When Your Body Asks for Change—And You Keep Saying No

There comes a moment in midlife, sometimes a whisper, sometimes a full-on shout, when your body says: "Hey, this isn't working anymore." Maybe it's the way you eat, how you exercise, or how you rest (or don’t). Suddenly, the rules you lived by stop producing the same results. You're more tired, less motivated, and recovery feels like it takes forever. This isn't failure. It's feedback.

But here's what many of us do instead: we dig in our heels. We force the same diets, workouts, and mindsets that worked in our 30s, hoping they'll magically snap things back into place. The problem? Your body isn’t malfunctioning. It’s evolving. And it needs you to catch up.

I’m hoping that you will see this as an invitation to stop fighting yourself and start collaborating with the incredible, adapting, wise body you live in now.

Mindset: Stop Clinging to What Used to Work

Let’s start here, because without this shift, none of the others will stick.

A huge part of why change feels hard is because we assume change equals loss. If you’re not doing the intense bootcamp classes anymore, does that mean you’re less fit? If your priorities have shifted from weight loss to joint care, does that mean you’ve "let yourself go?"

Absolutely not.

Midlife is a call to redefine success. The body you live in now isn’t broken. It just has different needs. The sooner you shift from control to partnership, the easier everything becomes.

Try this:

• Reflect on one area of life where you’re holding on to a habit simply because it "used to work."
• Reframe the question: Instead of asking, "How do I get back to where I was?" ask, *"What does my body need from me today?"
• Daily mantra: *"I support my body with curiosity, not control."

Food: Fuel, Not Fight

Gone are the days when skipping breakfast or eating cereal for dinner worked. In midlife, your body needs consistent, intentional nourishment to regulate blood sugar, manage cravings, balance mood, and support muscle and bone health.

But that doesn’t mean going on another extreme diet. In fact, diets that worked in the past often backfire now. It's time to flip the script: stop obsessing over what to cut and start focusing on what to add.

Shift from:

• Counting calories → Counting nutrients
• Fasting for extremes → Eating to support your changing body
• Eating less → Eating smarter

Action Items:

• Build a protein-rich breakfast: Eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, protein smoothies, or tofu scrambles can do wonders for your energy and cravings.
• Add fiber to every meal: Think beans, berries, leafy greens, flaxseed.

Nourishment is not a punishment or reward. It's a form of listening. Every bite is a way to say: "I hear you."

Exercise: Align with Your Energy, Not Your Ego

Let’s talk about workouts. If your exercise routine leaves you drained, sore for days, or stressed out, that’s a sign, not a badge of honor.

Your capacity may have changed—and that’s not a weakness. It’s information. That bootcamp class you loved? Maybe now it's too much impact. The 5-mile run? Maybe your joints are asking for more strength and less pounding. Adaptation isn’t quitting; it’s evolving.

Try this instead:

• Focus on strength training 2-3x a week to build muscle and support metabolism.
• Incorporate movement snacks: 10 squats before lunch, a dance break in your kitchen, or a quick walk around the block.
• Add recovery into your weekly plan: rest days, stretching, foam rolling, or even a mindful walk in nature.

Ask yourself: What movement brings me energy rather than drains it?

Your body is incredibly smart. The more you respect its signals, the more it will reward you.

Permission to Evolve

This might be the most important takeaway: You have permission to change. To outgrow old routines. To stop doing things that no longer serve you. To shift from pushing to partnering.

You do not need to earn your worth through discipline or willpower. Your body isn’t a project to fix–it’s a companion to honor.

You are allowed to:

• Sleep more
• Eat more mindfully
• Move slower or smarter
• Choose rest without guilt

You are not giving up. You are finally listening.

Now What? A Gentle Challenge for the Week

Pick one action from each category:

• Mindset: Identify one outdated belief and rewrite it with kindness.
• Food: Add one nourishing element to your meals every day this week.
• Exercise: Try a different style of movement—something playful, gentle, or new.

Then ask yourself: What shifted when I stopped forcing and started listening?

Midlife is not a crisis. It’s a powerful transition. Your body isn’t asking for perfection. It’s asking for attention, flexibility, and kindness.

The sooner you stop forcing the old ways, the sooner you’ll discover the joy, strength, and energy that’s possible right now.

I’d love to hear what you are tackling first this week. You can share it with me at [email protected]