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Health Coach Joanne Fairbrother

Why Exercise and Counting Calories Aren’t the Whole Answer to Weight Loss

June 03, 20252 min read

weight loss over 40, metabolism reset, calorie counting myths, why diets fail, natural weight loss, sustainable weight loss, healthy weight loss tips, weight loss for tired women, real food weight loss

Why Exercise and Counting Calories Aren’t the Whole Answer to Weight Loss

If you've been eating less, working out more, and still not seeing results – it’s not your fault. The old “eat less, move more” model doesn't work for everyone – especially if you're over 40 and your metabolism is slowing down.

The Calorie Myth

Counting calories may sound smart, but it doesn’t address the quality of food, your blood sugar balance, or how food affects your body and energy. You can still be eating “within your calories” and gaining weight if you're consuming hidden sugars or inflammatory foods.

Why Exercise Isn’t the Fix-All

Exercise is great for your heart, mood, and strength – but it’s not always the best tool for weight loss if your metabolism is out of sync. If you’re exhausted, bloated, moody, or craving sugar just to get through the day, your body might be under stress… and exercise alone won’t fix that.

What Could Be Really Going On

Your body could be telling you something is out of balance. Things like:

  • Constant tiredness or low energy

  • Afternoon sugar crashes or cravings

  • Digestive issues like bloating or constipation

  • Mood swings or poor sleep

  • Slower weight loss despite eating “healthy”

These aren’t normal — they’re signals that something deeper is going on.

What To Focus On Instead

Instead of trying to exercise harder or restrict more, shift your focus to:

  • Balancing your blood sugar

  • Reducing hidden sugar intake

  • Supporting your metabolism with the right nutrients

  • Listening to how your body responds to food

  • Creating meals that give you energy, not take it away

This is where real change begins.

You Don’t Need to Work Harder — You Need to Work Smarter

If you’ve been doing everything right and still not losing weight, it’s time to take a different approach. When we stop guessing and start listening to your body — everything changes.


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Jo-Anne Fairbrother is a Healthy Lifestyle & Weight Loss Coach with over 30 years of experience helping people break free from diet frustration, uncover what's really holding their metabolism back, and finally feel good in their bodies again. As the creator of the Back to Basics Healthy Living Program, Jo empowers her clients to make simple, sustainable changes using real food, practical guidance, and a personalised approach to health. She's passionate about helping people feel lighter, more energized, and in control—without extreme diets or unrealistic plans.

Joanne Fairbrother

Jo-Anne Fairbrother is a Healthy Lifestyle & Weight Loss Coach with over 30 years of experience helping people break free from diet frustration, uncover what's really holding their metabolism back, and finally feel good in their bodies again. As the creator of the Back to Basics Healthy Living Program, Jo empowers her clients to make simple, sustainable changes using real food, practical guidance, and a personalised approach to health. She's passionate about helping people feel lighter, more energized, and in control—without extreme diets or unrealistic plans.

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