Louise explains that metabolism isn’t fixed or “broken” but a responsive, adaptive system that slows down and stores fat when the body perceives scarcity or threat from chronic dieting, under-eating, high exercise load, poor sleep and stress. She describes the calorie trap and adaptive thermogenesis, where cutting calories leads to unconscious reductions in movement and energy output, and challenges the myth that big differences in metabolic rate are purely genetic, highlighting metabolic flexibility instead. Louise outlines why changes often feel worse after 40 due to accumulated dieting and stress, hormonal shifts, muscle loss and reduced recovery, and emphasises the role of the nervous system, gut health, nutrient absorption and hormones such as thyroid. She lists common signs of metabolic adaptation and recommends consistent fuelling, regular meals, blood sugar stability, nervous system regulation, sleep, resistance training, gut support and addressing deficiencies, plus invites listeners to her masterclass.

00:00 Slow Metabolism Myth
00:40 Metabolism Is Adaptive
03:04 Why Your Body Slows
05:27 The Calorie Trap
07:41 Metabolic Flexibility
08:50 After 40 Changes
11:00 Stress And Safety
13:37 Gut Nutrients Hormones
15:56 Signs Of Adaptation
17:18 Rebuilding Metabolism
19:51 Masterclass Invitation
20:45 Final Takeaway

Register for my free masterclass: https://www.louisedigbynutrition.com/meno-belly