The Livy Method Podcast - Spill the Tea - Fall 2025: Week 4 with Katie Hill

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

In this episode of Spill the Tea, Gina sits down with Katie Hill, whose journey sheds light on what it really means to live The Method. Katie shares how she broke free from years of diet culture—starting with WW at age eleven—and found a new kind of confidence after dropping 45 pounds through The Livy Method. But this isn’t your typical before-and-after story. Katie opens up about navigating a 15-month plateau and why her goal is less about a number on the scale and more about living the life she envisions. Honest, emotional, and refreshingly relatable—this is a story you’ll want to hear.You can find the full video hosted at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/livymethodfall2025Find Katie on Instagram:@katietotallybookedTo learn more about the Livy Method, visit www.livymethod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm Gina Livy, and welcome to the Livy Method podcast. This is where you'll have access to all of the live streams for my 91-day weight loss program. With a combination of daily lives, guest expert interviews, and member stories, there is something new almost every day. Miss the morning live? Want to re-listen to one of our amazing guest experts? Well, this is the place. This podcast is hosted on ACAST, but it's available on all podcast platforms, including the one you're listening to right now, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music.

I'm living a really happy relationship with my body. My confidence is through the roof. Every day on this program, I learn something new. I have the tools now. I never had them before. Welcome to Spill the team. My goodness, it is so great to be back. Nothing, oh, there's nothing I love more than, of course, talking about,

weight loss, but actually talking to our members who've been through the program and finding more out about them and their journey. And I always say it's one thing to hear from me. It's a whole other thing to hear from someone else who's been through the journey. My guest today is Katie Hill, and she is the perfect member to start with today. Of course, she has struggled with weight most of her life. She got signed up for Weight Watchers when she was like 11 or 12. She's done all the things. She actually signed up for our program way back in fall 2020. She is now down 45 pounds, but there was a time where she had lost 40 pounds and then hit like a 15-month plateau. So she's been through all of the fields.

Let's not waste another minute. Here is Katie. hi i'm such a huge hi i'm such a huge fan i follow you on instagram i i follow you on instagram but it it would seem like you have been on there forever sharing and this is not true you sharing on instagram is something new for you yeah i mean i've been sharing on instagram but not about the livy method so like i dabbled in a youtube channel i've blog like i've done those things but sharing about my journey is is definitely new yeah and you you share some pretty personal stuff on there yeah i try to keep it real like what other way is there to be

you know i love that okay this is all about you today in your journey um when you tell people about the living method how would you explain it i have life changing honestly i think i get tongue time when people when people ask me like I I don't always know what to say because it's hard to explain how much what it's done for me and it's hard to even sum it up in a sentence like it's about weight loss but it's also about eating well and taking care of yourself and filling your own cup and just all the things that you need to do in order to like live a good life and live well and it's it's really hard to explain i think i try to just show them yeah and and nine programs someone might say to you well nine programs you're still doing that program what what do you

say to people who you know might suggest that like that's a long time or what do you why you're still doing that yeah i you know like i do i do get comments like what like you don't need to you're fine like you're good you don't need to lose any more weight and I I say thank you but also I I have a goal and a vision in my head and I'm not there yet and that's the only that's what keeps me going like so I'll just keep doing programs as many as it takes and I'll get there I'll get to what I envision my life to be so you're 45 pounds down now and your goal is around 55 yeah I think so Like, I, you know, I've never, I'm skinnier than I've ever been as an adult. So I don't really know, like, if 10 more pounds is going to be, is going to do it?

Is that where I vision? Am I going to pause and then maybe just focus on strength training and like toning and things like that? Or am I going to want to keep going? Like, I still, I finish every program and I feel like I have still more to learn and more to do and more to practice. And so I don't really know. I don't know. But yeah, the next 10 pounds is the goal right now. Okay, let's go back and start.

So you started gaining weight around age four or five. How did you know? I think it's just like looking back at pictures. I just feel like, oh, I'm, I mean, I was always the taller kid. Like, you know, I'm tall. And then I was like, oh, yeah, like I'm just starting to get chubby, like, for lack of a better word. Like, I don't even like to say that about my child self. but um and i so i just felt like i just i noticed the difference and then yeah i just continued to kind

of like gain weight and really struggle with body image and my confidence and you know i have similar experiences to a lot of people with bullying and exclusion and just you know a tough childhood in in that regard and just never felt comfortable in my body my whole my whole life Do you ever, like, give some thought as to why you might have had a weight issue when you were younger? Yeah, I think, like, I just, I wasn't a super active kid. Like, I wasn't, I've always been a reader. Like, reading is my thing. I'm a librarian.

Like, I love books. So I would just be maybe not active. And then I was also really musical. So my hobbies were piano and anything music related. And then I did, like, girl guides and things like that. So I wasn't like the sport. kid. So I think that that maybe was a big part of it, just like not being active. But other than that, like, I don't have a strong reasoning. Like, there's lots of kids who are maybe not active

who also don't have weight issues. So I'm not sure. So what I find about it, you are so young. You are 36 years old. And yet you have a story like many of our members who I've spoken to who who honestly have just been a lot older where you too started dieting with your mom at like 11 or 12 doing Weight Watchers and counting points looking back at that do you did you do you do you think yeah I had a weight issue and I mean I think when our when our when our parents did that and that's not my experience with my mom but I was interestingly enough at the event last night I met a wonderful mother daughter team I'm going to call them and be very talking about how the mom had signed up her daughter at Weight Watchers, but that that was all

she knew and that's what they were told work. So looking back, do you think that you had a weight issue when you started? Yeah, like I think from my point, like I was maybe the same, the same size as my mom, even though I was 13 and she was, you know, in her 40s. So I think from that aspect, I did. And I just knew, like I had such low confidence and just struggles with body like I so desperately wanted to be one of the skinny pretty girls like that that was my like that's all I wanted as a child and to fit in and to be liked and you know to have to have the boys that I have a crush on to have a crush on me back you know like those those things and I that all just came with like oh if I was skinny that would be the answer to all my problems right so I think

that that's kind of where it started and then you know my mom I think also maybe struggled like I didn't have those conversations at the time and and now my mom's passed away so I still can't have those conversations so that's a big piece of my my journey too but then my dad was diagnosed with type two diabetes and then that kind of came into our lives and then um it was all about counting carbs so I got right on that bandwagon too I was like oh like if my dad needs to do this to lose weight maybe I'll try it too so I've been reading nutrition labels since I was 15 like I understand net carbs and you subtract the fiber and like all of that. Like I understand all of that.

And I think it just got to the point where then I was also wanting to diet, but then also wanting to keep eating all the junk food like my friends. And then that added in a lot of like guilt and shame and emotional eating too of like, I'm going to eat all this stuff in secret. I'm not comfortable starving and depriving myself. I get super hungry. so then I'll just binge on, you know, chocolates and things like that and hide the wrappers. And there was just a lot, like a lot of emotional eating too that I've had to work through.

And it's, you know, it's just been, it's been a lot. It's been a big journey. 30 years of like eating one way. Like that's the other reason. Like nine programs. It's not enough. Like three years is not enough to undo 30 years of past behavior. Yeah.

Especially when it goes deep. So let's talk about your journey. with the program. Like, where were you at when you started your first program? Yeah, so I was about 10 months postpartum. So my daughter was, yeah, a baby. And I could already tell that she loved food. Like, she was a good eater.

She still is a great eater. And she's almost four. So I, that was kind of my first thing. And I was like, well, you know, it kind of has to start with me. I, you know, I gained all the baby weight. I was at my highest weight that I'd ever been at. So I was like, okay, well, we'll start with me. I'll start eating better and also learn about nutrition and learn about healthy eating

so that maybe my daughter won't have the same path that I had. I don't want that for her. I want her to have a different relationship with food and her bodies. So that kind of started my journey. And I did sign up for like weight watchers. And I did it for a couple weeks. And then I went to visit a friend. And she looked great.

And I was like, what are you doing? and she told me about your program and the fall program it was like the fall of 2022 had already started so she gave me her book and i kind of did it you know like on the side um and obviously started to feel great and saw results and was learning also about healthy eating for the first time really ever um and so signed up for the winter program in 2023 and then that's kind of that was my, you know, first official program and then here we are. So that was the start of my journey. And so nine programs in.

When did, when did you find the, when did you get into your groove? Was your, like, what was your first program experience like compared to maybe your, your current program experience? Yeah, like, so it took a couple. Like, I, that first year, the first full year, like, and I know, you've said, before like give yourself a year so I gave myself that whole like 2023 and I that's when I lost my 40 pounds and I felt really good and I got into my group and I got into the habits and you know the routine of everything and I learned all the information and I read all the posts and like I did

all the things and then that started my like 15 month plateau of not being able to to get past the 40 pounds. And in that time, it was, you know, I'd gone back to work after having my daughter. And I wasn't really, like, loving my position. So my ex-partner, now ex-partner, like, we were having struggles. Like, that was a big, big stress thing. So, like, I'm trying to balance my career. I'm trying to be a parent. I'm trying to navigate a toxic relationship. Like, no wonder that I was on a plateau. But at the time, I didn't, I didn't understand it. I was doing all the things. the emotional, I was trying to work through the emotional eating part because, you know, I was going to work and not enjoying my job. So then on my lunch break, I was going to the dollar

store and getting chocolate and candy thinking that like that was going to be the fix to like get me through the day. And then it was a whole like mental struggle between this is the program and I want to follow it and I'm doing all these things. But then I'm also adding in the junk food and the and the not so great habits. And and my body was just like, Like, yeah, we're not losing weight now. Like, we can't, we can't. We're trying to just navigate whatever you're throwing at us. So that was that whole, like, I almost like the messy middle of my weight loss journey as a whole was that, that whole 15-month plateau where I was just trying to like figure out what was going on.

Did you, did you recognize that in the moment? Well, first of all, I think it's incredible that you didn't gain, gain weight back. Like, there are, there was, there are moments when, yes, of course, you. want to lose weight, you're on a weight loss program, but given what's going on in your life, just the fact that you're not actually gaining weight is like a big deal. So for you to lose 40 pounds, be able to maintain that. But so many people, I think it's almost like you can't see the forest from the tree situation. Did you recognize that while you were in it? Because then you kept sticking, sticking around, which I think is like amazing. I don't think I did until I was

like maybe at the year mark, like I was starting to come out of it. And I think that's kind when I realized that like I have been doing all the things. So yeah, I'm not losing. I'm not gaining. That's also great. Like that was my goal. I was like, maybe this program's not working. Maybe my body's had enough. Maybe I need to try counting calories. Maybe I need to not eat so often. Like I was like, do I try something else? Right. Like, and I just kept coming back to you. And I kept coming back to the program. And I kept thinking, like, no, like, I'm just, I just need Gina in my life. I'm going to follow as much as I can. Like, this is the way.

I know that this can work. And I think listening to some of the guest experts and, you know, managing sleep and stress like Atlanta and just everyone, all the other components, right? I saw a natural path. I thought maybe there's other things going on, right? Like maybe it's not just about the food. So like let's start to think about everything else. And that's kind of when I started to think about my mantra, which I still even was using today, is like, get out of your head and into your body. I was like, I think I'm just in my head too much.

I think I need to like just what's going on in my body. Oh, I'm stressed. Oh, I'm not actually hungry and I'm eating. Like it's all of that. And then once I started to tune into that, that's, I think when I kind of came out of my messy middle plateau, real. the situation I was in, separated from my partner, moved out, started over in this like June just passed, and like that and then two weeks after I decided to separate is when my plateau broke. And I was like, oh, okay. Here we are. Let's hear from our sponsor today. It's

bomb us. It's a feel-good company. My goodness, fall is here. Kids are back to school, vacations. Let's not even talk about that. But I'm still out golfing and my Bambas socks there with me every round because they're so comfortable. It's like walking on pillows. And they actually look good too. Comfort and style. All in one. Love that.

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That's what you call real impact. So treat yourself this fall. Go to bombus.ca slash the Livy method and use the code Livy, L-I-V-Y, for 20% off your first purchase. Well, I mean, 40 pounds is a lot to lose. it does take your body time. I talk to so many people are like, oh, I lost weight and then I had a long plateau. I'm like, that's great. Like, staying on a plateau and helping your body adjust to your weight, like that is super valuable. Like, that's going to help you be able to maintain and sustain

your weight. But I just, I have such mad respect for you. You know, obviously I don't want people coming back or doing more programs than they need. But, you know, this is a healthy way to lose weight for so many reasons. And that's not just me saying, like, we've studied the living method, the research and the science behind it is there. But it's so hard because I think what you're saying or what you've been through is what a lot of our members are even experiencing now for themselves. So frustrating can't see it. I spoke to a woman the other day who was like, well, just my weight isn't moving. And I'm doing all the things. I'm following 100%. And then when I got into talking about her life, she was dealing with some really big things. And, you know, there are some things she

could still do like add in supplements or whatever and it just it just makes sense but does it make sense to you obviously it does now looking back yeah yeah it definitely makes sense now and I think coming into this program I was like okay I've spent the last three years learning like my brain doesn't need more content now's the time for just action and like doing like actually doing the work doing the program doing the tweaks not giving up like down Downsizing and, you know, when we have to split up our meals and snacks are my most challenging weeks. Downsizing because, you know, I'm still learning in my 30s how to feel uncomfortable feelings. And it's uncomfortable to feel uncomfortably hungry, like not hungry but not full.

Like it's that, you know, that discomfort is new to me. But I'm like, I have to lean into it this week. And already just, you know, a day and a half of it, like my skill is going. down i'm almost back to my like 45 you know my like program low so i'm like okay like this is my body just it needs less food i need to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable that is just what has to happen because that's where you see growth and that that's where you see change you mean that's what our conversation with dr dina caris shaper was about today and now y'all if you missed it it is definitely when you want to put on your your must watch list before

Was it, was it, was it, was it a matter of like capacity, like with everything that you've been through and you were dealing with or were you, do you see now, like, were you actually doing the things that you were doing now? Yeah, I think capacity was a hard part of it. And I think I put a lot to just like on autopilot. Like, I think there was, some of those middle programs, it was that whole like, I know what I need to do. And I didn't. And I was so preoccupied with. other things that eating was just on autopilot and mindless and I wasn't paying attention really. So, you know, I was just, I, I'd become very in tune. Like, that is one thing I've

learned in three years. Like, I know when I'm full. I know when I've had enough. I know when I'm hungry. I know when I'm not. But I have to listen. So like actually taking a pause and listening, that's the game changer for round nine is to. like pay attention like don't be so distracted about everything and I think I'm in a place where I can I am less distracted by everything else that's going on in my life I'm happier I'm just like more able to dedicate mental space and also take away some mental energy and just do the thing yeah and I think that's something we don't talk enough about like yes people were motivated to sign up but then things are happening in their life that are going on as much as

they want it so badly, they might not have the capacity to do all the things. So just doing some of the things is good enough. Just, just watching the guest expert segments and literally doing nothing about anything can be enough, right? Like, it's just recognizing what you need in the moment, but a lot easier said than done. I'm reading here in my notes that you weren't really all that engaged with the community in the program when you started. You're more of a private kind of person.

Yeah. And, you know, I think that's a lot. Like I, I am someone who I struggle to ask for help. I'm, you know, I'm an independent. I'm fiercely independent, almost too independent type of person. But, you know, I would reach out when I really needed to. I would say it was also like I've all, so I've up until recently had this voice in my head that like or this limiting belief that I like to say that. that nobody really cared what I had to say and that my voice didn't matter. I was just like one of a few. And I mean, now here I am and thousands are hearing my story and obviously my voice matters. So it's like a very big moment for me. But I just was like, you know what? People do want to know my story because even the little bits I would share, people would reach out and say thank you for sharing. So I just leaned into that.

And I no longer had someone in my life who was also acting like what I said didn't matter. So here I am, like, able to just share. And I still, you know, the Facebook community is still, like, not my go-to. Like, I just love Instagram. So that is where I show up. And that is where I share. And I've gotten to know more community members that way. And, you know, other people, too, who, like, you know, I think it's like the video aspect.

I just would rather, like, talk than type. But, yeah, I think the community is really, it is really special and it's really important. And I think it has helped me, like, keep going and continue for it. And the more I share, the more I want to share. So I love that. And you can follow Katie. Katie totally booked because you're a librarian. Yes.

Did you read any books that you thought were super helpful throughout this journey? I read Sandra Alia's book. So that was really helpful too. And atomic habits. Like, I stand by you. Like, that is, hands down, the most beneficial book. Like, anything about habits or, like, the tiny habits one that Dr. Dina mentioned this morning, too, is great. So those books, like, just anything, anything that's going to just challenge the way you think or give you new ideas or, like, tell you how to get stuff done.

There is a good one by John Acoph, too, like, how to meet. I forget the title. but, you know, there's lots of good books out there. Any book is great. Well, 45 pounds down is hugely successful. What would you accredit if you were to like, tell me in a sentence, what was the secret to your success? Time. I think I've learned that anything worth having doesn't happen overnight.

You have to give yourself time. You have to, it takes time to change, and you have to just give. yourself time and space to do things like I do think that we're very used to instant gratification and that's just like not the case with healthy weight loss so I'd rather have spent three years and be where I am today than have not spent that time and be who knows where so yeah time what what's the thing you're most proud of with doing the program I think just that I keep going that I feel so confident in where I'm going even if I can't explain it or show it to people like it's in my mind I have such a clear vision of what I want my life to look and feel like

and only I will know when I get there and I'll just keep going and I'm just I'm very grateful for you and I'm very grateful for the program in this community because it has it has changed my life completely in a way that I never would have imagined it to and like I I don't know where I would be without it. I'm definitely in a better place with it. It's interesting that you say that because I always say to people, it will be life changing, but not in the way you think. Yeah.

And so what way was it life changing for you? I think it's the whole, it's the mindfulness aspect. Like I don't think I realized like how much of my life, maybe I was living on autopilot or I wasn't being my, and I wasn't in tune with myself and my needs and my interests and my body. Like, I just wasn't paying attention to myself at all. And your program just teaches you to check in. It teaches you to pay attention to what's going on.

Just from that simple, like, checking in on the scale every morning. Like, I know some people don't like the scale. And I, you know, I don't always like it either. But it is a point to, like, check in and it's data. And I think that's kind of, you know, just so important. And that's probably what I've learned the most. I think that was your question. I totally lost.

No, that's great. Favorite guest, if you were to pick one, this one. You know, I really like Dr. Dina. I think she doesn't get maybe as much credit and love as like some of the others. But I love learning. And I really do think that you have to understand. learning and you have to know how you learn best in order to be successful at this program. So it's learning what works for you.

You know, I tried the journal. I lasted a couple weeks. It's like, that's not for me. That's not the way it goes. Like, you have to try and then try again and just see what happens. Like, everything is an experiment until you find what sticks and works. Well, I'll skip the journal question because I know the answer to that. Did you work out?

Did you work out? what was something that you added that's new that you're new to your routine or habits that you weren't doing before that you think is a bit of a game changer? I've started just adding in a bit more like hit cardio. So, you know, I've kind of dabbled in multiple areas, just walking. I've done some strength training. I've done Pilates. But recently I felt like I think I need to like raise my heart rate up a bit more. I did try running for a season. And I think I would go back to running maybe when my daughter's older when maybe it's a bit easier to leave the house and not sure um but for right now like just adding in some like interval like high intensity training and also i mean i'll shout out to

impromptu dance parties because if you just need five minutes to raise your heart rate like just put on a dance song and like that'll do that i love that if you were to give um three tips like to dos like you must do these three things what would it be um Attention. Like don't go on autopilot. Don't check out when you're eating. Pay attention to, you know, your choose and and just check in, check in with your body. That's the only way that you're going to be able to answer those four questions is if you're actually like paying attention. Not eating at night. I've gone on and off of that. Like I understand it's very challenging. I paid attention just in the last week of the difference that it makes and it makes a huge. difference. So I'm converted. Like eating at night is not worth it. So just skip that. And just get clear on what you want. Like if it's a number, you have to have that clear image in your mind. You have to have that strong why. Like you always say you have to have a strong why. It has to be more than just like wanting to look nice in a photo. It has to be like tied to you and I have an

emotional tie, you know, mine's related to my daughter and my family and just wanting to be a healthy mom for as long as possible. And like that, that has to be strong because that's what's going to carry you through nine rounds and a 15 month plateau. I love that emotional tie. Speaking of nine rounds, you've been through downsizing a few times. What is your advice for our members? Maybe it's their first time. Maybe they're a returning member advice for making it through downsizing. Just lean in. Don't shed away from the discomfort. Lean into it. Like you'll actually learn, like I'm learning, that I actually prefer my body and how I feel when I'm just a little bit hungry versus how I am when I'm a little bit full. Like it feels better. I feel lighter and I like

that. So I think just allow the feeling. Feel the feelings. Allow it. Get mad if you need to. Phone a friend and complain, but, like, you can do it. And it's just seven days and we can do it. That's brilliant advice. Before we go, so you've got about 10 pounds, give or take to go. How are you feeling about not just losing your weight and reaching your goal, but maintenance? Like, where are you at with all of that? I'm excited. I haven't thought too much about maintenance other than I know, I know I can do it. And like you've said, like, it's because I've taken so long and because I've had a plateau and I've maintained my weight through stressful time.

So I'm not, I'm not worried that I won't be able to maintain it. But I also try not to future trip. So I haven't thought too much about maintenance when I get there, then I'll think about it. But for now, like I still feel like I have more weight to lose. So we're staying on that, on that train. Well, I love that. I'm here for you. And I would love to follow up and have you back on again because we really truly do care about what you have to say. And you've shared some really good tidbits with us today.

Here's Rainie. Katie, my friend, I'm just so proud of you. You're beautiful and I'm excited for this new chapter for you. I'm excited too. Can we just pull up Katie's Instagram handle one more time if people want to give her a follow? It's Katie totally booked. Katie, it's not an easy thing to get up here in front of thousands and thousands of people and share your story. I think it was the perfect share to start our spill-the-tee journeys with. And I appreciate you so much for coming on. Thank you so much for having me, Gina. Thank you.

Oh, my goodness. I seriously follow her. I love her updates and her shares. And if you're not following us over on Instagram, we do have a Libby Luser account that is all community content, also some tips that we're sharing as well. It's a great opportunity to connect with some of our members. Like Katie says, she loves spending time on Instagram.

And if you're spending a lot of time on Instagram, it's a great idea to connect with other members. Downsizing this week, I think, between Katie and Dr. Dina Kara Schaefer offered some great advice. It is about being a little uncomfortable, stepping a little outside of your comfort zone. That's where you learn. That is where you grow. Tomorrow, Kyle Buchanan is going to join me. I'm smiling because I always love my conversations with him. We're going to talk about anxiety.

he himself has been through his own weight journey and he's like the guru of everything health and wellness so it's always a fun conversation with him so i hope you join me then thank you for joining me live today or anyone who's watching you're listening after the fact i hope you have a great rest of your day and i'll see you tomorrow