<script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Why Healthy Habits Don’t Stick After 40 (Even When You Know Better)", "description": "Healthy habits don’t stick after 40 because the issue isn’t willpower—it’s a plan built for perfect days. 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A Non-Diet Fix", "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#article", "headline": "Why Do I Overeat on Weekends? (And How to Fix It Without Diet Rules)", "description": "Weekends harder than weekdays? 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When routine drops, your brain defaults to convenience, reward, and connection—unless you add one small support that fits your weekend." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q2", "name": "Is weekend overeating a willpower problem or a routine problem?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-willpower-or-routine", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most of the time it’s a cue-and-routine problem, not willpower. Your environment changes (schedule, people, fatigue, alcohol), so your eating changes too." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q3", "name": "How do I stop the “Friday night starts the weekend spiral” thing?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-friday-night-spiral", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Treat Friday night like one moment, not a verdict on the whole weekend. Pre-decide one support (drink plan, veggie starter, protein-forward entrée) so dinner out doesn’t become a 48-hour sequel." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q4", "name": "What’s the first step if I don’t want to diet but I want weekends to feel better?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-first-step", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Start with observation, not restriction. Track one normal weekend with an Observation Log (time, what, why, and “will I remember this?”), then choose one tiny B-minus tweak for next weekend." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q5", "name": "How do I eat healthier on weekends when I don’t want a rigid plan?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-no-rigid-plan", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use flexible structure: one repeatable support that works in multiple situations. Pick one anchor (like a veggie starter when eating out or protein at your first meal) and keep it B-minus on purpose." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q6", "name": "Why do I snack all day on weekends?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-snack-all-day", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Weekend grazing is often under-eating real meals, fatigue, or emotional regulation. Try one real meal earlier, portion sit-down snacks, and ask whether you’re hungry—or tired, bored, or restless." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q7", "name": "Why do I crave “fun foods” more in perimenopause or menopause?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-perimenopause-cravings", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Midlife can bring more stress and sleep disruption, which can amplify cravings and lower patience for effort. Also, if weekdays are rigid, weekends become the release valve—so intentional treats and better recovery support matter." } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q8", "name": "How do I enjoy date night, brunch, or social events without feeling out of control?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-social-events", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Keep the ritual; add one support. Decide your anchor (veggie side, shared salad, protein-first), slow alcohol, and use a simple script like: “I’m here to enjoy this—not to recover from it tomorrow.”" } }, { "@type": "Question", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#q9", "name": "How do I reset after weekend overeating without starting over Monday?", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#faq-reset-without-monday", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Skip punishment; it fuels rebound. Reset with steady basics for 24–48 hours: hydrate, eat normal meals with protein and produce, walk gently, sleep earlier, and pick one tweak based on what drove your weekend." } } ] }, { "@type": "HowTo", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#howto", "name": "How to Stop Overeating on Weekends Without Diet Rules", "description": "A simple, non-diet method: observe one normal weekend, spot your patterns, match your Weekend Profile, and make one small B-minus upgrade you can repeat.", "inLanguage": "en-US", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#webpage" }, "step": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Pick a normal weekend (not your “perfect” weekend).", "text": "Choose a real weekend with your usual plans and unpredictability. 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Small and repeatable beats perfect and fragile.", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#step-5-b-minus-upgrade" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add a 10-minute support move (prep, purchase, or script).", "text": "Set up your environment so the better choice is easier to bump into—like pre-made salads, grab-and-go protein, or a simple restaurant script.", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#step-6-support-move" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Repeat one more weekend if you want clearer patterns.", "text": "Run the same process again. Clarity compounds fast when you repeat the same simple method.", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-do-i-overeat-on-weekends/#step-7-repeat" } ] }, ] } </script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/#person", "name": "Elizabeth Sherman", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com", "sameAs": ["https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsherman/"] }, { "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-you-cant-stop-eating-at-night/#article", "headline": "Why You Can't Stop Eating at Night (and How to Change It in Midlife)", "description": "Nighttime eating in midlife isn't a willpower problem—it's a habit loop shaped by stress, hormones, and relief.", "author": { "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/#person" }, "datePublished": "2025-12-12", "image": "https://elizabethsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/your-image-url.jpg", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Elizabeth Sherman", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://elizabethsherman.com/logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-you-cant-stop-eating-at-night/" }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://elizabethsherman.com/why-you-cant-stop-eating-at-night/#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why can't I stop eating at night even though I have great willpower during the day?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You're not losing willpower at 9:30 p.m. – your brain is exhausted and following a well-practiced habit loop." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is nighttime eating always emotional eating, or can it be real hunger?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It can be both. 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Total Health in Midlife Episode #178: What’s it Mean to Achieve Optimal Health?

Can optimal health be redefined beyond the leanest body or strict exercise routines? Tune in to this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast to uncover a different perspective on your health that fits your unique life and circumstances. We challenge the conventional wisdom that optimal health is only for the ultra-disciplined or athletes. … Continue reading Total Health in Midlife Episode #178: What’s it Mean to Achieve Optimal Health?