by Milinda Atallian
Before earning 2nd place in the 2024 HAC Lifestyle Challenge, Lisa Michels had been into fitness for most of her life. At the age of 7, she was involved with dance. From there she played field hockey and ran track. While college for Lisa was a while back – lovingly said – she ran track in college as well. To say that Lisa enjoys a little competition would be an understatement.
After she started working in real estate 19 years ago and her family dynamic changed, she began to gain weight. Despite other life challenges, including a house fire accidentally caused in a neighboring townhome in the summer of 2023, Lisa has made a commitment to herself, for herself, and with the help of HAC staff, to live a healthier life and improve her overall wellness.
While she has tried other weight loss programs, the Lifestyle challenge has worked for Lisa. Even after a recent knee injury, she’s still sticking with the plan and, as her milestone birthday approaches, focusing on her goal of being, “50 and FABULOUS”!
Lisa was gracious enough to answer a few questions about her experience. Here is what she had to share:
Why the Lifestyle Challenge and why now?
Several years back, Lisa was diagnosed with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. “I committed to the journey when I realized that my 50s were about to begin,” she says, “and I cannot be 50 and fabulous if I am not healthy!”
Not one to let silver linings go unnoticed, Lisa has also found a stunning amount of motivation from being forced from her home. “The house fire literally and figuratively set a fire under me! Hotel living was showing me that I could live another way and allowed me time to focus on myself.”
How did the weigh-ins go?
“I showed up for all my weigh-ins except for when I was away. Though even then, I used an Inbody and sent it to Bridget [Baldwin]. My progress was slow but steady until the last week when I worked out more than I worked – and that truly had a huge impact on my body fat percentage!” Competition certainly seems to be something that has helped Lisa flourish.
“I cannot be 50 and fabulous if I am not healthy!”
Did you take advantage of the nutrition services at HAC and how have you changed your eating habits?
“Yes, I met with the nutritionist, and I did change my diet up a bit the last couple of weeks, adding more protein from meat sources. That helped me greatly as well. I had been eating mostly vegetarian food in order to heal my NAFLD.” Balancing her need for a primarily plant-based diet while increasing protein intake was tricky, and Lisa would work with registered dietitian Ashley Boyer to find the best approach. But thanks to the body fat she’d lost, Lisa ended the 12-week challenge with more flexibility in her diet than she’d started with.
Have you scheduled your follow-up personal training sessions yet?
“Yes, I have been meeting with Bridget despite an injury that happened in my left knee a couple of weeks ago. I am going to stay on track! I bought more sessions when the HAC offered additional sessions for the challenge members.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced getting started?
“My biggest challenge was setting myself as a priority. My career as a realtor is service-related and lots of hours. I found it difficult to put myself first while still doing an exemplary job for my clients.” Lisa has an adult son, and now that he is older, he, too, has been encouraging her to put herself first.
What was the biggest challenge during the 12 weeks?
“The biggest challenge I had during the 12 weeks was traveling from over 30 minutes away since I was in a hotel due to the house fire.” Lisa’s home is less than 10 minutes from the HAC, so the extra time to get here was a feat. While the commute, time constraints of work, and dealing with the house fire debacle were all obstacles during her journey, Lisa stayed the course and committed to the program. “It was kind of like the discomfort all around made the change to this journey just another change.”
Since the Lifestyle Challenge has ended, have you had any setbacks in your wellness journey?
“My biggest challenge since the challenge ended was a knee injury that I sustained two weeks ago. But I will not let that stop me! This girl is not getting off track. Fifty is coming, and I am laser-focused on being FABULOUS!”
What is your next goal as it pertains to wellness and fitness?
“My biggest goal now is to finish losing the rest of the weight I need to in order to be out of the obese or overweight category. I’d like to get rid of NAFLD and the pain that goes with it. I’d like to allow myself time to devote to myself and to my son.” Lisa talked about going on hiking adventures with her “wonderful and supportive” son, who currently lives in California, and being able to enjoy his company while doing all things active.
How has participating in this program helped your overall health and well-being?
“Bridget and the program were very motivating for me! The accountability piece was essential.” Being able to reach out to Bridget throughout the 12 weeks to see how her progress compared to other Lifestyle Challenge participants also kept Lisa, a born competitor, energized and on track. “My overall health has been much better. My family, friends, and clients can all see more pep in my step and a noticeable change. My side hurts less as well.”
What is one piece of advice that you would give someone who is struggling with feeling/being more healthy when it comes to their body fat percentage?
“Find your WHY – if you don’t have a strong enough reason, then you won’t do it! You are the only one in charge of you. You cannot do it for anyone else – it won’t work. To anyone that needs to get started, call me – I will go to the HAC with you! The starting part is easy and fun!”
After meeting with Lisa, I would say without hesitation that she is F to the third power – fiercely focused, friendly, and, of course, FABULOUS!
It is evident that being a part of the Lifestyle Challenge brought out Lisa’s ambitious side and launched her on the path to a healthier body. Making herself a priority and setting goals for herself so that she can be active with her son has motivated Lisa over the 12 weeks of the challenge and will continue to keep her on the forward motion path. I can’t wait to see just how fabulous Lisa will be as she enters her 50th year this fall!
“Find your WHY – if you don’t have a strong enough reason, then you won’t do it!”
