Expert Q&A

Wait does Aubrey know that she’s mentioned in Ultra-Processed People and the role of cortisol and stress hormones

The Surprising Mention in Ultra-Processed People

Yes, the real-life story of Aubrey is featured in Chris van Tulleken’s groundbreaking book Ultra-Processed People. Her experience illustrates how modern food systems and chronic stress intersect to make sustainable weight loss incredibly difficult after age 45. I’ve worked with hundreds of women like Aubrey who felt trapped by failed diets, joint pain, and hormonal shifts. Her mention highlights a critical truth: cortisol, our primary stress hormone, doesn’t just make you feel overwhelmed—it directly promotes abdominal fat storage and cravings for ultra-processed foods.

How Cortisol and Stress Hormones Sabotage Weight Loss

When cortisol levels stay elevated from financial stress, family demands, or blood sugar swings common in diabetes management, your body shifts into survival mode. This raises insulin, slows metabolism by up to 15%, and increases appetite for high-calorie snacks. In my book The Midlife Reset, I explain the Cortisol-Insulin Loop: elevated cortisol triggers liver glucose release, prompting more insulin and fat storage around the midsection. For women in perimenopause, declining estrogen amplifies this effect, often adding 1-2 pounds monthly despite “eating clean.” Joint pain further reduces movement, creating a vicious cycle most insurance plans ignore.

Practical Strategies That Work for Beginners

Start with my 10-Minute Stress Reset protocol: three daily breathing sessions of 4-7-8 breathing to lower cortisol by 20-30% within two weeks. Pair this with a simple plate method—no complex meal plans needed. Fill half your plate with fiber-rich vegetables, one-quarter with lean protein, and one-quarter with whole grains. This stabilizes blood sugar and reduces stress eating. For joint-friendly movement, try chair yoga or water walking; these build muscle without pain, boosting resting metabolism by 50-100 calories daily. Track wins in a simple journal instead of the scale to rebuild confidence.

Breaking Free from Conflicting Advice

Most diet advice ignores the biological reality of midlife hormones. By addressing cortisol first through consistent sleep (7-8 hours), nature exposure, and limiting ultra-processed foods to under 20% of intake, my clients lose 8-12 pounds in the first 60 days while improving blood pressure and energy. Aubrey’s story in Ultra-Processed People reminds us we’re not failing—we’re fighting a system designed to keep us stressed and dependent on quick fixes. The CFP approach puts you back in control without shame or overwhelm.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong interest in Aubrey's mention in Ultra-Processed People, with many readers relating to her cortisol struggles amid midlife hormonal changes. Most practitioners in the 45-54 group appreciate discussions linking stress hormones to stubborn weight gain and diabetes management, often sharing how breathing exercises or simpler plate methods helped where traditional diets failed. A vocal minority debates whether the book overstates food industry influence versus personal responsibility, while others express frustration about insurance not covering these approaches. Lived experiences frequently mention joint pain limiting exercise and embarrassment asking for obesity help, with overall sentiment leaning toward hope that addressing stress first yields better results than calorie counting alone. Beginners particularly value practical, low-time-commitment tips that fit busy schedules.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Wait does Aubrey know that she’s mentioned in Ultra-Processed People and the rol. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/wait-does-aubrey-know-that-she-s-mentioned-in-ultra-processed-people-and-the-role-of-cortisol-and-stress-hormones
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ What causes I reduced my IR from 15.5 to 4 in 3 months and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this — what the research actually says? ▸ Why cant i lose weight and am gaining weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Has anyone here made their own custom CGM patches with a Cricut for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Muscle Sarcopenia — The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… ▸ Been on this diet for 11 months and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Did L. reuteri ATCC 6475 or Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC-30) Eliminate My Seasonal Allergies — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Metabolic Reset — The process of retraining your body to utilize stored fat for fuel and regulating hunger hormones so you can maintain yo… ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or — what does the research actually say: what to track and how to measure progress? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ How many were first diagnosed with OCD for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ How long does it take to Is Autophagy? 8 Amazing Benefits Of Fasting That Will Save Your Life: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ I sometimes feel like people only talk about the obvious symptoms like irregular periods or weight gain, but the fatigue can be just as overwhelming. Has anyone else felt completely drained even: how to talk to your doctor about this: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Traveling with IBS-D to a 5-day conference in San Diego: how do you manage food — what most people get wrong about this during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Tips for maintenance: what’s yours for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… ▸ Does mental health predict diabetes as much as BMI? Interesting ML study results: how to talk to your doctor about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Do you guys eat 100% clean all the time — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Fitter or kidding myself: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Lost weight not exactly willingly and everybody’s weird about it for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) specifically for women over 40? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Can you really Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better specifically for women over 40? ▸ What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT on a low-carb or ketogenic diet and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 The Clark Protocol — Our evidence-based framework that combines clinical nurse practitioner expertise with personal experience to solve the o… ▸ What foods to stock for overnight guest — evidence-based answer for CFP patients: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Why cant i lose weight and am gaining weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Will eating meintenance calories make me lose weight for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… ▸ Sugar free 2020, who's with me — what most people get wrong about this: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Tips for maintenance: what’s yours for long-term maintenance (not just short-term): best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ What is the Russell Clark One Box Protocol and how do terms like Smart Cycling and Hormonal Chaos define his 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset specifically for women over 40? 📖 Nutrient Density — Prioritizing foods that provide maximum vitamins and minerals per calorie to satisfy the brain and end the cycle of hidd… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm for people with insulin resistance for people with insulin resistance? ▸ How to calm my nerves down at doctors — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb and how it connects to gut health and inflammation if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Gut-Brain Axis — The complex communication network between your digestive system and your brain that controls satiety, mood, and metaboli… ▸ Weight loss without GLP-1 — what does the research actually say while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ How effective is autophagy really helping me lose fat — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 Metabolic Stall — A plateau in weight loss often caused by hidden inflammation or hormonal adaptation, which we break using our specific 7… ▸ Intolerant to sugar - SIBO or something else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what the research actually says? ▸ Can chicken and beef tallow replace beef — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ How do you handle social settings and conversations with other people — what does the research actually say on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 GLP-1 Receptor Agonist — A class of medication that mimics natural hormones to improve insulin secretion and slow gastric emptying, used strategi… ▸ What are some things you loved from your childhood that you (virtually) never see/experience anymore during the weight loss plateau phase on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ How much keto-ade should I safely drink: best practices and common mistakes to avoid and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Thyroid tests all in range— but high calcium — how a functional medicine approach differs on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Are people who get no effect just using bad product for people with insulin resistance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Im eating so well that I accidently put my body in ketosis and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Is lime water (but sipped throughout the day) ok with autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs for people with insulin resistance? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Have you cut out snacking in between meals and what are the benefits and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Anyone know where to purchase pork rind tortillas — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances?