Dr. Lisa Weeks, Naturopathic Doctor

11/17/2025

10/31/2025

How Do You Measure Health Success?

It’s been over six years since I’ve stepped on a scale—and I ask my doctor not to tell me my weight.
Because health isn’t just a number.
It’s how you feel in your body: your energy, sleep, focus, digestion, skin, mood, and cycle.

Yes, data can be useful—heart rate, blood pressure, blood work, your period (your sixth vital sign), even your data from an Oura Ring, Apple Watch, Whoop; but they should complement, not replace, your own body’s wisdom.

This is called interoception—listening to your internal cues.

Not everyone has learned how to do that, especially if they’ve experienced trauma or disconnection from their body. Therapy with a psychotherapist or social worker would then be indicated to unpack that.

If you are feeling disconnected from your body, I can help by giving you tools to reconnect with yourself through journaling, tracking symptoms, and noticing subtle changes that matter.

So instead of obsessing over one metric, like weight or calories, ask yourself:

Do I feel strong and grounded in my body?

Am I sleeping well and recovering?

Are my hormones working for me and my moods stable?

Health isn’t about shrinking—it’s about expanding your capacity to feel good.

10/20/2025

Why We Gain Weight in Menopause (and How to Feel Comfortable in Your Body)

Your body is meant to change in menopause.
Your hips may have widened after childbirth, your fascia is looser, and your hormones have shifted. The goal isn’t to fit into your 20-year-old jeans — it’s to feel strong, healthy, and comfortable in your body now.

What’s happening:

⚡Estrogen decreases → less muscle, more weight around the waist, higher insulin resistance.

⚡Testosterone declines → harder to build and maintain muscle.

⚡Ghrelin (hunger hormone) increases → more hunger, especially when sleep is poor.

Lifestyle factors add to the challenge:

👉More stress, less sleep, and less movement.

👉Caring for everyone else, putting yourself last.

👉Restrictive eating → overeating or bingeing later.

👉More social eating and alcohol.

What actually helps:

✔ Build muscle: increases metabolism, fat-burning, and insulin sensitivity.

✔ Prioritize protein to stay full and protect muscle.

✔ Get enough sleep — it’s metabolic medicine.

✔ Make small, consistent changes — they add up.

✔ Avoid all-or-nothing thinking; even short “exercise snacks” count.

Hormones, protein, or supplements alone won’t solve it — your body needs strength training, proper fuelling, and recovery to thrive.

Around 60–70% of women gain weight in the menopause transition, but with the right habits, you can support metabolism, balance hormones, and feel at home in your body again.


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10/14/2025

I’ve been coasting for months—safe, comfortable. I would dabble in different things but didn’t commit fully.

I’ve always loved dancing but kept finding reasons not to go.

This time I signed up for an 8-week recital class—and I haven’t missed a single one! 💃

It’s definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone (silk fans + costumes 😳), but it’s brought me so much joy.

Research suggests that dancing with others can help boost your mood more effectively than other forms of exercise. It boosts dopamine, endorphins + oxytocin—helping us reconnect with ourselves and others.

So… what’s one thing you could say yes to that scares you just enough to help you grow?
📚 Join a book club
🎨 Try pottery or a cooking class
🎸 Learn an instrument for a special song
🚶‍♀️ Train for a run or walk event

Find something that brings you joy—and commit to it.

You were never meant to do it alone.

❤️ You deserve to have some fun.

10/02/2025

I used to believe rest had to be earned.

I worked all week. I crushed workouts and didn't take rest days in between. I kept the house spotless. I never stopped learning. I never slowed down.

Even my “self-care” became another to-do list. I rushed meditation, skipped breakfast, ignored my body, and filled every second with “productivity.” On the outside, I looked disciplined. Inside, I was running on empty.

Here’s what I’ve learned: rest is not a reward—it’s a need.

You don’t have to wait until the dishes are done or your inbox is clear. You deserve to rest now.

✨ Read the full story on my Substack [link in bio].
https://lisaweeksnd.substack.com/