Endocrinologist and Neuroscientist Agree: This Simple Habit Helps Anyone Lose Weight For Good

Research shows that around 66% menopausal women are struggling with weight gain.¹

And if one of them is you, then listen up.

I wanted to understand why weight loss when you’re 40+ feels so frustrating—why it slows down, why the cravings hit harder, and why the advice never seems made for our bodies.

So I spoke to several specialists. I reached out to endocrinologists, dietitians, behavior experts. But two conversations really stood out.

One was with Dr. Karen Fielding, an endocrinologist. The other was with Dr. Leonardo Marks, a neuroscientist studying habit formation and metabolism.

Different disciplines. Different training. But what shocked me was how aligned they were. Both said the same thing:

“The secret isn’t more willpower or stricter diets. It’s working with your biology—and rewiring the habits that sabotage it.”

Let’s be clear – lack of effort is NOT the reason older people struggle with weight

We began by asking why it feels nearly impossible for people over 50 to lose weight—even when they’re doing everything right.

“People think it’s just about willpower,” said endocrinologist Dr. Karen Fielding.

“But I’ve worked with hundreds of adults, especially postmenopausal women, and let me tell you—it’s not laziness. It’s hormones.”

With age, the hormonal system shifts dramatically. Estrogen drops in women during menopause, cortisol rises, insulin becomes erratic.

Suddenly, everything changes: fat stores around the belly, sleep is lighter, hunger signals get thrown off, and energy plummets.

“So many patients tell me, ‘I’m eating the same and staying active… but still gaining weight,’” Dr. Fielding explained.

“That’s because their hormonal environment has changed—and no one helped them adjust.”

Dr. Marks agrees: “As the brain becomes less sensitive to insulin, it starts misreading hunger and energy cues. It’s a huge factor in later-life weight gain.”1

In fact, studies show that older adults with impaired insulin signaling not only gain more visceral fat, but also have a harder time losing it—regardless of diet or exercise.2, 3

It’s not just insulin, either. Hormonal changes across the board—thyroid, leptin, ghrelin, cortisol—are working against fat loss.

“It’s not that people are doing less. It’s that their biology now demands more support,” said Dr. Fielding.

So if your body refuses to let go of extra weight, it’s not lack of willpower; it’s hormones—and you’re not alone.

So, are older people doomed to be overweight and coast straight into heart disease?

Not at all. Dr. Fielding and Dr. Marks agree:

To lose weight after 50, you need a plan that works with your hormones.

“People overlook how many hormones influence weight gain,” said Dr. Fielding.

“It’s not just estrogen in menopause. In both men and women, cortisol, testosterone, thyroid, leptin—all affect fat storage. But one of the most important factors is insulin.” 4

“It affects your entire metabolic rhythm—from how you store fat to how your brain processes hunger.”

Dr. Marks sees the same thing in his work.

“When insulin stays elevated throughout the day—which is common in older people—your brain never gets the signal to switch into fat-burning mode.” 5

This is where fasting comes in.

Not starvation. Not skipping meals out of guilt.

But short, strategic breaks—windows when the body can reset its hormonal signals.

“We call them fat-burning windows,” said Dr. Fielding.

“During these windows, insulin drops low enough for your body to burn fat—especially the stubborn fat around the belly and organs.”

Normally, insulin spikes after meals. If you eat constantly, it stays high, hormones stay unstable, and fat burning never begins.

But with well-timed breaks between meals—especially if they’re aligned with your natural circadian rhythm—your body dips into fat-burning mode more often and more effectively.

This method can rejuvenate your heart and brain while helping you lose stubborn weight

It all sounded surprisingly simple.

“So… isn’t this just fasting?” I asked.

“Yes and no. It’s not the kind of fasting you hear about from influencers. It’s structured, hormone-conscious, and tailored to the individual. That’s what makes it work.”

Dr. Fielding jumped in to clarify:

“To actually trigger those fat-burning windows, timing and guidance matter.

Your routine, your age, your hormones, any conditions—all change the equation. Small mistakes can make the process fruitless.” 6

Normally, getting that level of support would mean multiple visits to an endocrinologist, dietitian, and behavior specialist, bloodwork, and tracking.

“But there’s now an app-based guide that takes all of those into account for you. It builds a personalized fasting plan based on your schedule and health profile.”

You simply answer a few questions, and it calculates:

“It’s like having a specialist team in your pocket,” Dr. Marks explained.

“The plan updates as your progress changes, so it feels like someone is walking you through it every day.”

And it only takes a few minutes to start.

Why do their patients say: “I didn’t think this version of me was still possible.”

“For years, people have been told that weight loss when you’re older means restriction, suffering, or expensive injections,” says Dr. Fielding.

“That’s simply not true. I’ve watched my patients prove otherwise.”

She’s talking about men and women in their 50s and beyond who’ve lost 10, 20—even 50 pounds.

Not through crash diets. Not by starving. But by finally finding a rhythm that works with their body.

“They’re feeling great,” she adds. “More energy. Fewer cravings. Better sleep. They’re traveling again, saying yes to photos, beaches, social events—things they used to dread or avoid.”

Dr. Marks has seen the same transformation.

“The brain responds when things are aligned. These people aren’t forcing change—they’re finally in sync with their biology. It’s natural. Effortless.”

“One of my patients told me, ‘When something is right for your body… you just feel it. I honestly didn’t think this version of me was still possible.’”

A simple way to understand what your body actually needs

Getting started is usually the hardest part. But here, it’s simple.

You take a short quiz – just a few questions about your habits, health, and routine.

In return, you get a personalized breakdown of what’s working against you and how to fix it.

Then, it builds a plan that fits your lifestyle—your hormones, your goals, and your lifestyle.

No calorie counting. No restrictions. Just smart guidance and flexible meals that work for real people, with real lives.

The quiz is completely free. And honestly, even if you don’t follow the plan, you’ll likely learn something surprising about your body.

I’ve heard from women who said that taking the quiz was the first time anything about weight loss actually made sense.