The French Weigh

In today's episode, Karen and Dr. Jessie Haymeyer dive into holistic wellness, focusing on mindset, nutrition, cravings, and the influence of your environment. Listen in to uncover insights and strategies for breaking free from all-or-nothing mindsets and managing cravings. Many examples come from European lifestyle, where both women live. Key takeaways:Mindset Matters:  Dr. Haymeyer and Karen discuss the all-or-nothing mindset and its detrimental effects on health and weight management. They emphasize the need for personalized, sustainable changes over quick-fix solutions like fad diets. The conversation touches on the shame and obsession associated with behaviors this mindset causes and advocates for small, manageable changes tailored to individual lifestyles.  Cravings: Dr. Haymeyer and Karen discuss the 5 primary reasons of cravings. Firstly, physiological factors like low blood sugar and insufficient sleep can trigger cravings, often leading to reactive eating. Nutrient deficiencies, especially in magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, also play a significant role. Emotional triggers and environmental cues, such as stress eating and the availability of certain foods, further contribute to cravings. The conversation dives into how these factors can manifest differently for individuals and suggests approaches to address them, including dietary adjustments, supplementation, and mindfulness practices. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of personalized strategies and gradual lifestyle changes to effectively manage cravings and promote overall well-being.  Jessie concludes with her best choice principle (What is the best choice I can make right now?) and examples Listeners can find Dr. Jesse Haymeyer at wellempowered.com, where they can schedule a complimentary consultation and receive a 10% discount by mentioning Karen. Additionally, they can join Dr. Haymeyer's email list by texting "sign me up" to 312-967-8000, and follow her on Instagram @wellempowered for more insights and updates. 

In this episode, I dive into concrete transformations my clients have experienced through our coaching sessions. I share stories of two clients with distinct goals—one striving for weight loss and the other looking to build self-confidence in her career. It's amazing to see the profound changes they've undergone in such a short time, from shedding people-pleasing habits to be able to focus on themselves and their weight loss, to stepping into their power at work. My coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in Positive Intelligence, a framework that emphasizes shifting from negative thought patterns (saboteurs) to positive ones (sage powers). Through coaching, I help individuals strengthen their self-command muscle, enabling them to quiet the saboteur and cultivate empathy, innovation and laser focused action. This skill helps my clients reach their goals.I encourage listeners to take a free Saboteur Assessment Test to identify their primary. With heartfelt gratitude for my clients' trust and dedication, I conclude the episode with a message of appreciation and inspiration, to show how listeners can also benefit from what my clients have learned.Listeners can take their free Saboteur Assessment here: https://www.karengombault.com/saboteur-test-opt-in

In this episode, I discuss the concept of "life focus," drawing inspiration from French culture. It's crucial to shift focus away from obsessive thoughts about weight and food, as constant preoccupation with weight and diet can hinder weight loss or health goals.  I explore three ways to become more life-focused: Learning: French people prioritize continuous learning, whether through reading diverse materials, watching documentaries, or visiting museums and exhibits. Experiencing: This involves embracing travel, taking guided tours, attending cooking classes, and enjoying tastings or live shows. Connecting: Additionally, fostering connections with others through meaningful conversations and shared experiences contributes to a fulfilling life. To shift towards a life-focused mindset, the episode outlines practical steps such as identifying topics for further learning, planning new experiences, and reconnecting with friends and family. Embracing the French approach to life focus not only enhances overall well-being but also helps with sustainable weight loss as a natural byproduct of a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/

In this episode I dive into 5 ways that can help you navigate change with more resilience and less overwhelm. Reflecting on my past year of personal transformation, I share insights and practical advice for anyone facing significant shifts in their lives. From leaving a secure corporate job to becoming an entrepreneur, to relocating to Southern France, my journey (and how I think about it),  illustrates the benefits of changing with intention and desire. The episode covers these 5 topics:The importance of making decisions out of genuine desire rather than obligation or “should”.  Acknowledging the presence of fear, how to think about and manage it. Yes, discomfort is part of the process. Trusting yourself and the process of change, and how to keep moving forward even when things are not linear.  The importance of building a support system and practicing thoughts and beliefs that will help you sustain momentum and overcome obstacles.  My personal thoughts that help me navigate along the way.  Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

In this episode, Karen Gombault welcomes Beeta Hashempour. After a trip to Paris in 2010, Beeta became a self-proclaimed Francophile, falling in love with France and French culture. After several visits, she eventually made the move to Paris and lived out her dream as a local among the Parisians. Today, she runs one of the leading French lifestyle sites MonPetitFour.com, is host of the podcast show The Life of a Bon Vivant, and enjoys hosting luxury retreats for other female Francophiles in France. Karen & Beeta have a very open conversation about their love for the country, lifestyle and all things French. The conversation touches upon:Discovering France: Beeta recounts her introduction to French culture and cuisine, sparking her love for all things French. Living in Paris: Reflecting on her experience in Paris, Beeta discusses the relaxed energy of French mealtimes and contrasts it with the fast-paced lifestyle in the US. Embracing French Food Culture: Beeta talks about the accessibility and quality of fresh produce at Parisian markets. Food Quality and Health: Beeta emphasizes the importance of food quality for health and advocates for mindful eating habits, prioritizing simplicity and quality over quantity. Karen & Beeta address the importance of self-care and the amount of inspiration that can be taken from French lifestyle practices. Overall, the conversation advocates for adopting elements of the French way of life to enhance well-being, how she adapted to French culture when she lived here in 2021 and why she wants to move back.Listeners can find Beeta here: https://www.MonPetitFour.com French recipes for every day.  Instagram: @MonPetitFour Facebook: @MonPetitFourBlog You can download a copy of her e-Cookbook "10 French Foods That Are Easier to Make Than You Think" when you join her email list: www.monpetitfour.com/sign-up/ 

In this episode, I reflect on my transformative journey over the past 10 years, emphasizing the importance of mindset work in achieving health and wellness goals.Initially, I was overwhelmed with stress due to my high-profile career, family responsibilities, and societal pressures, leading to emotional eating and dissatisfaction with my weight.Through mindset work, I learned to distinguish between facts and thoughts, recognizing the power to consciously change my thoughts.By shifting the energy behind my thoughts, I was able to navigate challenges more effectively and maintain sustainable weight loss.This episode offers insights into mental fitness, and I explain how it can reshape one's self-concept and lead to significant life changes and encourages listeners to explore mindset work for holistic transformation. Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguideBook your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombaultOr follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

In this episode Karen shares her personal "spring glow-up" challenge, focusing on implementing changes to her health and wellness routine over the next 30 days.Karen discusses her motivation behind the challenge, emphasizing the importance of trying new strategies for sustainable weight loss and addressing mindset issues. Karen outlines the strategies she plans to implement, including fasting lengths and different eating styles based on Dr. Mindy Peltz's book, "Fast Like a Girl." She emphasizes the importance of metabolic flexibility and hormone regulation in achieving weight loss goals. Karen also talks about the mindset work she will be focusing on, including identifying and weakening saboteur voices and strengthening sage powers for constructive thinking and action. Throughout the episode, Karen invites listeners to follow along with her journey on Instagram and encourages engagement and questions from her audience.Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguideBook your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombaultOr follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

In this episode, Karen reflects on her journey of maintaining a healthy weight for over five years, offering practical tips and mindset shifts that have contributed to her success. Karen discusses key strategies she started implementing, such as prioritizing consistent actions aligned with her body's needs, finding motivational hacks to stay on track, simplifying meal preparation, and adopting a mindful approach to planning. Additionally, she highlights three crucial habits she stopped, including avoiding breakfasts that spike blood sugar, prioritizing her own needs over others', and reframing the concept of "starting over" to maintain momentum and self-compassion. Tune in to learn how Karen's holistic approach to weight loss combines practical strategies with a nurturing mindset, empowering listeners to embark on their own journey towards sustainable wellness.  Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/

In this informal discussion, Judith (who is Irish) & I talk about what brought her to France 12 years ago, what she loves about France, French culture, French food, and why she stayed. She shares what it is like managing meals and cooking for her family and children, and how she is transmitting her love of cooking to them. Living in Provence, we also talk about the region and her favorite foods. You can contact her here: Email: judith@myfoodinfrance.com   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithkeys  LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/myfoodinfrance Website: www.myfoodinfrance.com  She has a membership called My Food in France that is open to the public until the end of Feb. 2024: https://www.facebook.com/groups/myfoodinfrancethemembership  

I encourage my listeners to cook as much as possible at home, there are huge benefits, and it can be very simple. In this episode, I take you deep into my world and talk about how I choose my food, shop for food, cook and eat. Meal planning, leftovers, the Farmer’s market (& my regular vendors), processed food, restaurant frequency, meal services… I detail it all. I also talk about what I don’t eat! Bon appetit! Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

In the past, with feeling some sort of negative emotion (frustration, anger), I would have turned to food for comfort. In this episode I walk you through how I processed a recent disappointment, and the steps I used. Not turning to food when you are upset is a skill that can be learned, and I outline how to do this. This skill is the number one reason I have not regained weight. Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/

2024 is going to be the biggest year for tourism EVER in France (80th DDay anniversary, Summer Olympics & Para-Olympics, re-opening of Notre Dame). The experience when you travel to France can be OK but not really what you expected…or it can be simply amazing. And both are fine, you get to choose how you want to travel. Just like losing weight, and deciding on the support you get. This episode makes the case for investing in you, individual support and why private personalized attention is worth the investment. (It also gives quite a few tips if you are travelling to France in 2024!) Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

Recently I spent the weekend away on the French coast with new friends. The weekend could have been about social anxiety and people pleasing, which would have led to overeating and / or overdrinking. The weekend was not about that at all. Instead, the weekend was about connection, great discussion, fun, time in nature, games and food, of course! (we are in France!).  This episode illustrates my before and after story when it comes to food freedom. Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Book your free private coaching information call here : https://calendly.com/kareng-coaching/1-1-private-coaching-call-with-karen-gombault Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/

Even if you love your life, you have the right to change. In this episode I talk a bit about how and why I moved to France from the US, how happy I’ve been for the past 30 years in Paris, and why I am moving!Want more insight into the French Way of Life regarding health & wellness? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

I believe that life doesn’t happen to you. You have the ability to create the life you want. Setting a goal and putting a specific intention behind it has been a key reason for me personally reaching my professional and personal objectives over the years.In this episode, I explain my reasoning and the process I use to do that. I also talk about my WOTY (Word Of The Year) for 2024.Want more insight into the French Way of Life? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguideOr follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/

As I reflect back on 2023, there are things that happened, choices I made or life events that could have been perceived as hard, a source of fear, frustrating or discouraging. I choose to look back and with hindsight, see these events as a gift or an opportunity. Listen in to today’s episode, it will help you to think of this past year in a different light. Want more insight into the French Way of Life? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide Or follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thefrenchweigh/ 

Karen is a Certified Lifestyle & Health Coach, who works with women in their 40s & 50s wanting to transform their bodies and their lives, age powerfully and create extraordinary health & vitality. Karen is a Francophile and, in this episode, shares her experience with France, how it has inspired her to incorporate elements into her every day life…whether that be the pace of life, work life balance boundaries, the attitude of French women when it comes to ageing or the general attention to beauty.Her recommendations in Paris:Bienvenue - Site de restaurant-lesouffle ! Le Soufflé  and Les Restaurants - Cyril Lignac  Monet’s garden in Giverny You can find her here:Website: www.wellegantwoman.com Podcast: Wellegant Woman: Redefining Midlife (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellegant-woman-redefining-midlife/id1666093399) Instagram: @wellegantwoman  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellegantwoman/ Free resource: The Midlife Glow Up Guide: 7 Days to Your Healthiest and Most Radiant Self  https://wellegantwoman.com/glowup/

In this episode I look at the 3 main reasons women generally overeat, specifically habit, physical and emotional reasons. I also provide some solutions, ideas and strategies to think about and try if you suffer from overeating. Overeating is not that widespread here in France, and as a compliment to this episode, I suggest listening to episode 2 where I talk about why French women don’t overeat. Interested in deep diving even further into the topic with me? I have a masterclass from Jan. 7 to the 11th to help you Stop Overeating and positively kick start your 2024 health journey. Join me & many other women in this transformational 5 day masterclass. Information here: January 2024 Challenge (karengombault.com) (Use code EARLYBIRD through Dec. 22 for 25% off) 

Ali is a wife, mother to two sweet little boys, a hormone expert, licensed acupuncturist, and a certified personal trainer. She has a virtual practice where she helps women balance their hormones and have better moods, sleep, periods and energy.  In our discussion Ali talks about hormonal changes in women’s bodies as we start peri menopause, how those changes affect your health and what you can do to be proactive through menopause and post menopause. We touch upon hormonal effects and changes on stress, weight loss, sleep and fasting.  A great episode if you are curious about changes in your body as you age and real talk about the potential solutions. Ali works 1:1 with patients, has digital courses and a podcast called The Ali Damron Show, as well as a You Tube Channel. Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/alidamron/ www.alidamron.com Ali Damron - Women's Hormone Expert - YouTube 

In this episode I share my secrets for keeping cooking as simple as possible. I had to learn to cook when I moved to France, so I share the ways that make it easy for me. Learning to cook has had such a huge impact on my health, and I promise, it doesn’t need to be difficult. Bon appétit!  Want more insight into the French Way of Life? Download my free guide “The French Art of Sustainable Weight Loss” at https://www.karengombault.com/thefrenchweighfreeguide