Reclaiming Control in Midlife—As women in midlife, we are on a journey of discovery and awakening, and we are all looking to feel our best physically, emotionally, and mentally. But for many, overeating—especially emotional eating—can feel like a setback when trying to reach our goals. If you have ever thought, “Why do I always have no control when it comes to food?” then you should know that the answer is in your brain’s neurobiology.
1. Why Food Is So Good
Our brains are programmed to ensure that life-sustaining activities like eating produce pleasure. Other chemicals include serotonin, which is associated with happiness and contentment in life, and dopamine, which is associated with pleasure. These chemicals are supposed to inform the brain to encourage the continuation of behaviors that are critical for survival.
When eating, especially foods that are high in sugar, fat, or salt, the reward center in the brain is activated. This means that a lot of dopamine is released, which tells the brain, ‘This is important, do it again.’ Over time, the body develops pathways that lead one to desire these foods even when one is not hungry.
2. The Role of Processed and Refined Foods
The food industry has also refined and concentrated foods in a way that has made them trigger our reward systems. The problem with such ultra-processed foods is that they trigger a higher dose of dopamine than whole foods did to our ancestors.
Your brain will tell you that these concentrated foods are essential, and you will likely crave them. The problem is that this increased resp se can downregulate dopamine receptors, which means that you will need more and more of the same foods to get the same dopamine effect.
3. How Habits Are Formed
Every time you give in to a craving, you are laying down a new neural pathway that leads to that action. The more you engage in this behavior, the more the path is enforced. It finally becomes a habit, and you perform the action without even having to think about it as if you have no control over it.
This is why you may find yourself eating when you are stressed, angry, or even when you are bored. Emotional eating becomes such a habit that it seems like something you were born to do. But the beauty of the brain is that it is plastic and can be reprogrammed.
The key to overcoming overeating is to break these deeply entrenched pathways and establish new, healthier ones. Let me outline the steps I believe will help you begin this process:
1. Identify Your Triggers
First, try to determine when and why you overeat. Are you stressed, lonely, tired? Write down your triggers in a journal to build awareness. Knowing why you are doing something is half the battle in being able to change it.
2. Replace, Do not Restrict
Instead of focusing on what you can’t have, switch your attention to adding nutritious foods to your plate. Certain foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats assist in regulating blood sugar and, therefore, help reduce feelings of hunger. This approach provides the body with much-needed nutrients and reduces the desire for highly processed foods.
3. Interrupt the Cycle
When you feel a craving, stop and take three deep breaths. Ask yourself: “Am I really hungry, or am I trying to soothe myself?” If it’s the latter, swap the action for a non-food reward—a walk, a relaxing bath, or a phone call to a friend.
4. Practice Mindful Eating
When eating, turn off the television or other devices and take a seat. Pay attention to the signals your body gives you about when you are hungry and when you are full. This way of eating helps to teach the brain to tell when it has had enough, which makes it easier to stop when you are full.
5. Rewire Your Brain with Consistency
Changing ingrained habits takes time and repetition. The only way to change the pathways is to move to new ones and keep repeating them. Do not rush and pat yourself on the back for every minor achievement.
A Loving Reminder: This Journey Is About Progress, Not Perfection
This article, How to Reboot Your Brain and Conquer Overeating, explains that Your Action Plan is not about being fit, healthy, or even thin. It is about developing a greater understanding, making decisions, and being kind to yourself during this process. Remember that every change you make is a step towards becoming the healthiest and happiest person you can be.
Overeating doesn’t define you—it’s a behavior, and behaviors can change. When you understand the neurobiology of overeating and try to replace unhealthy behaviors with healthier ones, you can take back control of your life and live a balanced and joyful life with self-love.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to share your journey in the comments below. It would be great if we could keep encouraging each other as we wake up and create new lives for ourselves.
If you are ready to move forward, my Instagram has more information, including practical strategies and a community of like-minded women.
Comment below or share on social media if this resonates with you!
Love, Jax
xoxoxo
THINGS I AM LOVING LATELY
I want to share a few things I have been doing in my own life lately that are honestly making me feel so much better. Healthier. Calmer. More organized. More glowy. Just more like me.
Because I really do believe that a glow-up is built through tiny daily habits. Tiny shifts. Tiny rituals that slowly change how you feel.
THING ONE: My 10-Minute Morning Stretch Ritual
Nothing extreme. Nothing complicated. I just spend about ten minutes stretching in the morning before I do anything else.
And it has helped so much with morning stiffness, with my energy, with my posture, and honestly even with my mood. Women over 40 really need mobility work. Our bodies want movement and circulation and care, especially first thing in the morning.
THING TWO: A Capsule Pantry System
Okay this one sounds more boring than it is. But it has honestly changed the way I eat and the way I feel during the week.
Basically I keep a set of healthy staple foods stocked at all times. Brown rice. Quinoa. Whole grain or protein pasta. Beans. Sugar-free marinara sauce. Tuna packets. Canned salmon. Oatmeal. Greek yogurt. Frozen vegetables. Berries. Nuts. Sparkling water.
THING THREE: Organizing My Fridge by Zones
Okay I know this sounds random. But hear me out, because this has helped me so much.
I set up little sections in my fridge. One area for proteins. One for fruits and vegetables. One for grab-and-go snacks. One for drinks. One for meal prep containers.
Now I actually see the healthy food I bought instead of forgetting about it in the back until it expires. Cooking during the week feels calmer. Meal prep is easier.
THING FOUR: A Cuticle Oil Habit
Okay last one, and it is the smallest one. But I love it so much.
I keep cuticle oil and hand lotion sitting right on my desk at work. And during the day, during a little break, I apply both. That is it. That is the whole habit.
But it makes me feel polished and cared for throughout the day. It is a tiny little signal I send to myself that says — you matter. You deserve to feel nice today.
Set a Big Goal — Then Break It All the Way Down
I have a big goal. I know exactly where I am going. And I have written it down.
Make it a great day, friends!
Love, Jax
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These actions contributed most to my mindset shift and overall midlife glow up.
Make it a great day, friends!
Love, Jax
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How to change your beliefs in life to live more consciously with your chosen purpose and goals with a growth, mindset and a sense happiness.
1. Develop keen and accurate self-awareness.
2. Develop an accurate self-concept.
3. Be truthful to yourself and tell others the truth.
4. Make the connection between current choices and future results.
5. Behave in ways that are for your best interest.
6. Become self protective and self-determined.
Remember any new habit is difficult until we practice it which then it becomes easy. When you shift your mindset and belief system, you will end up creating new habits. You may experience a decrease in comfort level and a sense of security. There may be an experience in increased in anxiety. You will make mistakes and other people may react negatively to your shift in beliefs.
Once you change your beliefs and develop a growth mindset, you will be more self-responsible, more honest with more integrity, more self caring with more set boundaries. You will be able to identify your core values and personal desires. You will make more conscious choices. You will reprogram your subconscious mind. And then you will live a life of joy and happiness and self fulfillment.
I have applied this to my own life and I`ve learned this through getting a life, coaching certification and reading numerous books and assisting women over 40 who are looking to upgrade glow up and improve their lives by becoming one percent better every day.
Make it a great day, friends!
Love, Jax
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Skipping snacks sounded impossible until I learned what “hunger” actually is. Real hunger vs desire vs craving changes everything. Want the exact chart and habits I use for midlife weight loss? Listen now and tell me which one you’ll try?
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✨🌞 Early AM stretching before kettle ball, dumbbells, vibration plate and walking.
♥️ Schedule it. Protect it. Show up for it every week.
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Get an Accountability Partner — and Actually Time-Block Your Check-Ins if you are on a weight loss journey.
I have an accountability partner, actually two accountability partners. And we do not just casually text here and there and hope for the best. We actually time-block our check-ins. We schedule them. We put them in our calendars like real appointments. We connect at least once a week — sometimes in person, sometimes a phone call, sometimes a message — but it is consistent and it is planned.
Your accountability partner should be someone who is genuinely supportive but also honest with you. Someone who celebrates your wins AND holds space when things are hard without just telling you what you want to hear.
Schedule it. Protect it. Show up for it every week.
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🌸 Know your reasons why you want to loose weight. Write them down and read them throughout the day.
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🌸 My 4 Habits, Non-negotiables I`m applying to my life and dream life upgrade.
10 Min. Morning Stretching Everyday
My Capsule Pantry System
My Fridge By Zones
Cuticle Oil Everyday
Simple but not stupid.
I`m building a new dream life and these daily glow ups habits and rituals are helping me get there.
Everyday I try new things to grow and improve and upgrade my midlife lifestyle.
I am on a mission to recreate my dream life over 40.
It is never too late. You can create anything you want with focus, energy and a growth mindset with a positive attitude.
Love,
Jax
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✨ Read the book You are a Badass, By Jen Sincero.
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10 pounds down in 3 weeks at 48 with PCOS and perimenopause, no meds. Total of 191 lbs in 4 years. The twist: the biggest change happened before food and workouts. Want the 14 mindset practices that made it stick? What would you try first?
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Reinvention isn’t luck. It’s a choice made in a quiet moment of honesty.
Save this Glow Drop for the days you forget your power.
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Love,
Jax
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✨ Read the book You are a Badass, By Jen Sincero.
Published in 2013
Great read for women over 40…
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New Podcast Episode!!!
"Why your 40s is the best age to finally put your health first!"
Your 40s aren’t a deadline. They’re a turning point. We talk heart health, bone density, muscle, brain fog, and simple shifts that actually work in midlife. Hit play and tell me: what’s one habit you’re starting this week?
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Seven May glow-ups that don’t require a new life: park walks, budget check-in, seasonal meals, hair refresh, nails, and more. Plus a free skincare ritual from my guide. Press play. Which glow-up sounds most like you?
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I love a packed morning routine before work. Really sets up my day.
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I fast till 12 so no breakfast. Just water & espresso.
Comment and let me know your favorite morning routine practice!
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Love,
Jax
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