Local business owners compete in weight loss challenge with support from Medical Weight Loss Clinic

At our Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations, we know it takes support to stick to a healthy program. And we found the perfect example of that kind of camaraderie among two of our patients.

Jason Kaleta and Chris Cooper are competing in a weight loss challenge, bolstered by the community.

As local business owners and friends in the tight-knit Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. community, Chris Cooper of Zeppelin Cleaning Services and Jason Kaleta of Hill Mortgage recently announced that they are competing in a friendly weight loss challenge to see who can drop the most weight during the month of August. Their goal is to lose 20 pounds in one month.

Cooper and Kaleta have documented this friendly competition on Facebook and are sharing their weigh-ins without reservation. Kaleta’s starting weight is 223 pounds and Cooper’s starting weight is 211.5 pounds. Both business owners admitted they’re competitive by nature and in the past have worked out together – so this seemed like a natural fit.

“Chris and I have come up with an idea to challenge ourselves to lose some weight and motivate each other along the way,” said Kaleta. “After one week, I feel very motivated and lucky to be doing this with such a good friend! We hope that the videos we post will inspire more people to jump on the weight loss train!” 

There’s a local charity tie-in, too. For every pound Cooper loses, he will contribute $20 to Detroit Dog Rescue. For every pound Kaleta loses, he will contribute $20 to Kids on the Go. The charities were suggested by Cooper, as he has worked with each before and knows the founders personally. The competitors also asked that their Facebook fans consider commenting on who they predict will win. And each of those comments earns one of the non-profit recipients an additional $5.

“We're extremely excited about this opportunity with Medical Weight Loss Clinic,” said Cooper. “I'm a huge advocate for the program and was doing really well with it before COVID-19 and am so glad to be back on the program. The staff at the Grosse Pointe Woods location is spectacular. One week in, I feel so much better and have already dropped 8 pounds from where I was.”

Medical Weight Loss Clinic Owner David Paull was so inspired by their efforts, he has offered to match a donation to each of their charities – up to $240 each – by the end of August.

"Medical Weight Loss Clinic is proud to support our patient’s efforts to better their health and positively impact the community while doing so," said Paull.

Cooper and Kaleta were appreciative of this offer. They mentioned that additional members of the community have reached out to match their own donations to this effort, too.

“What started as a fun little challenge has blossomed into something very special,” he said. “Both charities have reached out and expressed their sincere appreciation for our help in a time where fundraising has been very challenging.”

Now is the ideal time to get healthy, Cooper added. We’re all more aware of our health as we navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone is talking about waiting for a vaccine,” he said. “This is something you can do in the meantime.”

If you’re ready to work toward a healthier life, we’re here to help. Learn more about Medical Weight Loss Clinic, our community connections, or book your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.

Picturing Success: Dawn Grauf finds her way off the yo-yo diet

One phone call made a world of change for Dawn Grauf of Saginaw. 

It was April 2017. Dawn’s daughter was getting married in August. She was determined to lose weight for the wedding, but she wasn’t losing as much as she wanted. Then, she saw a Medical Weight Loss Clinic commercial and called to set up a consultation.

“I had tried many different weight loss plans and they just did not work for me,” Dawn said.

Saginaw’s Dawn Grauf saw life-changing results with Medical Weight Loss Clinic.

“I needed a plan that would work for me long term to keep the weight off. I had lost the same 23-30 pounds and gained them back for many years, and I was tired of the yo-yo diets. I really liked the accountability of the program, weighing in three times a week and meeting with the Medical Weight Loss Clinic consultants. Plus, once the weight was off, I would still be able to attend Medical Weight Loss Clinic, which would continue the accountability for permanent weight loss.” 

Dawn knows she has a support system through the program. “The most helpful part of the program has been knowing that I am not alone,” she said. “Medical Weight Loss Clinic consultants are my lifelong cheerleaders. They encourage me and help me to maintain a healthy weight.”

Her relationship with food has forever changed.

“I learned how to eat food without salt and even now that I have been on maintenance for over a year and a half, I still use very little salt,” she said. 

“I love the structure of the meal plans. They really helped me to stay on track and lose the weight. I love the ability to eat real, healthy foods that I can buy at the grocery store. I love the Medical Weight Loss Clinic supplements; they satisfy my hunger as well as my sweet tooth.” 

Dawn has confidence that even when she hits a bump in the road, she’ll bounce back.

“I think the hardest part of weight loss is maintaining it,” she said. “Right now, I am struggling to lose a few pounds that I gained over the winter months.  But I have the tools and I know what I need to do to get those extra pounds back off.”

Sticking to the plan isn’t always easy, but Dawn knows that it’s important. “I keep going back because maintaining my weight is a lifelong journey,” she said.

The results have been great. Dawn’s daughters live out of state, and when they visited for Christmas, they discussed how proud they were of their mother.  

After dropping the weight, Dawn feels confident and healthy. 

“Losing weight has helped me deal with the chronic shoulder and arm pain which I have been dealing with for over 13 years,” she said.

“Feeling down and depressed about my weight made it more difficult to deal with the pain.  Thank you Medical Weight Loss Clinic for providing me with a weight loss program that has changed my life forever.”

If you are ready to get active, lose weight and feel better, contact Medical Weight Loss Clinic today for your free consultation. Schedule the consultation online or call 1-800-GET-SLIM.

How to crush your healthy living goals, even after a slip-up

Everyone slips up from time to time. We know how to help you get back on track.

Updated: 7/14/25

Training Supervisor Tabitha Panetta has a great deal of experience working with patients at Medical Weight Loss Clinic. She’s seen patients reach for a goal and knows that occasionally we slip up. We overindulge. We don’t make time for exercise – and it’s hard to get healthier when that happens.

But getting back on track is all part of the Medical Weight Loss Clinic program. Everyone is on a journey and will face this challenge.  

Just like it’s important to find ways to boost your willpower (link to post), it’s also key to learn from those times when we slip off track. Tabitha reminds our patients not to be too hard on themselves. Change will come. Here’s some advice she has to keep your motivation up during those challenging moments.

Learn to let go

Every decision we make in a day doesn’t have to be perfect. And knowing when to move on will help us meet those health goals.

“If later - or tomorrow - you are still thinking about your weekend cheat then those have become negative and hindering thoughts,” Tabitha says. “We leave it in the counseling room and move on. We have goals to accomplish!” 

Reflect on choices and make a change next time

“Eating at your event might not have gone as planned but you have an opportunity to reflect on how you would handle this obstacle differently in the future,” Tabitha says. “Next time, don’t skip lunch. Instead, eat a supplement before you go so you’ll feel satisfied with healthier choices – like shrimp, fruit and veggies. There won’t be a need to binge on carbs and sweets.”

More ways to measure success

Tabitha notes that losing any amount of weight – be it 20 pounds or 100 pounds – is a goal achieved through many successes. She asks patients to take all of those efforts into account.

“The fact that you now drink 64 oz of water per day, that you are regularly exercising or that passing on sweets may not be as difficult as it once was  - that’s all part of the new habits the new you has accomplished.”

Celebrate it! These changes are just as important as numbers lost on the scale. 

“These new habits are going to be the key to keeping your weight off,” Tabitha says. “You have earned every pound lost by achieving many small goals on your way to reaching the ultimate goal you set out to obtain from the beginning. So, every success is a step in the right direction.”

Focus on the big picture

Weight loss and health goals are best met when we think about the reasons we want to achieve these goals.

“Know your motivation and keep the big picture in mind,” Tabitha says. “Focus on what you did accomplish. The fact you made it this far, you are still working on it and you haven't given up. It's a lifestyle change and that doesn't always come easy - but it will be worth it in the end.”

Always find the positive, Tabitha tells her patients. Never stop trying. And know you’re not alone.

Want help getting back on track with your health goals? Our experts at Medical Weight Loss Clinic can help. Call 248-353-8446 or visit us online to book a consultation.