263 Why Your Scale Lies - The Truth About Body Fat, Wearables and Aging with Cheryl McColgan

Have you ever stepped on a scale and questioned whether the numbers truly reflect what is happening inside your body? In this episode, Dr. Gillian  Lockitch  speaks with nutrition expert Cheryl McColgan to unpack the confusion around body composition data, wearable devices, and the science behind tracking your health as you age. Together, they explore how to interpret trends rather than obsess over absolute numbers, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, stress management, and nutrition influence the data we see. This conversation empowers listeners to use technology wisely while focusing on the foundational habits that support vibrant, healthy aging.
Cheryl McColgan is an author, coach, and the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, a wellness platform focused on nutrition, metabolic health, and sustainable lifestyle practices. With over 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction studies, fitness, yoga, and nutrition, Cheryl brings a multidisciplinary approach to health optimization. She is also the host of the Heal Nourish Grow podcast and has authored multiple books on keto nutrition and fat loss. At age 52, she became a competitive bodybuilder, demonstrating her commitment to strength, longevity, and aging powerfully.  

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction  

00:30 – A personal story of unexplained weight gain  

Dr. Gillian shares her experience with atrial fibrillation, weight gain, and confusion over body composition data  

06:35 – Cheryl's journey into health, nutrition, and bodybuilding  

From early exposure to fitness to becoming a competitor in her 50s  

10:48 – Can we trust wearable and scale data?  

Why body composition devices vary and how to approach their accuracy  

12:27 – The problem with body fat readings  

Why scales may underestimate fat and how algorithms affect results  

16:08 – Hydration, inflammation, and measurement variability  

How fluid shifts, illness, and exercise impact bioimpedance readings  

18:46 – Daily vs weekly tracking  

Why trends over time matter more than isolated measurements  

21:38 – How wearables measure stress, sleep, and