At 74, Ann MacGregor found herself struggling with severe fatigue, joint pain, and mobility issues. Walking from a parking lot into a building felt nearly impossible, and she relied on a handicap placard due to the pain in her joints. “I was tired. I hurt. I felt so terrible I knew I had to do something,” she recalls.

Everything changed when she saw a poster about the Medicare Weight-Loss Program in her doctor’s office and asked about it. The Medicare weight loss program is for patients who want to lose weight and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. The year-long program consists of meeting with a dietitian who teaches healthy eating and exercise tips.

Her provider made a referral for her to see Perham Health’s dietitian, Gwen Horter, RDN.

A Personalized Approach to Weight Loss

When Gwen and Ann met for the first time, they discussed Ann’s goals. Rather than focusing on a specific number on the scale, Ann set her sights on a sustainable lifestyle change. “I wanted to spend my remaining years doing what I enjoy, not constantly struggling with my health. I love camping and it wasn’t enjoyable and it was becoming such a struggle to do the things that I need to do to camp,” she says.

Unlike restrictive programs with rigid guidelines, Ann appreciated the individualized approach Gwen provided. “It’s not a program where you walk in and it’s ‘do this and this and this,’” Ann explains. “She talked with me—where was I coming from, what did I hope to achieve?”

Gwen taught Ann about portion control, healthier food choices, and habit changes. She taught her how to track her daily food and drink intake so she could see how much she was eating and drinking. There were lessons on foods that are high in fat and how to avoid them. Ann didn’t realize how much high fat food she had been eating.

The program started with weekly check-ins, then moved to biweekly, and eventually to monthly visits as she gained confidence in her new habits. “The biggest part of this program is the accountability of meeting with someone regularly. Our regular meetings really helped Ann stay motivated,” says Gwen.

Once Ann started to lose some weight and feel better, it was exciting to lose more.

“Ann was eating out of habit, not out of hunger. Tracking her intake helped her to be more mindful. We also worked on substitutes if she was craving something,” says Gwen.

Ann gradually transformed her lifestyle. “What Gwen did was pull together the information for me to make the changes in my lifestyle,” says Ann.

“I was changing a lot of really long-term habits that needed to change. Portion control was a big one. I used to think I needed to take a big plate of food, go for seconds and clean my plate, but I’ve learned that nothing horrible will happen if I don’t,” she shares. It’s been a year now, and I’m coming to the end of the program and I feel that I have changed those habits,” Ann says thankfully.

The Results: Improved Health and Renewed Energy

One year later, Ann’s transformation is remarkable. She’s lost 63 pounds, drastically reducing the strain on her joints. More importantly, she has reduced her dependence on medications and regained the energy she once thought was lost.

“I’ve had my blood pressure medicine reduced three times, and I just had my yearly blood work done and everything was back to the normal range. A year ago, it wasn’t good. Prior to the weight loss, I was having such incredible back pain, and I was going to the pain clinic and getting injections to control the pain. Now, the back pain is totally gone,” Ann shares.

Ann has shared success stories of her success with Gwen. “She shared that last fall she was able to hike a mile with her family, do some landscaping with her son-in-law, and no longer needs her handicap placard. All things she wasn’t able to do a year ago.”

Looking Ahead

Now 75, Ann enjoys a life that once seemed out of reach. She can walk without the severe pain that once plagued her, and everyday activities feel easier. She looks forward to traveling, spending more time outdoors, and fully embracing an active lifestyle.

With her journey nearly complete, Ann feels confident in maintaining her progress. “It’s always something I need to be aware of, but I’ve changed those habits,” she says.

Looking back over the past year, she credits Gwen with a lot of her success, “Gwen’s been a great help. I could not have done this without her. I encourage anyone to try the program. Gwen will design it specifically for you and your goals.”

Her story shows how small, consistent changes can lead to life-changing results. Thanks to the Medicare Weight-Loss Program, Ann is living proof that it’s never too late to take control of your health.

Learn more about the Medicare Weight Loss Program.