Ever wonder why you lose weight everywhere except where you actually want to? Or why your body seems to have "favorite spots" for storing fat? It's not in your head, and it's not random.

Join Holly and Jim as they sit down with Dr. Mike Jensen, one of the world's leading experts on body fat distribution from the Mayo Clinic. His groundbreaking research has revolutionized how doctors understand fat, revealing that where your body stores it matters just as much as how much you have. You'll discover why some fat depots are actually protective while others signal metabolic trouble, and most surprisingly, what you can actually do about it.

This conversation will change how you think about your body. From the simple "pinch test" that reveals your visceral fat status to the unexpected truth about hip and thigh fat being beneficial, Dr. Jensen shares insights that could transform your approach to weight management and metabolic health.

Discussed on the episode:

• The surprising reason why having fat on your hips and thighs is actually good for your health
• A simple at-home test to determine if you have dangerous visceral fat (hint: it involves pinching)
• Why two people with identical weight can have completely opposite health risks
• The "fall guy" theory that explains why visceral fat accumulates in the first place
• What happens to your fat distribution as you age (and why elderly people often have thin limbs)
• The one type of exercise that may specifically target visceral fat
• Why liposuction doesn't improve metabolic health despite removing 20+ pounds of fat
• The concerning truth about GLP-1 medications and what happens when people stop taking them
• How stress response styles (fight vs. freeze) may determine where you store fat
• The easiest habit change that reliably reduces visceral fat

The holidays are here, and so is the annual tug-of-war between enjoying festive foods and dreading the scale come January. But what if you didn't have to choose? What if you could indulge in grandma's famous pie, raise a glass with loved ones, and still walk into the new year feeling great?

Join Holly and Jim as they tackle the science behind holiday weight gain and, more importantly, how to outsmart it. They're bringing in reinforcements this time: Kelly Berg and Maddison Garcia from UAB's Metabolic Kitchen share clever swaps, simple tricks, and dietitian-approved hacks that cut calories without cutting the joy. From reimagining your cocktail to rethinking your plate size, you'll walk away with strategies that actually work in the real world.

Discussed on the episode:

• The sneaky reason those first few post-holiday pounds might not be what you think
• A "tasting plate" strategy that lets you try everything guilt-free
• The dessert hack that slashes calories by half (and still satisfies your sweet tooth)
• Why your plate size matters more than your willpower
• A simple mocktail switch that saves you hundreds of calories
• The mac and cheese upgrade that adds nutrition without sacrificing comfort
• How to handle food pushers without hurting feelings
• A post-feast recovery plan that doesn't involve starving yourself
• The one holiday food each host and guest admits they can't resist

You're doing everything right. You've been consistent with your plan, staying active, watching what you eat. But then it happens, the scale refuses to budge. For days. Then weeks. The frustration creeps in, and suddenly you're wondering if all your effort is even worth it.

Here's the truth: when your weight loss stalls, it doesn't mean you've failed. It means your body is doing exactly what it's designed to do. The plateau you're experiencing isn't a roadblock. It's actually a sign that something important is happening beneath the surface.

Join Holly and Jim as they dive into the science of weight loss plateaus. You'll discover why plateaus happen to everyone, what's really going on in your body when the scale stops moving, and most importantly, the strategic "cards" you can play to break through and keep progressing toward your goals.

Discussed on the episode:

• The surprisingly long period you need to wait before you can actually call it a plateau
• Why people with larger bodies don't have slower metabolisms (this myth needs to end)
• The hormone shifts that make your body fight back as you lose weight
• How GLP-1 medications are pushing plateaus from 3-6 months to over a year
• The "cards" you can play when your weight stops moving, and which one to try first
• Why simplifying your meals might be more powerful than you think
• The controversial science debate about "adaptive thermogenesis"
• When a plateau is actually your body telling you it's time for weight loss maintenance
• The surprising "vacation strategy" that can unstick a stubborn plateau
• Why Holly hits plateaus all the time (and what she does about it)