When the Coffee Stops Working: How I Got My Energy Back After Grief and Weight Gain

And how you can start your own reset with one small step …

Have you ever looked at the clock, realized it’s only 2:00 PM, and thought:

“I have no idea how I’m going to get through the rest of the day.”

So you reach for another cup of coffee.

Or maybe some sugar to get you through.

But deep down, you know … it’s not really helping. It’s just buying you a few more hours before the crash.

If that’s you — I want to tell you a story. And then I want to invite you into a reset that changed everything for me.

My Body Was Tired, But So Was My Soul

After my Mom passed away, I went into survival mode. I stopped cooking. I stopped walking. I stopped caring about what I ate because honestly — I just wanted to feel better, even for a moment.

And so I turned to comfort food. Chips, takeout, mini apple pies with butter pecan ice cream -- anything that numbed the grief for a little while.

I gained 20 pounds.
My sleep was wrecked.
My energy? Gone.
And honestly, so was my motivation.

I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror.
I wasn’t “lazy.” I was lost in grief, overwhelm, and fatigue.

Maybe you’re not grieving a loved one, but you’re grieving something:

• The version of you who used to feel vibrant

• The momentum you once had

• Or the simple joy of waking up feeling rested

If any of that hits home, I want you to know this:

You’re not broken. And you’re not too far gone.

My Reset Didn’t Start with a Diet — It Started with the Basics

I didn’t jump into a restrictive plan.
I didn’t count calories.
I didn’t try to change everything all at once.

Here’s what I did:

1. I started walking again. Just a little each day.

2. I drank more water. Especially first thing in the morning.

3. I protected my sleep. That meant boundaries and actual rest.

They weren’t big changes.
But they were healing changes.

And little by little, my energy returned.
My brain fog lifted.
My cravings softened.
And I started making better choices … because I felt better.

That was the beginning of my real comeback.

And I want to offer you the same opportunity.

Introducing: The 5-Day Walk, Hydrate & Sleep Challenge

I created this FREE challenge to help women like you rebuild energy and focus — without stress, without diet rules, and without guilt.

Here's how it works:

• You’ll get a short daily email with a small action step

• You’ll walk, hydrate, and rest intentionally for 5 days

• You’ll reflect with simple mindset prompts

• You’ll reset your body and brain — naturally

No perfection required.
Just one decision each day to show up for yourself.

Why this works:

When you give your body what it needs, your mind clears.
When you start to feel better, you begin to believe again.
And when you believe again, you can restart the music of your life.

When the Music Restarts…

This challenge is more than just a reset.
It’s a moment to reconnect with you.

The you who wants to feel energized.
The you who wants to stop numbing and start nourishing.
The you who knows she’s capable of more—but just needed someone to walk alongside her for a few days.

Let me be that someone.

Join the 5-Day Walk, Hydrate & Sleep Challenge here:

https://www.thelifestrategies.com/free-5-day-walk-hydrate-sleep-challenge

We start Monday, November 3, and I’d love to walk with you.

Final Thoughts:

You don’t need another to-do list.
You need a reset that actually works — with grace, not guilt.

So if the coffee’s not cutting it …
If your energy is shot …
If you’ve been pouring out and not filling back up …

This is your invitation.

Let’s press play on your reset.
Let’s restart the rhythm of your life — together. 💛

With love and strategy,
Michelle