A Story I Hear Every Week
She sits across from me and says some version of the same thing I hear almost daily:
“I don’t understand what’s happening to my body. I’m eating less, working out more, and my belly fat is worse than ever.”
She’s not lazy.
She’s not undisciplined.
And she’s definitely not doing “nothing.”
She’s tracking calories. Skipping meals. Adding more cardio. Cutting carbs. Cutting fat. Cutting joy.
And yet—her energy is lower, her sleep is worse, her hormones feel completely off, and the scale (and mirror) feel like they’re mocking her.
This isn’t a willpower problem.
This is a mindset + physiology mismatch, and it’s one of the most common traps midlife women fall into.
The Midlife Trap: Restrict, Push Harder, Repeat
For decades, women have been taught that weight gain means one thing:
Eat less. Move more. Try harder.
But here’s the problem—many midlife women are already under-eating, especially when it comes to:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Micronutrients
- Overall metabolic fuel
So when weight gain shows up (often driven by hormonal shifts, insulin resistance, stress, and sleep disruption), the response is to restrict even further.
This creates a vicious cycle:
- Calorie restriction → increased stress hormones
- Increased stress → adrenal strain
- Adrenal strain → lower estrogen, progesterone, testosterone
- Hormone decline → increased belly fat storage
- Increased belly fat → more restriction and cardio
This isn’t fat loss.
This is metabolic shutdown disguised as discipline.
Why Mindset Matters More Than You Think (The Milkshake Study)
There’s a powerful study often referred to as “The Milkshake Study,” conducted by Dr. Alia Crum, a health psychologist at Stanford.
In this study, participants were given the exact same milkshake—same calories, same macronutrients, same ingredients.
The only difference?
- One group was told it was a “decadent, indulgent, high-calorie milkshake.”
- The other group was told it was a “sensible, low-calorie, healthy shake.”
What happened next was astonishing.
The group that believed they were drinking the indulgent shake had:
- Greater satiety hormone (ghrelin) suppression
- Better metabolic response
- More satisfaction
Same milkshake.
Different mindset.
Different physiological outcome.
Dr. Crum discusses this—and how she applied it in her own life—in her interview on The Mel Robbins Podcast, titled “#1 Mindset Expert: Simple Mindset Shifts That Transform Your Body, Energy, & Life.”
This is the key distinction:
👉 It’s not mind over body. It’s mind and body.
What I See Clinically at Antigravity Wellness
One of the most common goals women come to us with is weight loss and body recomposition.
And here’s what surprises them most:
When we design their plan, we often increase:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Total food volume
- Nutrient density
Many women say:
“This feels like so much food.”
But what changes quickly is:
- Energy improves
- Sleep deepens
- Cravings decrease
- Workouts feel better
- Body composition starts shifting
Why?
Because their body finally has the raw materials it needs to:
- Build muscle
- Regulate blood sugar
- Produce hormones
- Recover from stress
The fear usually comes next:
“If I eat this way, won’t I gain weight again?”
That fear is old programming—not current biology.
Reframing Food: From “Good vs Bad” to Nourishing and Satisfying
One of the most powerful mindset shifts we work on is this:
Instead of asking,
❌ “Will this make me gain weight?”
We ask,
✅ “How nourishing, satisfying, and supportive is this for my body?”
When women focus on:
- Adequate protein
- Fiber-rich carbohydrates
- Healthy fats
- Balanced meals
Something interesting happens:
- Binges decrease
- Obsession with food quiets
- Trust with their body begins to rebuild
And yes—treats still exist.
The difference is:
- They’re occasional
- They’re intentional
- They’re enjoyed without guilt
Restriction fuels bingeing.
Permission + structure builds regulation.
Another critical shift:
- You don’t need to “clean your plate.”
- A small portion can be satisfying.
- Full doesn’t mean stuffed.
This takes practice—but it’s learnable.
Why This Matters So Much in Midlife
Midlife is not the time to:
- Starve your body
- Punish it with endless cardio
- Ignore stress and sleep
- Override hunger signals
It is the time to:
- Support hormones
- Preserve muscle
- Build metabolic resilience
- Rewire habits that no longer serve you
Your current routine is producing your current results.
If it worked, you wouldn’t be here.
How We Help at Antigravity Wellness
At Antigravity Wellness, mindset is not an afterthought—it’s part of the treatment plan.
We support women through:
- Hormone optimization
- Medical weight management
- Personalized nutrition planning
- Body composition–focused strategies
- One-on-one coaching with medical oversight
Whether or not medication is part of your plan, mindset work is essential for long-term success.
This is about:
- Rewiring your brain
- Building sustainable habits
- Creating routines that support—not fight—your physiology
Because lasting change doesn’t come from trying harder.
It comes from working smarter, with your body.
Is This a Good Fit for You?
If you’re struggling with:
- Midlife weight gain
- Belly fat that won’t budge
- Chronic dieting
- Hormone symptoms
- Feeling stuck despite “doing everything right”
The next step is to take our Readiness Questionnaire.
It helps determine:
- Whether we’re the right fit
- What level of support you need
- The best path forward for your goals
👉 Take the Readiness Questionnaire to get started.
Medical & Scientific References
- Crum, A. J., Corbin, W. R., Brownell, K. D., & Salovey, P. (2011). Mind over milkshakes: Mindsets, not just nutrients, determine ghrelin response. Health Psychology, 30(4), 424–429. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21574706/
- Ludwig, D. S., et al. (2018). Effects of dietary composition on energy expenditure during weight-loss maintenance. BMJ. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22735432/
- Westman, E. C., et al. (2007). Low-carbohydrate nutrition and metabolism. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17684196/
- Mauvais-Jarvis, F. (2018). Gender differences in glucose homeostasis and diabetes. Physiological Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28843891/
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise routine, or medical treatment. Antigravity Wellness provides personalized care based on individual medical history, labs, and clinical evaluation.
