Feeling like the holidays undo every bit of progress you've made with your health? You're not alone. Between sugar-filled gatherings, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to "make it magical," midlife women often end up exhausted, bloated, and quietly promising themselves they'll start over in January.

In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, Elizabeth Sherman breaks down what's really happening beneath the overeating, overdrinking, and overcommitting that show up every December. Spoiler: it's not about willpower. It's about stress, hormones, and the invisible load that midlife women carry when everyone expects them to hold it all together.

Elizabeth shares her own holiday wake-up call—standing in her closet before a party, frustrated that nothing fit—and the simple mindset shift that changed everything. You'll learn how to approach the holidays without restriction, guilt, or perfectionism, and how small, intentional choices can help you feel grounded and proud when January 2nd arrives.

This episode is part one of the Holiday Health Series, designed to help you feel vibrant, peaceful, and fully present throughout the season.

 

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The Biggest Problem Midlife Women Face Regarding Holiday Eating & Body Triggers

For women in midlife, the holidays amplify every underlying health challenge—hormonal fluctuations, stress sensitivity, disrupted sleep, and emotional eating. As estrogen and progesterone levels shift, the body becomes more reactive to sugar, refined flour, alcohol, and late nights. What used to be "no big deal" now leads to bloating, brain fog, irritability, and restless sleep.

At the same time, midlife women often step into the role of family matriarch. They're the ones planning menus, hosting gatherings, and keeping traditions alive. This invisible workload leaves little energy for self-care. When exhaustion meets social pressure ("Have another drink!" "You have to try this pie!"), it's easy to abandon healthy habits in the name of celebration. The result? Guilt, frustration, and the familiar I'll start over in January cycle that keeps women stuck year after year.

 

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why midlife metabolism and hormones make holiday eating feel harder—and what's really behind your cravings

• The hidden emotional and social pressures that drive overeating and overdrinking during festive events

• How to use one simple question—"How do I want to feel on January 2nd?"—to stay grounded and in control

 

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What You Can Do Right Now

Start by letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset. You don't need a perfect plan; you just need to care for yourself in small, consistent ways. Ask yourself what choices today will make tomorrow easier: one cookie instead of three, a glass of water before the next drink, or turning in thirty minutes earlier.

Reframe self-care as energy management, not restriction. Every small act—choosing a balanced meal, taking a short walk, saying "no" to one more obligation—protects your mood, digestion, and sleep. The goal isn't to deny yourself joy; it's to create the space to actually enjoy it.

 

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The Listener Takeaway: Why This Episode Matters

You don't need to white-knuckle your way through the holidays or start over every January. When you understand what's happening in your body and why the season feels so hard, you can make aligned choices without guilt.

This episode gives you hope, possibility, and curiosity—the sense that you can enjoy the holidays, feel good in your body, and wake up on January 2nd proud of how you treated yourself.

If you want support implementing this, download Elizabeth's Holiday Health Success Playbook—your simple, guilt-free guide to navigating the holidays with confidence and calm.

 

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RESOURCES

• Feel Good Holiday Playbook – A digital guide to help you enjoy the holidays without guilt or overwhelm