Text Dr. Black your questions or comments.

Is willpower really the key to success? Not according to neuroscience. In this episode, I walk you through what truly drives habit formation — and why biology, mood, stress, sleep, hormones, and environment matter far more than discipline.

We’ll explore:

• Why habits are your brain’s “energy-saving mode”
• How repetition, context, and reward shape behavior
• Why identity (“I’m the kind of person who…”) matters
• Three strategies scientists agree reliably build lasting habits
• Simple, actionable examples for nutrition, movement, sleep, and productivity

You’ll also learn bonus tools like the One-Minute Rule, the Five-Second Rule, and friction-reducing tricks to make healthy choices the easiest choices.

This episode builds on the weight loss biology episode and gives you a roadmap for sticking with your goals — without relying on motivation alone.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it, leave a review, and most importantly, share it with a friend!

Don't forget to visit the show website and subscribe!

For resources related to a plant-based diet or if you struggle to afford healthy food for your family, please go to eatgreenswithdrblack.com/resources.

Please note that the "Send Dr. Black a Text" feature at the top of the show notes does NOT allow me to respond directly. Please include your contact information or email me at dr.black@eatgreenswithdrblack.com.

I am happy to answer general questions related to the information presented on this podcast. Be advised that I will never offer specific medical advice via this website, even if your child is an established patient in my practice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or growth, please contact their doctor.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to Eat Your Greens!

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments.

Most people who go on weight-loss diets regain the weight — and often gain back even more. In this episode, I explain why that happens and why it’s not a personal failure. It’s biology.

I walk you through how rapid weight loss slows your metabolism, reduces muscle mass, shifts key hormones like leptin and ghrelin, increases cravings, and intensifies hunger — creating the perfect setup for rebound weight gain.

You’ll also learn:

• How metabolic adaptation works
• Why losing muscle is more damaging than you think
• The hormonal “push-pull” that drives hunger after dieting
• Why yo-yo dieting increases health risks
• And most importantly — evidence-based strategies that actually support long-term metabolic health

We’ll talk about how to build meals that keep you full, how to stabilize hunger hormones, and how to choose foods that work with your biology rather than against it.

If you’re tired of the cycle of diets that don’t last, this episode offers a clearer, kinder, and more sustainable way forward.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it, leave a review, and most importantly, share it with a friend!

Don't forget to visit the show website and subscribe!

For resources related to a plant-based diet or if you struggle to afford healthy food for your family, please go to eatgreenswithdrblack.com/resources.

Please note that the "Send Dr. Black a Text" feature at the top of the show notes does NOT allow me to respond directly. Please include your contact information or email me at dr.black@eatgreenswithdrblack.com.

I am happy to answer general questions related to the information presented on this podcast. Be advised that I will never offer specific medical advice via this website, even if your child is an established patient in my practice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or growth, please contact their doctor.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to Eat Your Greens!

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments.

Heart disease has been the #1 cause of death in the U.S. for decades — but it doesn’t have to be your future. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Kelly Ratheal, a cardiologist and lipid specialist with a strong focus on prevention and lifestyle medicine. We dig into:

• Why heart disease often begins long before adulthood
• How family history influences your risk
• When kids and teens should be screened
• The difference between LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
• What your triglycerides reveal about insulin resistance
• The truth about statins
• Why building muscle may be the most powerful metabolic tool you have
• The lifestyle habits that actually lower risk
• How small, doable changes compound into major long-term benefits

Dr. Ratheal’s “blood, sweat, and tears” framework is both honest and motivating. Whether you're managing cholesterol, concerned about family risk, or simply trying to protect your health, this episode will give you clarity and confidence.

Find Dr. Ratheal at NBPreventionDocs.com

Health Made Doable — one step at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate it, leave a review, and most importantly, share it with a friend!

Don't forget to visit the show website and subscribe!

For resources related to a plant-based diet or if you struggle to afford healthy food for your family, please go to eatgreenswithdrblack.com/resources.

Please note that the "Send Dr. Black a Text" feature at the top of the show notes does NOT allow me to respond directly. Please include your contact information or email me at dr.black@eatgreenswithdrblack.com.

I am happy to answer general questions related to the information presented on this podcast. Be advised that I will never offer specific medical advice via this website, even if your child is an established patient in my practice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or growth, please contact their doctor.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to Eat Your Greens!