11: How to Feel Calm if You’ve Put on Weight in Your Midlife Body

If you've recently put on weight and found yourself spiralling — even though you know diets don't work — this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we talk about what to do when your body changes and panic sets in. When the old food and body thoughts are loud. When you feel ashamed for even caring, but can't stop thinking about it.

You’ll hear the story of a smart, capable midlife woman who said, "I hate that I care about this so much. I feel like I should know better."
And we unpack exactly why that reaction makes perfect sense — and how you can start feeling calmer, more grounded, and more in charge of your response.

We’re not talking about body love or body positivity.
 We’re talking about something more powerful: self-respect, even in the hard moments.

In this episode, I share a 4-step self-coaching tool to help you:

• Understand why you feel unsettled after gaining weight (even if you're anti-diet)
• Soothe the shame and reactivity without falling back into control tactics
• Choose a kind, respectful response — without needing to fake confidence
• Create physical comfort to support emotional calm

This episode will help you stop abandoning yourself — and start staying with yourself — when your body changes.

🎧 Listen now to learn:

• Why shame after weight gain isn’t personal failure — it’s cultural conditioning
• How to work with your brain’s autopilot, instead of against it
• What to do with those harsh thoughts about your changing body
• Why comfort (yes, including good underwear) is a powerful first step toward calm

Mentioned in this episode:
📥 Want to go deeper? Download the Midlife Body Image Assessment — it’s the next step in understanding what’s really going on beneath your food and body struggles so you can stop obsessing about food and start feeling more easy in your body.

Curious about working together?
I’m currently taking 1:1 clients. Book a no-cost consultation where we’ll talk about your goals and see if I’m the right coach to support you.

If this episode helped you feel seen…
Subscribe or follow the show so you don’t miss the next coaching episode.
And if someone you love is tired of always trying to “get it right,” send them this. It might change their story.

Let’s stay connected:
🌐 Emma's Website
📬 Join the Talking with Emma newsletter
📱 Follow on Instagram, and LinkedIn