Struggling to see changes in your legs and glutes despite putting in the work? This episode dives into the most frustrating questions women face about their lower body: why your legs feel bulky after training, why the scale doesn’t tell the full story, and how to overcome mental and physical barriers that hold you back. I’ll break down the myths about effective training, spot enhancement, and why “feeling bigger” isn’t a sign of failure. You’ll leave this episode with a deeper understanding of your body, practical steps to transform your training, and the mindset shifts you need to finally see and feel progress. Let’s redefine how you approach building a strong, lean lower body—and your confidence along the way. Challenges Women Face with Legs and Glutes Women struggle the most with changing their legs and glutes, often feeling dissatisfied with their shape—whether too "spongy" or "bulky." The issue is compounded by ineffective training methods or lack of a structured plan. Many women overemphasize dieting without pairing it with effective, progressive strength training tailored to their needs. A program should evolve as the individual progresses to see true changes in body composition. Effective Training is Key Training effectively requires the right exercises, volume, and progression. Hard and heavy workouts are not enough if they lack strategic planning. Prioritize progressive overload, rest periods, and recovery to build muscle and redefine your body. Spot Training Misconception While spot reduction (losing fat in specific areas) is a myth, targeted training can enhance certain areas, like hamstrings or glutes, through proper programming. Pair spot enhancement training with nutrition and recovery for visible results in target areas. Clients who stay stuck in dieting mindsets miss opportunities for sustainable progress. Reflection: What would your results look like if you stopped sabotaging yourself and trusted the process? Strength as the Pathway to Progress Strength is the foundation of confidence, aesthetics, and health. It’s a process that requires commitment and patience. Focus on strength as the ultimate goal, and everything else will follow.

This podcast dives deep into the truth behind fat loss, training, and why so many people struggle to see sustainable results. It debunks popular myths about cardio, cortisol, and quick fixes, explaining that these aren’t the root causes of your struggles—your own mindset and behaviors often are.ngle approach or ‘magic fix’ will solve everything. - the importance of proper guidance, and the need to focus on the basics: sleep, recovery, protein, and progressive training. For those willing to truly commit and trust the process, the results will come—but only if they stay the course. The Root Cause of Fat Loss Struggles Many believe that hormonal imbalances, gut issues, or cortisol are the primary reasons they can’t lose weight. While these factors can contribute, the podcast underscores that the real obstacle is often self-sabotage. People skip workouts, abandon plans too quickly, and jump from one approach to another without giving anything sufficient time to work. This cycle of impatience and inconsistency leads to frustration and the illusion that they’ve “tried everything.” The Role of Stress and Cortisol Cortisol is frequently vilified in the fitness world, but the conversation repositions it as a misunderstood hormone. Cortisol plays a crucial role in energy regulation, inflammation control, and overall bodily functions. It becomes problematic only when stress is chronic and unmanaged, leading to poor recovery and stalled progress. Fear of food and chronic stress amplify these issues, creating a feedback loop of poor gut health, hormonal disruption, and impaired recovery. The podcast highlights how this cycle often begins in the mind, with self-doubt and fear driving unhealthy patterns. The Science of Fat Loss Fat loss is fundamentally about creating a calorie deficit, but the quality of that deficit matters. Extreme dieting leads to muscle loss, poor body composition, and a slower metabolism. The conversation emphasizes the difference between weight loss and fat loss, with the latter requiring sufficient protein, resistance training, and a moderate deficit that preserves muscle. Trendy approaches like GLP-1 drugs and overly aggressive calorie cuts are critiqued for their long-term consequences, such as muscle wasting and poor overall health. Instead, the podcast advocates for a sustainable approach, gradually increasing calories during non-dieting phases to build muscle, repair metabolism, and improve overall quality of life. Key takeaway: You can’t starve your way to a better physique. Sustainable fat loss requires fueling your body and focusing on building muscle. Training: The Foundation of Progress Resistance training is highlighted as the cornerstone of body composition improvement. Building muscle increases metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and provides a strong foundation for achieving a lean, toned look. Cardio must be programmed strategically. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is often misused or done incorrectly, leading to diminishing returns and unnecessary fatigue. Self-Sabotage and Mindset The podcast repeatedly emphasizes that the biggest obstacle to progress is often the person themselves. Fear of failure, perfectionism, and impatience lead to behaviors that undermine long-term success. Many people approach their goals with an all-or-nothing mindset, expecting rapid results and giving up when progress isn’t immediate. 5 tips Prioritize resistance training to build and maintain muscle. Manage stress to support recovery and avoid burnout. Eat a high-protein diet and balance calories to sustain energy and performance. Incorporate walking and moderate cardio to support fat loss and cardiovascular health. Focus on consistency over perfection, allowing time for the process to work.

Leaning Out ≠ Dieting Harder or Eating LessLeaning out involves building visible muscle, not merely losing weight or cutting calories. Chronic dieting often sabotages long-term progress, leading to hormonal and metabolic issues.Insight: Reframe the goal from shrinking to building. Women often equate progress with eating less, but true transformation comes from balanced fueling and smart training. The Frustration of "Clean Eating" and OvertrainingMany train 5-6 days weekly and "eat clean," yet fail to see the desired body composition changes.Insight: Overtraining with minimal recovery and restrictive diets leads to burnout. Focus on progressive overload and fueling for performance, not deprivation. Health Costs of Over-DietingOver-dieting impacts metabolic and hormonal health, worsening body composition over time, especially as women age.Insight: Long-term health should guide strategies. Imagine your future self at 50 or 60—would your current habits sustain vitality and strength? The Misconception of "Fat" vs. "Flat"Feeling "fat" or "flat" during transformations is common, as glycogen retention and temporary swelling mask progress.Insight: Understanding these temporary changes helps build resilience. Shifts in how clothes fit or weight fluctuations aren't failures; they're part of the process. Aging and MetabolismWhat works in your 20s won't work in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. Hormonal changes demand smarter, more intentional approaches.Insight: Train with longevity in mind. Emphasize strength and recovery over calorie-burning to combat age-related muscle loss. The Power of Lifting Heavy and Pushing LimitsBuilding muscle requires training hard, lifting heavy, and embracing discomfort. Temporary swelling and scale increases can mislead.Insight: Shift the focus from the scale to performance metrics. Track strength gains and energy levels instead of obsessing over weight. Patience as the Key to SuccessUnrealistic expectations and impatience sabotage progress. Leaning out takes time, consistency, and trust in the process.Insight: Set realistic benchmarks. Instead of rushing results, celebrate small wins like improved form, endurance, or lifting heavier weights. Rebuilding Trust in YourselfMany struggle to trust themselves to stick to plans or eat enough. This self-doubt stems from years of restrictive dieting and unmet expectations.Insight: Develop self-compassion and trust. Journaling or mindfulness practices can help identify patterns and rebuild confidence. Muscle as a Foundation for LongevityMuscle isn't just for aesthetics—it supports energy, confidence, and long-term health.Insight: Think of muscle as your retirement plan for health. Build and maintain it through intentional training and nutrition. Consistency Over PerfectionThe biggest obstacle is not staying consistent long enough to see results.Insight: Stop chasing perfection. Focus on showing up daily, even when progress feels slow. Mindset Shifts for Sustainable ChangeBreaking free from chronic dieting and overtraining requires addressing deeper mindset issues.Insight: Reflect on why you pursue certain goals. Are they driven by comparison or genuine self-improvement? Building Muscle Doesn't Mean Getting "Bulky"It's nearly impossible to build large amounts of muscle accidentally, especially for women.Insight: Educate clients that muscle adds shape, not size. Women need to lift heavy without fear of becoming “too big.” The Importance of a Strong FoundationBuilding muscle and strength is like laying the foundation for a house; without it, everything crumbles over time.Insight: Invest in foundational habits. Prioritize strength training, recovery, and fueling before worrying about aesthetics. Future Self InvestmentConsider how your choices today impact your quality of life decades from now.Insight: Picture yourself at 70. Will your current habits support mobility, strength, and energy, or lead to frailty?

This podcast dives deep into the overlooked power of training as a transformative tool for physique and overall confidence. Training isn’t just about showing up at the gym—it’s about pushing beyond comfort zones, mastering technique, and embracing a performance-driven mindset. #1 Shift in Belief: Building strength leads to a leaner, more defined appearance over time, not an overly bulky one. Strength training is the most effective way to create the “toned” look many people desire. A significant focus is placed on the necessity of proper technique and the patience required to build a solid foundation. Beginners often skip steps, leading to inefficiencies and injuries. The discussion highlights how poor habits can take years to unlearn, stressing the importance of deliberate, consistent practice over flashy, fast results. The hosts also dismantle myths around quick progress, showing how true gains come from repetition, intelligent programming, and embracing plateaus as part of the journey. The conversation transitions into why generic programs, like those in large group fitness settings, often fall short. Individualized coaching, form corrections, and tailored programming create the sustainable, impactful changes many seek but rarely achieve in environments with low supervision. Strength training is a skill. Building proper form and strength takes time and patience. Long-term results come from consistency and mastering the basics. Another common belief is that physical progress is only meaningful if the number on the scale decreases. This often leads to frustration when body composition changes (such as increased muscle and decreased fat) don’t translate to significant weight loss. Strength training may lead to weight stabilization or even slight gains due to muscle mass increases, which can feel counterproductive if your focus is only on the scale. #2 Shift in Belief: Progress is better measured through changes in strength, energy levels, how your clothes fit, and how you feel overall, rather than just the scale. The episode concludes with a critical perspective on diet culture and the pitfalls of chasing quick fixes. The hosts call for patience, alignment between effort and expectations, and a focus on long-term strategies. The takeaway is clear: Strength isn’t just physical—it’s about mindset, persistence, and doing the right things over time. 5 key takeaways: Define Your Training Goals: Focus on performance-based goals like strength gains or improved movement, not just aesthetics. Master the Basics: Dedicate time to learning proper technique in foundational movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses. Seek Personalized Coaching: Invest in a coach or small group setting to get individualized feedback and tailored programming. Be Consistent: Commit to a long-term training plan, avoiding the temptation to constantly switch programs. Adjust Expectations: Align your effort with realistic timelines, embracing progress plateaus as part of the journey. 5 key questions Are you prioritizing performance goals in your training, or are you still focused on the scale? What beliefs about strength training might be holding you back from pushing harder? Have you ever evaluated whether your technique is helping or hindering your progress? How patient are you with your fitness journey? Do you find yourself chasing quick results? Are your workouts structured in a way that aligns with your long-term goals? How often do you take videos of your lifts to assess form and technique? Do you prioritize strength gains, or are you still stuck in the mindset of doing “more” without purpose? How do you define success in your training—by effort, progress, or something else? Are you willing to commit fully to a program, or are you holding back out of fear or impatience? What would change if you shifted your focus from weight loss to getting stronger and more capable?

Ever feel like you’re doing everything “right” but still can’t seem to achieve your goals? You’re not alone. In this episode of 100% Real with Ruby, we’re tackling one of the biggest myths in self-improvement: that setting goals is enough to guarantee success. Spoiler alert—it’s not. The secret lies in what happens beyond the goal-setting phase. Ruby breaks down why most goals fail after the initial excitement wears off and life gets messy. Whether it’s fat loss, building muscle, or creating balance in your life, success requires more than a checklist. It demands systems, flexibility, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Using real-life examples, actionable strategies, and a dash of humor, Ruby dives into the science of progress—and how to make it permanent. She’ll teach you how to break free from the all-or-nothing mindset, create habits that stick, and build momentum that doesn’t rely on fleeting motivation. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why SMART goals sound great but often fail in the real world. The overlooked importance of invisible progress and how it’s happening even when you don’t see it. Actionable tools like reverse storytelling, WOOP, and if-then planning to stay on track when life throws you off. How to replace perfectionism with consistent, meaningful action. The power of anti-goals: defining what you don’t want to help clarify what you truly value. Ruby doesn’t just stop at “how” to achieve your goals; she goes deeper, showing you how to align your habits with your identity and values. It’s not about hitting a number on the scale or crossing something off a list—it’s about becoming the person who makes lasting progress, no matter what. Who Should Listen? Anyone frustrated by repeated cycles of starting and stopping. Women who want a no-BS guide to achieving goals without burning out. People ready to move past the hype and build real, sustainable progress in every area of life. YOU. you <3 This isn’t your typical goal-setting advice. It’s a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and transformation tailored to your unique life. If you’re tired of setting goals that don’t stick, tune in now to learn how to finally make progress that lasts.

The Disconnect Between Effort and Results Many people work harder than ever—logging gym hours, tracking calories, and sticking to meal plans—but still don’t see the results they expect. The podcast identifies key reasons for this disconnect: Training Stimulus vs. Nutrition Support: Training creates the stimulus for muscle growth through mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and (to a lesser degree) muscle damage. However, training alone doesn’t build muscle. The process depends on adequate nutrition, particularly sufficient protein and energy intake, to rebuild and repair. Luke explains that people often misunderstand the balance between these elements, focusing either too much on trai Luke emphasizes that this balance is individual and evolves over time. What’s “just right” today may need adjusting in future training phases. Diet Fatigue and the Trap of Chronic Deficits: Many people unknowingly exist in a perpetual calorie deficit, which leads to: Muscle loss: The body breaks down lean tissue to adapt to low energy intake. Increased fat storage: Chronic stress on the body prompts it to hold onto fat as a survival mechanism. Ruby highlights how women, in particular, are prone to this cycle, fearing weight gain and over-prioritizing scale weight as a success metric. Challenging Misconceptions About Progress The podcast addresses common misconceptions about progress markers, such as the scale or clothing fit, and explains why they often mislead people: Clothing and the Scale: Changes in clothing fit can result from temporary factors like inflammation, glycogen storage, or water retention, not just fat gain. Similarly, scale fluctuations often reflect changes in water weight, digestion, or sodium intake rather than actual body composition shifts. Building Muscle Takes Time: Unlike fat loss, which can happen relatively quickly, muscle building is a slow process. Women, especially, need to embrace periods of eating more to support muscle growth. This often involves accepting temporary increases in weight or clothing tightness as part of the process. Performance as a Better Metric: Shifting focus to performance-based goals—such as strength gains, endurance improvements, or better recovery—provides a more sustainable and motivating framework. This approach helps clients move away from destructive dieting cycles and fosters a healthier relationship with their bodies. The Long-Term Perspective Ruby and Luke emphasize that sustainable transformations require viewing fitness as a long-term investment rather than a quick fix. They compare it to compounding interest in financial investments: the rewards come from consistent effort over time. Avoiding Extremes: Extreme diets or workouts may yield short-term results but often lead to burnout or regression. Instead, building habits that can be sustained for years—like eating adequate protein, training regularly, and managing stress—creates a foundation for lasting success. Navigating Individual Differences: Everyone’s journey is unique. Factors like genetics, lifestyle, and prior dieting history influence progress. Coaches must tailor strategies to each client’s needs, helping them find the right starting point and guiding them through incremental improvements. Deeper Psychological Insights The Fear of Eating More: Many women fear that increasing calorie intake will lead to uncontrollable weight gain. Luke explains how gradual increases (e.g., 125 calories per week) allow the body to adjust without significant fat gain. Reframing Progress: Ruby emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins, such as lifting heavier weights or improving recovery times, instead of fixating on scale weight. The Value of Coaching: Coaches help clients step out of their comfort zones, trust the process, and stay consistent. Ruby credits Luke’s guidance for helping her achieve her goals and break free from destructive dieting patterns.

Appetite Is More Than Hunger—Here’s What’s Really Driving Your Cravings Your appetite isn’t just about willpower. It’s shaped by hormones, environment, emotions, and even social pressure. In this episode, we break down why you crave cookies even when you’re full and how to regain control without fighting your body. What You’ll Learn: Hunger vs. Appetite: The difference between your body’s fuel needs and your brain’s cravings. The Science of Hormones: How ghrelin, leptin, and GLP-1 impact hunger and fullness—and how ultra-processed foods disrupt these signals. Environmental Triggers: How smells, social pressure, and food marketing trick your brain into overeating. Practical Tools: Tips like prioritizing protein, eating mindfully, and resetting your food environment to support healthier habits. Stop letting cravings control you—start making smarter choices with these science-backed strategies. Like, share, and subscribe to transform your relationship with food! #AppetiteControl, #FoodCravings, #HungerVsAppetite, #UnderstandingCravings, #FoodPsychology, #MindfulEating, #HungerHormones, #CravingManagement, #BalancedEating, #NutritionTips appetite control tips, understanding appetite, hunger vs appetite, food cravings science, hormones and appetite, mindful eating strategies, hunger hormones, leptin and ghrelin explained, psychology of eating, environment and food choices, food cravings management, overcoming emotional eating, balanced meals for appetite, intuitive eating myths, social influences on eating, healthy eating habits, controlling food cravings, appetite and dopamine, appetite triggers, mindful eating tips, ultra-processed foods cravings, appetite brain signals, science of hunger, why we crave food, appetite hacks, managing food triggers, stress eating solutions, healthy meal planning, food environment setup, sleep and appetite, appetite and nutrition, food satisfaction strategies, emotional eating help, cravings explained, hunger and circadian rhythms.

Join Ruby, a no-BS coach who’s helped countless people ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and achieve sustainable results. Each episode dives into the raw, unfiltered truth about fat loss, fitness, and why traditional approaches keep failing you. From practical strategies to real talk about what it takes to thrive, we’re here to shift your focus from "fixing yourself" to becoming the strongest, most confident version of YOU. Expect relatable stories, game-changing insights, and plenty of “aha” moments as we cut through the noise and give you tools that actually work. Ready to stop dieting and start thriving? Let’s hit reset—together. Join James And I... we’re getting brutally honest about the endless dieting cycle that’s holding you back. You’ve been told to push harder, work more, and stick to the plan no matter what—but let’s be real: how’s that working for you? We’re diving into why diets fail you—not the other way around—and exposing the real reason you feel stuck, exhausted, and frustrated. It’s not a lack of willpower. It’s diet fatigue: the mental and physical burnout that comes from grinding away without seeing results. You’ll learn: Why fat loss isn’t a lifestyle—it’s a phase. The importance of resets, maintenance, and muscle-building. How to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward with confidence. This isn’t about quick fixes or hustle culture—it’s about building a body you love without losing your sanity. Ready to stop dieting and start thriving? Let’s talk about the golden keys to a golden physique. Tune in now for the real talk you NEED to hear.

for episode #270 with Jordan Syatt https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Cmuh7C0dyasTjpJoa9aQq

Podcast Description: 🎙️ Episode Title: Habits of the Lean vs. Dieter’s Mindset: Building Lasting Success with Mike Howard In this episode of 100% Real with Ruby, we’re joined by Mike Howard to uncover the fundamental differences between living a lean lifestyle and the traditional dieting mindset. Together, we explore the habits, mindset shifts, and strategies that lead to sustainable health and long-term success. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: The key differences between dieting and sustainable lean habits. Why non-scale victories are just as important as weight loss. How identity and your “deeper why” play a role in lasting change. The importance of patience, practice, and persistence. How to navigate the holiday season with balance and joy. Why environment and small, consistent habits matter. How to embrace self-compassion while staying on track. Mike also shares powerful insights into overcoming setbacks, building resilience, and shifting your mindset to focus on progress over perfection. Whether you’re starting your health journey or looking to break free from the chronic dieting cycle, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you succeed. Tune in now to learn how to create a lifestyle that feels good, looks good, and lasts for the long term! 🔗 Follow Mike Howard & Ruby:Instagram: @leanminded @transformxruby