Episode 93: We Ate 1200 Calories for a Day… That Was Long Enough

Episode 94: She Lost 33 Pounds…Then Stopped Trying to Lose Weight

In this episode, Danielle sits down with Pivot client Sarah to share one of the most refreshing weight loss success stories you’ll hear. Sarah is a mom of two boys and former physique competitor who spent years trapped in all-or-nothing dieting, restrictive meal plans, binge/restrict cycles, and believing she always needed to push harder to be successful. After losing 33 pounds through sustainable nutrition coaching, improving her relationship with food, and building a workout routine she genuinely enjoys, Sarah was preparing for another fat loss phase… until she realized something surprising: She didn’t actually WANT to be dieting anymore. Together, Danielle and Sarah talk about: * how bodybuilding impacted Sarah’s mindset around food and exercise * the emotional toll of restrictive dieting * binge eating, food obsession, and starting over every Monday * why sustainable weight loss feels different * learning to enjoy movement again * tracking breaks, flexibility, and food freedom * why maintenance is NOT failure * and the powerful realization that health should make your life bigger, not smaller If you’ve ever felt exhausted by constantly trying to shrink yourself, this episode is for you. Mentioned in this episode: E82 - How Jess lost over 50 lbs without feeling restricted: https://podcast.pivotnutritioncoaching.com/82 [https://podcast.pivotnutritioncoaching.com/82] Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching Connect with Dani: https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/ [https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/] https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/ [https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/]

Episode 93: We Ate 1200 Calories for a Day… That Was Long Enough

Someone once told me, ‘I’ve been eating 1200 calories for 2 years and I’m not losing weight!’” That statement sparked this entire episode. As dietitians, we hear this all the time—so Sam and I decided to put it to the test. We each followed a fully planned, measured 1200-calorie day to see what it actually feels like—physically and mentally. What we found wasn’t just hunger. It was constant food thoughts, a scarcity mindset before the day even started, and already thinking about what to eat next before the day was even over. In this episode, we break down: * Why 1200 calories is nearly impossible to hit consistently without strict planning * What it actually feels like to eat that little (physically + mentally) * How “food noise” increases when you’re under-eating * The “last supper” and “I earned this” mindset that leads to overeating * Why volume eating only goes so far * How this cycle keeps people stuck (restrict → overeat → repeat) We also share exactly what we ate, how we felt throughout the day, and why eating as much as possible (while still in a deficit) is key for sustainable fat loss. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like “nothing is working”… this episode will give you a whole new perspective. Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching Connect with Dani: https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/ [https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/] https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/ [https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/] Co-Host: Samantha Ferguson, MS, RD https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/ [https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_samferg/]

Episode 92: The Mental Load & Mom Guilt: How to Lighten the Load

Do you feel like you’re doing everything at home and still feeling guilty taking time for yourself? In this episode, Danielle sits down with relationship identity coach Nicole Carney to talk about over-functioning, the mental load, and mom guilt — and how these patterns are keeping so many women stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed. We dive into: * what the “mental load” actually is (and why it’s so exhausting) * why moms feel guilty taking time for themselves * how to start shifting that dynamic without nagging or creating conflict We also talk about how to get your partner more involved in a way that actually feels supportive (not forced), and why taking care of yourself isn’t selfish… it’s necessary. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the load and have 100 tabs open in your brain, this episode is for you. Learn more about Nicole’s program, The Good Wife Detox (and get $20 off with code PIVOT): https://nicolelynne.co/good-wife-detox [https://nicolelynne.co/good-wife-detox] Host: Danielle Rancourt, MS, RD, CSSD, LD Founder, CEO & Lead Dietitian, Pivot Nutrition Coaching Connect with Dani: https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/ [https://www.instagram.com/dani_the_rd/] https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/ [https://pivotnutritioncoaching.com/]

Episode 91: From Food Fear to Food Freedom: When “Healthy Eating” Goes Too Far (A Mother-Daughter Story)

This episode is a really special one. I’m joined by a mom and daughter I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past year: Kristen and Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a middle school athlete, and her story is one I know so many families are going to relate to. One year ago, Kristen was working out listening to a podcast I was a guest on… and something just clicked. As she listened, she thought, “This is exactly what Brooklyn is going through… and maybe this is what she needs.” At the time, Brooklyn was severely restricting. She was only eating “healthy” foods, counting calories, losing weight… and had lost her period. As a mom, Kristen knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what to do. In this episode, Kristen and Brooklyn share their full story — from how it started, to the early warning signs, to the turning points that changed everything. We talk about: • How “clean eating” can quietly turn into under-fueling • The pressure from social media and body image • What it actually feels like to have constant food noise • The fear of eating more and gaining weight • The moment Brooklyn got her period back (we all cried) • And what life looks like now — eating pizza, going out with friends, and feeling free around food again This episode is for moms, athletes, and anyone who feels stuck in food rules or chasing the “perfect” body. Because what looks healthy on the outside… isn’t always what’s going on inside. And the goal isn’t just to eat more — it’s to feel free around food again.

Episode 90: VBAC, Induction & C-Sections: An OB-GYN Q&A with Dr. Collette Lessard

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Collette Lessard, MD, FACOG, an obstetrician-gynecologist who is passionate about helping women understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their health. Dr. Lessard believes every patient deserves the knowledge and understanding needed to confidently navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based medicine while treating every patient like she would her own family. Together, we’re answering common questions women have about pregnancy and birth — and throughout the conversation I also share pieces of my own birth experiences, including having an unplanned C-section with my first baby and a VBAC with my second (over 9 lbs!) In this episode, we discuss: • The pros and cons of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) • How VBAC success rates are calculated and what factors influence them • Whether induction lowers the chances of a successful VBAC • The pros and cons of a planned C-section • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and risks with multiple pregnancies Whether you're currently pregnant, planning to be, or simply curious about the realities of modern obstetric care, this episode is full of practical insight, reassurance, and evidence-based guidance. 🎧 Tune in for an honest and informative conversation about birth options, medical decision-making, and empowering women with the knowledge they deserve.