From Stressed to Success: Managing Stress for a Healthier & Fitter You

At the 2025 Weight & Wellness Summit hosted by Vitaminis, holistic nurse and “dietless dieting” coach Pamela Pedrick, RN, joined Leslie Danford for an eye-opening conversation on stress, weight, and why so many women are stuck in a frustrating cycle of dieting and regaining. Pamela draws from her personal experience and professional background to empower women to find sustainable, stress-conscious paths to health.

In this interview, Pamela reveals how stress sabotages weight goals, why protein is non-negotiable, and what supplements can actually help. Most importantly, she reminds us that the problem isn’t willpower—it’s the outdated approach to wellness.

Leslie: Pamela, thank you so much for being here. For those who haven’t met you before, can you share a bit about what you do?

Pamela: Absolutely. I’m a holistic nurse and dietless dieting coach. I help busy women who are done with the cycle of dieting, regaining weight, and feeling exhausted. They come to me wanting natural, sustainable solutions that actually work for their bodies—because nothing I do is cookie-cutter. What they end up getting is more than just weight release. We lower inflammation, balance blood sugar, and create a lifestyle shift that feels light and freeing. It’s about long-term change, not short-term restriction.

Leslie: I love that—and I love the phrase “dietless dieting.” What does that really mean to you?

Pamela: We’ve kind of bastardized the word "diet" to mean punishment or deprivation, but it actually just means “the food we eat.” So when I say “dietless dieting,” I mean we’re ditching the harmful diet mentality and focusing on fueling the body with the right foods for you. We diet less—because we’re done with constant dieting altogether.

Leslie: That resonates so deeply. Let’s talk about one of your key topics—stress. What role does stress play in weight issues?

Pamela: A massive one! Most women I work with are high performers. We multitask, we get stuff done, and we don’t even realize we’re stressed because it’s our normal operating mode. That was me when I worked in a busy pediatric emergency room. I didn’t feel “stressed” at home, but my binge eating said otherwise. Stress triggers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. When cortisol rises, it tells the body, “You need energy now,” so glucose spikes. But because most of today’s stress is emotional or mental—not physical danger—we don’t use that energy. So our blood sugar crashes, cravings kick in, and we reach for high-sugar, high-fat foods that keep the cycle going.

Leslie: And stress affects digestion too, right?

Pamela: Absolutely. The body can’t digest food and deal with stress at the same time. It’s either in “fight or flight” (the sympathetic nervous system) or “rest and digest” (the parasympathetic system)—never both. So if you're eating in a stressed state, your body literally can’t absorb nutrients properly. You could be eating the cleanest, most nourishing meal ever, and still not get the benefits.

Leslie: That’s so important to understand. You mentioned that you were once in full-on burnout. What did that look like?

Pamela: I was at my highest weight, bingeing on the weekends, and constantly exhausted. I was living on coffee and Coke Zero just to function. I felt like I was failing, like I was the missing link. But the truth was, it wasn’t me—it was the diet mentality. I’d been trying to overhaul everything at once, and that’s not sustainable. Real change starts with small, consistent steps.

Leslie: So true. Are there any simple strategies you recommend to reduce stress?

Pamela: Start with how you eat. If you’re wolfing down meals in five minutes—like I did in the ER—that’s a sign you’re in a stress response. Slow down. Breathe. Chew. That simple act helps turn on the “rest and digest” system. Also, pay attention to how your body feels. Are your shoulders tight? Is your jaw clenched? Are you holding your breath? These are signs that stress is active in your body. Once you notice it, you can take steps to shift out of that state.

Leslie: You mentioned blood sugar instability earlier. What’s the connection to weight?

Pamela: You don’t need to be diabetic to have blood sugar issues. Stress alone can cause instability. Cortisol spikes lead to glucose crashes, cravings, and inflammation—which in turn disrupt hormones and make weight loss harder. I’ve had clients wear continuous glucose monitors and they’re always surprised at how much their sugar spikes during stressful moments.

Leslie: That makes so much sense. How does protein fit into all of this?

Pamela: Protein is huge. It's fuel. Just like you throw wood on a fire to get it going again, protein kick starts your metabolism and helps with energy. I always recommend starting your day with at least 30 grams of protein—even if you intermittent fast, your first meal should be protein-heavy. And here’s the thing: many women aren’t eating enough protein to begin with, and under stress, the body isn’t absorbing what little protein they are eating. That leads to muscle loss, which slows metabolism even more. I always say: “Tired but wired” is a sign of blood sugar chaos and protein deficiency.

Leslie: What about supplements? Are there any that help with stress and energy?

Pamela: Yes! My two go-to recommendations are a high-quality B complex and magnesium glycinate. B vitamins are essential for energy and metabolism, but they get depleted fast under stress. Magnesium helps calm the nervous system and supports sleep, which is crucial for weight release. But please—quality matters. A lot of supplements are junk. Look for third-party tested products, like those certified by GMP or NSF. If it’s not high quality, don’t take it. It can actually do more harm than good.

Leslie: Thank you for calling that out—Vitaminis is third-party tested as well. That transparency is so important.

Pamela: Yes! Especially because so many supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, and people don’t realize they’re not getting what they think they are.

Leslie: Last question—where can people find you if they want to learn more?

Pamela: I’m most active on LinkedIn right now under Pamela Pedrick RN. You can also visit my website at www.weightlossbeyondthefood.com. I love connecting with women who are ready to ditch dieting and find real, lasting solutions.