Breaking the Yo-Yo Diet Cycle & Overcoming Food Addiction with Brenda Workman

Breaking the Yo-Yo Diet Cycle & Overcoming Food Addiction with Brenda Workman

"I went out in my car and cried that day in the doctor's office parking lot because I thought, why didn't somebody tell me this a long time ago? ... My focus changed from losing weight to becoming a healthy person and developing a healthy lifestyle." — Brenda Workman Today in the Green Room, we have the incredible Brenda Workman returning for her second appearance. Brenda is a dynamic health and wellness leader, public speaker, and a passionate advocate for lifestyle change, especially in her home state of West Virginia. In this episode, Brenda shares her deeply inspiring personal journey—from feeling trapped in a frustrating cycle of yo-yo dieting to reclaiming her health, reversing chronic conditions, and finding true empowerment through plant-based nutrition. We explore the powerful intersections of mindset, food addiction, and intentional living, and we give you an exciting sneak peek into our upcoming Wellness Weekend happening this fall! Episode Summary * Overcoming the Yo-Yo Dieting Cycle: Brenda opens up about her past struggles with diet culture, where healthy food was viewed strictly as a temporary tool for weight loss, leading to a constant pattern of restriction, deprivation, and binge eating. * A Wake-Up Call and a Lifestyle Shift: Faced with rising blood pressure, high cholesterol, and witnessing the heavy medication burden of aging parents, Brenda decided to take control. Guided by an informed doctor, she transitioned to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, allowing her to successfully come off both blood pressure and cholesterol medications while naturally losing 60 pounds. * The Plant-Based Cooking Academy: To scale her impact and address the severe health crisis in West Virginia, Brenda created the Plant-Based Cooking Academy to empower local community organizations to run their own healthy cooking classes using curriculums from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). * Tackling Food Addiction: She vulnerably details her own struggle with food comfort and the emotional "grief" of letting go of old habits, like her routine trips to Dairy Queen. Brenda and Kylie discuss how changing your mindset from "weight loss" to "food as medicine" is key to sustaining long-term lifestyle success. * Previewing the Fall Wellness Weekend: Kylie and Brenda share all the exciting details of the upcoming annual Wellness Weekend, including hands-on workshops on plant-based budgeting, cellular health, the magic of fiber, and some fun physical activities like a guided hike, yoga, and even jazzercise!   Green Glow PodcastGemini 3.5 Flash     Green Glow Lifestyle Podcast Show Notes Welcome back, Glow Getters, to another episode of the Green Glow Lifestyle Podcast! Today in the Green Room, we have the incredible Brenda Workman returning for her second appearance. Brenda is a dynamic health and wellness leader, public speaker, and a passionate advocate for lifestyle change, especially in her home state of West Virginia. In this episode, Brenda shares her deeply inspiring personal journey—from feeling trapped in a frustrating cycle of yo-yo dieting to reclaiming her health, reversing chronic conditions, and finding true empowerment through plant-based nutrition. We explore the powerful intersections of mindset, food addiction, and intentional living, and we give you an exciting sneak peek into our upcoming Wellness Weekend happening this fall! Episode Summary * Overcoming the Yo-Yo Dieting Cycle: Brenda opens up about her past struggles with diet culture, where healthy food was viewed strictly as a temporary tool for weight loss, leading to a constant pattern of restriction, deprivation, and binge eating. * A Wake-Up Call and a Lifestyle Shift: Faced with rising blood pressure, high cholesterol, and witnessing the heavy medication burden of aging parents, Brenda decided to take control. Guided by an informed doctor, she transitioned to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, allowing her to successfully come off both blood pressure and cholesterol medications while naturally losing 60 pounds. * The Plant-Based Cooking Academy: To scale her impact and address the severe health crisis in West Virginia, Brenda created the Plant-Based Cooking Academy to empower local community organizations to run their own healthy cooking classes using curriculums from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). * Tackling Food Addiction: She vulnerably details her own struggle with food comfort and the emotional "grief" of letting go of old habits, like her routine trips to Dairy Queen. Brenda and Kylie discuss how changing your mindset from "weight loss" to "food as medicine" is key to sustaining long-term lifestyle success. * Previewing the Fall Wellness Weekend: Kylie and Brenda share all the exciting details of the upcoming annual Wellness Weekend, including hands-on workshops on plant-based budgeting, cellular health, the magic of fiber, and some fun physical activities like a guided hike, yoga, and even jazzercise! Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode * Brenda’s Official Website: Brenda Workman Speaks [https://brendaworkmanspeaks.com] (Find event details, register for workshops, and explore her shop!) * Brenda's YouTube Channel: Brenda Workman Cooks Plants on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com] (Practical tips on pantry basics, traveling while plant-based, batch cooking, and more!) * Find a Plant-Based Doctor: PCRM Find a Doctor Tool [https://pcrm.org] (Search for lifestyle medicine and nutrition-focused providers, including telemedicine options) * Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: PCRM Official Website [https://pcrm.org] * Upcoming In-Person Event: Wellness Weekend Registration & Details [https://brendaworkmanspeaks.com] (Secure your VIP or General Admission tickets for October 9th & 10th at the Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, WV!) * Brenda's Shop: Intentional Living Planner [https://brendaworkmanspeaks.com]

The Travel Reframe: How to Vacation Without the "Reset" Cycle

"Your wellness does not live in your kitchen at home; it lives within you. When you learn to carry your 'anchors' with you, you don't need a reset when you get home—because you never truly disconnected from yourself in the first place." - Kylie Buckner, RN 📝 Episode Description Does vacation always feel like a "break" from your healthy habits—only to leave you coming home feeling puffy, foggy, and desperate for a "detox"? In this episode, we’re changing the narrative around travel. After a recent trip to Mexico where I led a powerful retreat, I’m sharing the exact strategies we discussed for staying connected to your wellness while being away from home. We dive into how to maintain your momentum without sacrificing the joy of a getaway. From talking with hotel staff to curate your meals, to using vacation as a "low-pressure" time to work with a trainer, we’re covering the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine that travel with you. Imagine coming home from your next trip feeling recharged, invigorated, and inspired—no "reset" required. That is the Green Glow vibe for summer! ✅ In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why the "All-or-Nothing" Mindset Fails Us: How to stop looking at vacation as an escape from your life and start seeing it as an extension of your well-being. * The Power of Vacation Anchors: Choosing 2-3 non-negotiable rituals (like movement snacks or nighttime skincare) that keep your nervous system grounded. * How to Advocate like a Pro: Specific ways to talk to restaurant managers and hotel staff to ensure your meals align with your anti-inflammatory goals. * Movement for Pleasure: Rethinking "exercise" while traveling—from beach walks and water aerobics to using the spaciousness of vacation to finally work with a fitness professional. * The "White Space" Rule: Why overbooking your itinerary is the fastest way to come home depleted, and how to build in restorative lounging on purpose. 🔗 Resources & Links * Inflammation Reset Coaching: Work with Us [https://www.evolution-health.co/discover] (Join me and my husband as we help you build sustainable pillars of Lifestyle Medicine!) * Amla Green: Shop Travel Packets [https://amlagreen.com/] (Use code GREENGLOW for a discount on your anti-inflammatory travel staples!)

Nourish to Heal: Why Food is Information, Not Just Fuel

"Forks Over Knives changed the landscape of health, and we are so honored to provide a new home for that community. The mission doesn't end here; it evolves." — Kylie Buckner, R Is your food sending a message of stress or safety? In Pillar Number Two, Kylie discusses Nourishing with Intention and shares a major announcement regarding the Forks Over Knives community. In this episode, Kylie discusses: * The shift from "Food as Fuel" to "Food as Information." * Her 2011 journey starting with The China Study and Forks Over Knives. * ANNOUNCEMENT: The transition of the Forks Over Knives Facebook Group to the Evolution Health community. * How plant diversity physically signals your inflammatory genes to turn off. * The Power of 30: A simple challenge to boost your microbiome this week. 📚 Resources Mentioned: * 📖 The China Study by T. Colin Campbell * 📖 The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall * 📖 Fiber Fueled by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz * 👥 Join the Evolution Health Facebook Group: EVOLUTION HEALTH FB GROUP [https://www.facebook.com/groups/FOKPlantBasedCommunity]   Ready to stop guessing and start healing? If you’re tired of feeling inflamed and overwhelmed, let’s build a personalized roadmap together. I’m currently offering Free Discovery Calls to help you identify your unique triggers and see if the Inflammation Reset coaching program is the right fit for your journey. 🔗 Book Your Free Call at evolution-health.co [https://evolution-health.co]

Glow and Go: Reduce the Load

"Healing doesn’t happen in a dramatic overhaul. Healing happens in small, consistent, compassionate choices made over time. Before you add, you must remove." — Kylie Buckner, RN In this first installment of our "Inflammation Reset" mini-series, Kylie breaks down the most overlooked pillar of healing: Reducing the Load. Before we add expensive supplements or complicated protocols, we have to look at what is filling our "cellular bucket" to the point of overflowing. Today, Kylie explains why your body might be in a constant state of high alert and how simple, sustainable swaps in your daily environment can give your liver and your hormones the breathing room they need to heal. In this 10-minute "Glow & Go" segment, you’ll learn: * The "Bucket Theory" of inflammation and why your body is struggling to keep up. * The staggering reality of chemical exposure (the "200 chemicals before breakfast" rule). * Why "removing" is often more powerful than "adding" when it comes to hormonal health. * The connection between your liver, your skincare, and your estrogen levels. * Your 1-Week Challenge: One simple swap to start lowering your toxic burden today. 📚 Resources Mentioned * EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) [https://www.ewg.org/]: The gold standard for researching the safety of your tap water, cleaning products, and EWG's "Skin Deep" database. * Think Dirty App [https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/]: A quick and easy way to scan your beauty and personal care products to see how they rank for toxicity and hormone disruptors. Ready to stop guessing and start healing? If you’re tired of feeling inflamed and overwhelmed, let’s build a personalized roadmap together. I’m currently offering Free Discovery Calls to help you identify your unique triggers and see if the Inflammation Reset coaching program is the right fit for your journey. 🔗Book Your Free Call  [http://www.evolution-health.co/schedule]

Why You're Always Tired, Bloated, and Inflamed — And What to Actually Do About It

"Your body isn't broken — it's communicating. Every symptom, every flare, every exhausting day… that's not your body failing you. That's your body asking for something different." — Kylie Buckner, RN If you've ever been told your labs look "fine" but you feel anything but — this episode is for you. In this deep-dive solo episode, holistic health coach and nurse Kylie Buckner breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: chronic inflammation. You'll learn exactly what's happening inside your cells, how oxidative stress fuels the fire, and why symptoms like bloating, brain fog, cystic acne, joint pain, fatigue, and hormonal chaos are all connected. Kylie gets personal — sharing her own journey with endometriosis, adrenal fatigue, and burnout — and walks you through the lab tests worth asking for, the real triggers driving inflammation, and the five lifestyle medicine pillars that actually create lasting change. This isn't about fear. It's about finally understanding your body — and knowing you have the power to heal it. 🔗 Book a free discovery call: evolution-health.co/schedule [https://evolution-health.co] In today's episode, Kylie covers: * ✅ What inflammation actually is — and why it's not the enemy * ✅ Acute vs. chronic inflammation explained simply * ✅ Oxidative stress and free radicals — the "rust" happening in your cells * ✅ How the gut-inflammation cycle works * ✅ Symptoms of chronic inflammation you might be dismissing * ✅ Conditions linked to chronic inflammation: endometriosis, PCOS, autoimmune disease, metabolic dysfunction * ✅ Lab tests to ask your provider about * ✅ The top 5 inflammation triggers (including the ones nobody talks about) * ✅ The 5 pillars of lifestyle medicine for healing * ✅ Kylie's personal story: endometriosis, burnout, adrenal fatigue & the healing journey 🔬 Labs Mentioned: * hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) * Fasting insulin * Hemoglobin A1C * 4-point salivary cortisol * Comprehensive lipid panel (LDL particle size, triglyceride:HDL ratio) 📚 Resources & Links: * 📖 Plant Powered Plus by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz [https://www.amazon.com/] — gut health, inflammation & the power of plant diversity * 🌿 Environmental Working Group (EWG) [https://www.ewg.org/] — clean product ratings & toxic ingredient database * 📱 Think Dirty App [https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/] — scan your personal care products for harmful ingredients * 📞 Book your FREE Discovery Call → evolution-health.co/schedule [https://evolution-health.co/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.