Can you build muscle in a calorie deficit? Learn how to lose fat, improve body composition, and preserve muscle while losing weight.

Hi friends! How was the weekend? I hope you had a great one! It was Liv’s school acution, which was a lot of fun, and we also had the usual things like basketball games, mass, and dinner with the fam. I roasted in my sauna blanket and watched The Voice. The Pilot came home after a long trip, so we were glad to have our favorite guy back!

Today’s blog post topic is a beefy one, and a question I get asked often:

Can You Build Muscle In A Calorie Deficit

If you have ever tried to lose weight, you know there are sooooo many methods promising results: intermittent fasting, low-carb plans, points systems, meal replacement shakes, juice cleanses, and the classic calorie deficit.

When I first learned about the concept of a calorie deficit as a trainer, I saw how effective it can be for fat loss. But I also noticed that many women who cut calories aggressively ended up losing not only fat, but also valuable muscle mass.

This is important because muscle is metabolically active tissue. It improves your body composition, supports hormone health, increases resting energy expenditure, and makes everyday activities easier. Building more muscle helps you burn more calories at rest and sustain your results.

A question I hear often is:

“Can you actually build muscle while losing fat in a calorie deficit?”

Today I wanted to answer this popular question, chat about what a calorie deficit is, how it works for fat loss, and what it really takes to build or maintain muscle while losing fat.

What Is Calorie Deficit

A calorie deficit happens when you consume fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight.

Your body has a maintenance calorie level: the amount of energy required each day to keep you alive and active without gaining or losing weight. When you consistently eat below that level, your body draws on stored energy such as body fat to make up the difference.

For example: if your body burns 2,000 calories per day but you consume 1,500 calories, you create a 500-calorie deficit. Over time, this energy gap can lead to weight loss, ideally by mobilizing fat stores.

How Does A Calorie Deficit Work

Creates an Energy Gap

A calorie deficit forces the body to draw on stored energy – primarily body fat but sometimes lean tissue – to meet daily needs.

Affects Body Composition

While a deficit promotes fat loss, it can also lead to muscle loss if protein is inadequate or if you are not performing resistance exercises. Preserving muscle is KEY to achieving a lean, strong look rather than simply becoming smaller.

Impacts Performance and Recovery

Severe deficits can reduce energy levels, hinder performance in resistance training, and slow recove

Hi friends! I’m so excited to share this week’s episode with one of my good friends, Tina Haupert, where we dive into the fascinating world of peptides, functional nutrition, and how to actually build a healthy lifestyle that sticks. Tina opens up about her own health journey, how peptide therapy transformed her life, and why getting the basics of your health right is the real game-changer. If you’re curious about peptides but don’t know where to begin, THIS episode is a great place to start.

Here’s what we discuss:

• Tina’s journey from a healthy living blogger to a functional nutrition practitioner

• What peptides are and how they support natural body processes

• Understanding GLP-1s and the misconceptions surrounding them. She answers ALL of my tough questions about this.

• Microdosing peptides to minimize side effects and maximize benefits

• Why foundational health practices are crucial for effective peptide use

• How stigma around peptides is shifting as awareness grows

• And so. much. MORE!

Tina Haupert is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), Certified Nutrition Coach, and founder of Carrots ‘N’ Cake. For the past 17+ years, she’s helped thousands of women lose weight, gain energy, balance their hormones, and build stronger, leaner bodies without giving up the foods they love. After personally battling ulcerative colitis, post-birth control syndrome, and the frustration of doctors not listening, Tina made it her mission to help other women get real answers and real results. Through functional testing and data-driven coaching, she helps women uncover the root causes behind their weight loss resistance, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances, so they can finally feel in control of their bodies again. Tina lives south of Boston with her husband, son, and pug, and loves walking, hiking, traveling (especially to Vermont) and discovering new restaurants with her family.

Connect with her on Read more

Sharing some tips on how to detox your home with simple, effective swaps to reduce toxic chemicals, improve indoor air, and create a healthier living space.

Hi friends! What’s going on this week? I have a stacked morning with client calls and appointments, but am looking forward to the planetarium with P later today.

Today, I wanted to chat a little bit about healthy changes we can make at home and some of my favorite steps to create a cleaner living space. One of the biggest sources of toxins isn’t in our kitchen with the foods we eat; it’s in our home environment.

Everyday items, from the cleaning products we use to the candles we light, often contain toxic chemicals that can irritate our skin, disrupt hormones, and contribute to long-term health problems. These compounds also affect the planet, impacting waterways, soil, and even indoor air quality.

A healthier home doesn’t have to mean throwing everything out overnight. Today, I’m going to share some tips on how to detox your home so you can lower your exposure to harmful substances while keeping things practical, affordable, and sustainable. Of course, I always love hearing about your favorite tips and products, too, so don’t be afraid to shout them out in the comments below!

How to Detox Your Home

Some of the things I wanted to chat about:

The most common environmental toxins in our homes

Simple ways to identify and test for them

Practical swaps and habits to reduce your exposure

The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. It’s SO easy to get overwhelmed, but the reality is that even a few small changes can have a huge impact over time. If you’re also working on cutting down screen time and stress triggers, pair this with my digital detox tips for a more peaceful, less toxic home.

What Are The Most Common Environmental Toxins In Our Homes

Here are some of the biggest culprits that sneak into our everyday routines:

Toxic chemicals in cleaning products: harsh detergents, ammonia, bleach, and chemical disinfectants.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): released from certain adhesives, sealants, and traditional based paints.

Flame retardants: added to sofas, mattresses, curtains, and rugs to slow fires – but often linked to hormone disruption.

Plasticizers such as BPA and phthalates: found in plastic food containers, single-use water bottles, and cling wraps.

Pesticide residues: from lawn treatments, pest sprays, and even tracked in on shoes.

Synthetic fragrances: in candles, plug-ins, air fresheners, and personal care products like body lotion or hair spray.

Heavy metals: possible in older pipes, imported ceramics, or poorly made stainless

Sharing this amazing slow cooker recipe from my friend Arsy!

Today, I’m so excited I get to share a recipe from a new ebook, Real Food Slow Cooker Recipes, written by my foodie blogger friend, Arsy Vartanian from Rubies & Radishes. Arsy and I first met through the Beautycounter world, and have become friends this past year. I love keeping up with everything she’s up to, and was so excited to hear about her new ebook. You really can’t beat a nutritious, delicious meal that only requires minimal prep. A few minutes chopping, sautéing, or blending, throw it in a slow cooker and get on with your day – dinner’s ready when you are!

Not only are all of Arsy’s dishes delicious, but each of the 70+ recipes included in the ebook use strictly Paleo ingredients — no grains, dairy, sugar, natural sweeteners, legumes or alcohol. Just nutrient-dense flavor  and lean turkey protein in every comforting bite. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve really cleaned up my eating, no needless to say, all of these recipes are speaking my language.

There’s such a great variety of recipes in Real Food Slow Cooker Recipes – it’ll work for whatever you happen to have in your refrigerator. The recipe I’m sharing with you today is one that really popped out to me: Turkey Barbacoa. This easy recipe takes just a few minutes to throw together before it hits the slow cooker. Plus, it includes some of my favorite savory ingredients like onions, salt, cumin, turkey drumsticks or thighs, and tomatoes. Before you know it, the kitchen will be filled with the amazing smell of this nutritious protein option.

Make back-to-school dinners stress-free with these quick, healthy recipes using rotisserie chicken. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Hi hi! How are you? I hope you’re having a lovely week so far. It’s a crazy week around here with practices, basketball, and volleyball games, so I’m trying to be as strategic as possible with meal planning and prep.

One of my favorite things to use during busy weeks like this: the good ‘ol rotisserie chicken!

(I know it’s hot and covered in plastic but what can you do? You can totally make your own chicken but we’re talking about fast hacks today!)

Back-to-school dinner hacks using rotisserie chicken

Back-to-school season always sneaks up fast, and suddenly weeknight dinners feel like a juggling act between homework, after-school activities, and the usual bedtime rush. It’s funny because summer felt SO chill and now that we’re back in school… it feels like pure chaos.

One of my favorite secret weapons for fast, healthy dinners? A store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s already cooked, tender, and packed with protein, so it cuts prep time in half while keeping your meals wholesome and satisfying.

Back-to-School Dinner Hacks Using Rotisserie Chicken

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite back-to-school dinner hacks using rotisserie chicken, plus a few quick recipe ideas you can keep on rotation.

Benefits of Cooking with Rotisserie Chicken

Time saver: No need to roast or bake. Just shred and go!

Budget-friendly: One chicken often stretches into 2–3 meals.

Protein-packed: Helps you hit your protein goals with less prep.

Kid-approved: Mild flavor makes it easy to mix into a variety of dishes. The kids loooove a rotisserie chicken.

Versatile: Works with soups, tacos, casseroles, wraps, salads, and more.

Quick Tips for Using Rotisserie Chicken

Shred while warm: It’s easier to pull apart right after you get it home.

Save the bones: Simmer with water, veggies, and herbs to make homemade stock for soups.

Store properly: Keep shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in 1-cup portions for later.

Add fresh herbs and spices: Bright flavors like lemon, cilantro, cumin, or paprika can instantly transform leftovers into a new dish.

Read more