Apple Podcast - Spotify

Why Worry Doesn’t Help in Midlife: A Mindset Approach for Women Over 40

You know, I often find myself doing more life coaching than weight loss coaching.

Why?

Because weight loss is a mindset issue, knowing what and how to eat is crucial, but managing our minds to perform consistently is the key to long-term success.

Today, I’m not even talking about food; I want to share a personal experience that also translated into a coaching call. It’s about worry—something we all struggle with, especially in midlife. 

Understanding Worry in Midlife

During midlife, our brains and emotions undergo significant changes. What we once handled with ease may now be more challenging due to hormonal shifts.

As we approach menopause, our propensity to worry can increase, leading to what I call "mental loops."

These loops are repetitive thoughts that keep us stuck in worry, affecting our mental...

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Understanding Hormonal Changes in Midlife

Impact of Hormones on Health

Estrogen and progesterone are key players in our overall well-being. They influence how we feel, how we sleep, how we burn fat, and so much more. When these hormone levels start to fluctuate, especially during perimenopause and menopause, it can throw everything out of balance.

The Role of Insulin and Leptin

Insulin Resistance and Its Effects

You’ve probably heard a lot about insulin resistance lately. Insulin is our fat storage hormone. When our estrogen levels drop, it can cause our insulin levels to fluctuate, which can lead to insulin resistance. This is when our bodies don't use insulin efficiently, leading to fat storage and increased risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Leptin and Appetite Regulation

Leptin is another important hormone. It lives in our fat cells and sends signals to our brain that tell us when we're full. When leptin signaling is...

NOTE: Hey there! Just a heads-up, this post has affiliate links that help you find the stuff I mentioned in the podcast and support the channel without costing you anything extra. If you decide to use them, I might earn a little bit, but there's absolutely no pressure to do so. Thanks a bunch for your support!

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Today, I'm excited to discuss your questions about midlife health and wellness. It's all about us today, so grab a cup of tea and let's chat about 

I love hearing from you and answering your questions and this episode is packed with hacks that can make a big difference in your midlife.

Menopause Hacks: Practical Tips for Midlife Health and Wellness

The Benefits of Grounding

Let's start with grounding. What exactly is it? Grounding, also known as earthing, is the practice of physically connecting with the earth by walking barefoot outside or using grounding mats or patches. 

I started using a grounding mat several...

Apple Podcast - Spotify

We're going to explore the science behind the best and worst types of cardio for us in midlife and beyond. Understanding the right kind of cardio is so important for maintaining our health and fitness, especially as we navigate the changes that come with menopause. So, let’s dive in!

The Role of Hormones in Midlife Fitness

As we hit menopause, our hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, start to decline. Estrogen is amazing – it helps us build muscle, gives us energy, regulates glucose, aids insulin sensitivity, boosts metabolism, and protects our heart, breasts, and brain. Testosterone also plays a key role but is less prominent in women.

When these hormones drop, we face challenges in muscle building, energy levels, and metabolism. That’s why it’s crucial to tweak our exercise routines during midlife. With estrogen no longer providing its benefits, exercise becomes the stimulus we need to keep our bones...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Navigating perimenopause can feel like a wild roller coaster ride, right? 

The hot flashes, the mood swings, the sleepless nights—it can be a lot. Today, I want to chat about something that has been a total game-changer for me: bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). I want to share with you how BHRT can bring some much-needed relief during perimenopause and why it’s worth considering.

Understanding Perimenopause and Its Symptoms

So, what exactly is perimenopause? 

It’s that lovely transition period before menopause when our hormones start to go haywire. You might be feeling more anxious, dealing with bouts of depression, constantly exhausted, and not sleeping well. These symptoms can really mess with your daily life, and finding ways to manage them is super important.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

Bioidentical hormones are...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Embracing Negative Emotions for Midlife Wellness: A Game-Changer for Weight Loss After 40

Hello, my friends. Today, we're diving into a topic that might not sound fun but is truly life-changing: how to feel negative emotions. Yes, you heard that right! It may not be fun, but understanding and embracing our negative emotions can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to weight loss after 40.

Understanding Negative Emotions

Negative emotions are feelings that we often try to avoid or push away. They can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to control us. In midlife, managing these emotions becomes crucial, particularly for weight loss. Why? Because weight loss is a mindset game. Our sabotaging thoughts often keep us on that dieting roller coaster. When we can become aware of our thoughts and understand that they are driving our emotions, we gain the power to change.

...

Apple Podcast - Spotify

How to Stop Eating Your Emotions

Understanding Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is when we use food to make ourselves feel better rather than to satisfy hunger. It’s something I've experienced personally and helped my clients overcome. Conquering emotional eating takes time and daily practice. It’s not about using a simple tool for a little bit and then you're cured; it’s about consistently reminding yourself of the truth.

My journey with emotional eating began when I noticed that sometimes I’d eat out of boredom or when it wasn’t meal time. I wasn’t even hungry! I'd catch myself mid-bite, thinking, "Wait, why am I eating these tortilla chips?" That’s when I began to become aware of my habits.

The Emotional Eating Cycle

The Temporary Relief of Emotional Eating

Emotional eating gives us temporary comfort. It’s that quick dopamine hit that feels great in the moment but doesn’t...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Hello friends and welcome to our journey towards a healthier, more balanced life! Today, I'm excited to share with you how I set myself up for success each day, week, and even month. As a busy midlife mama, juggling multiple roles as a business owner, mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to manage everything while trying to maintain healthy habits and lose weight.

When I first started this journey, my brain resisted the idea of planning and pre-deciding my days. It seemed like a lot of work, and I didn't want to think through everything I needed to do. But I've learned that taking time on the front end is the key to success. When I follow my planning routine, I feel more in control and less frantic. When I don't, chaos ensues.

With nine kids, four still at home, and two homeschooling, plus recently graduating my 17-year-old...

 MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

Are you really struggling with your weight and energy levels? If so, I wanted to talk a little bit about this phenomenon called exercise intolerance. 

Normally I encourage women to get moving and to do the needle moving exercises like strength training with a bit of HIIT (high-intensity) as well as Sprint interval training plus everyday movement. But sometimes I will talk to a client who is describing that they are exhausted they feel terrible after their workout. They can't just work through it and just get through the workout. This is something that can happen in midlife for different reasons and it's called exercise intolerance.

There can be many reasons for exercise intolerance, but don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying that you're intolerant to exercise because maybe you don't like it. That’s an excuse, but I'm talking about actual physical things that...

MUSIC PROVIDED BY - https://www.purple-planet.com/ 

Apple Podcast - Spotify

I want to talk about something that I see all the time and have personally experienced: unexplained weight gain in midlife. Many women I speak to on discovery calls are doing everything right, but still struggle with weight loss. 

One crucial factor that’s often overlooked is the thyroid. If your thyroid isn’t optimized, it can be almost impossible to lose weight, no matter how diligent you are with your diet and exercise. 

So, let's dive into why your thyroid might be the missing piece of your weight loss puzzle.

Understanding the Role of the Thyroid in Weight Gain

In midlife, our bodies undergo significant changes. Hormones start transitioning or even disappearing, and this can cause a sluggish thyroid. I was diagnosed with thyroid issues in my mid-30s, after years of chasing symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. Many women are unaware...