When Denise first stumbled upon Stay Fit Mom on TikTok in 2021, she had no idea how much it would change her life. Coming from years of restrictive dieting and a low-carb mindset, she was skeptical that eating more—especially more carbs—could lead to weight loss. But after taking the leap into macro counting and 1:1 coaching with Coach Lee Ann, she not only lost over 72 pounds but also gained a newfound confidence, a healthier relationship with food, and a sustainable lifestyle she loves. From balancing a demanding job and family life to navigating health setbacks, her journey is nothing short of inspiring. Keep reading to learn how she made it all happen!

Meet Denise: A Busy Life, A Healthier Future

Tell us a little bit about your story. Work? family? What’s a typical day in your life look like?

Denise: I’ve been married to my amazing husband for 16 years. Together we have three adult children, three grand-babies (with another on the way), and two goldendoodles. We live in rural SW Washington State, and I work full-time as a fiscal manager at a small nonprofit.

I generally wake up by 4 am, enjoy a cup of coffee, and go for a walk with my husband. Then I get ready, pack my food for the day, and head to work. After work I go to Zumba Toning twice a week (and on Saturday mornings). I often stop by my parents to see if they need anything, then head home to have dinner. I prefer to track my food for the next day in the evening and usually head to bed around 8 pm.

Discovering Stay Fit Mom: Taking the Leap

How did you find Stay Fit Mom and what made you decide to take the leap?

Denise: I stumbled on SFM on TikTok back in 2021. I don’t remember exactly which video, but something piqued my interest, so I headed over to the SFM website to check it out. In June I decided to buy a custom macro count. It only took me a couple of weeks to realize I had no idea what I was doing and decided to sign up for the July 2021 1:1 coaching.

72 Pounds Down: The Highs, Lows, and Lessons Learned

You’ve been with Stay Fit Mom and Coach Lee Ann for several years and you have had an INCREDIBLE transformation! How much weight have you lost? Tell us about some highs and lows from the journey and then also how you’ve managed to balance living a full life, caring for your parents while macro counting for this entire duration?

Denise: I’ve lost a total of 72.3 pounds. When I started my journey with SFM, I was very skeptical about eating so many carbs! I was coming from years of a low carb mindset and just kept thinking “carbs are bad! How will this ever work eating all these carbs?” It was definitely a struggle to trust the process, especially since progress with macros is slow.

I also used to despise tracking on previous calorie restricted diets. When I first started, it felt like I spent hours on MyFitnessPal playing macro Tetris, but I got it down to a science in no time at all. I still do take “mental breaks” from tracking occasionally, but overall, I now find the process quick and painless.

I had been doing 1:1 coaching for almost two years when I ended up with thyroid and autoimmune issues. My energy plummeted, and I basically took a nine month break. During this time, I did gain some weight back, but what really stood out to me is that I didn’t gain all of my weight back (plus more) which is what usually happened after any previous diet I’d been on. It made me realize that even though I wasn’t tracking, I had learned so much from the SFM program and I was using the habits I built without even realizing it. In January 2024 I decided to sign up for 1:1 coaching again and I’ve never looked back!

Balancing Family, Caregiving, and Macros

Finding the right balance is probably one of the most challenging things. Sometimes when life just feels like too much, I allow myself a “no tracking day” to reset. The best thing about macros that I haven’t found with any other way of eating is that I get right back on track the next day. It used to be if I had a bad meal or a bad day, I would start again on Monday or the first of the next month. But with macros, I can take a day off and get right back to tracking the next day.

Managing to balance my health journey, caring for my parents, and staying committed to macro counting has been tough at times, but I’ve learned to be flexible and patient with myself. I’ve found that planning ahead and making my health a priority, even on tough days, has made a huge difference.

Key Habits for Long-Term Success

What habits do you have in place that makes this process easier for you? What lifestyle changes have you made that have enabled you to lose this much weight?

Denise: Probably the most valuable habit is tracking my entire day in advance. Whether it’s the night before or the morning of, I track everything I’m going to eat and drink for the day and leave nothing to chance. I’m very much a planner so this part comes easy for me.

Another invaluable thing for me is planning our entire month of dinners at once. I love only having to think about the menu once a month instead of every week or every day. It’s also super easy to move things around if needed.

I’m also so grateful that my husband has chosen to embark on his own health journey alongside me. It’s been such a rewarding experience to share this path together, and I truly appreciate his commitment to making positive changes for himself.

Macro counting has become a way of life for me, and I’ve learned to be mindful of portion sizes. I’ve also prioritized sleep and self-care, knowing that my body needs rest to function well. Additionally, having the support and accountability Coach Lee Ann provides is crucial to staying on track.

Favorite Stay Fit Mom Recipes

SFM: What’s your most used, favorite SFM recipe?

Denise: We have several favorite SFM recipes! Sloppy Joes, Chipotle Chicken Baked Tacos, Spaghetti Casserole, Dump Lasagna, and One Pot Chili Mac & Cheese are just a few that we eat pretty much every month.

Non-Scale Victories: More Than Just Weight Loss

Besides shedding pounds and inches, what are some Non-Scale Victories that you’ve experienced? 

Denise: I have increased energy, better sleep, and a stronger, more toned body. I’ve gone from a size 22 to a 10/12. I was able to stop taking Hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. I feel more confident in my own skin, which is something I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Probably the biggest NSV is improving my relationship with food. Rather than focusing on restriction, SFM helped me see that foods aren’t “good” or “bad,” but that food is fuel. Tracking macros has helped me develop a healthier understanding of portion sizes and nutritional needs which frees me from emotional food guilt.

The Power of Mini Goals: Staying Motivated

Lee Ann mentions how you set mini goals for yourself every month! Can you share some examples of these goals with us and how you manage to achieve them?

Denise: As I mentioned earlier, thyroid issues in 2023 caused a little setback in my health journey. It got to the point where I felt like I was just using it as an excuse to not exercise and decided that needed to change. Last December I started setting monthly exercise goals to break the sedentary cycle I was in. My goals include things like closing my Apple Watch rings, doing a certain number of strength training or cycling workouts, etc. Really anything to keep me moving my body. Setting goals monthly makes it feel achievable, and I celebrate the small wins along the way, which keeps me motivated to push forward.

The Coach + Client Relationship

Tell us about your experience working with Coach Lee Ann specifically.

Denise: Working with Coach Lee Ann has truly been amazing. She’s always so thoughtful with her responses and meets me where I’m at, while also encouraging me in the best way. Her approach is both practical and empathetic, and I truly feel like she understands my personal struggles. She’s great at helping me set realistic goals and holding me accountable in a positive way. Her guidance has been a big part of my success!

What Coach Lee Ann has to say about working with Denise

Lee Ann: Denise has been my client since 2021. She has been consistent since day one. Although she has taken a couple of macro breaks, over the past year, I have seen her push herself and set new weekly and monthly goals. Her goal a little over a year ago was 180 lbs. She started at 217, and with consistency and dedication, she has exceeded her goal. I watched her struggle to get into a good workout routine and at the end of last year she stepped it up (literally). She and her husband joined a step challenge and have crushed their goals by going on daily walks together. She has also added weights and other workouts to help her reach her weight loss goals. Not only is she amazing at taking care of her health she has also been helping her family through various trials and has never once used it as an excuse. She inspires me every week with her check-ins. 

Her starting macros were around 1900 calories 125/155/90. We took a few weeks to balance her macros drop her fat and increase protein. She hit her stride around 1700 calories 145/151/56. It’s her consistency that has worked the magic. And when she noticed the scale was not dropping she started adding weight lifting and walking. That’s when the scale started dropping. Her current weight is 174.1. She’s a rockstar. 

Ready to Start Your Own Transformation?

Denise’s journey is a testament to the power of consistency, balance, and having the right support along the way. Her incredible transformation—both physically and mentally—shows that with the right tools and guidance, sustainable health and fitness are possible at any stage of life.

If you’re ready to take control of your nutrition, build lasting habits, and see real progress like Denise’s, our 1:1 coaching program is here to help! With expert guidance, personalized macros, and a supportive coach by your side, you’ll have everything you need to succeed. Our next group starts at the beginning of the month—don’t wait to invest in yourself! Sign up today and take the first step toward a healthier, stronger you!