259 - How to Stop Fighting Yourself Around Food and Exercise

We’ve all been there—you wake up with the best of intentions. You know what to do. Move your body. Eat something green. Drink water instead of wine. But then… you don’t. And by the end of the day, you’re wondering what’s wrong with you.In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m walking you through a powerful framework I use with clients called competing models—the real reason smart, capable women sabotage themselves even when they want to do better. If you've ever felt stuck in a loop of “I know better, so why don’t I do better?”—this is the explanation you’ve been missing.You’ll learn why information and logic aren’t enough to change your habits, how your emotional brain runs the show, and what to do when your cravings or exhaustion keep winning. You’re not broken. You’re just using an outdated playbook.Midlife health doesn’t need to feel like a constant fight. Let’s make it make sense—so you can stop feeling stuck and start building habits that last.The Biggest Problem Midlife Women Face Regarding Health HabitsThe biggest reason women in midlife struggle to stick with healthy habits—even when they know exactly what to do—is because they’re trying to use logic to override emotion. We’ve been told that if we just “try harder” or “stay disciplined,” we’ll be able to eat better, move more, and finally feel in control. But that approach completely ignores how the human brain actually works.In reality, we don’t act on what we know. We act on what we feel. And when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or burned out, the idea of doing something hard—like exercising or skipping the cookie—feels impossible, even if it logically makes sense. This emotional override creates an internal tug-of-war between your goals and your current needs, and your emotional brain usually wins. Understanding this conflict is the first step to real, lasting change.WHAT YOU’LL LEARNWhy "I know what to do" isn't enough to change your habitsHow two competing thoughts can lead to inaction or sabotageWhat to do when your emotional brain keeps choosing comfort over consistencyHey! 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.