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 . . .

Growing up amid the cultural shifts of the 1980s, my relationship with food and exercise was far from straightforward. It was a journey marked by the highs of artistic family values and the lows of economic strain, shaping a pathway that often felt more like a battleground than a route to health.  This episode peels back the layers of that journey, inviting you into an intimate look at how I, Elizabeth Sherman, came to understand that true wellness is a tapestry woven from physical, emotional, and spiritual threads. From the restrictive clutches of fad diets to the punishing demands of extreme workouts, I share how I broke free and found a rhythm that resonates with the heartbeat of genuine, sustainable health. As my narrative unfolds, you’ll hear about the momentous shift that occurred when I chose to view my health behaviors through a lens of curiosity rather than judgment. It’s Read More . . .

Have you ever felt like you’re on a health and wellness merry-go-round, hopping from one trend to the next, never really finding your footing? That’s where we come in.  Join me, Elizabeth Sherman, on a journey to the heart of sustainable well-being. This isn’t about another fad; it’s about mastering the skills for enduring health, particularly as we navigate the transformative years of midlife.  We’ll unpack the art of stress management, the intricacies of emotional eating, and the crucial development of self-trust. You’ll be inspired by the tale of a client who found her own rhythm by tuning into her body’s wisdom, proving the unmatched power of internal cues over external noise. As we continue, you’ll discover the silent game-changers of health: the psychological and emotional scaffolds that support lasting weight loss and vitality. Ever consider how a straightforward yes-or-no skills inventory could illuminate your journey?  Prepare to see it 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 . . .

I’ll never forget the night I let loose at a party, only to wake up the next morning with a mix of regret and an undeniable curiosity about the choices I made. My overindulgence became the catalyst for a deep dive into the ‘why’ of our health habits, and I’m here to take you through how moments of indulgence aren’t just about guilt but can be powerful teachers.  Together, we’ll explore the art of post-event reflection, unlocking the capacity to transform our slip-ups into stepping stones for personal growth. I’ll guide you through the murky waters of habitual snacking and unintentional eating, showing you how these can become the ink with which we write our guidebook for a life of health that truly echoes our values and aspirations. In the company of my clients’ compelling stories, this episode peels back the layers of reducing friction in our daily health routines. Read More . . .

Could embracing the courage to prioritize your health be the most selfless choice you make today? Join me as I unravel the complexities surrounding women’s health and the societal norms that often prevent us from seeking the help we need.  With compelling stories of women like Sarah and Emma, I illuminate the transformation that unfolds when self-doubt and financial fears are cast aside in favor of well-being. This episode is not just a conversation; it’s a rallying cry for women to view the act of investing in health as a profound step toward a thriving life for themselves and their loved ones. I tackle the uncomfortable truths head-on, discussing how past financial hesitations can shape our current views on health investments. By reframing these experiences and dissecting the gendered socialization around money, we pave a new path that empowers women to see health spending as an essential investment in their Read More . . .

Have you ever found yourself grappling with the consequences because someone just can’t seem to get it right? Today, we’re diving into the topic of weaponized incompetence—those subtle, intentional displays of helplessness that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and undervalued.  Join me as we unravel the layers surrounding this silent manipulator that tends to disproportionately affect women in both personal and professional spheres. We’ll dissect the fine line between a genuine lack of skill and the strategic evasion of responsibility.  Throughout the episode, I’ll share heartfelt stories from individuals who’ve experienced the impact of this tactic, and together, we’ll lay out actionable strategies for communication, boundary-setting, and empowerment. The focus is on reshaping the dynamics of our daily lives to cultivate relationships where fairness and respect are not just expected but demanded. So, gear up and get ready to reclaim the mental space and time you deserve.  Step into a 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 . . .

I remember the exact moment when I realized that my food diary had become my prison. Every calorie counted, every nutrient tracked, I was trapped in a relentless cycle where my self-worth hinged on my meal choices.  Welcome to a heartfelt episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, where I take you through my transformative journey from the meticulous world of food logging to the liberating practice of intuitive eating. Together, we’ll explore how to break free from the shackles of the food diary and learn to trust our body’s natural cues to lead us toward a healthier, more joy-filled way of eating. Throughout the episode, I dive into the hidden dangers of food logging perfectionism, weaving in stories of individuals like my client Jerry, whose struggle with habit tracking brought light to the necessity of self-compassion in our eating journey.  We’ll discuss the power of adopting a beginner’s Read More . . .

Are your health habits taking a backseat to your people-pleasing tendencies?  Break free from the cycle with me, Elizabeth Sherman, as I tackle the subtle ways saying ‘yes’ too often can negatively impact your well-being. As I share my personal experiences and professional insights, I shed light on the often-overlooked connection between people-pleasing behaviors and personal health choices.  From the family table where we silence our dietary preferences to the workplace, where we overcommit at the cost of our exercise routines, we explore the ramifications of not voicing our needs. Join me to learn how to set boundaries and choose self-care without an ounce of guilt. This episode is a heart-to-heart for anyone, particularly women in midlife, who feels the tug-of-war between caring for others and caring for oneself. As we navigate the complex landscape of hormonal changes, energy management, and food choices, we underscore the importance of self-respect and Read More . . .

As I navigated the waves of midlife, I found myself shedding the layers of a people-pleaser, much like the leaves fall from the trees in autumn. It’s a transformation that many women can relate to, and it’s exactly why I invited Sara Fisk, the voice behind the Ex-Good Girl Podcast, to join me in a heart-to-heart conversation about this significant phase of life.  We explored the often rocky terrain of midlife and women’s health, discussing how to practice self-care authentically and how to deal with the sometimes dismissive medical community when it comes to menopause. Our chat brought to light the need for self-awareness as we navigate the societal shifts and personal changes that come with this stage in life. Our relationship with food is as complex as the most intricate of dances, and Sara and I took a moment to step into the rhythm of this topic. We shared Read More . . .