Ask Elle

I have 50 pounds to lose. Is an 8-week program even worth it for me?

Yes, it's worth it. Eight weeks won't be the whole story, and it doesn't have to be. It's where it starts. On your onboarding call, you and your coach set your first goal together. You build the fo...

How much water should I drink in perimenopause, and do I need electrolytes?

What we usually start with is about 2 litres of water a day, and your coach adjusts it from there. Keep it simple: a clear glass you can see going down, and a little lemon or lime if plain water bo...

What's the best protein powder for women over 40? Whey bothers my stomach.

The best protein powder is the one your stomach agrees with, and plenty of women over 40 don't need one at all. Real food comes first. If whey bothers you, there are other kinds, like beef protein ...

How many steps a day do I need for fat loss? Is 10,000 real?

There's no magic step count. 10,000 is a useful target, and you don't have to hit it. What we look at is whether your everyday movement adds up across the day, on top of your strength workouts. Sta...

Do I have to take before and after photos?

No. We'll ask you to, and we'll tell you why. Progress photos show the body composition changes the scale misses, side by side. They're private, they stay with your coaching team, and they're there...

How do I get through Thanksgiving dinner (and the holidays) without undoing my progress?

Build your plate around protein first, add your vegetables, then take the sides you really want in smaller portions. Have the pie if you want it. In our experience, one holiday dinner doesn't chang...

I hate cooking and I'm wiped out by dinnertime. Can I still eat for fat loss?

Yes. You don't have to enjoy cooking to lose fat. Pick the one meal that's easiest for you to own, keep the rest simple, and lean on shortcuts: pre-chopped vegetables, a rotisserie chicken, ready-m...

How do I tone my arms and get rid of back fat? Can I target one spot?

You can't pick where fat comes off. What you can do is build the muscle in your arms and back with full-body strength training, and bring your overall body fat down with the right nutrition. As the...

How do I handle family and friends who comment on what I eat or keep pushing food and drinks?

Decide what you want before you walk in, keep your answer short and friendly, and keep something in your glass. In our experience, "I'm good for now, thanks" handles most of it. Saying yes to the w...

I can't do a single push-up. Can I still do the program, and how do I build up?

Yes, you can still do the program. Plenty of women start without a single full push-up. Every push-up in our workouts has easier versions: on a wall, with your hands raised on something sturdy, or ...

Do I have to cook separate meals for my family? Nobody wants to eat what I'm eating.

No. Cook one dinner and change your plate. The food in our plan is real, family-friendly food, so everyone can eat the same meal while you adjust your own portions: protein first, plenty of vegetab...

Why do I crash at 3 or 4 p.m. and snack until dinner? What should I eat instead?

Usually because you didn't eat enough earlier in the day. Coffee for breakfast and a light lunch only go so far, so around 3 or 4 your energy drops and the grazing starts. In our experience, more p...