Ever fail achieving a goal and then just want to forget about it? In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I take the traditional approach to goal-setting and turn it on its head in favor of diving into what really matters: flexibility and authenticity. I opened up about my own journey—setting big, ambitious goals, only to realize that the real growth came when I allowed myself to change course. Let me challenge you to rethink how you’re setting goals. Are they truly in line with who you are today? We’ll explore the power of behavior-based goals—where daily actions, not just outcomes, take center stage. This shift can transform your sense of accomplishment, keeping you motivated and grounded in the present. I’ll share how releasing the pressure to achieve unrealistic expectations can lead to building sustainable habits and embracing change without the weight of guilt. After all, it’s Read More . . .

“Motivation is not merely a fleeting spark but a flame we can tend to.”  Join me as I dive into the intricate realm of sustaining motivation, navigating its fickle nature, and discovering the tools to keep it burning bright even on the darkest days.  Through shared experiences and proven strategies, this episode will empower you to conquer slumps and find delight in the journey. Unpacking the potency of profound emotions and cherishing seemingly small victories, you will learn practical tools to fuel your drive while chasing your aspirations. I also want to give a big shout-out to all of you who have been on this journey with me throughout this goal-setting series. Your continuous drive to push forward, celebrate victories, and believe in yourselves is both inspiring and empowering.  It’s worth remembering that it’s not solely the attainment of your goals that matters, but the joy and fulfillment derived from Read More . . .

What if the major roadblocks hindering your progress are not your capabilities but the myths surrounding goal-setting you’ve subscribed to? Join me, as we debunk common misconceptions about goal setting, especially those that might be wreaking havoc in your midlife transition.  Together, we’ll uncover the truths and reshape our perspective towards setting goals – those that are not only achievable but also fulfilling. Let’s move away from the overwhelming belief of making sweeping changes all at once or solely relying on willpower, and instead, focus on making small yet sustainable changes that harmonize with your current life situation. Are you ready to challenge the widely held beliefs that often trap us in a cycle of frustration and disappointment? Tune in as I share insights and practical strategies for setting goals that align with who you are and the unique circumstances of your life.  I explore the importance of setting realistic Read More . . .

Here’s a powerful notion to consider: What if falling short of your goal was the best thing that could happen to you?  In this episode, I recount the highs and lows of the past year, celebrating the podcast milestones and embracing the detours, like rebranding and unforeseen setbacks.  If your expectations are tied to societal norms, let’s shake them up a bit. Personal freedom is at the core of our discussion as we wade through the waters of change and personal growth. I reassess my goals and champion the idea of embracing life’s imperfections. So, prepare yourself, the journey to personal growth isn’t about perfection but more about resilience in the face of adversity.  Lastly, I have a heart-to-heart about celebrating small behavioral victories over grand end goals. It’s easy to get disheartened when we don’t meet our lofty goals, but what if we shift our focus to smaller, more Read More . . .

They say that a goal without a plan is a wish. When we decide that we want to lose weight, run a 5k, or even do something as simple as eating healthier, we know what we want, but often, we don’t spend the time to figure out how it’s going to get done. Sometimes, we think about accomplishing something, and although the idea of having that thing is appealing, we don’t want to do the work to make it happen. But when something IS important, something that we really really want, a little bit of forethought can really help to aid in success. In this episode, you’ll learn how to set goals, and then follow through using the obstacles and barriers that perceive to make us successful. What you’ll Learn from this Episode Listen to the Full Episode: Featured on the Show: Full Episode Transcript: You are listening to the Read More . . .

Are you tired of feeling like you’re constantly at war with food? Do you find yourself overeating, only to feel guilty afterward? In this episode, I reveal a simple but transformative approach to eating: learning how to ‘eat just enough.’ This practice has not only changed my life but has helped countless clients break free from the cycle of dieting and guilt. You’ll discover how to enjoy all your favorite foods while maintaining a healthy weight, without ever needing to diet again. And you will not feel restricted or deprived We’ll explore why traditional diets set you up for failure and why willpower alone isn’t the answer. I’ll introduce you to a powerful tool that helps you tune in to your body’s hunger signals, so you can stop relying on external rules about when or how much to eat. By learning to eat just enough, you can master the delicate Read More . . .

Do you ever feel like your body is working against you as you get older?  As we enter midlife, it’s common to face challenges in our health that can leave us feeling stuck or frustrated. Whether it’s unexplained weight gain, fatigue, or the overwhelming task of managing stress while balancing work, family, and personal health goals, the journey can feel isolating.  In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, we’re diving deep into the tools and strategies that can help you take back control of your health. From understanding how hormones impact our bodies to finding sustainable ways to manage stress, I’ll guide you through practical steps that are rooted in science and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.  If you’ve been feeling like your body is changing in ways you can’t keep up with, or if you’ve struggled to find a balance between your health and Read More . . .

Ever wondered why you can’t stop eating even when you’re not hungry?  The truth might shock you! Discover the surprising reasons behind your overeating habits and how simple environmental tweaks can turn your eating patterns around. In this eye-opening episode, I dive into the hidden factors influencing your food choices—like the shape of your glasses and the size of your plates—that secretly encourage you to eat more than you intended. I’ll reveal how small, yet powerful changes can help you gain control over your eating habits without feeling restricted. Learn how to set up your environment for success with tricks that make mindful eating easier and more intuitive. From clever plate tricks to optimizing the visibility of healthy foods, I share the secrets to effortlessly managing your intake and achieving your health goals. Tune in to find out how these simple adjustments can make a huge difference in your daily Read More . . .

What if I told you that your struggle with overeating has nothing to do with willpower? In this episode of the Total Health and Midlife Podcast, I dive deep into the real reasons behind overeating, unraveling the myth that it’s simply about being “good” with food. Through personal stories and expert insights, I reveal why diets often fail and why we keep falling into the same patterns, despite our best efforts. But this isn’t just another episode about dieting—I introduce a radically different approach that doesn’t involve giving up the foods you love. Instead, I challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with food, focusing on understanding and unlearning the habits that have been setting them up for failure. If you’re tired of the constant battle with food and looking for a sustainable way to change your eating habits without guilt or shame, this episode offers a breakthrough perspective that could Read More . . .

Have you ever wondered why, despite your best efforts, your health goals seem just out of reach? In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I dive into the often-overlooked hidden eating habits that can sabotage our progress. I explore eight common yet sneaky habits, like eating snacks while driving home from the grocery store or constantly going back for seconds after meals. These seemingly minor actions can have a surprisingly significant impact on our overall health. I share my personal experience of breaking free from these habits, highlighting how small changes have transformed my relationship with food and overall wellness. My stories and insights provide a relatable and eye-opening perspective, and I encourage you to reflect on your own behaviors.  What hidden habits might be holding you back from achieving your health goals? By becoming aware of these everyday behaviors, you can take the first step towards Read More . . .

Why does midlife weight loss often feel like an impossible quest?  Join me as I explore the real reasons behind this struggle. In this eye-opening episode, I discuss the unique challenges faced during this life stage, such as time constraints, stress, emotional well-being, and the fear of losing social connections.  Instead of the typical diet-and-exercise rhetoric, I share powerful stories from women who have successfully navigated these barriers, demonstrating how a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, and emotional health can lead to sustainable results. Listen in to discover practical strategies that seamlessly integrate into your busy life, promoting lasting wellness and fulfillment. In this episode, I focus on managing stress and emotional health, highlighting techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and finding joyful activities. I dive into the impact of emotional eating and how to develop healthier coping strategies, such as journaling and hobbies.  Learn about the benefits of intuitive Read More . . .

Could over-exercising and poor sleep habits be the hidden saboteurs of your energy levels?  This episode uncovers the myriad factors that could be draining your vitality, with a special focus on midlife women. I dive into personal experiences and share actionable insights on how to identify root causes like low iron levels, inadequate calorie intake, and even over-exercising.  We kick off by emphasizing the critical role of sleep, explaining how stress, anxiety, and blue light exposure can wreak havoc on your nightly rest. Along the way, I provide practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene and create a more restful environment, setting the stage for reclaiming your energy and improving your overall well-being. From recognizing the signs of over-exercising to addressing poor dietary habits, this episode covers it all. I highlight how consuming processed foods and lacking essential nutrients can leave you feeling fatigued, emphasizing the importance of listening to Read More . . .

Ever find yourself struggling to stick to healthy habits despite knowing their benefits?  In this episode, I uncover the secrets to making healthier choices with less effort by focusing on the concept of reducing friction. Listen in as I explore the small obstacles that make sticking to health plans challenging and share practical strategies to remove these barriers.  I’ll discuss the motivational triad and how our brains are wired to seek immediate pleasure, making habit formation difficult. By addressing our internal dialogue and the simple reasons behind our resistance—like convenience, time constraints, and discomfort—we can create a smoother path to achieving our health goals. I also tackle common hurdles in maintaining healthy habits such as staying hydrated and meal prepping. Learn how keeping water accessible and using partial prep techniques can simplify cooking and make healthy eating more manageable.  Additionally, discover how making healthy snacks more visible and accessible can Read More . . .

Welcome back to another enlightening session of the Total Health in Midlife podcast where I, your host Elizabeth Sherman, share transformative strategies for aligning your actions with your health goals.  Today’s discussion unpacks the crucial technique of deciding ahead of time, a revelation that’s been instrumental in my coaching and personal life. Listen in as we explore the gap between intention and action and why it’s not a matter of discipline, but about understanding the subconscious objections that prevent us from following through with our health habits. Have you ever found yourself wondering why the fitness plans you set with so much enthusiasm often crumble? It’s not uncommon to overestimate our future motivation, and that’s why our conversation today is centered around building self-trust through realistic and adaptable planning.  Join me as we emphasize the significance of flexibility, enjoyment, and starting small in creating a sustainable health routine. We also Read More . . .

Have you ever felt at war with your own reflection?  Join me as we step into the emotional battleground of body image and acceptance, with a focus on the midlife experience. This episode is a heart-to-heart about the conflicting messages we receive on self-worth and physical appearance, dissecting how societal expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy, and offering a compassionate space to explore these complex emotions.  From personal anecdotes to the wider societal context, we navigate the intricacies of body neutrality, body positivity, and the Health at Every Size movement, providing a supportive backdrop for listeners facing similar journeys. Amidst the pressures of looking a certain way, especially during midlife, can we find peace with our changing bodies? Our conversation reveals the harsh realities of fatphobia but also unpacks the liberating philosophies that can lead us to self-compassion.  As we dive into the paradoxes of striving for change while Read More . . .

Ever find yourself standing at life’s crossroads, overwhelmed by the buffet of choices laid out before you? Joining us on this journey through the labyrinth of decision-making is the insightful Kimberly Mathis, who pivoted her career from therapy to coaching.  Now, she’s here to guide us with her lantern of wisdom. We kick things off by dissecting decision fatigue, those sneakily impactful choices that shape our daily routines, and the significance of aligning our actions with our deepest values—even when life throws us curveballs. If you’ve ever felt the weight of societal expectations crushing your health and fitness goals, you’ll find solace and strategy in our candid discussion. We tackle the cultural pressures women face, urging us to play multifaceted roles while maintaining an often unrealistic health regimen.  Together, we uncover how to redefine success on a personal level and discuss why neurodivergent individuals might face distinct challenges in crafting Read More . . .

Imagine being able to unravel the intricate layers of commitment to your own health, and actually understand how to convert that understanding into a life-transforming action. Just picture it, this episode is your guide to taking bold steps toward purposeful living and well-being, moving beyond the conventional notions of diet and exercise.  I’ll expose the hidden obstacles that could be hindering your health commitment and equip you with effective strategies to overcome them.  Let’s dive into the essence of commitment and how it affects various aspects of our lives, especially health. I’ll consider the different levels of commitment from the lack of it to expecting results without putting in effort.  I also learn about the invaluable role of a health coach and how to attain a balance where health bolsters every other aspect of your life. Not only will I discuss how the powerful 10-scale tool can help you evaluate Read More . . .

My journey from a health professional battling with my own vices to someone who preaches wellness wasn’t an overnight transformation. It began with a heart-wrenching wake-up call during my mother’s illness and led me down a path of discovery—realizing that knowledge alone isn’t enough to foster the change we seek.  That’s why we’re unwrapping the complex layers that lie between understanding health and living it, highlighting the indispensable role of personalized coaching. By sharing my own experiences, I aim to illuminate how tailored insights and accountability can revolutionize our approach, turning information into action for a healthier, more fulfilling life. This episode isn’t just about what to do; it’s about setting goals that resonate and creating a vision that sticks. We dissect the SMART framework to show how effective goal-setting can lead to remarkable achievements when aligned with personal values.  As we explore the need for regular check-ins and customized Read More . . .

What happens when the invincibility of youth starts to fade, and the reality of aging and health decline sets in? Can men truly embrace self-care and emotional vulnerability as they cross over the age of 40?  Join us as we navigate these thought-provoking questions with the unique insights of our esteemed guest, Craig Spear, a renowned men’s health and weight loss coach.  Craig Spear, once a professional athlete and now a passionate advocate for men’s health, shares his journey and his mission to help men, particularly those over 40. He dives into his experiences of creating inclusive gym environments and explores the emotional pain and fears many men face that lead them to seek help.  With Craig’s expert guidance, we uncover the obstacles around self-care and emotional engagement, offering pragmatic advice on overcoming these hurdles. This deep-dive conversation unravels the complexities around defining optimal health and how it varies for Read More . . .