Someone once told me, ‘I’ve been eating 1200 calories for 2 years and I’m not losing weight!’”

That statement sparked this entire episode.

As dietitians, we hear this all the time—so Sam and I decided to put it to the test.

We each followed a fully planned, measured 1200-calorie day to see what it actually feels like—physically and mentally.

What we found wasn’t just hunger.

It was constant food thoughts, a scarcity mindset before the day even started, and already thinking about what to eat next before the day was even over.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why 1200 calories is nearly impossible to hit consistently without strict planning
• What it actually feels like to eat that little (physically + mentally)
• How “food noise” increases when you’re under-eating
• The “last supper” and “I earned this” mindset that leads to overeating
• Why volume eating only goes so far
• How this cycle keeps people stuck (restrict → overeat → repeat)

We also share exactly what we ate, how we felt throughout the day, and why eating as much as possible (while still in a deficit) is key for sustainable fat loss.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like “nothing is working”… this episode will give you a whole new perspective.

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

Co-Host:
Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD
https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/

Do you feel like you’re doing everything at home and still feeling guilty taking time for yourself?

In this episode, Danielle sits down with relationship identity coach Nicole Carney to talk about over-functioning, the mental load, and mom guilt — and how these patterns are keeping so many women stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed.

We dive into:

• what the “mental load” actually is (and why it’s so exhausting)
• why moms feel guilty taking time for themselves
• how to start shifting that dynamic without nagging or creating conflict

We also talk about how to get your partner more involved in a way that actually feels supportive (not forced), and why taking care of yourself isn’t selfish… it’s necessary.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the load and have 100 tabs open in your brain, this episode is for you.

Learn more about Nicole’s program, The Good Wife Detox (and get $20 off with code PIVOT):
https://nicolelynne.co/good-wife-detox

Host:
Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD
Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching

Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/

https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/

This episode is a really special one. I’m joined by a mom and daughter I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past year: Kristen and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a middle school athlete, and her story is one I know so many families are going to relate to.

One year ago, Kristen was working out listening to a podcast I was a guest on… and something just clicked. As she listened, she thought, “This is exactly what Brooklyn is going through… and maybe this is what she needs.”

At the time, Brooklyn was severely restricting. She was only eating “healthy” foods, counting calories, losing weight… and had lost her period.

As a mom, Kristen knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what to do.

In this episode, Kristen and Brooklyn share their full story — from how it started, to the early warning signs, to the turning points that changed everything.

We talk about:
• How “clean eating” can quietly turn into under-fueling
• The pressure from social media and body image
• What it actually feels like to have constant food noise
• The fear of eating more and gaining weight
• The moment Brooklyn got her period back (we all cried)
• And what life looks like now — eating pizza, going out with friends, and feeling free around food again

This episode is for moms, athletes, and anyone who feels stuck in food rules or chasing the “perfect” body.

Because what looks healthy on the outside… isn’t always what’s going on inside.

And the goal isn’t just to eat more — it’s to feel free around food again.