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 112: 10 Mistakes Women Make When Trying To Build Muscle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:57
In this solo episode (a re-release of a popular episode from Rachel's other podcast, MetFlex and Chill) Rachel talks about the mistakes women make when trying to build muscle. We hope you find this episode helpful; if yo…
Healthy Aging Series: Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:22
In this episode of the Healthy Aging Series, Ashleigh and Beth discuss mental health: how it impacts physical health and vice versa; how it changes through the decades; how our hormonal changes impact mental health; how…
Ep 110: Weighted vests and CrossFit support groups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
In this solo episode, Ashleigh weighs in on whether or not weighted vests are worth it; she talks about starting a CrossFit support group for folks trying to leave, and answers a question from the podcasts #5 male listen…
Ep 108: What is a maintenance phase and how does it work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
In this episode the ladies talk about "maintenance," - what does it mean, how do you get to maintenance, how do you stay there, how long do you stay there, why is maintenance a good thing and when is it hindering your go…
Ep 107: How grief impacts health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:11
In this vulnerable episode, Rachel and Ashleigh talk about the intersection of grief and health - it's a topic that we'll all deal with at some point, but isn't often discussed. Behavioural and lifestyle changes can dram…
Ep 106: All about pelvic health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:45
This episode is a deep dive into pelvic health, an incredibly important aspect of overall health, function, and quality of life for women that many of us don't know enough about (and aren't taught). In this episode, Ashl…
Healthy Aging Series: Motherhood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:14
This week is another episode of the Healthy Aging Series, and this time Ashleigh and Beth are diving into motherhood, a deeply personal and lifechanging event. They discuss the ways motherhood changed them (and the ways…
Ep 104: Limiting factors in training | How to avoid being skinny-fat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:10
In this episode, Ashleigh answers listener questions about: -how to work around "limiting factors" like grip strength and weaker muscles when trying to challenge the lower body -can you heal and "tighten" fascia in your…
Ep 103: Ashleigh's birth story, part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:46
In this vulnerable episode, Ashleigh shares her pregnancy and birth story from the recent birth of her daughter. She covers topics including: Her symptoms and overall experience during pregnancy, and how it differed from…