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At 72 years young, Kay Schlab was told by her cardiologist that she needed to start losing weight. This didn’t come as a surprise—she had tried several times to improve her health through other weight loss programs, but would regain the weight every time. Thankfully, she didn’t give up and finally reached her goal with Muscle Wise. Read about Kay’s weight loss journey and how her wellness coach made all the difference.
I always knew that losing weight would be good for me. After my cardiologist suggested it at my yearly checkup, I was determined that I could lose the weight all by myself. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but not because I wasn’t trying.
I had even asked a friend to be my weight loss partner—we used to do Weight Watchers together and were in the same boat. I’d already tried the program three times, but every time I lost the weight, I just didn’t have the motivation nor expertise to maintain it. Every time, I fully gained it back.
It wasn’t until my next checkup that my cardiologist gave me the wake up call I needed. He told me: “with the weight you have on you, you’re more like an 85-year-old.” I was only 72 at the time. That got my attention.
After learning about my health, I was scared. I knew I needed to do what he had told me if I was going to get better. He recommended me to a program that’s been successful for real patients of his, and that’s how I discovered Muscle Wise.
In my first week, I lost 8 pounds. That’s when I started feeling this was really going to work. It was especially helpful to have Jenny, my wellness coach, by my side the entire time.
I talked to Jenny every week about my goals, my progress tracking, and how I was feeling on my journey. It wasn’t just about having someone to talk to every week—it was about getting actual good advice from an encouraging and knowledgeable coach. She wouldn’t just say stuff like, “you’re doing great.” She gave me a lot of practical and helpful pointers.
Most importantly, when I did get a little discouraged, she would guide me back by bringing up my progress on the BMI, fat, and lean mass charts. Being able to see my accomplishments and progress in real time was all the motivation I needed to get back on track.
With the other programs I’ve tried in the past, I would just hit a plateau and stop losing weight. But this time, I was noticeably losing between 1 to 3.5 lbs every week. I’d lose a bit less on some weeks, especially when I would eat more around the holidays, but I’d just go right back on it because I knew that the program really was working, and I didn’t want to mess that up.
Since joining Muscle Wise, I’ve lost between 65 and 70 pounds. That’s something I’ve never accomplished on any other weight loss program. In the past, I would just go for my weigh-ins and leave without getting anything out of those meetings, but my one-on-one’s with Jenny have taught me so much practical knowledge about the way I eat and how to portion meals.
I’ve now gotten myself into a great routine as far as knowing how I eat—for instance, breaking down three big meals a day into five small meals and a snack. Looking back, I think that lack of knowledge and food education is why I’d always gain the weight back, and I don’t see that happening here.
I don’t know that my lean mass has ever been where it should be, but now it’s definitely in a good place. My blood pressure has definitely gotten back to where it should be, and I really feel good. I like the idea that I don’t have to wear XXL clothing anymore. Now I’m down to a Medium in most clothes, or a size 10 to 12 in almost everything.
Just being able to wear clothes and enjoy shopping, or walk into Walgreens and run into friends who’ll tell me how great I look—it’s just a nice feeling.
I can keep up with my grandkids better, too. I feel so much better physically and psychologically, knowing I’ve accomplished something and that this time, I won’t have an issue keeping it off.
The best part about my weight loss journey this time was that I never felt abandoned. I think that’s the best way to put it. Even today, I know that I can talk to Jenny whenever I need.
I’m at Phase 3 of the Muscle Wise program now, and I’m kind of just eating on my own and learning how to not gain weight back. Occasionally, I’ll still order some bars from Muscle Wise, but I’ve learned how to do this on my own as far as eating right, and I know Jenny is there to help me through it, too.
Your weight loss journey is yours alone, but it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Getting paired with a knowledgeable coach and learning the facts behind food is the best path to healthy living, for good.
You can do it, too.
See how Muscle Wise can change your life
Muscle Wise is a subscription-based, coach-led, virtual, weight loss and nutrition program accessible to anyone in the continental United States.
