The supplement aisle seems to promise everything: rapid fat burning, appetite suppression, effortless weight loss. With billions of dollars spent annually and 60% of Americans taking supplements regularly, the questions are endless. Do they actually work? Are they safe? And how do you separate the science from the marketing hype?

Join Holly and Jim as they tackle the complex world of weight loss supplements with one of the nation's leading experts. You'll discover why the supplement industry operates so differently from pharmaceuticals, what the research really says about popular ingredients, and how to make informed decisions in a marketplace flooded with big promises but limited oversight.

Their guest, Dr. Paul Coates, spent nearly two decades as director of the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, where he guided national research priorities and consumer education. He served as president of the American Society for Nutrition and is the lead editor of the Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. If anyone can cut through the confusion, it's Paul.

Discussed on the episode:

• The surprising statistic about how many Americans use supplements daily
• Why studying supplement combinations creates an almost impossible research challenge
• The red flags to watch for when companies cite "research" to support their products
• How the regulatory framework for supplements differs dramatically from prescription drugs
• The cautionary tale of ephedra and what it teaches us about "natural" ingredients
• Which supplements have enough research to show modest promise for weight management
• Why expecting huge results from supplements sets you up for disappointment
• The importance of discussing supplement use with your healthcare provider
• How to spot products that may contain unlisted ingredients or inaccurate dosing
• Real-world advice on whether it's worth trying supplements and where to start safely

Resources Mentioned:

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: https://ods.od.nih.gov/

You've got questions. Lots of them. And if you've been trying to lose weight or keep it off, chances are you've Googled these same burning questions at 11 p.m., desperately searching for answers that actually make sense.

From "Do I really have to give up bread?" to "What do I do when the scale isn't moving?" - these are the questions that keep showing up in Holly and Jim's clinics, programs, emails, and even chance encounters at the grocery store. The questions that make you laugh, make you think, and the ones you're probably too embarrassed to ask out loud but secretly wonder about every day.

Join Holly and Jim as they count down the top 10 most frequently asked weight loss questions, delivering science-backed answers that cut through the confusion. You'll discover why some popular beliefs might be holding you back, learn when to trust your body's signals, and find out which "golden rule" of weight loss might actually be more flexible than you think. Plus, they reveal the number one question that stumps people the most - and why the answer might completely change how you think about success.

Discussed on the episode:

• Why weighing yourself daily might be the key to long-term success (and how to do it without letting the number ruin your day)
• The surprising truth about whether you need to focus on diet or exercise first
• Why the breakfast debate isn't as black and white as you've been told
• The real story behind carbs and whether they're truly the enemy
• Whether you can enjoy alcohol and still reach your weight goals
• The truth about the "fat-burning zone" at the gym and why you might be overthinking it
• What to do when you hit that inevitable plateau (and why it's not a sign of failure)
• The psychology behind emotional eating and practical strategies to break the cycle
• Why weight loss and weight maintenance require completely different skill sets
• The mindset shift that transforms weight regain from failure to part of the process

Resources Mentioned:

• Weight Loss And… Episode 73: https://weightlossand.com/can-you-drink-alcohol-and-still-lose-weight
• Weight Loss And… Episode 94: https://weightlossand.com/willpower-wont-save-you-but-these-10-things-will

"I just need more willpower." If you've ever said this to yourself, you're not alone. It's one of the most common beliefs in weight loss: that success comes down to having iron-clad self-control and the ability to resist every temptation that comes your way.

But what if willpower isn't the secret weapon you think it is? What if, depending on it, is actually setting you up for failure? Holly and Jim are about to shatter one of the biggest myths in weight management and show you a completely different path to lasting success.

Join them as they reveal why willpower is overrated and share the top 10 strategies that matter far more than white-knuckling your way through cravings. You'll discover science-backed alternatives that successful people use instead of relying on mental muscle alone, and why these approaches are not only more effective, but also more sustainable for the long haul.

Discussed on the episode:

• Why willpower works like a muscle (and why that's actually a problem)
• The two times of day when your self-control is strongest and weakest
• How successful weight maintainers from the National Weight Control Registry really think about willpower
• The "Perfect Polly" vs "Too Special Sarah" profiles, which extreme are you?
• Why your workout clothes belong in your office (Jim's clever routine revealed)
• The mind-body connection breakthrough that's changing everything
• Holly's chip catastrophe story: when strong willpower completely backfired
• The boundary conversation technique for handling sabotaging environments
• Why taking back your power is really a mindset shift
• The #1 alternative to willpower that replaces it entirely

Resources Mentioned:

• Weight Loss And… Episode 19: https://weightlossand.com/reigniting-your-weight-loss-motivation-strategies-for-a-sustainable-journey
• Weight Loss And… Episode 11: https://www.weightlossand.com/the-seven-secrets-of-weight-loss-success/
• Weight Loss And… Episode 76: https://www.weightlossand.com/why-mind-state-is-the-key-to-weight-loss-maintenance/