Healthy weight loss strategies bring success after decades of fad dieting
Sarah Mueller, New Prague, spent decades trying the latest and greatest diet fads. She describes her weight history as being much like an accordion, though, she learned how to eat well and exercise to support weight loss when it would start to get away from her. Deep into menopause, Sarah found she could no longer keep weight off — a series of foot surgeries and a hip replacement affected her ability to exercise as rigorously as she had in the past.
Sarah’s blood pressure was on the rise, her mobility diminished, and she barely recognized herself in photos. “My clothing size had changed repeatedly over my 71 years, but I did not realize how poor my eating habits had become until I landed solidly in the obese category,” Sarah shared. “My son took medication for weight loss which piqued my interest, but I soon realized it was cost-prohibitive for me.”
Ridgeview’s provider-guided weight loss program
Sarah’s provider Andraya Huldeen, MD, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics, recommended Ridgeview’s non-surgical weight loss (NSWL) program. The program uses a team approach to care with individualized monthly plans to help each person achieve goals for short- and long-term weight loss. “At that point, I was committed to losing the weight even without medication. I met with Sara Maurer, MSN, CNP, AGNP-C, and she was confident I could lose 25 pounds, so I took on the challenge,” Sarah said.
Sarah started the program in September 2023 and met her goal just six months later. To date, she has lost an additional five pounds and continues to work toward losing another five to bring her out of the overweight category. “I feel great and love that I do not have to be burdened with extra pounds. I just need to be mindful! I get a lot of recognition from others about how good I look. My blood pressure is now in the normal range and my mobility has vastly improved,” Sarah shared.
‘You will learn new things even if your weight has been up and down several times before’
Sarah credits much of her success to consistent food journaling. “The Ridgeview team helped me to understand that I was simply eating too many calories. In addition, one trick I learned that has worked for me is to take a daily fiber supplement — it fills me up and gives me the fiber I might otherwise miss,” Sarah explained.
Sarah encourages those who are wanting to lose weight — but need extra support — to consider the non-surgical weight loss program. “I know you believe you can ‘do it alone’, I did too, but the support you receive from Ridgeview’s program and care team is instrumental in meeting your goals,” Sarah said. “The Ridgeview team members are kind and compassionate people who only want the best for you,” she added.
Ridgeview’s Bariatric & Weight Loss team is dedicated to weight loss and long-term weight management. If you could benefit from support in achieving your weight loss goals, visit our
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