Stubborn Fat. Gout & my Estrogen Patch

🎙️ Podcast Episode: Stubborn Fat, Gout, and an Estrogen Patch Surprise

Hey guys, today is February 19th, and I’ve got a packed episode for you. We’re going to break down stubborn fat—that frustrating fat that seems resistant to exercise and diet. Plus, I’ll share a personal story about gout that surprised us, and an unexpected reaction I had to an estrogen patch. Let’s get into it!

 

Muscle Month March 10 - April 6 www.musclemonth.com 

Nutrition, workouts, lots of gym time, the actual science of muscle building. Men vs Women, muscle memory, muscle protein synthesis, Mtor and Ampk, gaining muscle whilst losing fat - and why most people can never do it :(

🧑‍⚕️ Gout: Sometimes It’s Not the Food

Let’s start with my husband Kevin’s experience. He’s got hardware in his ankle from an old motorcycle accident, and we thought his recent pain was related to that. He’s had gout before, but this time there was no swelling—just sharp pain in his ankle, knee, and hip.

Turns out, uric acid was through the roof—it was gout after all. But he doesn’t drink, doesn’t eat red meat, and his diet is clean. We dug deeper and found out two things:

• Niacin (which he was taking for cholesterol) can trigger gout.

• Diuretics (which he was still taking from an old blood pressure prescription) can also trigger gout.

He stopped both, upped his water intake, and within 48 hours, he ditched the cane and felt 70% better. Lesson? Check your meds and supplements—gout isn’t always about diet.

🔥 Stubborn Fat: Why That Lower Body Fat Won’t Budge

Now, onto stubborn fat—particularly that lower body fat in women or love handles/midsection in men. It’s that fat that stays put no matter what you do. Here’s why:

Fat cells have two types of receptors:

• Alpha Receptors (The Brake) – Slow fat breakdown

• Beta Receptors (The Gas Pedal) – Speed up fat breakdown

When you exercise, adrenaline triggers fat breakdown. If your fat cell is beta dominant, you burn fat easily. But if it’s alpha dominant (like lower body fat for many women), it hits the brake instead.

🔑 The Key Issue? Insulin.

High insulin excites those alpha receptors. If you’re insulin resistant or have elevated insulin, stubborn fat gets even more stubborn.

📊 What You Can Do:

• Get your fasted insulin checked – Aim for under 10; ideally under 6 for fat loss.

• Lower carbs, manage stress, and get better sleep to reduce insulin levels.

• Don’t rush into supplements like yohimbine or stimulants like ephedra or clenbuterol—they can be risky.

💊 Estrogen Patch Drama

I’m on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and use an estrogen patch. Usually, all is well. But last month, I picked up a different brand (Mylan instead of Lylana), and within 2 days, I was a balloon.

I felt bloated, swollen, my chest was sore, and my skin felt stretched. Turns out, same dose—different brand, but not the same experience. I switched back to Lylana, and everything went back to normal.

Lesson for the Ladies: If you start HRT and feel awful, it might just be the brand, not the therapy itself. Speak up.

💪 Upcoming Program: Muscle Month

Starting March 9th (or the following week), I’ll be running Muscle Month. It’s live with 3 Zoom calls a week, workouts, nutrition, and all my tips. You’ll learn more about building muscle than 98% of trainers out there.

If you’re interested, check out www.musclemonth.com .

🎧 Final Takeaways:

• Gout? Check your meds—Niacin and diuretics can be triggers.

• Stubborn fat starts with insulin control—Get your fasted insulin under 10.

• HRT patches? Brand matters. Ask for what works for you.

Alright, that’s it for today. Until next time—be good!

— Joanne