes of full-blown menopause. In this episode, JJ provides 7 ways to get a jumpstart on those big changes so you transition through menopause looking and feeling better than ever. You’ll learn why stress management is critical for hormone balance, how to optimize sleep, the overlooked secret for weight loss (if you don’t do this, it’s harder for your body to use fat as fuel), why thyroid health impacts nearly everything (and what tests to ask for), and the right foods to support healthy estrogen metabolism and avoid weight gain. Perimenopause can be a great time to make healthy changes, and the effective strategies JJ shares here will support your journey into menopause and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does getting older conjure uncomfortable images of broken bones and hip replacements? Or maybe you or a loved one struggles with osteoporosis or osteopenia. The good news is that you have plenty of ways to support bone health and help reduce your risk of developing bone issues… and it’s never too early to start! In this episode, Kevin Ellis – a health coach, bone health advocate, and founder of Bone Coach™ – talks with JJ about preventative and supportive strategies to maintain healthy bones at any age. You’ll learn about the bone density scan that changed Kevin’s life at a young age, why being proactive about bone health in your 30s can support you around menopause and after, plus the test you need to request early for bone health. Plus, Kevin talks about what a bone density scan doesn’t tell you (and why that’s so important), the critical test that reveals active bone loss, the first thing to do if you suspect bone loss, and why gut health matters for healthy bones. Tune in to hear about Kevin’s favorite bone-supporting foods, the go-to oil that benefits bones, why sneaky sugars (in “healthy” foods) are so bad for your bones, and the best kind of exercise for bone health. Kevin’s mission is to help one million-plus people around the globe build stronger bones and prevent osteoporosis as well as other diseases. Listen up to this information-packed episode and you’ll have everything you need to support strong bones, no matter what your age. Join Kevin’s Stronger Bones Masterclass and learn the 3-step blueprint for building stronger bones! https://www.b4hhxtrk.com/RTN27/3QQG7/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do after you figure out your food intolerances? In this episode of Beginnings & Breakthroughs, JJ coaches Nicoleta, a community member whose Virgin Diet experience led her to discover multiple food sensitivities—and lose 30 pounds in the process. Bloating, stomach pain, gas, digestive upset—these were all things Nicoleta was dealing with prior to going on The Virgin Diet. After eliminating the Hi-FI foods in Cycle 1 and experiencing weight loss, better sleep, and many other amazing benefits, she reintroduced the foods only to discover she didn't really have a problem with them; that is unless she continued to eat those foods every day. Suddenly the gut symptoms were back. The dose makes the poison, as they say. JJ advises on what to do in this situation, and shares simple gut health hacks Nicoleta (and you!) can do to improve symptoms so she may be able to occasionally enjoy certain foods without any digestive trouble. You'll learn about foods that can trigger autoimmune symptoms and leaky gut (and the gut-healthy foods to swap them with), why balanced gut flora is so important to health and weight loss goals, and the dramatic changes you can experience in your gut health when you commit to a stress-reducing meditation practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to lose weight, but the word diet leaves you feeling defeated or frustrated? Tune in to this episode, where JJ gives you 7 strategies to break the diet cycle and find a faster way to fat loss. Here, she reveals what to focus on to trigger fat loss, why small habits yield big success, the hidden cause of most weight gain, the best fat-burning foods for healthier meals, and why “healthy” foods could stall weight loss. Plus, JJ shows you how to keep your favorite foods and lose weight (no deprivation here!), the secret to faster fat loss, and why muscle is critical to maintain a healthy weight and look your best. Whether you’ve been struggling with diets for years or want simple strategies to lose weight and keep it off, don’t miss this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathy Smith is a legend in the fitness and wellness industry, and she has influenced the lives of millions with her iconic exercise videos and bestselling books. Listen as Kathy explains the best types of exercise to help you strengthen your bones and prevent osteoporosis, as well as the effects of aging on your muscles and how burst training can help you maintain your explosive muscle fibers. Plus, find out the simple things you can do throughout your day that can make a big difference, including Kathy's top exercises to engage your core and improve your balance. With Kathy’s tips, you’re sure to have endless energy and stay strong and fit, no matter what your age! Get Kathy Smith’s free Endless Energy Quiz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you become metabolically healthy? In this episode, JJ explains why metabolic health is so important for weight loss and so much more. She shares 5 lab values that you want to pay attention to, the best way to monitor your blood sugar levels (and why that’s so important), how even one night of poor sleep can dramatically sabotage your health, and why your bathroom scale isn’t ideal for measuring body composition (plus what to look for instead). Whether your goals include overcoming insulin resistance (which can lead to metabolic syndrome), more energy and focus, or better overall health (or, or all of the above), these simple strategies to measure and monitor will help you optimize your metabolism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Do you believe that healthy snacking or occasionally having a pizza and beer can help keep you on track with your diet plan? Then you’ll want to listen up to this podcast, where JJ talks about why snacking on even healthy foods and taking cheat days can raise blood sugar, shut off fat burning, and sabotage your health efforts. Here, she discusses why cheat foods have a drug-like effect on your brain and keep you hooked, the shocking study that showed bedtime snacking can nearly double your weight gain, and a simple solution to break the snacking habit. Plus, she reveals the simple overnight fasting hack that helps you burn fat, the #1 macronutrient to help curb hunger and cravings, and more. Whether you want to lose weight or break a weight loss plateau, this episode provides the tools you need to succeed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a functional medicine provider and expert in muscle-centric medicine. She joins JJ in today's podcast episode to talk about a topic that everyone is curious about: how to optimize your protein intake to build muscle! Listen as Dr. Lyon explains the vital roles of muscle in your body and the importance of protein, as well as the best types of exercise, for maintaining and building muscle mass. Dr. Lyon also shares how to figure out how much protein you need and the top sources of protein, including the differences in quality between plant and animal protein. Plus, find out the truth behind common myths about protein and your health! Get Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s free Lyon Protocol https://sa1s3.patientpop.com/assets/docs/22195.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having trouble kicking the sugar addiction, even when you're doing all the right things? You'll want to listen to this new episode of our Breakthroughs & Beginnings series, where JJ coaches community members on overcoming roadblocks on their path to better health. Before she went through The Virgin Diet, Alicia was experiencing weight loss resistance, thyroid issues, angry and anxious moods, and more. As a registered respiratory therapist working on a flight transport team, she regularly works 12- and 24-hour shifts that make it difficult to keep up a good wellness routine. After discovering some of her food intolerances, she was able to lose a total of 25 pounds, boost her energy, approach her day more calmly, and maintain a healthy thyroid. But she is still dealing with nagging sugar cravings! Listen as JJ offers advice on using a protein-first approach to kicking sugar, how to use a body composition scale and the right markers to track with it, the right exercises to improve muscle mass, suggested supplements for overcoming cravings, and small tweaks Alicia can make with her diet to avoid disrupting autophagy. Plus, you'll learn how poor sleep impacts appetite, and JJ's best tips for ensuring optimal protein intake throughout the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The law of attraction says that if you focus on the thing you want, you will attract that thing into your life… but did you know that weight loss is the exception to that rule? Extreme dieting is never the right answer, so you can stop working out like crazy and surviving on just celery sticks just to get rid of those unwanted pounds. Instead, I want you to stop focusing on weight loss and start focusing on getting healthy—and that means building and holding onto lean body mass. In this episode, I will explain WHY lean body mass is so important and share the six simple, actionable strategies you can implement today to get to your goal weight and stay there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is unhappy. In fact, we are the unhappiest we've been since the Great Depression, and things show no signs of getting better. Did you know that depression (the disorder, not the economic kind)—which was at epidemic levels even before the start of COVID-19—tripled in just a matter of months once the pandemic hit? Suicide rates are rising among many populations, and Americans seem to have lost hope. Now for the good news: There is a way out, and it starts in your brain. Recently, JJ spoke with her friend Dr. Daniel Amen about his new book, "You, Happy," and why he chose to write it now. Dr. Amen is one of America's leading psychiatrists, and he is on a mission to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. He told JJ that there is a neuroscience to happiness and that it is a daily practice. And, he shared with her what he calls "the 7 neuroscience secrets to becoming 30% happier in just 30 days." We all want to be happier, especially nowadays. Whether we're still reeling from the fallout of a major pandemic or simply struggling to get by in our daily lives and relationships, finding happiness during tough times can be a challenge. And when we aren't working with a strong foundation of health? It can be even harder. Listen as Dr. Amen and JJ discuss the 7 things you can do starting right now to build a strong foundation of happiness—beginning with preserving the physical health of your brain by adopting positive diet and lifestyle habits. From there, Dr. Amen explains how everyone's brain is different, and you'll find out how to take a unique brain assessment quiz to determine how happy you are and how to use targeted strategies to increase your joy. Dr. Amen has been a guest on Ask the Health Expert many, many times over the years, and every time JJ talks to him she is blown away with his incredible knowledge and insight. Don't miss learning about his 7 key strategies that will help you be happier and live longer! Get Dr. Amen’s FREE You, Happier Cookbook https://jjvirgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/You-Happier-Cookbook.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Do you suffer from brain fog, gut issues, aches and pains, or some other type of chronic condition that limits your ability to feel healthy and happy? JJ recently spoke with Integrative and Functional Medicine Practitioner Dr. Aaron Hartman about complex ""mystery"" illnesses that are actually more common than you realize—and why our current healthcare system often overlooks the root cause of the problem. Dr. Hartman first became interested in mystery illness diagnosis when he and his wife adopted their first daughter, Anna. At two years old, Anna had cerebral palsy and countless dietary and neurological issues, and doctors told them she would never crawl, walk, or talk. They went to specialist after specialist, and many wanted to ""treat"" Anna with invasive surgical procedures that often seemed to have no benefit. It was then that Dr. Hartman and his wife started questioning the experts if something didn't feel right, which led them to functional medicine. Through their own in-depth research, they found positive strategies that worked for Anna—many of which were incredibly basic, including eating real food, exercise, and quality sleep—and today she is 16 years old, walking with crutches, loves playing chess, and ""won't stop talking”. Dr. Hartman now works with numerous patients in his practice that are suffering from complicated, chronic illnesses, and JJ speaks to him about the importance of starting with the basics (gut, stress, and sleep) to help them feel better. The bottom line: People don't just get sick overnight. Years of unhealthy eating, too much stress, and poor sleep can bring us to a point where all it takes is one triggering event to bring our health crashing down around us. In this episode, you'll learn what things precede these mystery illnesses, what triggers them, and what you can do right now to increase your health and resilience. Tune in and take the first step toward feeling better! Harness Your Body's Power to Heal by getting Dr. Aaron Hartman’s FREE eBook Building Resistance https://go.richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/brguide-pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a goal you still haven't reached on your health journey? Are you looking for a way to reach that next milestone? Leap over that next hurdle? If so, this episode of Beginnings & Breakthroughs is for you. In it, JJ sits down with special guest Liz Clark, who has experienced incredible breakthroughs using the Virgin Diet principles but is ready to take her health and weight goals to the next level. ""I want to maintain energy and strength, increase my definition, and stay competitive,"" said Liz, who competes in dog agility training and wants to continue feeling great and doing the things she loves. Listen as she talks to JJ about her personal journey with weight and health over the years, and learn how she discovered what worked and didn't work for her body using strategies from the Virgin Diet and Sugar Impact Diet. Then, tune in as JJ explains that it's not just about weight, but what our weight is made up of—and why focusing on lean body mass is the key to ""living longer, younger and living younger, longer."" She lays out a complete plan for Liz to follow, including what and when to eat (protein is a big one!), what tests to schedule, which supplements she recommends, and why getting great sleep is absolutely critical for maintaining wellness and a healthy weight. If you feel like you've reached a plateau on your own health and weight journey and wish you could ask JJ what to do next, you won't want to miss this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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