Ep 28 | Stronger Not Thinner: Strength Training in Perimenopause

2025-11-13

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Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it's the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed. On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo from Stanford. She is a behavior-change expert who's figured out how to help people actually do the healthy things they already know they should be doing. Spoiler: it involves fewer "shoulds" and more squats. Dr. Oppezzo shares her "Stronger" philosophy, a refreshingly guilt-free approach to ...

Perimenopause: that magical stage where your body suddenly decides it's the boss, your pants shrink overnight, and your motivation to exercise hides under the bed.

On the episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch welcome the hilarious and whip-smart Dr. Marily Oppezzo from Stanford. She is a behavior-change expert who's figured out how to help people actually do the healthy things they already know they should be doing. Spoiler: it involves fewer "shoulds" and more squats.

Dr. Oppezzo shares her "Stronger" philosophy, a refreshingly guilt-free approach to perimenopausal wellness that's all about adding joy and ditching deprivation. From "strength snacks" (two-minute squats you can do between Zoom calls) to "breaking the dishes" (yes, that's cardio), she helps women fit movement into real life without the drama.

No boot camps, no macro counting, no shame spirals—just scrunchies, science, and a sense of humor.

What you'll hear in this episode:

[0:41] Meet Marily Oppezzo PhD, MS, RDN, DipACLM

[1:33] Behavioral change and healthy habits

[4:13 Strength training is your new bestie

[6:16] Exercise "snacks" vs. sessions

[9:24] Technique & tips for the squat

[19:28] Finding a balance between cardio and strength training

[22:13] Cardio tips

[25:07] Nutrition myths BUSTED

[27:40] Protein's role

[37:08] Healthy snack ideas