Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

If you’ve been trying to lose weight for years – with little success despite your best efforts – it’s easy to feel like something must be wrong with you. But what if the real reason isn’t your motivation or your willpower?

What if your stress response is quietly working against you?

Most women don’t realize that stress plays a major role in blocking weight loss, despite their best efforts. If your body has been holding on to extra weight, even after years of dieting, there’s a good chance your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.

And I don’t mean just current stress.

I mean the years being the caregiver, the fixer, the one responsible for making it all work.

The stress of raising kids, managing households, losing loved ones, navigating menopause, relationships, jobs and careers, politics, and financial worries can all affect your ability to lose weight.

Your Nervous System Is Designed to Protect You

When you’re under stress – emotional, physical, or mental – your body goes into fight or flight mode, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This survival response may help when we encounter danger, but in everyday life it’s triggered by things like health conditions, caretaking, emotional overwhelm, trauma, or even the pressure to lose weight.

In fight-or-flight, your body holds on to weight – especially belly fat – because it thinks you’re in danger. Digestion slows, cravings increase, sleep is disrupted, and your metabolism shifts info fat-storing mode instead of fat-releasing mode.

When your nervous system is in a heightened state, your body naturally looks for relief.

Stress Triggers Cravings and Emotional Eating

One of the fastest ways your mind and body know to calm the chaos is through food, especially sugar and carbs. These foods create a temporary sense of comfort by releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.

It’s not about a lack of discipline – it’s biology. Your body is trying to soothe itself.

When stress builds, you might find yourself mindlessly reaching for snacks, raiding the fridge late at night, or eating when you’re not physically hungry. You’re simply trying to manage your emotions by using food. Because that’s what we learned.

And if you’ve been dieting on and off for years, the problem goes deeper. The feelings of deprivation, guilt, or “not enough” that often come with restrictive eating plans can actually trigger even more emotional eating.

It’s ironic really. Food becomes both the enemy and the escape. The problem and the solution. You try to control it – but end up turning to it for comfort. It’s a painful cycle. But it’s not your fault – and you’re not alone.

There’s a Way Out of the Cycle

The good news is that you can break this pattern. The key is learning how to calm your nervous system, release the emotional weight you’ve been carrying, and rewire the stress response that’s been driving your cravings.

This Isn’t Just What I Teach – It’s What I Live

A few months ago, my husband went through a serious medical issue. It was a deeply emotional, stressful time. Long days and late nights at the hospital, agonizing decisions, mental and emotional exhaustion.

In the past, I would have turned to food to cope – numbing my emotions with carbs just to survive. Dinner would have been a big bowl of buttered popcorn, and I would have “treated” myself with junky snacks from the cafeteria vending machines.

But this time was different.

Using the same tools I teach my clients, I was able to stay calm even in the middle of a big storm.

I didn’t need to reach for food to feel okay – because I had healthier ways to soothe my body and calm my nervous system.

And that’s exactly what I want for you.

I warmly invite you to watch my free Weight Loss Success masterclass to learn how to stop cravings and emotional eating – so you can finally lose the weight and keep it off.”

Let’s Have a Conversation:

On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressed would you say you are? What do you think adds anxiety to your life? Do you think stress pushes you toward eating?

They never said they were perfect!

Photo + Info: Bravo TV

Style Stealers

!function(d,s,id){
var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;
if(!d.getElementById(id)) {
e = d.createElement(s);
e.id = id;
e.src = p + ‘://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js’;
d.body.appendChild(e);
}
if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {
window.__stp.init();
}
}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

Originally posted at: Michelle Lally’s Season 2 Reunion Look

Travel can be wonderful at any age, it just may take a little more consideration when older, especially if you are not as mobile as you once were. That said, I am a great traveller and spent a year travelling the world on my own in my 60s. It was one of the best decisions of my entire life. 🙂

Where

Considering where to go is really important. Think about all the things you love to do: beach, sightseeing, history, architecture, eating in restaurants, visiting interesting places. Once you have figured out the things you love, consider if it is logistically possible, safe, affordable and feasible. For example, I would love to visit the Mayan ruins in Mexico but understand that, with a long-term knee injury, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea. 🙂

Having travelled to Kenya, North America, South Africa, Morocco and The Caribbean a few years ago, I now tend to stick to places in Europe. There are so many beautiful places still on my list including Croatia, Bulgaria, Austria and Hungary. The flight times are short, there is a huge number of interesting places to visit, the people are friendly, and the cost is relatively low. 

When

Think about the time of year you will be visiting as temperatures can vary enormously throughout the year. There was a time when the hotter the better for me, but now I find it saps my energy so tend to go in the cooler months. Also, visiting a place outside the tourist season means fewer people, and you are likely to pay less.

After a rich travel experience, I have found the best deals are often booked last minute so, as I don’t mind when I go, how I get there, or where I go, I tend to book as late as possible.

How

There are so many ways to travel, and I quite like to mix them up, including flying, driving, cruising, train and coach. However, as I have become older, by far my preferred way to travel is by ship. I initially thought I wouldn’t like cruising but am now a real convert. You can make your cruise into anything you like: formal, relaxing, fun, interesting, adventurous… or mix them all!

Insurance

Insurance costs may be higher when travelling over 60 but is so necessary. Sadly, I have been on many cruises when people have become unwell and costs can quickly spiral. Most large cruise ships have medical staff and some even have a small hospital. However, there are times when people have to be evacuated from the ship, and this can be extremely expensive, so always make sure you are fully covered.

Safety

Your safety is your number one priority. Before you book your holiday, take time to research thoroughly. Look at reviews of others who have been at the same location; take into account the climate, terrain, accommodation, crime statistics, food. Think of how you will get there, what you will need to take, including medication. Keep a file with insurance, passport, visa, tickets, etc. Take photocopies of important documents.

Solo?

Many of us over 60 live alone, but that should never deter you from taking a holiday. In fact, I really enjoy traveling alone. I meet more people, do exactly what I like, eat in whatever restaurant I choose, and sleep when it suits.

The only difficulty of travelling alone is the cost. Sadly, many cruise lines charge double (sometimes even more) when you travel alone. I have found that choosing an inside cabin helps reduce the cost, and I always get a better night’s sleep, especially when travelling to countries where it is daylight early. How much time do you spend in your cabin anyway! I am often on deck around 4.00 or 5.00 am, either star gazing or wildlife watching. 🙂

However, many older people prefer to travel in groups, or with a travel company. This can provide peace of mind, and a safety net if things go wrong. If you have not travelled alone before this could be a great starting point, especially if you have health issues, or are a little nervous.

Travelling when you are older can be wonderful. There are so many adventures to be had; new things to experience. I have been fortunate to travel to many incredible places around the world but always it has been the people who have made the trip special. So even if you aren’t going far, remember it is all an adventure. 🙂

Join the Conversation:

Are you planning an adventure? Do you prefer to travel alone? What is your #1 bucket list destination?

Change isn’t always easy – but it’s constant. After 60, it can feel like life is shifting beneath our feet: retirement, downsizing, health changes, loss, becoming a caregiver – or rediscovering who we are when no one needs us in quite the same way.

These transitions aren’t just logistical. They’re emotional. They impact our identity, relationships, and sense of purpose. But here’s the beautiful truth: this chapter of life holds incredible power for reinvention, joy, and Fizz. Yes – Fizz! That spark of energy and meaning that makes you feel fully alive again.

Step 1: Name What’s Changing

It may sound simple, but naming the transition helps you take back your power. Write it down. Say it out loud. Whether it’s a new season of caregiving, shifting family roles, or the bittersweet freedom of an empty nest – acknowledging the change helps you begin to move through it.

Step 2: Let Go of Old Stories

We often carry narratives about what our lives ‘should’ look like by now. It’s time to get curious. What if change didn’t mean loss – but expansion? What if your best connections, work, creativity, or peace are still ahead?

Step 3: Create Small Rituals That Bring You Back to You

One of the most powerful tools during any life transition is creating small, grounding rituals that make space for joy. That might be:

• Lighting a candle and journaling each morning.
• Putting on lipstick before your solo walk.
• Picking a new song as your weekly anthem.
• Taking a ‘Fizz Flash’ moment each day just for YOU.

These aren’t just cute ideas, they’re anchors that help you navigate uncertainty.

Step 4: Find or Build Your Community

Transitions can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Find your people – the ones who get it. Whether it’s a walking group, online forum, faith group, or women’s circle, connection helps you process change and feel supported as you evolve.

If you’re not sure where to begin, check out the Work Life Queens 40+ Facebook Group where we talk all about life’s second chapters.

Or try the Find Your Friendship Fizz Quiz to better understand the connections you need right now.

Step 5: Celebrate the Courage It Takes to Begin Again

Starting over or shifting gears takes guts. Celebrate that. You’re not just “moving on” – you’re moving forward with intention. Give yourself credit for showing up, staying open, and finding your fizz in the process.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

Are you in the middle of a life transition right now? What’s been most surprising, challenging, or beautiful about it? What’s one small thing you could do this week to spark joy or create clarity?