"Just breastfeed and the weight will fall right off." That's what every nursing mother hears. And then it's a struggle because of what's going on hormonally while you're producing milk.Lactation does a few things. It suppresses estrogen to near-menopausal levels, shifts fat storage toward your midsection, and creates anabolic resistance in your muscles, all while burning 350 to 450 extra calories a day. One side says don't touch your nutrition until you're done breastfeeding. The other says eat in a deficit and train hard like everyone else. Both are inadequate.Philip walks through the actual research on calorie restriction during established lactation, including the landmark New England Journal of Medicine study that showed zero effect on infant growth with a moderate deficit. You'll learn what's really happening with your hormones, why protein needs are 50 to 100 percent higher than the RDA suggests, why sleep may matter more for body composition than your nutrition plan, and 3 signs that tell you your approach might be too aggressive.Improve your sleep quality with Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo-derived bedding and sleepwear. Deeper, more relaxing sleep makes a real difference. Get 20% off at:https://witsandweights.com/cozyearthEpisode ResourcesJoin the Eat More Lift Heavy waitlist for founder pricing (closes March 16) on a 26-week coached program integrating training and nutrition with a dedicated module on hormonal pattern awareness:https://witsandweights.com/eatmoreSubmit a question for the podcast: witsandweights.com/questionTimestamps0:00 - Breastfeeding and body composition 3:55 - Two types of bad advice for nursing mothers 6:15 - Calorie restriction while nursing 9:09 - How lactation suppresses estrogen and shifts fat storage 10:45 - Anabolic resistance and insulin sensitivity during nursing 11:30 - Perimenopause and lactation 12:15 - Oxytocin as a cortisol buffer 14:17 - Sleep quality while nursing 16:38 - Nutrition, protein, and calorie floors for nursing mothers 21:00 - Why sleep deprivation prevents fat loss 23:26 - NEAT and practical movement tips 25:53 - Eat more and lift heavy 27:47 - 3 signs your deficit is too aggressive while nursing📱 Get Fitness Lab (exclusive 20% off) - The #1 adaptive fitness and nutrition app. Daily coaching, workouts, and biofeedback-based guidance to help you build muscle and lose fat over 40. 🎓 Join Physique University - Evidence-based strength training, nutrition coaching, and live coaching calls for adults over 40. Build muscle, master your macros, and lose fat with accountability. FREE custom nutrition plan with code FREEPLAN. 👥 Join our Facebook community - For adults over 40 who want to build muscle, lose fat, and stop following bad advice. Weekly Q&A threads, coaching insights, and real chat with other lifters.👋 Ask a question or find Philip Pape on Instagram

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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