C: Blow my mind! Here we are at the last of our 8 part series on blasting that midlife belly. I’m Cheryl Gordon. I help midlife women sleep better, feel stronger and lose weight using the tools of yoga and mindfulness.
S: I’m Sharlene Styles, certified holistic nutritionist, life coach and metabolism mechanic.
C: We have delivered some essential info for women our age as we struggle with midlife metabolism melt down. But we have not discussed any diet. That’s because diet trauma is what is probably responsible, in part, for holding on to your weight!
S: What I want to SHOUT from the rooftops is—stop the craziness! Break free from the matrix of diet culture. You do not have to starve yourself, cut out carbs, or muster up superhuman willpower just to watch the scale move. That’s outdated. That’s harmful. And it doesn’t work long-term.
What we’re talking about here is eating smarter, not smaller. Nourishing your body in a way that feels doable—not punishing. That’s how you create sustainable weight loss while still living your real life, enjoying food, and ditching the guil
C: I lost 25 pounds last year doing just this. I called it mindful eating and there are lots of free resources on my website to explain the how to’s. And we will have another deeper dive course coming soon.
S: Yes! And part of that is knowing the biggest food mistakes women are making—not because they’re doing it 'wrong', but because they’ve been misled. Once you get the truth? It’s actually simple.
Mistake number one: not enough protein. It’s not just for muscle—it stabilizes blood sugar, keeps cravings in check, and is a metabolic powerhouse, especially in midlife.
Mistake number two: being scared of healthy fats. No, they don’t make you fat. They help balance hormones, fuel your brain, and make meals satisfying. Bring on the avocado and olive oil.
Mistake number three: totally overlooking fiber. It’s like a broom for your gut and a booster for your metabolism. Most women are severely under-fibered—and it shows in their energy, digestion, and weight."
C: And know that you don’t have to be perfect! That was a big lesson for me. The first few times I ate some chips at a party, I thought everyone would point and shout “look what the yoga teacher is eating!”. The first time I planned to enjoy a donut on purpose I was giddy. These were demonized foods that I, of course, still snuck when my defences were low. The diet trauma wreaked havoc with my nervous system. Once I allowed myself to plan for treats, now and then, all the rebellion leaked out. I felt much more in control. And that felt GREAT.
S: Not feeling deprived is such a key point and that’s such a powerful shift. So many women don’t even realize how much food trauma they’re carrying until they try to eat a damn donut without guilt. Not feeling deprived is everything. Because let’s be real—when your brain feels restricted, it rebels. That’s biology, not lack of willpower.
And here's the good news: you don’t have to live in deprivation to reach your health goals. There are so many simple, satisfying swaps that give you that same dopamine hit—without sending your blood sugar on a rollercoaster or leaving you in a shame spiral."
💥 Craving crunchy chips? Try roasted chickpeas with sea salt and smoked paprika, or sliced cucumber with guac for that dip-and-crunch vibe. Still want chips? Have them—but portion it, sit down, and enjoy the hell out of them.
💥 Need a sweet fix? Frozen dark chocolate-covered strawberries, Greek yogurt with berries and a drizzle of honey, or a square of high-quality dark chocolate or my fave - chocolate avocado pudding - these can do the trick without the crash and getting hooked on all the chemicals added to processed foods that are designed for us to crave more.
💥 Love creamy comfort foods? Make a chia pudding with coconut milk and cinnamon, or mash avocado with lemon and a pinch of sea salt on seeded toast—or my go to is greek yogurt with a spoon of organic peanut butter.
💥 And when you do want the real thing a treat or reward? Plan it in advance. Choose it. Eat it slowly. No sneaking, no shame, no apology. That’s how you take your power back.
The more you nourish yourself with intention—not restriction—the more trust you build with your body. And from there? Your nervous system calms down, your metabolism works better, and those old patterns start to fade. That’s food freedom and smart strategy working together.
C: Hang on I’m making notes (lol). In hindsight, I tell you I lost 25 pounds like it was nothing. But to make that commitment to myself. To seek out professional support. I was poopin’ my pants. So I totally get that our listeners might be… this all sounds so great but my metabolism is wrecked because of medication or I can’t exercise because of this or my weight is really stubborn compared to others. These videos are yours. Watch them over and over. Eventually, you’ll hear the magic words that unlock your mind. Eventually, just like happened with me, I woke up to the true potential that I could bring to the world. It’s not just the weight that dropped away but along the path, I shed the bullshit in my mind. Well, I’m workin’ on it.
S: If you’re sitting there thinking, ‘Yes, this is exactly what I’ve been going through,’ I want you to know—you don’t have to figure this all out alone.
This is the work I do—supporting midlife women who are ready to take charge of their metabolism, their energy, their hormones, and their health at a root level. This isn’t surface-level coaching. This is high-level, personalized support, backed by lab testing and real data.
We start with comprehensive functional testing—so we’re not guessing. We look at what’s really going on with your metabolism, hormones, gut health, inflammation, and more. It’s about getting the full picture, not just throwing another diet at the wall and hoping it sticks.
From there, we create a tailored plan that supports your body, your lifestyle, and your goals. We work closely together—you’re not handed a PDF and left to figure it out. This is high-touch coaching, with accountability, mindset work, nervous system support, and practical strategies that actually fit into your real life.
So if you’re done with the one-size-fits-all plans and you’re ready to get real answers and real results—reach out. Book a call. Let’s talk about what’s possible for you when you stop guessing and start working with your body
C: And I have programs that help with the mindfulness and movement piece. The SHE Mindfulness Online Course is starting this fall. Study at your own pace, join in group sessions via zoom when you need a sense of community. And there are lots of yoga videos on my website that show how to modify poses for joint pain, osteoporosis, back problems and more.
S: Thanks so much Cheryl for inviting me to collaborate with you. Are you ready to go work on those deeper dive courses?
C: You bet. It’s been my pleasure. Thanks so much to all of you who have commented and emailed about our content. Namaste.
S:Check out the comments below to get the web addresses for all these resources. And sign up for our newsletters, I have one as does Cheryl, to stay in touch. Namaste.
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