At 40, Michelle Kloese was taken aback by the changes in her body. Over five years, she had gained 38 pounds, and health issues like high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and plantar fasciitis emerged.
In her 20s, she was pretty active—running and enjoying 5K races. But her mid-20s brought challenges as she faced symptoms of early menopause, including infertility. By her 30s, she learned through blood tests that she was in perimenopause—way earlier than most women.
Things got busier when she became a middle school assistant principal. With demands on her time and irregular meals, snacking became a habit. “Someone would leave a cupcake on my desk, and I’d eat it, or parents would bring in candy baskets,” recalled Kloese, who’s now 42.
A trip to Ireland for her 40th birthday was a wake-up call. Looking at photos, she realized, “Oh, gosh, I need to do something different.”
Once she started a new, less stressful job in edtech, she discovered a health app through her company’s insurance. The timing felt right, and she began logging her steps and water intake.
In her first year, she lost 38 pounds and followed that with another 23 pounds the next year. Now, she’s focused on maintaining her weight. “I have so much more energy—I’m not sluggish and tired like before,” she explained. Medical issues linked to her weight have also improved, making her feel like a new person.
She woke up to a full glass of water
Before her weight loss, Kloese barely drank water—sometimes only managing about 8 ounces a day. Now, she’s aiming for at least 72 ounces, sipping consistently throughout the day. Drinking water helps curb her appetite and can assist in managing calorie intake effectively.
She swapped running for walking and yoga
Having been a runner in her younger years, Kloese found that running in her 40s caused knee and hip pain. She realized she needed a change. A personal trainer advised her to focus on strength training, which helps maintain muscle mass as one ages. Kloese began engaging in workouts at home with weights and committed to walking at least 30 minutes daily, enjoying similar results to when she was running.
Now, she walks a minimum of 7,000 steps daily, whether on a treadmill or trails in Florida. She also trains occasionally for long hikes called MammothMarches.
Kloese has incorporated yoga into her routine, enhancing her strength and flexibility while also providing a mental break. Her lifestyle changes have positively shifted her friendships. Instead of just meeting at restaurants, she often suggests hiking outings.
She made simple meal swaps
Even though she enjoyed sweet treats in her previous job, Kloese found herself gravitating more towards pasta, potatoes, and bread. Wanting to enhance her nutrition, she began using an app to log her meals by taking pictures. If she opted for a burger and fries, the app suggested healthier sides for next time, like salads or sweet potato wedges.
Over time, she naturally transitioned to healthier cooking options, like using quinoa instead of white rice. Kloese also makes use of prepared meals for ease and portion control, saying, “Those were all small changes that developed gradually.”
