Done with Dieting: Total Health for Women 40+ with Elizabeth Sherman

What happens when your marriage ends but the rest of your life is still waiting for you to show up?

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I sit down with Valerie Simms, a divorce coach who blends financial expertise with emotional and spiritual support. Whether you're contemplating divorce, navigating it now, or still feeling stuck years later, this conversation will remind you that you're not broken—and you're definitely not alone.

Valerie shares what most people get wrong about divorce recovery, why your friends and family may not be the best place to turn for advice, and how to start rebuilding your identity from the ground up. If you've ever thought, "I should be over this by now" or "I don't even know who I am anymore," this one's for you.

We talk about the practical side of post-divorce life (hello, finances), but we also explore the deeper emotional shifts that come with letting go and starting over. It's part pep talk, part permission slip—and all grounded in real talk.

Valerie is a passionate coach dedicated to empowering women through transformative money mindset coaching.  With a wealth of expertise, she guides her clients to achieve financial independence by shifting their perspectives from scarcity to abundance. Valerie focuses on building confidence and resilience, helping women navigate their unique financial journeys with grace and strength. Through her coaching, she emphasizes the importance of self-care and creating robust support systems to thrive during transitions. As a powerful advocate for women's empowerment, Valerie is committed to inspiring her clients to embrace their potential and live fulfilled, financially secure lives.

• Why coaching (not just therapy) might be the key to moving forward after divorce

• The unexpected identity crisis that hits many women in midlife after separation

• Small, doable steps to rebuild your social life, self-worth, and financial confidence
  
  

• Valerie's Website: masteryofbalance.com

• Valerie's Money Mindset Course

• Done with Dieting Podcast Episode 129: Dating After Divorce with Sade Curry

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

You've committed to eating better. Maybe you've even started feeling more like yourself again—more energy, fewer cravings, pants that fit the way you want them to.

But then you go to dinner with friends… and suddenly, you're halfway through a basket of fries you didn't even want, wondering how you got there.

If you've ever felt like changing how you eat starts messing with your relationships, you are not alone. In fact, the pressure to eat a certain way around others is one of the biggest hidden reasons women struggle to stick with new habits.

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we're exploring what happens when food is more than just fuel—it's friendship, tradition, and connection. And what it means when you start making different choices.

Because it's not about discipline. It's about belonging.

And if you've ever felt torn between doing what's right for your body and doing what's expected at the table… this episode is going to explain why—and what you can do about it.

• Why eating out with friends can derail your best intentions—even when you had a plan
• How shared food habits shape our friendships, and what happens when you want to change them
• Two key mindset and behavior shifts that make social eating easier to navigate
• What to do when your health goals don't match your group's habits (without blowing up your relationships)

• Free Guide: 82 Reasons You Overeat That Have Nothing to Do with Food
• Total Health in Midlife Podcast Episode #229: When Food Is Friendship
• Habit #7 from the 8 Basic Habits Framework: Eat just enough, not too much. Download the checklist that shows you what truly healthy people actually do (hint: it's not complicated).

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/231

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

What if the key to better health in midlife isn't a new diet… but a new way of thinking?

In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, I'm joined by former client and fellow podcaster Lanee Blaise. Lanee shares what it actually looked like to change her habits—not just for a season, but in a way that feels good and lasts. From navigating vacations without guilt to letting go of all-or-nothing thinking, this conversation is full of relatable moments, real struggles, and practical wins.

We talk about what it means to become the woman who can keep the results she creates—and why slowing down and thinking things through is the most underrated health habit of all.

Lanee brings wisdom, humor, and honesty to everything she touches. If you've ever felt like you "should know better" but still struggle to follow through, this one's for you.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why thought work matters—even if you think you're not a "feelings" person

• How to handle vacation eating and still enjoy yourself without backsliding

• What it takes to shift from willpower to self-trust in your everyday choices

• How to stop people-pleasing and start prioritizing your own well-being

• Why "bare minimum habits" are the secret to bouncing back faster
  
  

RESOURCES

• Imagine Yourself Podcast with Lanee Blaise

• 8 Basic Habits Healthy People Do Guide & Checklist

• Free "I Know What to Do, I'm Just Not Doing It" Strategy Call

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/230

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

You've committed to eating better. Maybe you've even started feeling more like yourself again: more energy, fewer cravings, pants that fit the way you want them to.

But then you go to dinner with friends… and suddenly, you're halfway through a basket of fries you didn't even want, wondering how you got there.

If you've ever felt like changing how you eat starts messing with your relationships, you are not alone. In fact, the pressure to eat a certain way around others is one of the biggest hidden reasons women struggle to stick with new habits.

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we're exploring what happens when food is more than just fuel, it's friendship, tradition, and connection. And what it means when you start making different choices.

Because it's not about discipline. It's about belonging.

And if you've ever felt torn between doing what's right for your body and doing what's expected at the table… this episode is going to explain why—and what you can do about it.

• Why eating out with friends can derail your best intentions—even when you had a plan

• How shared food habits shape our friendships, and what happens when you want to change them

• Two key mindset and behavior shifts that make social eating easier to navigate

• What to do when your health goals don't match your group's habits (without blowing up your relationships)

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/229

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the routine of life checking off the boxes, doing everything you're "supposed to," but quietly wondering, is this really all there is? If so, you're going to love this conversation. I sat down with my new friend Jodi Silverman, the dynamic founder of the 'Moms Who Dare' community, and we talked all about rediscovering purpose, confidence, and joy through something so simple and so powerful: daring.

But don't worry, we're not talking about jumping out of planes. These are doable dares, things like smiling at a stranger, saying yes to something new, laughing more often, or simply getting quiet enough to hear yourself again. Jodi walked me through her five foundational dares and how they can help us feel more connected, creative, and truly alive. We also explored how so many of us were taught to be serious growing up and how that seriousness may be costing us our joy.

This conversation was both lighthearted and deeply meaningful. We laughed, we reflected, and we both shared personal stories of stepping out of our comfort zones. If you've been feeling a little flat or disconnected from your sense of fun and purpose, you'll walk away from this episode with real, tangible ways to shift your energy and start feeling more like you again.

Jodi also shared her amazing "30 Days of Doable Dares" freebie, which you can grab to start your own daring journey today. And if your health or your life doesn't quite feel like your own anymore, I want you to know that you're not alone. I invite you to schedule one of my "I know what to do, I'm just not doing it" strategy calls, designed for exactly this moment in life. The link is in the show notes. Until next time, keep daring.

A natural optimist, Jodi believes midlife isn't about slowing down—it's about stepping up! Moms Who Dare® is the go-to space for women ready to embrace adventure, purpose, and possibility. She also hosts Beyond Empty Nest, a top-ranked podcast that helps women navigate midlife with confidence, connection, and a little daring. Here, we believe DARING—stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things—is the key to rediscovering yourself.

• How five simple, everyday "doable dares" like smiling, laughing, and playing can boost your mood, confidence, and overall well-being.

• Why stepping slightly out of your comfort zone can be the key to rediscovering purpose, connection, and fun in midlife.

• How to break free from the pressure to "be serious" and instead embrace joy, creativity, and authentic emotional expression.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/228

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

You think the problem is food. Or maybe it's your lack of motivation. If only you had more discipline, or found the right plan, then everything would finally fall into place—right?

But what if the real reason you're not making progress isn't about food, or workouts, or willpower?

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I'm pulling back the curtain on what's really getting in the way of your health habits—and it's probably not what you think. From skipping workouts to stress eating yogurt by the tub (yes, I've been there), we're diving into why so many smart, capable women are solving for the wrong problem… and how that keeps us stuck in patterns that don't serve us.

If you've ever said, "I know what to do, I just don't do it," this episode is your invitation to rethink everything you thought was the issue.

Because once you see what's really underneath the inconsistency, change becomes possible.

• Why willpower isn't your problem (and never was)

• How cultural conditioning sets women up to misdiagnose health struggles

• A simple mindset shift that makes healthy habits more doable and sustainable

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

Have you ever caught yourself wondering, How did I get here? You're doing all the right things, checking off the to-do list, showing up for everyone else but somehow, your own joy feels like an afterthought. In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, I sit down with Debbie Heiser, Chief Igniter of The Lit Up Life, to talk about what it really takes to build a business and a life that feels fully aligned and lit up from the inside out.

Debbie and I talk about what it means to live in integrity with yourself while making good money doing work you love. We explore how so many of us, especially women, have been conditioned to downplay what we want, to stay small, and to avoid being "too much." Debbie shares how learning to own your desires, trust your decisions, and flip the script on guilt and second-guessing can completely transform not just your business, but your sense of freedom and purpose.

I also loved diving into our relationship with money and productivity, how we're praised for being busy, and how we often sacrifice self-care in favor of checking things off the list. Debbie shares her personal story of replacing a goal to "lose weight" with a much more inspiring vision: skiing at age 80. That simple mindset shift led her to take action with joy, not dread something I know so many of us need to hear.

If you've been feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure of what the next phase of your life or business should look like, this conversation will help you reconnect with your inner compass. It's not about hustling harder, it's about stepping into your clarity, honoring what lights you up, and creating a life that supports who you really are.

Debbie Heiser is the Chief Igniter at The Lit Up Life; helping men and women make a lot of money, doing what they love without sacrificing what's important to them. She loves helping people transform so they can lead a juicy, lit up life.  She also teaches leadership at Gonzaga University, drawing on her 20+ years as an executive in Corporate America. 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/226

• How to identify what you truly want beyond the labels, roles, and people-pleasing, and design a business that supports the life you envision.

• Why busy doesn't equal productive, and how shifting to inspired, values-aligned action can create more freedom, joy, and financial success.

• How to reframe your relationship with money, trust your own decisions, and confidently take up space without guilt or apology.

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

Is this healthy… or fat as sh*t?" Why That Might Be the Wrong Question Entirely.

Have you ever paused mid-scroll, staring at some sort of 'food hack' on Instagram, and wondered, "Wait… is that actually good for me?" 

In this episode, I peel back the layers of that deceptively simple question and challenge the rigid good vs. bad food mindset that so many of us carry. Through a relatable Costco story, surprising examples (yes, even kale can be 'unhealthy' for some people), and a new framework called the "Three Food Buckets," I help reframe how we think about food, moving away from judgment and toward self-trust and context.

This episode dives into the exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking, second-guessing every bite, and feeling like one "wrong" food choice will derail everything. I walk you through how you've been trained to treat food like a morality test and why that thinking keeps us stuck. Instead, I introduce a sliding scale approach to eating that takes into account your body, your preferences, your goals, and your actual life. No more rigid food rules. No more shame spirals. Just nuance, curiosity, and choices that actually feel good.

You'll also learn how to start practicing moderation without fear, break free from the perfectionist trap, and finally understand why your version of healthy might not look like anyone else's. Whether you're curious about fat-free yogurt or those TikTok-famous butter dates, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself, ditch the food drama, and build a flexible, sustainable approach to eating that truly works for you. 

Plus, don't miss the free guide mentioned at the end; it's a practical resource to start creating your own personalized, non-restrictive food framework today.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/225

• Why the question "Is this healthy?" might be sabotaging your progress… and what to ask instead to make food choices with confidence and clarity.

• How to shift from all-or-nothing thinking to a more flexible, sustainable approach to eating using my simple "Three Food Buckets" framework.

• How to rebuild self-trust around food so you can stop second-guessing yourself, enjoy what you eat, and make empowered choices that align with your body and life.

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

Have you ever noticed how you can be completely on it in one area of your life, like nailing your eating habits and moving your body, while completely bulldozing your own rules in another? You know that getting enough sleep makes you feel amazing, yet you stay up for just 'one more' episode. Or you set a boundary around your phone use, only to immediately check Instagram the next morning. Why do we do this? 

This episode of The Total Health and Midlife Podcast dives into the deeper reasons why we override our own boundaries, and spoiler alert, it's not about willpower. If you've ever found yourself breaking the very rules you set for yourself, this episode is for you.  

We like to tell ourselves that discipline and self-control are the answers, but if that were true, we wouldn't keep repeating the same patterns. The real issue? Disconnection. When we don't intentionally build in rest, pleasure, and fulfillment, we end up stealing moments of false pleasure, doom scrolling, mindless snacking, or binge-watching late at night. 

I share personal experiences, client stories, and the psychology behind why we sabotage our own boundaries. You'll learn why self-trust is the key to making lasting change and how shifting your approach to boundaries can help you actually honor them rather than feeling like you're constantly failing yourself.  

So, what's your version of 'just one more bite' or 'just five more minutes'? Where do you override your own best intentions, not because you're weak, but because something deeper is missing? We challenge the belief that productivity must always come before pleasure and explore small, powerful ways to reconnect with what you truly need. 

If you're ready to stop fighting yourself and start building trust in your decisions, this episode will show you how to create real, sustainable change without relying on willpower alone. Tune in now to start showing up for yourself in a way that feels supportive, not restrictive.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/224

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.

What if the very thing you use to unwind is actually keeping you stuck? Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with your heart racing and your mind spinning, wondering why you feel so anxious? Or maybe you notice a lingering unease throughout your day, a quiet hum of worry that you can't quite place. 

Most of us chalk it up to stress, hormones, or just the realities of midlife. But what if there's another hidden factor that's fueling your anxiety, one that's so ingrained in our daily habits that we rarely question it? In this episode, we're peeling back the layers on alcohol and anxiety, exploring how that evening glass of wine or celebratory cocktail might not be helping you relax as much as you think.  

You don't have to quit drinking, but what if you just paid attention? I share my personal journey of re-evaluating my relationship with alcohol, not because I had to, but because I wanted to feel better. I unpack the science behind why alcohol disrupts sleep, triggers stress hormones, and fuels anxiety, especially for women in midlife. 

From cultural conditioning to brain chemistry, I explore how alcohol can create a cycle that keeps us feeling on edge without us even realizing it. But this isn't an all-or-nothing conversation. Instead of making a case for quitting, I offer an invitation to experiment, to notice, and to ask yourself, "Is alcohol actually making you feel the way you want to feel?"  

The goal isn't to give up something you love… It's to figure out if it's truly adding to your life. Through my 'Decide Ahead of Time' framework, I walk you through the small, intentional shifts that can lead to big changes. I share how making mindful decisions around drinking, rather than following automatic habits, can help you regain control over your anxiety and sleep. 

If you've ever wondered why you feel anxious for no apparent reason or why your sleep isn't as restorative as it used to be, this episode is for you. It's not about judgment or restriction, it's about awareness and choice. 

Tune in for practical strategies, eye-opening insights, and a new way to think about alcohol and your well-being.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/223

Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you.

Free Diagnostic Session
If you know what to do but struggle to keep it all together when life starts to life, this call is for you. It's free, it's 30 minutes, and you'll walk away with a clear look at what's actually in your way instead of another generic plan.
Tap Here to Book Your Session

If you’re a woman in midlife who wants better health without obsessing over weight, you’re in the right place. I’m Elizabeth Sherman, a life and health coach and host of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast.

After coaching hundreds of women, I know the real problem usually isn’t “not enough information” – it’s too much of it, and not knowing where to start. With close to 300 episodes, this show can feel that way too.

To make it easy, I created a free Listener’s Roadmap that helps you figure out which episodes are right for you right now. Tell me what you’re struggling with – low energy, emotional eating, stress, sleep, exercise, or all of the above – and I’ll point you to a curated path of episodes and resources to get you moving.

Download your free roadmap at https://elizabethsherman.com/roadmap.