In this episode "Transform Your Life After 40," hosts John and Emma explore the work of Alex Velez, a life coach who focuses on helping women over 40 lose weigh. They introduce the concept of self-sabotage as a learned behavior where people get in the way of their own goals. According to the podcast, self-sabotage has two forms: internal, which includes negative self-talk 😔 stemming from low self-esteem and low confidence, and external, where people blame outside factors like stress, spouses, or social pressure for their struggles 😩.

The hosts explain that emotional eating is often a form of self-sabotage, using food to cope with difficult emotions like stress, anger, sadness, or even boredom. This can lead to a vicious cycle where the person gets a temporary dopamine rush, but the underlying emotions are still there. Drawing on Alex's work, emphasize the importance of understanding one's history with food, including early messages about food, typical eating environments, past experiences with weight loss, and history with their bodies.

John & Emma highlight the Alex teaching in the need to become mindful of negative thoughts and challenge them, using a tool she called thought replacement 🤔 to substitute negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. Furthermore, the they discuss the importance of self-care ❤️, practicing mindfulness 🧘‍♀️ while eating, and identifying emotional triggers that lead to reaching for comfort food. They also emphasize the need for a support system and self-compassion, along with setting realistic goals and celebrating small successes. 

Moreover, the hosts share that Alex's personal experiences with bullying and comments about her weight made her emphasize the power of forgiveness, both towards oneself and others. They conclude by inspiring listeners with the thought that self-love and a healthy relationship with food can be learned and by encouraging them to explore Alex’s work.

Ready to embark on your journey to transformation? Subscribe to "Transform Your Life After 40" today and start breaking free from self-sabotage! Connect with Alex and begin your personalized journey by emailing her at [email protected]. Don't wait any longer—your best life is waiting!