Midlife isn’t just a phase—it’s a profound hormonal shift that can impact your weight, energy, mood, and mental clarity. In this transformative episode of the Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast, GP and lifestyle medicine physician Dr Lucy Burns joins host Jacqui Lewis to unpack the real science behind perimenopause, menopause, ADHD, binge eating, and metabolic health.
From hormonal imbalances to emotional burnout, Dr Lucy reveals how many midlife women are fighting battles they never signed up for—often without the tools or support to win. Her holistic, evidence-based approach focuses not on willpower, but on chemistry, mindset, and personalised care.
🎧 Listen now to discover how understanding your hormones can unlock your health, happiness, and energy in midlife and beyond.
The Hormone–Metabolism Connection
Many women are surprised to learn that declining oestrogen levels in perimenopause don’t just trigger hot flushes—they also alter brain function, increase insulin resistance, and affect inflammation control.
Dr Lucy explains that these hormonal shifts can:
Make weight loss harder
Lead to binge eating cycles
Exacerbate conditions like ADHD and anxiety
Disrupt sleep patterns, which further harms metabolic health
🗣️ “Weight loss isn’t just about willpower—it’s about hormones, habits, and healing.”
– Dr Lucy Burns
Understanding this internal “chemistry chaos” is the first step to taking back control of your body—and your peace of mind.
Why Traditional Dieting Doesn’t Work in Midlife
Dr Lucy has lived this journey herself. Once caught in the cycle of emotional eating and traditional dieting, she developed pre-diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver during perimenopause.
Instead of doubling down on calorie restriction, she shifted her focus to:
✅ Real food
✅ Strength training
✅ Sleep support
✅ Emotional regulation
✅ Root-cause analysis
“You don’t need more discipline—you need the right tools and a personalised plan.”
This integrative approach is what she now offers to women around Australia through her clinics, Real Life Medicine and RLM Telehealth.
ADHD, Binge Eating, and Midlife
A standout moment in the episode is Dr Lucy’s insight into the link between ADHD, impulsive eating, and oestrogen decline. Many women are diagnosed with ADHD for the first time in their 40s, often after years of emotional turmoil and frustration.
“Lifestyle change is a skill, not a character trait.”
Dr Lucy advocates for compassionate care, helping women understand that “failing” diets may be the result of unmet neurological and hormonal needs—not a lack of motivation.
Real Life Medicine: A Holistic Approach
Dr Lucy co-founded Real Life Medicine, a community-driven platform that blends clinical science with emotional support. Through RLM’s online programs and telehealth services, women receive:
1:1 tailored advice
Group support and coaching
Mindset tools for sustainable change
Strategies for addressing root causes of health concerns
Her 4-Week Body Rebalance and 12-Week Mind Body Rebalance programs have already helped thousands of women break free from yo-yo dieting and reclaim their vitality.
🧠 Explore their free resources:
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling lost in your midlife health journey—tired, foggy, or stuck in a loop of shame and diets—this episode is your turning point.
✨ Dr Lucy’s core message is this: You’re not broken. You’re just biologically misunderstood. And with the right support, tools, and mindset, healing is absolutely possible.
🌟 Connect With Dr Lucy Burns
Website: www.rlmedicine.com | www.rlmtelehealth.com
Instagram: @real_life_medicine
Facebook: Real Life Medicine
