How to put yourself first while caring for everyone else

As you may already know, midlife can be challenging.

Not only are your bodies and emotions undergoing upheaval thanks to your changing hormones, but you may also find yourself juggling multiple responsibilities, from taking care of children (even adult children) and aging parents, to managing careers and households.

Never in history have women been so over-burdened, and yet have so much agency over our lives.

Despite being able to decide for ourselves, we continue to carry the load, and are often reluctant to ask for help.

Too many of us are out of balance and exhausted.

The only way for you to restore balance and gain strength is to finally give in to taking care of your needs.

What are your needs?

Continue reading “How to put yourself first while caring for everyone else”

5 refreshing (and non-boozy) drinks to enjoy guilt-free this summer

Summer is pretty much here, and those fruity cocktails are calling!

But, if alcohol is making sleep more challenging or your migraines or hot flashes flare up, you may want to be considering alternatives for your favorite sangrias, rosées, and long island iced teas.

So, I’m sharing a few fun options here, and bonus is they’re also no-sugar-added, which is also great news for your belly.

Happy sipping!

Continue reading “5 refreshing (and non-boozy) drinks to enjoy guilt-free this summer”

How to eat to stay energized in midlife

Are you feeling less than energetic these days?

Maybe you notice you’re more tired, or lethargic, or even exhausted?

It’s not just because you’re getting older, I promise.

Aside from all the things you’re juggling, what you’re eating may be the culprit.

When you’re in perimenopause and menopause, your hormones are changing, and like it or not, that takes up a good amount of your energy.

So, if you want to increase your energy up and make this hormone shift smoother, consider the foods your’re choosing

Choose foods that give you energy rather than zap your energy.

To help you out, here are some energizing food tips that are known to keep you energized in midlife:

Continue reading “How to eat to stay energized in midlife”

Join the 7-Day Belly Fit for Summer Challenge!!

So, I’m relaunching this popular challenge.

Since summer is right around the corner, this is the perfect time.

The challenge is free, and it starts June 1st!

Why “Belly Fit?”

If you’ve been a regular reader of my blog posts, you know that I’m all about losing fat around the middle.     

Especially peri/menopause related belly fat.

That’s not only because I want you to fit into your favorite 20 year-old jeans (yes, that would be awesome!)

The biggest reason I’m so crazy about reducing belly fat, is that your health can be measured by your waistline.

Yup, your waistline.

Studies have shown that if your waistline is larger than half your height, you’re at a higher risk for all the big lifestyle illnesses.

That’s because belly fat is related to insulin resistance and stress.

Waist not weight

I know for a lot of you, losing weight is probably high up on your wish list.

And while that’s not a bad thing, I want you know that weight isn’t the best number to focus on.

At least not if being healthier or fitter are also goals.

In fact, focusing on weight has strong emotional ties, and may even demotivate you.

And, as you know, two people can weigh the same, but be in very different shape.

So, if better health and fitness are goals, then measure your WAIST, not your WEIGHT.

Waist circumference will tell you a whole lot more than weight.

And while you’re slimming your waistline, you’ll also be getting a whole lot of other benefits:

  • Stronger muscles and bones
  • Increased energy
  • Stronger emotional health
  • Less intense perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, migraines, and heavy periods

The Challenge

My 7-day BELLY FIT CHALLENGE is to move your body AND de-stress every day for 7 days in a row.

Join my 7-Day Belly Fit Challenge

It’s a simply powerful way to start your summer.

So, for the first 7 days of June, you’ll receive a simple exercise/workout in you email inbox, that won’t take longer than 15 minutes to complete.

Each workout will be different, and will help you lose belly fat.

And that doesn’t mean it’s just a bunch of “core” exercises.

It means you’ll be doing a mix of strength (resistance) training, cardio, and calm, conscious movement.

And in addition to the physical workout, you’ll also get some of my favorite stress-relieving ideas.

Learning to calm your body and mind will be huge in helping you become more belly fit.

So, when the challenge is done, you’ll have lots of ideas to keep you going!

Before the Challenge

So, here’s a pre-challenge challenge for you: 

Figure out where you can carve out 15 minutes in your day. 

Will it be first thing in the morning, on your lunch hour, before dinner, after dinner… When works best for you?

Planning ahead is a huge part of succeeding, so find a time you know will work every day.

And another thing:

MEASURE your waistline.

You’ve got to know where you’re starting on June 1st.

Yes, the challenge is only 7 days, and of course you won’t lose ALL the inches you want in one week.

BUT the exercises and stress relievers that I’ll be sharing with you can be used for the coming weeks and months.

So, if you stay consistent, and keep going beyond the 7 days, before you know it, you’ll have lost inches!

Imagine yourself on August 31st, and how amazing you’ll feel knowing how far you’ve come over the summer.

Are you ready?

Let’s move forward together and get this done!!

Debbie

P.S. Here’s where to sign up for the Challenge:  https://debbie-harbec.lpages.co/7-day-belly-fit-challenge-2023

P.P.S. Have questions, or want more personalized help? Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com or book a time to talk with me directly!

Midlife career crisis and how to overcome it

Work is a big part of our lives.

Most of us are at work, whether physically or virtually, eight hours a day on average.

And the work we do impacts our health, our stress, and our physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

So, what, when, and how you work matters.

Especially in midlife.

Because the challenges at work and outside of work are changing.

And they impact you on every level.

Outside of work you may be dealing with…

Continue reading “Midlife career crisis and how to overcome it”

My Best Strategies for FEELING BETTER in Perimenopause

So, Better Belly Week has been moved to November 1st to 4th instead of next week.

If you aren’t already signed up, there’s now more time to get that done!

Join me for Better Belly Week

I’ll be presenting 4 short LIVE sessions over 4 days to answer your questions about…

  • Losing belly fat
  • Reducing bloating
  • Sleeping better
  • Finding time to exercise
  • Choosing the best exercise
  • Eating mindfully
  • Planning meals and snacks
  • Making time for yourself
  • Creating a better work/life balance
  • and more…

In the meantime, until we meet November 1st, here are four posts that you may find helpful.

They represent four of my best strategies to feeling better in perimenopause.

Have a fantastic week, and keep moving forward,

Debbie

P.S. If you want to get your perimenopause body back on track, let’s talk. Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com or book a time directly in my calendar.

Join me for Better Belly Week

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada.

And it’s one of my favourite holidays.

Of course, a big part of what I love about it is the food…

Pumpkin pie being my absolute favourite.

But it’s especially a time to remember all the things we’re thankful for.

And in this past year, I feel really blessed that I’ve been able to work with so many great women.

Women who, like me, are moving forward through peri/menopause.

We know that peri/menopause, although it’s natural, can be a challenging time.

And being able to guide women through it, and find ways that we can all feel better in our bodies, maybe even better than ever, is what I love most.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, and once the leftovers are gone, I’m offering four days of strategies, ideas, and tips to feel better in your peri/menopause body.

I’m calling it Better Belly Week

Join me for Better Belly Week!

From November 1st to 4th, I’ll be live for up to an hour each day, sharing what works to feel better in your belly, body, and life.

Continue reading “Join me for Better Belly Week”

Be HER now

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

Do you see the woman you can be, or the woman you have been?

Do you see the mistakes and screw ups, or the successes and accomplishments?

Do you appreciate what’s beautiful, or feel disappointed by what isn’t?

I’m the first to say that you are not your body.

And your body is not you.

Continue reading “Be HER now”