“You don’t have to eat like everyone else to belong.” - Leslie Duffy

Picture this: you’re out to dinner, the lighting is perfect, your outfit is on point, and you’re committed to your health goals. But then your friend orders fries, your partner gets a cocktail, and that little voice in your head says, “I can just start over on Monday.” You know what to do, but in the moment, it’s hard to follow through. That’s not weakness, it’s your brain doing what it’s wired to do: keep you comfortable, connected, and part of the group.

Midlife adds another layer to all of this because your hormones are changing how your brain responds to stress, food, and social pressure. Lower progesterone makes you more sensitive to overwhelm. Blood sugar swings make cravings feel louder. And when your energy is lower or you don’t feel like yourself, it’s easy to slip into what you’ve always done. In social situations like these, you’re up against biology, psychology, and old habits, all in one. That’s why sticking to your intentions can feel so much harder.

Today, I’ll share how to use my Worth It filter to make confident, intentional choices instead of reactive ones, simple strategies for ordering at restaurants, how to respond when someone questions your food choices, why taking up space is an act of self-care, practical ways to support your hormones at brunch, parties, or date night without feeling deprived, and more.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools to take care of yourself without feeling like you’re missing out.

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Your Takeaways

Why social pressure makes it hard to stick to your health goals

The motivational triad and how it drives our food choices

How you can use my Worth It filter to make guilt-free decisions

Simple scripts for restaurants, parties, and social events

Learning to belong without conforming

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Episode Resources

Grab your FREE Perimenopause Social Survival Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/ad3b30e023

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/15

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to [email protected]

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