At 41 years old, Michelle Kloese is healthier than ever, having shed 50 pounds and overcome numerous health challenges, including back pain, plantar fasciitis, and high cholesterol. Her journey, marked by slow but steady progress, was catalyzed by a combination of diet, exercise, and personalized habits—each tailored to her life after an early menopause diagnosis.
Kloese’s struggle with her weight began around the age of 35 when she started noticing the weight creeping on. Along with this, she faced physical discomfort—back pain and foot issues from plantar fasciitis. Her energy levels dropped, and routine health markers like blood sugar and cholesterol levels spiked. Kloese realized that her body was no longer the same, and this led her to make a crucial decision for change.
The turning point came in January 2023, when Kloese celebrated her 40th birthday with a trip to Ireland. Upon returning, she was struck by how different she looked in the photos from the trip. Upon weighing herself, she discovered that she had gained 38 pounds, pushing her weight to 177.3 pounds. The realization was a wake-up call, prompting her to take immediate action.
Today, Kloese is a picture of health, free from the ailments that once hindered her and weighing 50 pounds less. The following is a breakdown of the seven core habits that transformed her life:
1. Understanding Menopause and Weight Loss
Kloese’s weight gain was partly due to early menopause, a condition that led her to explore how hormonal changes could affect weight. She consulted her doctor and leaned on a supportive network of friends and family for guidance. Armed with knowledge, she embarked on her weight-loss journey with a goal of losing weight in a healthy and sustainable way.
2. Tracking Habits for Accountability
Kloese knew that structure was key to her success. She turned to the Me+ Daily Routine Planner app to track her daily habits. She created a list of healthy habits, committing to check them off every day. While she allowed flexibility—more stringent during weekdays and relaxed on weekends—this approach provided her with the structure she needed to stay consistent and motivated.
3. Strength Training for Physical and Mental Strength
One of the cornerstones of Kloese’s new routine was strength training. Initially, she followed the Kickstart Training app’s structured workouts, but she eventually created her own regimen, incorporating exercises like planks and bodyweight exercises. She now performs daily planks, gradually building up to three minutes. Strength training not only improved her physical fitness but also boosted her mental resilience.
4. Increasing Water Intake
Kloese realized she was chronically dehydrated, consuming fewer than eight ounces of water daily. To combat this, she gradually increased her intake to 72 ounces per day, a process that took about two months. Starting her day with a glass of water and maintaining a steady intake throughout the day helped her stay on track and reduce headaches, ultimately improving her energy levels.
5. Creative Ways to Get Steps In
Having transitioned to a desk job after years of teaching, Kloese was no longer getting the natural movement she used to. To counter this, she set a daily walking goal of 15 minutes. She started walking her dog but faced challenges with weather conditions. In response, she purchased a walking pad that allowed her to get steps in even during rainy weather or while attending virtual meetings. This small change helped her increase her daily step count from 4,000 to nearly 9,000 steps.
6. Making Healthier Food Choices
Kloese revamped her diet by making small, manageable changes. She embraced intermittent fasting, cut out late-night snacks, and opted for healthier alternatives like sweet potato fries over regular fries. As she continued to lose weight, she became more excited about nutritious foods, planning meals like avocado toast and overnight oats. Dining out became a rare treat, reduced to once or twice a week, further helping her stay on track.
7. Leveraging Social Support
Kloese also found strength in her community. She switched her habit-tracking app to Personify Health, a platform her workplace provided, enabling her to connect with coworkers across Florida. This introduced an element of friendly competition that kept her engaged. Additionally, her social circle played a crucial role. Instead of meeting for drinks, Kloese and her friends began to bond over activities like walking, yoga, and hiking. This social shift reinforced her commitment to healthy habits and provided her with a strong support system.
The Results: A Transformed Life
The transformation took time—about one year and nine months. While she noticed mental improvements after just one month, physical changes took a bit longer. However, as Kloese began to check off her habits daily, the results became evident. She steadily lost 2 to 5 pounds each month and, over time, reached her goal weight of 123.2 pounds.
Kloese’s story doesn’t just reflect personal success—it has inspired those around her. Her husband lost 30 pounds, and one of her friends shed over 100 pounds as well. Now, Kloese feels better in her 40s than she ever did in her 30s. She’s determined to maintain her healthy lifestyle, incorporating physical activity into her travels and staying active with her new routines. For Kloese, the goal isn’t just about losing weight—it’s about maintaining her hard-earned habits and living a life of vitality.
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