This week, I’m tackling a hot (and sometimes controversial) topic—GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Are they the answer to weight loss, or just another tool in the ever-growing toolbox?

As a family nurse practitioner with more than 23 years of healthcare experience, most of that in primary care, I’ve seen firsthand both the hope and the challenges these medications bring. On one hand, they can be life-changing for some patients, especially those struggling with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes or morbid obesity. On the other hand, they come with side effects, high costs, access issues, and a lot of hype fueled by social media and influencers.

In this episode, I’m breaking it all down for you:

• What GLP-1’s are and how they actually work in the body

• Who these medications are truly meant for (and who they’re not)

• The side effects and risks I see most often in my practice

• The reality of cost, insurance coverage, and compounded versions

• Why lifestyle—nutrition, strength training, movement, sleep, and stress management—still matters more than any prescription

At the end of the day, GLP-1’s may be one piece of the puzzle, but they’re not a magic solution. Weight loss in midlife is hard—I see you balancing work, home, hormones, and busy schedules. My hope is that today’s conversation empowers you to think critically, ask good questions, and focus on what truly supports your long-term health and happiness.

Because yes, medications can help. But the real magic is in building habits that support your body in every season of life, and I'm here to cheer you on!

Links & Resources:

⭐ Join my FREE Fill up to Spill out fitness community ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc74TcoQhCJL58jZKz2VOjtYzr7eJaIXNxCSAL17sJ8A05gFA/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

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ALLISONS8BODI at check-out saves you 15%

If you loved this episode, please share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps more women like us stay strong and healthy for life!

Thanks for listening!

~Allison

Last week on the podcast, we talked about the 10 things women over 40 need to focus on when it comes to overall health. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of something I recently did for myself: a DEXA body composition scan.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated with the number on the scale or confused about how running impacts your weight, this episode is for you. A DEXA scan doesn’t just show weight or BMI—it gives a full picture of muscle mass, fat distribution, bone density, and visceral fat (the kind that really matters for long-term health).

In this conversation, I’m sharing:

• 📊 What my results looked like and why my score came back as a C+

• 💪 Why body composition matters more than a number on the scale

• 🏃‍♀️ How endurance running impacts fat loss, muscle mass, and hormones in midlife

• 🍎 The 7 strategies I’m focusing on over the next 6 months to improve my health and move toward an “A” score

• 🙌 Why fat loss after 40 is about building strength, energy, and resilience—not just getting thinner

Whether you’ve ever considered a DEXA scan yourself or you just want practical ways to improve your body composition as an over-40 runner, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and encouraged to make changes that actually last.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about losing weight—it’s about gaining muscle, energy, confidence, and life.

✨ If you enjoy today’s episode, share it with a friend who’s navigating this same season of life, and don’t forget to leave a rating or review. Your support means the world and helps this podcast reach more women just like you.

Links & Resources:

⭐ Join my FREE Fill up to Spill out fitness community ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc74TcoQhCJL58jZKz2VOjtYzr7eJaIXNxCSAL17sJ8A05gFA/viewform?usp=sf_link⁠

⭐ Check out BODi programs I love ⁠https://click-myl.ink/yc76kre9⁠

ALLISONS8BODI at check-out saves you 15%

Follow me on Instagram @filluptospillout

~Allison

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my very first colonoscopy experience—what the prep was like (spoiler: it felt a lot like running a marathon), how I survived on clear liquids and green Jell-O, and why the actual procedure was so much easier than I expected. If you’ve been putting yours off, I promise—you can do hard things!

But this episode isn’t just about colonoscopies. If you’re a late Gen X-er or early Millennial—especially those of us born around 1980—it’s time to start paying attention to a new season of health screenings and self-care. As a family nurse practitioner with over 23 years of experience, I’ll walk you through the top 10 things you should be thinking about now, including:

• Colonoscopies: why the starting age dropped from 50 to 45

• DEXA scans and what they can tell you about bone health, muscle mass, and visceral fat

• Eye exams (hello, readers 👓)

• Mammograms and pap smears

• Lab work to check cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, vitamin D, and more

• Skin checks with a dermatologist

• Staying up to date on vaccines

• Dental visits (don’t skip them!)

• Movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management in midlife

The truth is, what we could get away with in our 20s and 30s doesn’t fly in our 40s and beyond. This is the season to prioritize your health—not just for aesthetics or performance, but so you can stay strong, resilient, and able to live fully.

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. So, if you haven’t scheduled some of these screenings or check-ups yet, let this episode be the nudge you need.

✨ Let’s fill up to spill out, friends!

Thanks for listening and following the show!

~Allison