Maryann Loucks- Health Coach, CFNC

Set meaningful health goals for 2026 with these six powerful questions designed to help midlife women create sustainable lifestyle and wellness changes. The start of a new year often comes with pressure to set big goals or dramatic resolutions. But after years of working with midlife women , I’ve found that real change doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from getting clearer. Clear about who you want to be, how you want to feel, and what truly supports your health and wel

The holidays bring up so many emotions . Joy, love, excitement, and connection often live right alongside holiday stress , anxiety, grief, or loneliness. Depending on your stage of life and family dynamics, this season can feel comforting or overwhelming or both. Add in gatherings, end-of-year reflections, and packed schedules, and it is no surprise that emotions feel heightened. One reason holiday stress and family dynamics  feel so intense is that old family patterns and ex

Let’s be honest… the holidays are supposed  to be twinkly and magical, but sometimes they feel more like a marathon you didn’t train for. We enter the season overcommitted, overstimulated, and overwhelmed — and then wonder why we’re tired, cranky, and maybe eating candy canes in the pantry. If this sounds familiar, you are in very good company. Where the Pressure Comes From A lot of holiday stress isn’t actually ours — it’s borrowed. There’s pressure from: media family friend

The holiday season can be joyful and  overwhelming. Busy schedules, travel, extra treats, late nights… it all adds up. But with a few intentional habits, you can enjoy the season without losing your momentum. Here are five simple areas to focus on—one for each of the pillars I teach my clients: sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress resilience, and relationships. 1. Sleep: Protect Your Energy Sleep is your recovery and resilience superpower. ✔️ Aim to stay within one hour of your

This is Thanksgiving week , and I feel especially grateful this year. I'll be spending the holiday with our children, their spouses, and my parents. Our son and his wife will be hosting in their new home—a beautiful gathering filled with love, laughter, and connection. 2025 has been a year full of milestones and blessings. Two of our children got married, celebrating their unions exactly as they wanted. Family health scares are behind us, and everyone is doing much better. Ho

T he holidays can be joyful—but for women in midlife, they often come with stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion . Between travel, family obligations, and disrupted routines, it’s easy to feel drained. Here are the top 5 holiday stressors  women face and practical strategies to manage them: 1. Travel Stress Traveling during the holidays can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing. Action Steps: Plan your trip early to reduce last-minute stress. Pack healthy snacks to avoid relying on

Making more time for fun! This week in my online wellness course, we focused on the importance of sleep, rest, and recovery , essential pillars of a healthy lifestyle.  Personally, winding down is always a challenge for me. My mind rarely stops, so I’ve been putting intentional effort into stress management  and daily rest  to support both my mental clarity and overall wellness. Here’s what can happen when we neglect rest: Increased stress and burnout , leaving you fatigued

This past month, I’ve started taking more time on the weekends to simply rest . No planning, no errands—just me and some quiet time.  At first, I felt a little guilty for slowing down, but now I can honestly say  I feel more energized, focused, and just…lighter. I’m not talking about doing absolutely nothing all weekend. Instead, I carve out a chunk of time to  just chill .  I’ve had to let go of the mindset that  if I’m not busy, I’m not making progress . I’m one of those wo

My home "gym". Yup, that's it. People often ask me what I do for a workout, and honestly—it’s nothing fancy. I’m not a gym rat. I like to keep things simple, consistent, and doable from home. For me, it’s about moving my body every day  and building strength that supports real life. Over the past few months, I’ve been recovering from an illness that left me fatigued, out of breath, and weak. It took time (and patience!) to rebuild my stamina. I’ve learned to listen to my body

Here’s how I’m resetting my own midlife health with simple lifestyle shifts and a renewed focus on balance. Recently I’ve felt a little off track — busy, distracted, and not quite myself. Plus, I’m recovering from a recent bout of pneumonia! Even as a health coach, I have to remind myself that wellness isn’t a straight line. It’s a cycle — and it’s okay to begin again. As I’ve been guiding clients through my Grounded & Glowing Reset , I started revisiting my own Reset Checkli

Ever find yourself wondering, “How did I make it through another holiday season?”  Some years it feels effortless, and other times you’re...

You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out Alone Your body is always talking but sometimes the clues feel confusing or even overwhelming....

Your body leaves breadcrumbs everyday. It gives us everyday clues that our health might be out of balance. Are you ignoring the signs? ...

I hear it all the time: “I just don’t feel like myself.”  Maybe it’s fatigue, bloating, restless sleep, nagging headaches, brain fog, or...

I did something today that I’ve thought about for years but never followed through on. I donated blood. It feels almost strange to write...

Summer is ending and fall is right around the corner, and I can’t think of a better time to hit the reset button. After a season of...

Struggling to fit exercise into your busy life? You’re not alone! For midlife women, it’s easy to let work, family, and daily...

We live in a convenience culture. It’s easy to grab a protein bar, microwave meal, or fast food when we’re short on time — but those...

Want to start your day feeling energized, focused, and ready to take on the world—or at least the coffee maker? ☕️ It all begins with...

If I could only sleep like my dog! If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “I’m just a bad sleeper,”  I could buy a lifetime supply...