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