Mood Swings, Motivation & Midlife: What to Do When You Feel All Over the Place

Aug 17, 2025
 

Mood Swings, Motivation & Midlife: What to Do When You Feel All Over the Place

Weight Loss for Women Over 40 Podcast with your host Nikki T.

If your motivation has disappeared, your moods are unpredictable, and you feel like your body has a mind of its own…this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Nikki breaks down the hormonal chaos of midlife and how to navigate dips in energy, motivation, and emotion without the shame spiral. You'll walk away with simple reset practices, mindset shifts, and the permission to stop pushing and start listening to your body instead.

Want to dive deeper so you can create the body you love? There are currently 2 ways to directly work with me. My Master Your Mind to Change Your Body Group program which you can learn all about by going to weightlossforwomenover40.net/group You can join right then and in less than 2 minutes you could be learning EXACTLY how to lose weight for the last time.

2nd way to work with me and it is only for a select few…is private coaching. I only take on a few clients at a time so if you are ready to streamline your results in a customized way than go apply at weightlossforwomenover40.net/call 

And if you are not quite ready you can grab your free copy of “5 Reasons You Are Not Losing Weight Over 40” ebook at weightlossforwomenover40.net/book 

 

         

 

Mood Swings, Motivation & Midlife: What to Do When You Feel All Over the Place

Podcast Transcript

Welcome back to Weight Loss for Women Over 40. I’m Nikki T. … and if you’re new here, welcome! I’ve been in this industry for over 23 years. Before that, I was a professional ballet dancer, and I’ve seen the full spectrum of health, fitness, and body image. I used to teach diet mentality stuff… until I realized I was completely done with it. This podcast is all about mindset …because it’s the key to getting the body and life you want.

Yes, movement matters. Yes, food matters. But in my world, no food is off limits. If that sounds good to you, stay and listen to the entire episode. And if you’re loving the podcast, please consider leaving a 5-star review — it helps get the word out and keep this show growing!

Now let’s dive into today’s topic: mood swings, motivation, and midlife — and what to do when you feel all over the place.

You wake up foggy, irritated, puffy. You had plans to eat well, go for a walk, finally get back on track… but suddenly, everything feels hard. You feel scattered, emotional, and you start to wonder, “What’s wrong with me?”

Here’s the truth: absolutely nothing.
You’re not broken. You’re not lazy.
You’re not a mess — you’re in midlife.

Welcome to your 40s and beyond, where your body is going through intelligent (and yes, inconvenient) changes. This episode is your permission slip to stop beating yourself up and start approaching your body with more understanding and compassion.

Emotional Earthquakes and Hormonal Shifts

In your 40s and 50s, hormonal shifts don’t just affect your cycle — they’re like emotional earthquakes. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate and impact your sleep, mood, hunger, energy, stress levels, and even your thoughts.

So if you’ve been swinging from confidence to crushed in ten minutes, or wondering where your motivation disappeared to, it’s not that you’re weak. You’re transitioning. And transitions are messy before they get clear.

But here’s the thing: even though your hormones are changing, you are still in control. You still get to decide how you act and respond. We don’t hand over our power just because things feel harder.

Is It Hormones… or Just What You’ve Been Taught?

I want to challenge something: the idea that midlife has to be chaotic. That you're supposed to "go crazy" once you hit 45 or 50. That it’s all downhill.

What if that’s just conditioning?

Yes, hormones shift. But I know plenty of women who glide through this phase with minimal symptoms. One of my clients? Her only issue was some peach fuzz.

So sure, some things are hormonal. But some are patterns and beliefs we've been taught. And it’s worth questioning what’s actually true for you.

When Your Body Feels Off Track

So many women tell me, “My body just isn’t cooperating. I want to do the right thing, but it’s not working.” You plan your workouts. You set your intentions. But then you feel heavy, foggy, sore, inflamed, exhausted. You crave everything. It feels like you’re starting over every single day.

I get it. For me, the foggy brain shows up when I haven’t been taking care of myself — not sleeping enough, not stretching, not prioritizing rest.

Your body isn’t sabotaging you. It’s speaking to you.

I’ve been dealing with some intense SI joint pain lately. My body is literally telling me: go stretch, move differently, rest. Your body sends signals. Are you listening?

Midlife Is Not the Time for Extremes

This is not the season to push through with a brutal 12-week plan. My daughter recently told me, “Just push through the first three days, Mom.” And I had to laugh — because that might’ve worked at 25, but at nearly 52? No way.

When I return to strength training after a break, I ramp up slowly. Otherwise, I’ll be wrecked for a week or more. We’re not in our teens anymore. You can’t “go hard” out of the gate and expect your body to thank you. It’s better to build back with intention.

Make Your Body Your Ally

Ask yourself:

  • Am I treating my body as an ally or an enemy?

  • Am I honoring my energy — or judging it?

  • Am I creating flexibility — or clinging to perfection?

If you're lying on the couch and someone walks in, do you feel like you should be doing something? That’s guilt. That’s judgment. And that’s where we lose the connection to what we actually need.

Flexibility matters. Life is messy. There will always be reunions, vacations, grief, stress. That’s the best time to jump into a program — when life is already happening. That’s when you learn the most.

Motivation Isn't Missing — It's Buried

I tell my private clients this all the time:
Motivation isn’t gone. It’s just buried under unmet needs.

You don’t need to push harder.
You need to pause and listen.

When you’re feeling scattered or off-track, don’t reach for food or your phone. Ask yourself: What do I need right now?

Today, for me, the answer was water and a walk. Even though my electricity went out three times while trying to record this episode, I reminded myself it’s not a big deal. I can pause and reset.

Micro Wins > Massive Goals

Big goals can feel overwhelming. But micro wins create momentum.

Didn’t have time for a 45-minute workout? Stretch for 3 minutes.
Didn’t eat perfectly today? Just make a better choice at the next meal.
Your primitive brain loves that “gold star” feeling — so give it some!

Progress isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up again.

Don’t Over-Identify with Your Emotions

Just because you feel unmotivated doesn’t mean you are unmotivated.
Just because you feel like a mess doesn’t mean you are one.

Emotions are like waves. They rise, and they fall. Let yourself ride them without clinging to them.

Reset Tools You Can Use Right Now

Here are a few tools I give my clients that can help when you feel off:

1. The 60-Second Slow Down

Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly.
Close your eyes. Take five slow breaths.
Say to yourself:

  • “It is safe to pause.”

  • “I am safe in this moment.”

  • “My body loves me.”

2. Body Gratitude Check-In

Even when your body feels like it’s failing you, say:

  • “Thank you for keeping me alive.”

  • “Thank you for showing up.”

  • “Thank you for these legs, this breath, this change I’m moving through.”

3. Evening Reflection

No need for a long journal entry. Just write one sentence:

  • “Today I honored myself by…”

  • “Today I cared for my body by…”
    Even on chaotic days, this gives you closure — and resets your mindset for tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Messy days don’t mean you failed. They just mean you’re in process.
You are not a mess. You are a masterpiece in progress.
Your body is your greatest teacher. It’s asking you to soften, not push.

Trust yourself.
Trust your timing.
And remember — you’ve got this. And I’ve got you.

Want to Go Deeper?

There are two ways to work with me:

Group Coaching: Mastermind to Change Your Body

Includes full access to my Crush Your Cravings program, mindset training, and more.
Join here: WeightLossForWomenOver40.net/group

Private Coaching (Limited Spots)

This is for the woman ready for a custom, high-touch experience.
Apply here: WeightLossForWomenOver40.net/call

Not ready? Grab my free guide:
5 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight Over 40 WeightLossForWomenOver40.net/book

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend. And if you’re loving the podcast, a 5-star review would mean the world!

Until next time,
Breathe. Reset. You’re doing better than you think.