250 - Future-Self Living

Most women in midlife know what it feels like to hit a wall with their health — the fatigue that won’t go away, the weight that won’t budge, the anxiety that shows up out of nowhere. And when you’re stuck in that place, it’s easy to believe there is no way forward.In this milestone 250th episode of Total Health in Midlife, Elizabeth shares the single practice that helped her reconnect with her body, soften the harsh self-judgment that midlife often brings, and finally feel hopeful about her health again: living from her future self.The Biggest Problem Midlife Women Face Regarding Future Self LivingThe biggest challenge midlife women face is that they’ve been conditioned for decades to center everyone else’s needs before their own. This chronic self-abandonment makes it incredibly difficult to imagine a future version of themselves who is rested, healthy, confident, and at peace. Years of being “the good woman” — the caregiver, the helper, the reliable one — gradually erases desire. As a result, many women hit midlife and realize they don’t even know what they want anymore, or they believe wanting something for themselves is selfish.This conditioning also blocks women from seeing possibilities for their health. If you’ve been told your symptoms are “normal,” or that weight gain, mood swings, or exhaustion are “just aging,” it becomes hard to picture a future where you feel strong and well. When your current struggles feel permanent, imagining a healthier version of yourself can feel unrealistic or indulgent. But the real issue isn’t lack of discipline — it’s lack of permission to want something better.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy midlife women struggle to imagine a healthier, happier version of themselvesHow the “three selves” — past, present, and future — guide your health choicesA simple reflection that instantly increases compassion for your bodyHow to use admiration and envy as clues for what you really wantWhy your future self already exists — and how to start listening to her nowThe Listener Takeaway: Why This Episode MattersThis episode matters because it offers something midlife women rarely receive: hope that feels grounded and realistic. When life feels overwhelming and your health feels unpredictable, future self living gives you a compass. You don’t have to “fix” everything today — you only have to care for the woman you’re becoming.The most important message: you’re not behind, and you’re not broken. Every version of you — past, present, and future — is doing her best. When you begin making choices that protect and support your future self, you reconnect with your body, rebuild trust, and create a life that feels sustainable and nourishing. And you’ll feel, maybe for the first time in years, that you have agency again.Hey! I love hearing from you. Send me a text. Let me know what resonated with you. I submitted a talk for SXSW 2027: Biohacking Is Just Dieting in a Lab Coat. Community voting runs through August 23rd, and it's part of what determines who gets on stage in Austin next March. If this resonates, I'd love your vote: CLICK HERE. Free account required, takes about a minute. 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.