Heather K.
Found the secret to a healthy weight after 40 at MWLC*
Heather’s story…
For Heather Kehoe, the weight-related frustrations began to build after she turned 40.
“I am blessed that I didn't struggle with weight when I was younger; however, after I turned 40 that all changed,” she says. “I started to slowly gain weight and then it seemed that I was gaining 10 pounds every year. I gained over 30 pounds and lost confidence. I was uncomfortable and not happy in my own skin.”
Heather and her story now appear on posters at all of the Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations.
She tried to change course on her own with cleanses, diets and more exercise, unwilling to give in to the weight gain for as long as she could.
“I’d lose a few pounds here and there, but then l’d just gain it back, plus more. I love taking pictures, but I no longer wanted to be in them. I didn't look forward to social events because my clothes didn’t fit me. I refused to buy bigger clothes, but eventually I couldn't squeeze myself into my clothes and I had no choice.”
“My breaking point was when I almost couldn’t finish a hike while my husband and I were on vacation.”
Heather says, at one point, she thought the weight gain was something that happens when you’re 40-plus and that there was nothing she could do about it. But ultimately, her lifestyle was impacted too. She refused to accept that it was out of her control.
“My breaking point was when I almost couldn't finish a hike while my husband and I were on vacation,” she says. “We were on a tour with other people and everyone had no issues keeping up, but I was sweating, huffing and puffing and my face was beet red! At one point I wanted to tell them to leave me behind; that I'd get there eventually! Something had to change.”
When Heather thought about what it would take to lose the weight for good, she says she knew she needed a physical place to go.
Heather Kehoe found the secret to weight loss after age 40 with help from Medical Weight Loss Clinic professionals.
“I knew I needed someone other than myself to hold me accountable,” she adds. “I needed somebody to weigh and measure me.”
When Heather visited Medical Weight Loss Clinic in Shelby Township, she found the solution.
In 10 months on her custom program, Heather lost 32 pounds and 12.75 inches, keeping it off for over a year.
“I feel AMAZING,” says Heather, now 48. “I have so much more energy, I’ve regained my confidence and I feel good in my clothes again! I didn’t get rid of some of my smaller clothes and I was SHOCKED when I put on a pair of jeans and they fit!”
For Heather, the tips and tools she gained from the team at the Shelby Township clinic have helped her feel confident that her weight loss will be permanent. She says it was helpful that she could go at her own pace to lose the weight rather than being forced onto a firm schedule.
“This wasn’t a short-term goal or diet for me; this is a lifestyle change,” Heather says. “I learned that I wasn’t eating enough to keep my metabolism functioning properly. I learned what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat. I’ve also learned how to get myself back on track if I decide to indulge one day.”
Heather’s Tips for Weight Loss Success
Heather offers several tips that have helped her for others starting their journey with Medical Weight Loss Clinic:
● Follow the program, it works!
● Be honest with yourself and the clinic staff. They are truly there to help you.
● If you can, remove your trigger foods from your house.
● Eat before parties or bring your food if you can.
“I did the program during the summer and there were a LOT of parties! I’d bring my meal and eat it while everyone else had the party food. It was challenging at first, but it got easier, especially when I saw the numbers decrease on the scale!”
● If you don't have a food scale, buy one to help learn portion sizes.
● Don’t let one day off track ruin your week. Tomorrow is a new day and you can get right back on track. Plus, Medical Weight Loss Clinic staff have “tricks” up their sleeves to help you!
● Food prep is key! Making sure I had healthy snacks at hand helped me to not grab for those bags of chips.
She encourages anyone thinking about joining Medical Weight Loss Clinic to contact a nearby clinic.
“I’m excited to say that I have been on many more hikes since I have lost the weight, and I haven't wanted to be left behind! I'm also not just taking the pictures but I'm back in them!” she says. “We all have a story and you can have a success story too!”
