At 40, Michelle Kloese looked at a photo from her birthday trip to Ireland and didn’t recognize the woman smiling back at her. In just five years, she had gained 38 pounds, lost her energy, and was dealing with serious health issues like high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and painful feet caused by plantar fasciitis.
But Michelle hadn’t always felt this way. Back in her 20s, she loved running and used to race 5Ks just for fun. Then things slowly started to change.
She began experiencing early menopause in her mid-20s. Symptoms like infertility hit her hard. By her 30s, tests confirmed that she was in perimenopause much earlier than most women.
On top of that, Michelle had taken a high-stress job as a middle school assistant principal. Her days started before the school bell and stretched long after. She had no time to exercise and her meals became irregular.
Cupcakes from coworkers and candy baskets from parents often replaced real meals. Michelle admits, “If there was a cupcake on my desk, I’d eat it.”
The real wake-up call came when she turned 40. A surprise trip to Ireland gave her a moment to reflect. Looking at the vacation photos, she said to herself, “Oh gosh, I need to do something different.”
And she did. Over the next two years, Michelle lost 61 pounds. She didn’t do it with extreme dieting or hours at the gym. Instead, she made steady, realistic changes that helped her feel like herself again.
What Was the First Habit She Changed?
Michelle started with something small. She began each morning by drinking a full glass of water.
Before this, she barely drank water at all. Some days she only had one small cup. Her new goal was to drink at least 72 ounces daily.
Each morning she drank 8 ounces as soon as she woke up and logged it in her health app, Personify Health. She used a marked water bottle to track small sips throughout the day. It helped her stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
Drinking more water helped her feel full and made it easier to skip sugary drinks like soda. That small step became one of her most powerful habits.
Did She Continue Running?
Not anymore. While running used to be her favorite way to stay fit, it started hurting her knees and hips in her 40s.
So Michelle switched to walking. She joined a step challenge through her app and aimed to walk for 30 minutes every day. Surprisingly, she saw the same weight loss results from walking that she used to see from running.
She also used a walking pad while working and walked on local trails whenever she could. Her daily goal became 7,000 steps or more.
Along with walking, Michelle added strength training at home. She worked out with light weights three to four times a week. Eventually, she started practicing yoga too. Yoga helped her stay strong and flexible while also helping her relax.
These new routines fit better into her life and allowed her to stay active without injury. They also changed how she spent time with friends. Instead of going out to eat, they now go hiking together.
How Did She Change Her Eating Habits?
Michelle didn’t follow a strict diet. She simply started making smart food swaps.
She was never into sweets but loved carbs. Bread, pasta, and potatoes were her go-to comfort foods. Through her app, she started logging meals by taking photos. It helped her see where she could make better choices.
For example, if she ordered a burger and fries, the app would suggest trying a salad or sweet potato wedges next time. These suggestions helped her make better decisions without giving up the foods she enjoyed.
Over time, these swaps became second nature. She started choosing quinoa instead of white rice and added more vegetables to her meals.
She also began ordering pre-made healthy meals through Factor. It helped her manage portion sizes and stay on track during her busiest workdays.
These small changes didn’t feel like sacrifices. They simply helped her eat better and feel better.
Did Her Health Improve?
Yes, in many ways.
As Michelle lost weight, her health problems started to fade. Her cholesterol levels dropped. Her blood sugar returned to a healthy range. She had more energy and no longer felt tired all the time.
“I feel so much better now,” she said.
Michelle is now focused on maintaining her weight. Her goal is to stay within a few pounds of her current weight. She continues tracking her steps, eating balanced meals, and staying active every day.
What Can We Learn from Michelle’s Story?
Michelle didn’t change everything overnight. She didn’t rely on crash diets or intense workouts. Instead, she took small, meaningful steps that added up over time.
She drank more water. She walked instead of ran. She made simple food swaps. Most importantly, she stayed consistent.
Michelle’s journey reminds us that lasting change is possible when you build habits that work for your life, not against it.
Want to start your own transformation? Try this:
- Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
- Go for a 30-minute walk every day
- Swap one heavy meal this week for a lighter version
- Track your progress in a way that feels easy
You don’t need to do it all at once. Like Michelle, you can start with one step and let the rest follow.
Would you try one of her habits today?
