Ep 137: Here's what you actually need to do to lose body fat

Ep 137: Here's what you actually need to do to lose body fat

Author: Ashleigh VanHouten & Rachel Gregory | Fitness, Strength Training, Wellness July 21, 2026 Duration: 43:10

If you listened to episode 136 and completed the six-step audit to determine if you're REALLY doing the right things to lose fat, and you're still at a loss, you may be thinking: ok, I am doing everything right. It's still not working! Am I broken? Is there something wrong? What next? This episode is for you. Ashleigh and Rachel walk you through, in a clear and non judgemental way, the fat loss equation that you have probably heard before, but broken down into steps you can actually get your head around. This episode will help you on the next stage of your fat loss journey, or perhaps even more importantly, help you figure out if you should be switching up your goal for a bit in order to give your body and mind a much-needed break.

Hey, do you want to join Rachel and Ashleigh somewhere warm and beachy for a healthy, fun, challenging  MSW retreat? Fill out this form to give us feedback on your ideal fun fitness retreat!

Thank you to our new sponsor, True Nutrition, where you can customize your own protein! Choose a mix of protein bases, a range of delicious flavors and sweetness level, and boost your protein with adaptogens, collagen, immune support, electrolytes and much more. Ashleigh loves the chocolate fudge brownie with a grassfed New Zealand beef protein base, and Rachel is testing different protein base combos for the ultimate protein ice cream recipe. Save time, effort, and money by combining all your supplement needs into one delicious protein powder. Head to truenutrition.com/MUSCLE and use the code MUSCLE for 20% off your custom mix!

Join the conversation - leave a comment on the podcast, share the episode on social media, or leave a comment, topic idea, or question on the website: https://musclescienceforwomen.com/contact

Or send a voice message here and they may play it on the pod! https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/468952/1/3h8gyc5cfc71vsbu 

Check out the MSW Substack here: https://musclescienceforwomen.substack.com

Learn about all of the MSW training programs here: https://musclescienceforwomen.com/programs

Subscribe to the new YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@musclescienceforwomen 

 

 


Ashleigh VanHouten and Rachel Gregory, the co-creators behind the Muscle Science for Women training program, bring their combined expertise as a health coach and a nutritionist-strength specialist into a regular, down-to-earth conversation. This isn't about generic fitness advice; it's a deep, practical look at how women can build strength and wellness on their own terms. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with two knowledgeable friends who genuinely understand the specific physiological and cultural landscape women navigate in gyms and kitchens. They tackle the real questions-from optimizing nutrition for energy and recovery to designing effective training sessions and critically examining fitness trends. The dialogue is always rooted in science but delivered without jargon, making complex topics like metabolism, hormonal influences, and sustainable habit change both accessible and actionable. Tuning into this podcast offers a reliable source of clarity amidst the noise, transforming the principles of muscle science into a personalized roadmap for anyone looking to feel stronger and more confident. You'll hear honest discussions that blend evidence with experience, all aimed at empowering your individual health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Muscle Science for Women
Podcast Episodes
Ep 132: Heal your gut with Hannah Aylward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
In this episode Ashleigh speaks with Hannah Aylward, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Gut Health Expert + Mindfulness Advocate, to help breakdown: The major gut health issues we may be dealing with How to get to the ro…
Ep 131: How to train NOW to be strong at 80 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
In this episode, hosts Ashleigh and Rachel discuss what we need to be doing now to live the life we want when we're older, including discussing some key markers of longevity, the things they want to be able to do when th…
Ep 130: Influencer red flags | act like a baby - for your health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:52
In this solo episode, Ashleigh offers some food for thought on how to handle the onslaught of health information we are exposed to on a daily basis, and how to determine whether or not the "online influencer" you're watc…
Ep 129: Super disciplined, or just not resilient? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
In this episode, hosts Ashleigh and Rachel give updates on their Dopamine Reset Challenge, continue to explore the impact of AI, talk about the latest negative fitness trend on social media, and confirm the importance of…
Ep 128: Does more control = more freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel explore practical strategies for optimizing routines, managing dopamine, and choosing the right support systems to enhance overall well-being. They delve into the importance of flexib…
Ep 126: Is your favorite workout overrated? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
In this short solo episode, Ashleigh offers a free Substack subscription if you review the pod; she answers a listener question about whether or not it's normal to make gains and feel BETTER during pregnancy, and she rat…
Ep 125: Is your Type-A approach helping or hurting you? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
In this episode, the ladies discuss where they were in 2016, they both touch on some recent injuries and how they're dealing with them, and they talk about how having a Type A personality can be a blessing and a curse -…
Ep 124: Is AI going to take over coaching (and our brains)? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
In this episode, Ashleigh offers updates on her month-long Costa Rica residency, the ladies discuss more dopamine management, and they dive deep into AI as it relates to the current state (and future) of health coaching,…
Ep 123: What women need to know about Iron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
In this episode, Ashleigh breaks down the basics of what you need to know about iron and iron deficiency as a strength-training woman. She discusses why iron deficiency is so common in women—especially athletes—and how t…