Consistency breaks down for women 40+ in their health habits, not because you lack discipline or motivation, but because information alone cannot survive stress, hormonal shifts, and cognitive overload without the specific skills, systems, and support designed for a high-stakes, “loud” life. TL;DR: The Knowing–Doing Gap The Midlife Consistency Trap: When “Knowing” Isn’t Enough You are a capable, well-educated woman. You’ve navigated career pivots, managed complex family dynamics, and likely have a “black belt” in problem-solving. When it comes to your health, you aren’t lacking information. You know that movement matters, sleep is foundational, and vegetables are a “good idea.” Yet, when life gets loud—when a work deadline collides with a teenager’s crisis or a night of perimenopausal insomnia—the gap between what you know and what you do feels like a canyon. You might tell yourself that you’ve “failed” again. You might quietly wonder why everyone else seems to have Read More . . .
How to Stop Eating After the Holidays without Going on a Diet
If you want to stop overeating after the holidays, don’t get stricter – build three skills: wake up before you eat (out of autopilot), build self-trust around treats, and end the restrict–binge–regret cycle by eating in a way you can actually repeat in real life. TL;DR (read this if you’re tired) If you want help applying this): I’m teaching a free workshop called How to Stop Overeating without Going on a Diet on January 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern (replay included). Register here Why overeating after the holidays feels so stubborn Here’s the post-holiday pattern I see all the time: Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s… there’s food everywhere. Parties. Treats at work. Family stuff. Travel stuff. “We’re celebrating!” stuff. So you “allow” yourself to eat it. Maybe you even enjoy it (as you should). But then January hits and your pants feel tight, your cravings feel loud, and Read More . . .
Total Health in Midlife Episode #250: Future-Self Living
Most women in midlife know what it feels like to hit a wall with their health – the fatigue that won’t go away, the weight that won’t budge, the anxiety that shows up out of nowhere. And when you’re stuck in that place, it’s easy to believe there is no way forward.In this milestone 250th episode of Total Health in Midlife, Elizabeth shares the single practice that helped her reconnect with her body, soften the harsh self-judgment that midlife often brings, and finally feel hopeful about her health again: living from her future self. Through story, reflection, and deeply relatable examples, Elizabeth explains how imagining the version of you who has already figured out her health (the calm, confident, well-rested version) can change the decisions you make today. You’ll hear how a topless French woman in Tahiti unexpectedly became her North Star, and how a monthly photo ritual helped her Read More . . .
What to Eat When You’re Tired and Nothing Sounds Good
When you’re tired and nothing sounds good, the goal isn’t to “cook a real meal from scratch”—it’s to use a pre-decided low-energy dinner plan (shortcuts + simple mix-and-match) so you can eat well without thinking too hard. TL;DR Here’s what matters when your brain is fried and dinner feels personal: You’re the kind of woman who can do hard things… and dinner still breaks you Let me guess: It’s around 6:00–7:00pm. You’ve been “on” all day. Work. People. Emails. Decisions. Maybe a commute. Maybe caretaking. Maybe adult kids. Maybe a partner who’s wonderfully capable… and somehow still waiting for you to start dinner like you’re the opening act. You walk in the door. The fridge is full. And nothing sounds good. Not because you’re picky. Not because you’re dramatic. Not because you “lack discipline.” But because the whole situation is a perfect storm of three problems happening at the same Read More . . .
Why Do I Overeat on Weekends? (And How to Fix It Without Diet Rules)
Weekends feel harder because you’re on a different “operating system”—less structure, more permission, more social cues, and more fatigue—so your brain defaults to convenience, reward, and connection unless you build one small, repeatable support. TL;DR (Save This) If you want the Observation Log + the 4 Weekend Profiles laid out for you (with examples and next-step tweaks), grab the Weekend Eating Playbook. “I’m fine during the week… and then the weekend hits.” If I had a dollar for every woman who’s said, “I’m totally fine during the week… and then the weekend hits,” I’d be recording this from a beach chair with someone bringing me guacamole on a schedule. Here’s what I mean. Monday through Friday, you have a rhythm. You wake up, you do your coffee thing, you eat the same “weekday breakfast” you’ve dialed in. You go to work. You bring leftovers or grab your usual lunch. Dinner Read More . . .
Why You Can’t Stop Eating At Night – Even When You Know Better
Nighttime eating usually isn’t about willpower; it’s a habit loop your brain has built (cue -> craving -> behavior -> reward), especially in midlife, and it changes when you understand that loop and gently retrain it—instead of going cold turkey. Nighttime eating isn’t you ‘failing’ another diet. It’s your brain running a habit loop it thinks is helping you cope. When you understand that loop, you can change it without shame or restriction.” TL;DR – Why You Can’t Stop Eating at Night (And What Actually Helps) “If this already sounds like your evenings, the Night Time Eating Playbook gives you guided worksheets and audio coaching to walk you through changing it without diets or food rules.” “I’m Smart. I Have Willpower. So Why Am I Face-Planting into Snacks at 9:30 PM?” You probably don’t think of yourself as someone who “loses control” around food. You manage a career. Or a Read More . . .
Stop Starting Over: How to Build a Health Foundation That Survives Real Life
Health isn’t something you add after life calms down; it’s the foundation that makes everything else in your life work better – your energy, clarity, mood, and capacity all improve when you build a health foundation that bend with your real life. TL;DR (What to Know + What to Do + What to Avoid) What to know What to do What to avoid When You Realize Health Was Never the Goal You know that feeling when your week starts off fine and then suddenly everything collapses? Your parent needs help.Your kid calls.Your work explodes.You don’t sleep.Your hormones are having their own personal parade. And there go your “perfect” health plans. Most midlife women assume this means they’ve failed. But here’s the truth: Your plan failed because it wasn’t built for your real life. Most women treat health like a luxury or a side dish. Something you squeeze in after the Read More . . .
Why Your Healthy Habits Change with the Seasons (and How to Adapt)
Healthy habits often fall apart when the seasons change not because you lack willpower, but because your food preferences, energy, mood, and routines shift with weather and daylight, and the solution is to plan for those changes TL;DR: Why Your Habits Change with the Seasons Why Your Habits Always Feel Like They’re Falling Apart Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’re crushing it in the summer. You walk most evenings. You’re eating peaches so juicy you need a paper towel bib. And you’re actually sleeping better because the days feel long and full. And you start thinking, “Oh my god, maybe I’ve finally figured it out. Maybe this time it’s going to stick.” Then the season changes. One day you wake up, and suddenly it’s dark before dinner. That crisp salad you loved in July? Now it feels like you’re gnawing on wet cardboard in a sweater. Instead of lacing Read More . . .
Intuitive Eating Sounds Great – But Why is It so Hard?
When You’re Tired of Dieting But Scared to Eat Normally You want food to just be… food. You want to be able to eat a sandwich without it turning into a whole thing. You want to go on vacation without needing a spreadsheet. You want to stop thinking about food all the time, but not so much that you feel like a reckless college freshman with a credit card and zero supervision. This is the weird limbo no one talks about. You’re tired of dieting. It’s exhausting. But trying to “just listen to your body” feels like standing in the grocery store with no list, no plan, and no adult supervision. You don’t want to binge. You don’t want to restrict. You just want peace. But how the hell do you get there when your brain is screaming, “Be good!” one minute and “Screw it, eat the damn thing” the Read More . . .
Food Is More Than Fuel: How to Stop Emotional Eating Without Going on a Diet
You’ve been told that food is just fuel—but that’s only half the truth. If you’re stuck in the cycle of emotional eating, guilt, and “starting over” every Monday, this post will show you a better way. Learn how to trust yourself around food, enjoy what you eat, and finally stop dieting for good—without giving up the things you love. Read More . . .
Confused About Food? Here’s a Simple Way to Make Eating Easier
I was standing in the beverage aisle at Costco—half out of patience, half out of hope—searching for my usual sparkling water. Not because it’s magic or detoxifying or anything ridiculous like that. I just like the fizz. It breaks up the flat water monotony. But if I drink too much, it gives me GERD. So I’m picky. Anyway, I hadn’t seen it in weeks. I was scanning the shelves like a hawk, when a woman I knew—a local restaurant owner—walked by. I asked if she’d seen it in stock somewhere else. Before I could finish, she spotted the brand I’d brought from home and said: “Oh my god, that one? That stuff is TERRIBLE for you. I’d never drink that. It’s so highly mineralized—it’s the worst one.” And I just stood there, blinking. I wasn’t even buying it. But somehow, I was now under nutritional cross-examination for a bottle of Read More . . .
How to Stop Overeating
Why You’re Overeating (Even When You Know Better) You’re not lazy.There’s nothing wrong with you And no, you don’t need another damn diet. But if you’re like most of the women I work with, you still find yourself in the kitchen most nights, rummaging through the fridge like you’re going to find answers behind the almond milk. You ate a balanced dinner.You’re not physically hungry.But you’re standing there, eyeing that chocolate or the leftover pasta like it’s a lifeline. Sound familiar? This is what emotional eating in midlife often looks like.It doesn’t always show up as a dramatic binge. Sometimes it’s quiet, just a little bite here, a few crackers there. But it adds up. Not just on the scale (although let’s be real, that’s part of it), but in how you feel. Physically heavy. Mentally foggy. Emotionally worn out. And you beat yourself up.Because you know better. You’ve read Read More . . .
Does Health in Midlife Feel Like You Just Can’t Win?
Health in midlife can feel like an endless struggle—one where no matter what you do, someone says you’re “doing it wrong.” One day, carbs are the enemy. The next, it’s dairy. And somehow, even water is up for debate. If you’re tired of the conflicting advice, the guilt, and the constant second-guessing, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll show you why health feels so confusing in midlife—and how to reset in a way that actually works for you. Read More . . .
Is Clutter Draining Your Energy? How a Messy Home Disrupts Your Health and What to Do About It
Clutter, Stress, and Your Health: The Hidden Connection You walk into your kitchen, ready to make a healthy meal, but the counters are covered in mail, yesterday’s coffee cup, and a half-unpacked grocery bag. Before you even start, you feel drained. The thought of clearing space just to begin cooking is overwhelming, so you grab takeout instead. Or maybe it’s your bedroom—your supposed sanctuary—where laundry piles on the chair, unread books stack up on the nightstand, and the dresser top is a chaotic mix of receipts, lotions, and random clutter. Instead of feeling calm before bed, you feel restless. Your sleep suffers. Sound familiar? It’s Not Just Mess—It’s a Mental and Physical Health Issue Most women don’t realize just how much their environment impacts their well-being. Clutter isn’t just about having too much stuff—it’s a constant source of stress, distraction, and mental exhaustion. Studies show that living in a cluttered Read More . . .
How to Eat to Manage Menopause Symptoms & Weight Control
Tired of unpredictable hot flashes and endless food confusion? Discover how targeted meals, simple habit tweaks, and better “menopause nutrition guidance” can finally bring calm, energy, and confidence back into your life—without giving up everything you love to eat. Read More . . .
Frustrated with Your Health? Why Your Old Habits Are Holding You Back, And How to Break Free
If you’ve ever thought, I should be able to do this—exercise more, eat better, lose weight—you’re not alone. But what if the problem isn’t your willpower? What if the real issue is the unrealistic expectations you’ve been holding onto? Instead of forcing yourself into a plan that doesn’t fit your life, it’s time to meet yourself where you are. In this post, I’ll show you how small, achievable changes can lead to big health results, without guilt, frustration, or burnout. Read More . . .
How to Overcome Relapse and Get Back on Track Faster
You don’t fail because you mess up—you fail when you let a mistake turn into a month-long spiral. The truth is, relapse is a normal part of habit change. It’s not an “if,” it’s a “when.” The key isn’t avoiding it—it’s knowing how to get back into action faster. In this post, I’ll break down why relapse happens, why frustration is actually a sign of progress, and how to stop letting one bad day turn into weeks of quitting. If you’ve ever struggled to get back on track, this is for you. Let’s talk about what actually works. Read More . . .
Why Willpower Fails: And Why “Trying Harder” Isn’t the Answer
Are you a successful woman in your 50s, navigating the unpredictable waves of peri/menopause while juggling career, family, and personal aspirations? You’re not alone. Many women at this stage feel frustrated by weight fluctuations, low energy, and the constant mental chatter around food and body image. Despite trying countless diets and workout plans, sustainable results seem out of reach. But what if the solution wasn’t another quick fix or restrictive plan? What if it was about understanding you —your unique needs, emotional patterns, and lifestyle challenges—and creating lasting change from there? Read More . . .
Liking Your Reasons vs. Believing Your Excuses: How to Spot the Difference
Are You Holding Yourself Back? We all know that moderation is important, but sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a real reason for changing your plan and an excuse that keeps you stuck. That’s where things get tricky. Here’s an example: You blow off your workout to get some extra sleep. Or you decide to go out for lunch instead of eating the meal you packed. On the surface, both of these decisions might look like you can’t be trusted to follow through on your commitments. But when we look under the hood at why you made that choice, things start to shift. If you skipped your workout because your partner was up all night sick and you needed rest to function, that’s a thoughtful decision, not an excuse. If you went out to lunch because a good friend—one you rarely get to see—had a last-minute opening in Read More . . .
Why You’re Not Losing Weight Anymore: The Truth About Weight Loss Plateaus
If you’ve been trying to lose weight and suddenly the scale won’t budge, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating, and it can feel like all your hard work isn’t paying off. You’re eating better, moving more, and doing everything “right,” yet nothing is changing. Here’s the thing—weight loss plateaus are normal. They happen to everyone. Your body isn’t broken, and you’re not failing. A plateau doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it means your body is adjusting. But if you’re not prepared, a plateau can feel discouraging. You might start second-guessing yourself—Am I eating too much? Should I work out more? Is this even worth it? That kind of thinking can push you to make drastic changes that aren’t sustainable or even make you want to give up altogether. The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck. There are smart, simple strategies you can use to push through plateaus without Read More . . .