Why Your Scale Lies - The Truth About Body Fat, Wearables and Aging with Cheryl McColgan

Have you ever stepped on a scale and questioned whether the numbers truly reflect what is happening inside your body? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with nutrition expert Cheryl McColgan to unpack the confusion around body composition data, wearable devices, and the science behind tracking your health as you age. Together, they explore how to interpret trends rather than obsess over absolute numbers, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, stress management, and nutrition influence the data we see. This conversation empowers listeners to use technology wisely while focusing on the foundational habits that support vibrant, healthy aging. Cheryl McColgan is an author, coach, and the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, a wellness platform focused on nutrition, metabolic health, and sustainable lifestyle practices. With over 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction studies, fitness, yoga, and nutrition, Cheryl brings a multidisciplinary approach to health optimization. She is also the host of the Heal Nourish Grow podcast and has authored multiple books on keto nutrition and fat loss. At age 52, she became a competitive bodybuilder, demonstrating her commitment to strength, longevity, and aging powerfully.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

00:30 – A personal story of unexplained weight gain

Dr. Gillian shares her experience with atrial fibrillation, weight gain, and confusion over body composition data

06:35 – Cheryl's journey into health, nutrition, and bodybuilding

From early exposure to fitness to becoming a competitor in her 50s

10:48 – Can we trust wearable and scale data?

Why body composition devices vary and how to approach their accuracy

12:27 – The problem with body fat readings

Why scales may underestimate fat and how algorithms affect results

16:08 – Hydration, inflammation, and measurement variability

How fluid shifts, illness, and exercise impact bioimpedance readings

18:46 – Daily vs weekly tracking

Why trends over time matter more than isolated measurements

21:38 – How wearables measure stress, sleep, and recovery

Understanding HRV, skin signals, and algorithm-driven insights

24:16 – Are we becoming obsessed with health data?

Balancing measurement with mindset and wellbeing

29:04 – The most important habits for healthy aging

Sleep, stress management, and aligning exercise with life demands

31:32 – Rethinking productivity and rest

The importance of giving yourself permission to recover

33:18 – Keto, metabolic health, and personalized nutrition

Cheryl's journey from vegetarian to keto and evolving dietary flexibility

36:58 – Final reflections and practical takeaways

Using tools wisely while focusing on foundational health behaviors

Call to Action:

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Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com to book a one-on-one call.

Learn more about Cheryl's work at https://healnourishgrow.com

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