At 42, Michelle Kloese found herself in a body she barely recognized. Once a 5K runner in her 20s, she’d slowly gained weight through her 30s and early 40s—an uphill battle made harder by early menopause and a demanding school leadership job. By the time she hit 40, she was 61 pounds heavier, had high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, and painful plantar fasciitis that made everyday movement uncomfortable.
Michelle’s turning point came after a birthday trip to Ireland. Looking at photos from the vacation, she had a realization: “I need to do something different.” That wake-up call—combined with a career shift to a less stressful edtech job—sparked a transformation grounded in just three consistent, sustainable habits. The result? A 60+ pound weight loss, restored energy, improved lab results, and a completely renewed sense of health and identity.
Here’s how she did it—and why her approach is working so well for other women navigating the emotional and physical challenges of perimenopause and midlife stress.
1. She Started Every Morning with a Simple Glass of Water
Michelle’s first habit sounds simple, but it made a big impact: she drank 8 ounces of water right after waking up. Before her weight loss journey, she rarely hit even a single full cup a day. Hydration wasn’t on her radar, even though her body was sending out warning signs—fatigue, sluggishness, and low energy levels that only worsened with hormonal shifts.
After enrolling in Personify Health through her new company’s insurance plan, she began tracking her steps, food, and water intake. Drinking that first glass of water became part of her morning ritual. Instead of viewing hydration as a chore, Michelle used a marked water bottle and logged “steady sips” throughout the day. Her goal: 72 ounces daily.
Hydration plays a crucial role in appetite regulation and digestion. Drinking water first thing helps kickstart metabolism, aids in satiety, and reduces the chance of mistaking thirst for hunger—a common issue among busy professionals.
2. She Replaced Running with Walking, Yoga, and Strength
While she used to run regularly, it no longer worked for her body in her 40s. Her knees and hips couldn’t handle the high-impact activity. Instead of giving up on fitness, she shifted toward gentler yet highly effective routines that included walking, yoga, and circuit-based strength training.
Through the Personify app, Michelle got matched with a personal trainer who emphasized the importance of strength-building in midlife. Women naturally lose muscle with age, which can slow metabolism and contribute to weight gain. Michelle embraced this advice, using light weights for at-home workouts three to four times per week.
She also joined a step challenge and committed to walking 30 minutes every day. Over time, she worked up to 7,000 steps per day and even trained for endurance hiking events like MammothMarch—20-mile hikes that became a new source of motivation and joy.
Yoga soon became part of her weekly routine too, offering both strength and relaxation. It helped relieve stress and added much-needed flexibility and core stability. Michelle said these movement shifts didn’t just transform her body—they transformed her social life. Instead of meeting friends at restaurants, she now plans active outings like nature walks and local hikes.
3. She Made Thoughtful Meal Swaps Instead of Drastic Cuts
One of the most powerful changes Michelle made wasn’t about dieting—it was about awareness.
She used the KickStart app to log her meals using quick snapshots. If she logged a burger with fries, the app gently suggested healthier sides like a salad or sweet potato wedges. Those small nudges helped her build new habits without guilt or extreme restriction. Over time, she naturally began to crave lighter, more nutritious foods.
Michelle was never a big fan of desserts, but she admitted she was “a pasta-potato-bread kind of person.” By gradually swapping white rice for quinoa and choosing sweet potatoes over French fries, she created a sustainable meal plan that supported her goals.
To make healthy eating even easier, Michelle signed up for Factor, a meal delivery service. Having pre-portioned, balanced meals available during her busy workweeks helped her stay consistent without spending hours cooking. It also improved her portion control—one of the subtle but key aspects of long-term weight loss success.
From Burnout to Balance
In total, Michelle lost 38 pounds in the first year and another 23 the next. But the numbers only tell part of the story. The real transformation came from how she felt.
Her cholesterol and blood sugar normalized. Her energy returned. Her plantar fasciitis faded. She finally felt like herself again—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
What stands out most about Michelle’s journey is how intuitive and sustainable her approach has been. Rather than adopting rigid rules or punishing workouts, she rebuilt her life around habits that support her health while honoring her age and lifestyle.
For women navigating early menopause, weight gain, and stress, Michelle’s story is proof that real change doesn’t require perfection—it just requires a plan that works with your body instead of against it.