Total Health in Midlife with Elizabeth Sherman

234: Why You Eat at Night

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.     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 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     RESOURCES 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

233: How to Eat Without Rules

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

232: Life After Divorce: Now What? with Valerie Simms

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.   About Valerie Simms: 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.     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 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     RESOURCES Valerie’s Website: masteryofbalance.com Valerie's Money Mindset Course Done with Dieting Podcast Episode 129: Dating After Divorce with Sade Curry  

231: Why Eating w/Others Feels So Hard

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.     WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 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)     RESOURCES 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  

230: Imagine Yourself with Lanee Blaise

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