More Than the Scale: The 80% Rule & Progress Dashboard That Actually Deliver Results

Send us a textMost people think weight loss is about calories, macros, and workouts — but the truth is, it’s your emotions that make or break your progress.In this solo episode, I open up about the emotional side of weight loss and why managing guilt, frustration, and self-criticism is just as important as managing your nutrition or training plan.I share real stories from my clients: 💡 Samia, who learned to celebrate her steps and consistency instead of chasing perfection, and 💪 Ingrid, who’s realizing that progress means doing more of what she loves — not just weighing less.You’ll learn my simple 4-step emotional mastery framework — Notice, Name, Neutralize, Next Step — to help you turn self-judgment into self-awareness and move forward without starting over.We’ll also talk about:Why emotions derail consistency more than knowledgeHow to stop comparing yourself to your “old” selfThe power of 80% consistency (and why perfection kills progress)How to celebrate emotional wins that the scale can’t measureBecause the real transformation happens when you stop fighting your emotions — and start learning from them.🎯 Action Steps: 1️⃣ Celebrate one small emotional win this week — like choosing a walk instead of guilt. 2️⃣ Share this episode with a friend who’s been too hard on themselves lately. 3️⃣ Explore my free resources and coaching options at 👉 personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textReady for a reset you can actually stick to? In this episode, I walk you through the first 14 days of my 8-week challenge starting October 6—the same simple system I use to help busy women get results without extremes. We’ll focus on 80% consistency, not perfection and I’ll show you exactly what to do in Weeks 1–2 plus how to track progress so the scale doesn’t boss you around.What you’ll learnWeek 1 (simple & repeatable): • Full-body strength 2×/week (30–45 min) • 25–30 g protein at breakfast • ~50,000 steps/week (~7k/day average) • 2 anchor nights of 7.5–8 h sleepWeek 2 (small add-ons): • Mobility snacks (10 min × 2) • Fiber 25–30 g/day (4–6 servings produce) • Recovery habit (3–5 min breathwork) + realistic alcohol ceilingProgress Dashboard: weekly weight averages, waist measurements, and strength notes so you see real wins even when daily weight fluctuates.Proof it works: Samia’s –3 cm at the waist and Sanna’s –1.2 kg by applying this exact approach.Action step: Pick one habit (protein at breakfast, steps, or sleep) and hit it at 80% for the next 7 days. Track your weekly weight average + waist and DM me @personaltrainer_turo your scorecard.Join the challenge (starts Oct 6): Get a personalized plan, accountability, and coaching for 8 weeks. Save your spot here → personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textIn this solo episode, I break down why the scale is only one data point and often a misleading one. Daily weight swings (water, salt, cycle phase, hard workouts, sleep) can hide real progress. Instead of chasing perfection, I show you how to win with 80% consistency and a simple Progress Dashboard that tracks what actually moves the needle: weekly weight averages, waist measurements, strength performance, steps, protein, sleep, and more.You’ll learn:How to read weekly trends vs. single weigh-ins (and when not to weigh)The 80% rule: realistic habits that beat all-or-nothing plansWhat to include in your Progress Dashboard (leading + outcome metrics)A 7-point audit to troubleshoot slow progress (intake drift, protein gaps, NEAT, sleep, alcohol, cycle timing)Sustainable fat-loss pace: ~0.25–0.5% bodyweight/weekAction step: Pick one habit to hit at 80% this week (protein at breakfast, 8k steps, or 7 hours of sleep), track your weekly weight average + waist, and DM me your scorecard on Instagram so we can celebrate the win.Copy/Paste for IG/Show Notes: Weekly Progress ScorecardPick your 8 lead habits. Score each day 1/0. Aim ≥80% for the week.☐ Protein at each meal (≥25–30g at breakfast)☐ Steps (≥7–9k)☐ Strength training (2–3×/week)☐ Sleep (≥7h)☐ Fiber/produce (≥25–30g or 4–6 servings)☐ Alcohol ceiling (≤ X/week)☐ 3–5 min breathwork☐ Water (e.g., 2–3 L)Track outcomes weekly (not daily):Weekly weight average (3–5 weigh-ins → average)Waist/Hip measurements1–2 gym PRs (load/reps or push-up count)Energy/Mood (1–10)Pro tips:Weigh under consistent conditions; skip the morning after heavy training, travel, alcohol, or poor sleep.For cycles: compare follicular-phase averages month to month, not day to day.Celebrate 80% weeks—they compound faster than sporadic “perfect” days.Your challenge this week: Pick one lead habit to nail at 80%, track your weekly average weight + waist, and DM me your scorecard so I can cheer you on.

Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Heather Stone, a functional medicine practitioner with 20+ years of experience helping women navigate hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. We unpack why so many women have “normal” thyroid labs but still feel exhausted, foggy, or stuck with weight—and what to actually do about it.We cover:Thyroid 101: Hashimoto’s vs. hypothyroidism, and why TSH alone can miss the full pictureSmart testing: The useful panel (TSH, free T4, free T3, antibodies) and when to consider reverse T3, ferritin, Vitamin D, B12, and blood sugar markersIf it’s not Hashimoto’s… common “mimics” of thyroid symptoms (perimenopause, stress, poor sleep, low iron, unstable blood sugar)Nutrition that helps: Protein targets, simple blood-sugar wins, and how to experiment without going extremeTraining without crashing: How to strength train 2–3x/week and dose cardio when energy is lowSelf-advocacy: How to talk to your doctor if you feel dismissed, and practical next stepsThis is educational only—not medical advice. If you’ve felt unheard or confused by mixed messages, this conversation will help you build a plan you can actually follow.Links mentioned: Free Facebook Group Happy,Healthy & Lean: Women Overcoming Low Thyroid (126k members)Instagram: @drheatherstone & @personaltrainer_turoBook: Thyroid Transformation BlueprintIf this episode helps, share it with a friend—and if you’re ready for coaching support, you can explore options at personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textIn this episode, I share some exciting news—my podcast was recently recognized as one of the top nutrition and fitness podcasts! But here’s the truth: it didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of small, consistent steps taken over five years.And that’s exactly the lesson I want to pass on to you. When it comes to health and fitness, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about progress. One small win at a time.I’ll walk you through:Why the myth of overnight success is holding you back in fitness.How even simple swaps—like high-protein yogurt or drinking water before coffee—can add up.Client stories that show how small wins beat extreme diets every time.Why consistency, not perfection, creates lasting results.👉 This week, commit to one small win—whether that’s adding 1,000 steps, having protein at breakfast, or going to bed 15 minutes earlier. Remember, it’s the small actions that create the big transformations.If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and explore my coaching options at personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textHi, it’s Turo here. In this episode, I’m diving into something a little different: how culture shapes the way we eat, move, and think about health.Growing up in Finland, meals were quick, functional, and often tied to rules and restriction. Now living in Italy, I’ve experienced the complete opposite—meals as social events, daily movement built into life, and a guilt-free approach to enjoying food.I’ll share the biggest lessons I’ve learned from both cultures, from how Italians stay active without “working out,” to why their relationship with pasta looks nothing like the diet culture mindset in Northern Europe.If you’ve ever struggled with guilt around food or felt like exercise was just a box to check, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to build sustainable, balanced habits—no matter where you live.👉 Action step for you this week: Notice your own cultural defaults this week and try making one small shift toward more balance.If you need any help, check out my FREE Guides like individual workouts and coaching options: https://www.personaltrainerturo.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, I (Turo Virta) share my personal journey with alcohol—growing up with a dad who drank daily, going out every weekend in my 20s, and where I’m at now: only having a few drinks occasionally.For years we heard that moderate drinking might be good for you, maybe even protective for the heart. But newer, higher-quality studies tell a very different story. What seemed like “benefits” often came from healthier, more affluent people being compared to less healthy non-drinkers—not from alcohol itself.Here’s what we now know:The World Health Organization makes it clear: there is no safe level of alcohol use when it comes to health risks, especially cancer (WHO source).Harvard researchers also confirm that even light to moderate drinking increases risk of several cancers and may shorten life expectancy (Harvard source).In this episode, I break down:Why even “a glass of wine a day” isn’t harmless.The link between alcohol, cancer, brain health, and sleep.My own reflections on cultural drinking habits in Finland and Italy.Practical ways to be more intentional—like swapping in alcohol-free options or making social drinking the exception, not the norm.👉 I encourage you to reflect on your own relationship with alcohol. Try reducing or even better skipping it for a month and notice what changes. You´ll be surprised how your sleep, energy, mood and even cravings are improving.If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend who might need to hear it. Thank you so much for listening and if you have any questions or topics you would like me to answer, feel free to email me [email protected] 

Send us a textIn this episode of the FitMitTuro Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Ariana Hakman, founder of Luna Fit, to uncover how busy women can finally build a body they love—without restrictive diets, endless cardio, or food guilt.Ariana shares her journey from corporate finance burnout to creating a wellness brand that blends technology, nutrition, fitness, and community. We dive into the real reasons 50% of Americans are overweight, why quick fixes fail, and the 5 simple daily habits that can change your health for good—no matter how busy your life is.You’ll learn:The 5 health habits Ariana swears by for sustainable resultsHow to make progress when time and energy are limitedWhy sleep, hydration, and protein matter more than you thinkHow AI and personalized coaching can make healthy living easier than everWhether you’re struggling with consistency, fighting food guilt, or just want a simpler approach to fitness, this conversation will give you the tools and mindset shifts to get results that last.Check out Luna Fit and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @lunafituniverse and check out their website www.lunafit.com/ Explore my coaching options: personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textHave you ever felt like you need to “work off” what you ate—or that exercise is punishment for not being perfect? In this episode of the FitMitTuro Fitness Podcast, Turo Virta breaks down why this mindset keeps you stuck in guilt and inconsistency—and how to finally heal your relationship with exercise.You’ll learn why movement should be about building strength, confidence, and health—not burning calories or earning food—and discover five practical steps to shift from punishment to power:Stop using workouts to “earn” or “burn” foodRedefine what counts as exercise (yes, short walks count!)Train for how you want to feel, not just how you want to lookBuild a strength foundation with simple, full-body workoutsLet go of all-or-nothing thinking and focus on consistencyThis mindset shift will help you enjoy exercise, celebrate your body’s abilities, and create sustainable fitness habits—especially if you’re over 35 and ready to break free from the cycle of dieting and guilt.👉 Ready to rewrite your fitness story? Learn more about coaching: personaltrainerturo.com

Send us a textTired of chasing a smaller number on the scale—only to feel more exhausted, frustrated, and stuck? In this empowering episode, Turo Virta (@personaltrainer_turo) challenges the outdated fitness ideal of "shrinking" and offers a stronger, smarter path for women over 40.You’ll learn why focusing on getting stronger—not smaller—builds not only lean muscle and better metabolism, but also confidence, consistency, and body trust. Turo shares real-life client stories (like Skylar, who hit her goal weight and felt worse than ever), practical strength goals you can set, and how to finally ditch the guilt-driven cycle of dieting.🧠 Topics include: – Why weight loss doesn’t always lead to happiness – How strength training helps with metabolism, energy, and bone density – What strength-based goals actually look like (it’s not about 1-rep maxes) – How to reconnect with your body and feel strong in everyday life – The mindset shift that changes everything for women in midlife💪 If you’re ready to redefine success and build strength that lasts, this episode is for you.👉 Learn more or work with Turo: personaltrainerturo.comListen Episode with Skylar HERE