The Power of ‘Half-Assing’ Your Health: Why Perfection Isn’t Necessary for Progress

This article was written for and originally published on Sixty and Me Here Ever feel like you need to overhaul your entire life to get healthy? Have you ever found yourself putting off making changes because you can’t do it all perfectly? If this resonates, you’re not alone and many women just like you feel overwhelmed by health advice that seems to demand perfection. But what if I told you that you don’t need to be perfect to make real progress? In fact, embracing a ‘half-assed’ approach to your health might be the key to lasting change. Half-assing your health isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about making consistent, manageable improvements that add up over time. Half-assing your health is about making progress, not striving for perfection. And it’s an approach that can lead to better health, more energy, and yes, even weight loss if that’s your goal. In this Read More . . .

Relieve Menopause Symptoms with These Simple Tips

Are menopause symptoms taking a toll on your life? Discover how to manage them holistically with practical tips and personalized strategies. From understanding weight gain and reducing hot flashes to overcoming brain fog and boosting energy levels, our comprehensive guide covers it all. Learn how to break free from diet culture and embrace a balanced approach that truly works for your body. Ready to take control of your health? Read More . . .

Understanding Midlife Weight Gain: Causes and Solutions

Struggling with midlife weight gain? You’re not alone. Many women in their 40s to 60s face this challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a losing battle. In this post, we explore the common causes of weight gain during menopause, debunk myths, and offer practical, holistic solutions. Learn how balanced nutrition, enjoyable exercise, stress management, and better sleep can help you regain control of your health. Plus, download our free guide, ‘8 Basic Habits that Healthy People Do,’ to kickstart your journey to a healthier, happier you. Read More . . .

Midlife Weight Loss: Myths vs. Facts

Are you struggling with weight management as you navigate through midlife? Discover why traditional weight loss methods fall short and learn how to adapt your approach to suit the unique needs of your changing body. In this enlightening post, we delve into the realities of hormonal changes, the importance of stress management, and the benefits of a holistic health perspective. Join us as we debunk common myths and empower you with sustainable strategies for a healthier, more fulfilling midlife. Read More . . .

Is it Self-Sabotage? Or People Pleasing?

Unravel the hidden impact of people-pleasing on your health and wellness in this insightful exploration. Discover how the desire to always say ‘yes’ can lead to stress, emotional eating, and neglect of personal health. Learn actionable strategies to break free from approval-seeking behaviors, embrace self-care, and reclaim your self-worth. This guide offers a compassionate look at setting boundaries, improving mental wellness, and fostering healthy eating habits for a more empowered and fulfilling life. Read More . . .

How to Stop Food Logging

Step away from the food log and into a world of mindful eating and intuitive nourishment. In this enlightening post, we explore the transformative journey from strict food tracking to embracing food freedom. Discover the joy of eating without guilt, the benefits of listening to your body, and practical strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship with food. Say goodbye to the stress of diet diaries and hello to a life filled with balance, pleasure, and health. Join me on the path to dietary freedom and unlock the secrets to a happier, healthier you. Read More . . .

Done with Dieting Episode #128: Are You An “Almond Mom?”

Are you stuck in the “almond mom” cycle, struggling with your relationship with food, your body, and the impact it has on your children? This heartfelt episode dives deep into recognizing the signs of a disordered relationship with food and body image, sharing valuable insights on breaking free from these harmful patterns. I open up about my own journey and the stories of my clients, highlighting the importance of cultivating healthier relationships with ourselves and our bodies for our well-being and that of our children. Learn about the transformative benefits of developing a healthier relationship with food and body, including increased body confidence, boosted self-esteem, and an overall sense of peace and self-acceptance.  Discover practical tools and strategies such as intuitive eating, body acceptance, self-care, and positive self-talk to help you on your journey toward a more fulfilling and content life. Let’s break the “almond mom” cycle together and create Read More . . .

Done with Dieting Episode #82: Why Mainstream Diets Don’t Work for Women in Midlife

Hint: it’s not because you’re lazy or don’t have willpower. When you purchase a product or service that does not work or even causes harm, you might blame the company, demand a refund, leave a bad review, and skip out on it next time.  When that product or service is a part of the diet industry, you may blame yourself and return time and again to spend even more money on these services.  Why is that?  Well, unlike most other factors in our life, we consider our body’s weight and appearance to be solely a personal responsibility and, for some, a personal failure.  Women are continually socialized to think that  WE’RE the ones who are wrong. That there’s something wrong with us – our bodies are ‘mysterious’ or weird.  Women are not little men & so our bodies respond to food and exercise very differently than men. So we need Read More . . .

Done with Dieting Episode #62: Why we Eat What we Eat

When we buy food, we vote with our dollars. Which foods do you want to vote for? Why do we eat the foods that we eat? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Probably not – but you might think about it when you observe other people eating. In this episode, I’m talking about the very unconscious decisions that we make when we decide to eat one food over another. What’s super important in this episode is to become aware of WHY we DO make the decisions that we do and then decide if we want to keep making those decisions. This episode has the potential to be a game changer when it comes to your eating habits. What you’ll Learn from this Episode Why it’s important to decide what we value when we eat How when we purchase food, we vote for the type of food that we want Read More . . .

Done with Dieting Episode #60: Diet vs Just the Way I Eat

What is the difference between a Diet with a Big D vs a Diet with a Small D? What is the difference between a DIET – a way of eating that we follow from a book – and the idea that ‘this is just the way that I eat?’ If you pay attention to social media, you’ll learn pretty quickly that diet is a four-letter word. That we should not be dieting, and that weight loss is bad. But is it? Are all diets bad? The vegetarian way of eating can be considered just the way someone eats, while someone else may look at it as a diet. How can we tell the difference between a good diet and a bad diet? Or is there such a thing? Listen in to episode 60 to learn how to know if what you’re doing is subscribing to looking at food in an Read More . . .

You Can’t Fool Mother Nature

Last night I saw this commercial for the Jenny Craig weight loss system. It's Valerie Bertinelli stating that for the first year in 20 years that she will not be making a new year's resolution for weight loss, because she has hit her goal & maintained it. The commercial kind of hit a chord with me because I feel very similarly. For the first time since I've been on my nutrition journey, I feel like I'm not 'white knuckling' it. People who know me probably want to smack me right now. They'd probably say, "What the h*ll are you talking about? You're not fat." I was over-fat 10 years ago & came to my smaller resting size about 6-7 years ago. To the unobserving eye, although my weight has shifted in small increments (maybe not even enough to notice), I haven't had huge fluctuations; I am at a good size Read More . . .

Bonana fanna fo Fana

Let’s see here… I need to take role of all the stupid diets that don’t work. Grapefruit Diet? Check Cabbage Soup Diet? Check Cookie Diet? Check Maple-Syrup/Lemon Juice/Cayenne Pepper Diet? Check Check Check Banana Diet? What? You haven’t heard of the new Banana Diet that is sweeping Japan like a Giant-Sized Godzilla/PokeMon character? Here are the specifics: A banana (or as many as you want) and room temperature water for breakfast Eat anything you like for lunch and dinner (by 8 p.m.). A three o’clock snack is okay No desserts after meals You have to go to bed before midnight Unsure of what the “room temperature water” is all about for breakfast, the only problem I have with the diet is #2, oh yeah – and #3. So for lunch, I’d like a Bic Mac & a large fry; Dinner, I’d like a whole pizza. And that 3 o’clock snack? Read More . . .

Healthy Eating: beyond poached fish and celery sticks

I love food. I love the flavor of it, texture & aroma. I love eating. I am a self-described foodie. Wikipedia defines a foodie as "A gourmet is a person with a discriminating palate and who is knowledgeable in fine food and drink. The word is a corruption of the French word gourmet, a valet in charge of the wines. It is often used as an adjective for meals of especially high quality, whose makers or preparers have used especial effort or art in presentation or cooking the meal, or for facilities equipped for preparing such meals, such as a restaurant." I don't know if I fall into the gourmet part of this explanation; I certainly don't waste my calories on "common foods" like candy bars or fast food. Although it has to be good, it doesn't have to be gourmet & I'm all about volume. Why do I tell Read More . . .

The Supermarket Diet

I’ll admit that I’m a product of marketing in Magazines. Those headlines are really aluring: “Lose 20 lbs before Christmas” or “Sexy moves he wishes you knew”. And I’m old enough (and have bought enough) to know that the articles in these magazines NEVER live up to the hype. But this time I was intrigued. “The Supermarket Diet” I had to buy it. What could the basis of the Supermarket diet be about? Eating foods from the supermarket will allow you to lose weight as opposed to eating foods at restaurants? Is that only a big DUH to me? or is everyone else clued in on that too? To my surprise, the supermarket diet was more than just “don’t eat out”. It is a diet book written by Good Housekeeping. It has a 2 week initial phase where participants eat a total of 1200 calories spread across 4 “meals”, then Read More . . .