Category: Aging

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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”
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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!

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5 Fun Ways to Boost Your Confidence and Rock Your Midlife Body

Whoever said midlife couldn’t be fun?

Even at 81, Martha Stewart seems to be having a blast celebrating her body on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

So, what about us?

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, with all the changes happening in your own body, why not approach them with a healthy dose of fun and humor?

In this post, I want to dive into five fun and effective ways to boost your confidence and rock your changing midlife body.

Get ready to laugh and have a great time on your way to a newfound self-assurance!

Continue reading “5 Fun Ways to Boost Your Confidence and Rock Your Midlife Body”
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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”
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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”
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How to clear your mind for better mental health

So, earlier this week I talked about why clearing your mind is important.

Basically, learning to clear you mind can keep you mentally healthy and focused.

Because if chaos reigns, eventually melt downs and burn outs will occur.

In this time, where distractions are everywhere, mental health issues have become the biggest threat to our happiness, and in fact, to our survival.

Our minds are largely unfocused, and therefore predisposed to conditions like high anxiety and depression.

We’re directly, and at all times, plugged into work, friends, family, and the world at large.

If we feel even the least bit “bad” we reach for food, alcohol, drugs, Netflix, and more.

Which leads to a host of other issues – physical and mental.

The truth is, none of us are immune to mental health issues.

It’s something I think we all have to take seriously for ourselves, as we grow older, and for those we love and care about.

So, what can you do?

Continue reading “How to clear your mind for better mental health”
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Make your health your most valuable investment

Working with women over 40, many women I meet are focused on building wealth.

They’re asking for raises or getting promoted.

They’re finding ways to create passive income, and get their money working for them.

They’re hiring financial advisors and wealth managers to help them get to their goals.

I love that so many women are kicking ass financially.

And, it’s also made me think.

The principles of building wealth are pretty much the same as those that build health.

The big difference is currency.

Continue reading “Make your health your most valuable investment”
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Energize yourself by going GREEN this summer

I would never have thought a color could affect health.

But colors do impact us.

Not only emotionally and psychologically, but physically as well.

GREEN, in particular, is a color that not only represents health and well-being…

It can literally transform your health and well-being.

GREEN is also associated with growth, renewal, and calm.

So, I think we could all use a little more green in our lives.

I mean, if a color can make you healthier, why not make it work for you?

Here are some ideas for introducing more GREEN into your life this summer:

Continue reading “Energize yourself by going GREEN this summer”
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Do you need Hormone Therapy (aka HRT)?

I’ve had several questions about this topic.

So, I decided to write this post.

And give you a few references (below).

Before diving in, I just want to preface by saying I’m not a hormone expert.

And I’m not a doctor (and don’t even play one on tv.)

So, everything I’m writing here is based on information I’ve gathered from books, articles, and studies (I’ve included a few references below.)

With that out of the way, here’s the most important thing I know…

Menopause is a natural event in a woman’s life (I know that sounds a little like sex ed 101, but bear with me…)

What I mean is that menopause is normal.

It’s not a condition that needs to be fixed or medicated.

Continue reading “Do you need Hormone Therapy (aka HRT)?”