Eps 435: Why Willpower Doesn’t Work for Weight Loss (Especially in Perimenopause)| Dr. Glenn Livingston
Have you ever wondered why cravings seem so much harder to manage than they used to be?
For many women in perimenopause, it’s easy to assume it’s simply a lack of discipline. But what if your cravings aren’t a character flaw at all? What if they’re the result of biology meeting a modern food environment that was never designed for your health?
In this episode, Bria sits down with Dr. Glenn Livingston, psychologist, bestselling author of Never Binge Again, and expert on the psychology of overeating, to unpack why cravings exist, why willpower eventually runs out, and how women can build healthier habits without relying on constant self-control.
Together, they explore how hormonal changes in perimenopause can amplify cravings, why today’s ultra-processed food environment makes healthy eating more challenging than ever, and practical strategies for working with your brain instead of fighting against it.
In This Episode
00:00 Introduction
03:48 Why women often blame themselves instead of their changing biology
07:36 The difference between emotional eating and habitual eating
12:11 Why breaking food habits is different from breaking other habits
17:45 How perimenopause changes your relationship with food
20:12 Why the coping strategies that worked in your 20s may stop working in perimenopause
21:22 Why “just eat mindfully” isn’t enough in today’s food environment
23:25 Why willpower eventually runs out (and what to rely on instead)
30:42 How simple food rules reduce decision fatigue
36:18 Why cravings aren’t a sign of weakness
44:46 The surprising reason cravings are actually a sign of healthy human biology
49:15 How to work with your brain instead of constantly fighting it
54:27 Practical strategies to create an environment that supports healthier eating
58:40 Final advice for women navigating perimenopause and food cravings
Connect with Dr. Glenn Livingston
Instagram: @livingstonglenn
Website: https://neverbingeagain.com
Connect with Bria
Instagram: @theperiodwhisperer
Website: https://theperiodwhisperer.com
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