Why is it that you can crush your to-do list, manage your household, support your family, and absolutely rock your career— …but still feel powerless around a plate of cookies?

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I know what to do—I just can’t seem to do it,” this episode of Total Health in Midlife is for you.

In this episode, Elizabeth Sherman reveals the hidden reasons traditional diets don’t solve overeating—and how they may actually make things worse. You’ll learn why relying on willpower, rigid rules, and food guilt keeps you stuck, and what it really takes to build lasting, sustainable change with food and your body.

Tune in to discover why it’s not about eating perfectly… It’s about finally understanding why you eat when you’re not hungry—and what to do instead.

• Why most diets fail to address the real causes of overeating

• The emotional toll of blaming yourself when a diet doesn’t work

• A better, more compassionate approach to rebuilding trust with food and your body

• How to stop overeating without giving up pizza, cookies, or joy

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/podcast/236

Food is fuel.

It sounds so clean and logical, doesn’t it? Like if we could just stick to that belief, everything would fall into place. We’d stop craving sweets when we’re stressed. We’d stop emotionally eating after a hard day. We’d finally be “in control.”

But here’s the truth no one talks about: food isn’t just fuel. It’s comfort, connection, culture, memory, and celebration.

And trying to pretend otherwise? That’s often what keeps us stuck.

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m sharing why the “food is fuel” narrative might be doing more harm than good—and why giving yourself permission to enjoy food can actually lead to more peace, not less.

If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to stick to your “plan” or why you feel shame around emotional eating, this episode will help you see things in a whole new light.

• Why “food is fuel” is an incomplete (and often harmful) message

• How emotional eating becomes unconscious—and what to do about it

• Why permission and pleasure are essential for building a peaceful relationship with food

• What moderation really looks like when you trust yourself

• Register for How to Stop Overeating Without Going on a Diet
• Get the list of 82 reasons you’re reaching for food — and what to do instead.
• The Podcast Listener’s Roadmap – Find the best episodes for where you are right now

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/235

You’ve been “good” all day. You ate the healthy lunch. You passed on the afternoon treat. You had a reasonable dinner. And then… it hits. That creeping, nagging feeling that something is missing. You’re not hungry—but the pantry is calling your name.

If you’re stuck in the cycle of nighttime overeating and can’t figure out why your willpower disappears after dark, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we unpack the real reasons why evenings feel so hard—and why diets, discipline, and food rules won’t fix the problem. You’ll learn what your body and brain are actually asking for when you reach for food at night, and how to start addressing those needs in ways that actually work.

Because it’s not about controlling the snack. It’s about solving the right problem.

• Why your nighttime cravings have nothing to do with hunger

• How “Revenge Bedtime Procrastination” fuels evening overeating

• The emotional needs you might be trying to soothe with food

• Why managing your daytime stress is the secret to changing your nighttime behavior

• One simple shift that can help you stop white-knuckling your way through the kitchen every night

• Download the 82 Reasons You Overeat (That Have Nothing to Do with Food)

• Get the 8 Basic Habits That Healthy People Do Checklist

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/234

If the idea of eating without food rules sounds exciting—but also kind of terrifying—you’re not alone. Many women in midlife love the concept of intuitive eating but have no idea how to actually do it. Especially after decades of dieting, perfectionism, and trying to “be good,” the idea of trusting your body can feel like standing on a tightrope without a net.

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I break down what’s really keeping you stuck when it comes to food. We’ll talk about why diets train you to ignore your body, how shame keeps you on the all-or-nothing roller coaster, and what it actually looks like to find the middle road between restriction and chaos.

You’ll also hear personal stories—mine and my clients’—about what it looks like to slowly, gently rebuild trust in your body and eating habits without swinging into a brownie-eating free-for-all.

You don’t need more rules. You need a different kind of support. And today’s episode will show you what that support looks like.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why intuitive eating feels so scary (even if you want it)

• How dieting disconnects you from your body’s natural wisdom

• What it looks like to build a supportive eating framework—without going back to restriction

• How to tell when your body is trying to communicate (and how to start listening)

RESOURCES

• Download: 82 Reasons You Overeat That Have Nothing to Do with Food

• Total Health in Midlife Podcast Listener’s Guide

• 8 Basic Habits of Healthy People Guide & Checklist

Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/233

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

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

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

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

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

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