Midlife Momentum: Menopause, Hormones & Weight Loss for Women Over 40

Lately, I’ve been feeling… flat.Not sad or overwhelmed. Just kind of numb.It's like I'm not feeling things like I used to.Like my energy is lower, my motivation isn’t there, and things that used to light me up just don’t do it for me.It’s a pretty uncomfortable place to be.And if you're also feeling like this, you're absolutely not alone.In this week’s episode, I open up about my own experience and what I’m doing to shift out of it...More specifically:Why this feeling happens in midlife and menopauseSimple ways to start rebuilding your energy and driveWhat else this feeling might be telling youWhy you must move through this and what else can helpIf you’ve been going through the motions lately, I really think this one will resonate with you.And if you need support navigating this phase, whether it’s your energy, your body, or just figuring out what’s next, I’m always here for you.Keep moving forward with a little more spark ✨Debbie 💜P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

Have you ever replayed something someone said to you, over and over again?Maybe something your partner said, or your child, or a client.And suddenly you're making it mean something about you?I've been there too.This week on the podcast, I’m talking about one simple idea that has honestly changed the way I experience - well, everything:👉 Don’t take anything personally.I didn't come up with this idea.I actually got it from a book I read decades ago called, "The Four Agreements", by Don Miguel Ruiz.And I know that this idea is easier said than done.But when you really start to get this, things begin to shift in a big way.In this episode, I share:✨ Why what people say (good or bad) is almost never about you✨ How taking things personally fuels negativity and drama✨ A simple mindset shift that can instantly reduce drama in your life✨ Why this matters so much in midlife - in particular in motherhood and business✨ A real story from my daughter that brought this lesson to life in the most powerful wayAnd yes, I also talk about self-love. (And yes… I still cringe a little saying that 😅)I promise that when you stop making other people’s words mean something about you, you feel lighter, calmer, and whole lot more in control of your life.And it may just be the key to what most of us are looking for.Keep moving forward - without taking anything personally,Debbie 💜P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

Almost every guest I've had on the podcast has said some version of the same thing:“One of the best things about getting older is that I care a lot less about what people think.”And, I feel that way too.It seems obvious, that at some point in midlife, something shifts.Maybe you stop overthinking every little thing.Or you stop trying to make everyone happy.Or you stop stop asking everyone else's opinion about your life.(Or at least you become aware you want to stop these things.)But why does this happen?In this week’s podcast episode, I dig into the reasons behind this midlife superpower:✨ What really happens when you people-please🧠 How your brain actually changes to support this change⏳ What time is teaching you💡 Why authenticity matters more nowMidlife isn’t just about hormones and physical changes.It’s also when you, like so many of us, finally start trusting yourself, and letting go of the need to listen to everyone else's opinion.And that freedom?It’s one of the greatest gifts of getting older.Let's move forward with a spring in our step, and not care what anyone else thinks :)DebbieP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

It was -20°C.Pitch dark. Warm bed. Zero desire to put on a swimsuit.And yet… I went to swim.Not because I’m disciplined.Not because I love cold mornings.But because I’ve figured out a few things about what actually gets us to move our bodies - especially in midlife, when energy, hormones, and motivation don’t always cooperate.In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down what getting into a pool at 6:30am in the dead of winter has taught me about consistency.Inside the episode:🏊‍♀️ Why it has to challenge you mentally💪 Why feeling competent changes everything🎯 The kind of goals that keep you going (and the ones that backfire)🔄 How flexibility prevents the “I missed one workout so now I’ve quit” spiral⚙️ How to design exercise so it feels doable (forget about intense)You don’t need more willpower. You don’t need a stricter plan. And you definitely don’t need to punish yourself into movement.You need the right conditions.If you’ve been waiting to “feel like it” before getting consistent then this episode is for you.Listen in, and then let me know what your version of “-20°C at 6:30am” is.Because I promise… you’re more capable than you think.Keep moving forward,DebbieP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

What if building strength in midlife didn’t require an hour at the gym, or a total lifestyle change? In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down something I call the SPC Method. It’s simple. Almost suspiciously simple. Squats. Push Ups. Crunches (or Core). That’s it. But here’s what we’re really talking about: ✨ Why building and maintaining muscle is now non-negotiable ✨ Why most under-train ✨ How to create the SPC habit for yourself ✨ What is “enough” to build strength or lose weight This is not about crushing it. It's the opposite... And it will preserve and build muscle, protect your metabolism, and build you a body that supports you for the next 30, 40 or 50 years. If you’ve ever felt like you should be doing more, but can’t seem to sustain more, this episode is for you.Let's move forward with small, powerful choices, Debbie 💜DebbieP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

If midlife feels harder in your body than it should…If your energy dips, recovery takes longer, or your body just doesn’t respond the way it used to…You're not alone, and you’re not imagining it 💛This week on the podcast, I’m talking about something we know is missing for so many women in perimenopause and menopause - and it’s not willpower, motivation, or another plan.It’s protein.In this episode, we explore:💪 Why muscle loss accelerates in midlife (and why it matters for energy, metabolism, and strength)🍽️ How much protein women actually need in midlife (and why old recommendations fall short)😩 What low protein can feel like in your body🧠 How protein supports your mind and body - not just your musclesThis isn’t about dieting (you know by now that I'm "anti-diet')It’s about supporting your body through a real physiological transition - with more ease and less frustration.Keep moving forward with more strength, clarity, and joy,Debbie 💜P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

If you’ve been eating “pretty healthy” but still feel bloated, backed up, tired by mid-afternoon, or stuck with stubborn weight…This episode is for you.And before you tune out thinking “I already know about fiber” - stay with me.Because most women in midlife:are eating far less fiber than they thinkwere taught to fear carbs instead of understand themand don’t realize how much estrogen shifts digestion, blood sugar, and appetite regulationHere’s the surprising part:👉 Most midlife digestion issues are not a sign you need to eat less👉 They’re a sign you probably need to add more of the right thingsIn this episode, I talk about:What fiber actually isWhy fiber becomes non-negotiable in perimenopause and menopauseHow low fiber shows up in your bodyHow to incorporate more fiber every day - without a complete overhaulThis isn’t about eating perfectly. It’s about eating in a way that supports the body you have now.And if this episode has you thinking, “Okay… I need help figuring out what this actually looks like in real life” ...That’s exactly why I created the 21-Day Fuel Your Midlife Body Challenge, starting this coming Monday, February 9th.Inside the challenge, we slow this all the way down and focus on:adding fiber without bloating or overwhelmbuilding meals that keep you full and energizedstopping the constant guessing around hungerand creating eating habits you actually trustOne habit at a time. No restriction. No perfection.Keep moving forward,Debbie 💜P.S. Join the 21-Day Fuel Your Midlife Body Challenge - it starts Monday, February 9th!P.P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

Have you ever started doing something good for yourself?Like moving more, eating a bit better, trying again,...And almost immediately you heard a voice say…“That’s not enough.”Yeah. That voice.You know her.We all do. That's why I created this episode all about the quiet, sneaky self-talk that midlife women are using against themselves - often without even realizing it.In this episode, we talk about things like 👇🧠 Why that inner voice gets louder in midlife🚫 The 5 most common self-talk statements that stop progress before it starts😮‍💨 Why this isn’t a motivation or discipline problem🔁 How small efforts actually matter more now (even when your brain says they don’t)💬 What it looks like to gently talk back - without forcing “positive thinking”If you’ve ever thought:• “I should be further along by now”• “If I can’t do it perfectly, why bother?”• “Maybe this is just how it is now…”You’ll probably hear yourself in this episode.Keep moving forward, without the negative self-talk,Debbie 💜P.S. Click to get my Self-Talk Cheat SheetP.P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

I believe there’s a quiet conversation happening for a lot of us in midlife.It usually sounds like this:“Is this normal?”“Is it hormones… or is it me?”“Do I even want to want sex anymore?”That’s why this week’s podcast episode matters.I sat down with Dr. Angela Wright - GP, menopause specialist, and clinical sexologist - for an honest, grounded conversation about sex in midlife.It felt like the perfect opportunity to ask some uncomfortable questions.In this episode, we gently explore things like 👇Why sex and desire often change in midlife - sometimes in surprising ways 🔍A commonly overlooked treatment that can quietly improve comfort and pleasure 🌸The hormone everyone’s curious about… and why it’s not always the answer 🔥What quality of life really means to you at this stage of life... And if sex is included ⚖️What I appreciated most about this conversation is how permission-based it is.Permission to be curious.Permission to want more... Or less.Permission to stop assuming something is “wrong" or that there's a "right" way.If this topic brings up questions, resistance, or even relief, pay attention to that. It usually means something important is trying to be heard.Keep moving forward in any way that feels good to you,Debbie 💜P.S. You can also find this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/PfKdt0utyloHere's Angela's bio:Dr. Angela Wright is a GP, Menopause Specialist and Clinical Sexologist. She is particularly interested in improving sexual function and menopausal symptoms in women who have undergone cancer treatment.Having completed her Advanced Menopause Care and sees patients with complex menopause issues, female sexual dysfunction and premenstrual disorders. And, not to mention, she’s also trained in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) for Menopause.To connect with Angela:Website: https://spicedpearhealth.co.uk/about/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicedpeardrwright/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-wright-2378a182/Thanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

Maybe you've noticed... Cold plunges are having a moment.Ice baths. Cold showers. Cold water swimming.My daughter has been cold plunging daily since the holidays.And depending on who you follow, cold plunges are either the answer to everything… or completely unnecessary suffering.So I decided to plunge into the data (pun totally intended😉)... Specifically any studies related to cold water and women in midlife.🎙️ In this episode, I’m breaking down:What cold plunges actually do to your nervous system 🧠Why women experience cold very differently than men 🌡️The temperature range you should be aware of 🧊What the research says about cold and mood, anxiety, sleep, and menopause symptoms 💭If you’ve ever wondered "Should I be doing this?” or “Am I missing out?”, this episode is for you.Keep moving forward and stay chill (couldn't help but fit one more in 😉),DebbieP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach