Losing 36 Pounds With Lupus at 49: Karen's Story

Karen: I was pushing a size 20 jeans and I was like, this is not good. My confidence is low, which leads into how I kind of found WarriorBabe. I've actually lost a total of 36 pounds.

Host: Hey everyone, super excited for you guys to hear the story that we have today. We have WarriorBabe Karen with us. Before WarriorBabe, Karen was looking for a transformation following a breakup, and it started with just wanting to lose weight, but what she found was so much more. She gained confidence, she learned boundaries, she became so much stronger as a human, physically and mentally, than ever before. And even when life threw challenges her way, from job loss to managing lupus, she kept going. She's here today to share her story with you guys, and for you all to know that you can thrive in ways that you never imagined before. So Karen, thanks for being here.

Karen: Thank you for having me.

Host: So can you give the listeners a little look into your world? Where are you from, how old are you and what do you do for work?

Karen: I am 49 years old. I'll be 50 in April. Fabulous at 50.

Host: Okay, happy early birthday.

Karen: Thank you. I live in Wisconsin, so I'm in Midwest territory with comfort food. And I've also worked in the food industry for 32 years. I've worked for food manufacturers, food distribution. Food surrounds my world.

Host: Oh, wow. Okay. So with that type of work, and obviously so much more, what was your situation like before WarriorBabe?

Karen: Before WarriorBabe, I was like a lot of people, coasting. I was in a happy place. I'm not married, I don't have kids, so I always felt like I was a successful female all on my own. Like, I got this. And honestly, because of the industry, I've gained weight over the years. They like to say the freshman 15 with every job you change, and I think I definitely did that. So I started doing fad diets, where they hand you meals and say, here, this is what you should eat. But there was no true understanding of why I was eating that. I didn't understand when to eat things. I didn't understand macros at all. And then I had friends and my brother that started doing macros, and I was like, can you guys break this down for me? Help me understand, because I need to do something. And they're like, I don't know, we're just told we're supposed to eat this much protein, this much fat. There was no education behind it. So I never succeeded at anything that I was trying.

Host: How many years did you do that for?

Karen: On and off for probably six years. I would drop 10 pounds and then I'd gain it all back, and then some. Before I started WarriorBabe, and I don't broadcast this to everyone, but why not, somebody else can relate, I was pushing a size 20 and I was like, this is not good. My confidence is low, which leads into how I kind of found WarriorBabe. We'll get there.

Host: Okay. How did all that make you feel, Karen? Six years of an up-and-down roller coaster, gaining weight and losing it, trying all these different things, size 20 jeans. How did that make you feel?

Karen: Very low. On the outside, I definitely put on the perception to everybody around me that life was good, I loved who I was, the weight didn't bother me. But deep inside, it was killing who I was. It was killing the positive attitude that I usually had. I was at a low, but I didn't see it until I hit my lowest low.

Host: What was your lowest low?

Karen: I've been single for a very long time, and I started dating somebody who I thought accepted me for me. And when he pretty much ghosted me after eight months of dating, I was like, wow, what's wrong? There were no bad signs. There was nothing. So I took it very much internally and was like, it's me. I'm the problem. It's my weight, it's my attitude, it's my confidence. And I literally had a breakdown. I was crying every day. I didn't know how to get out of bed. I was spiraling out of control. And I just said, you know what? You need to get it together. You need to find yourself again.

Host: That can be super defeating, in those moments feeling helpless, or feeling like you're not good enough. So you mentioned wanting that look-at-me-now transformation. What were you hoping to achieve at the start?

Karen: At the start, when I got in that mindset, I was like, okay, what am I going to do to be in that place of, yeah, you lost out on a really great person? The last time I had a breakup, which was years and years ago, I got a new job, doubled my salary, bought a house. So I'm like, okay, I've done all those successful things. What can I do now? Look at me now. And that's when I started looking into programs that would help me overall become the person that I wanted to be.

Host: I'm going to put a pin there, because I want to circle back to the person you're becoming and working on every day that you've been part of this program. You've not only had the physical successes, but I know there are a lot of mental successes that you've gained, so we'll talk about those. One thing I want to chat with you about is that you've never been a gym person before. That's what I heard you wrote. What made working out feel so intimidating or unappealing to you?

Karen: Well, I'm like everybody else. New year, new me, I'm going to go to the gym. And I would go to the gym and walk on the treadmill and I wouldn't see any results. I would do the circuits they have there, and I'm like, I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know what I'm gaining. I wouldn't see any results, and I'd stop going, just like everybody else in that new year, new me mindset.

Host: Yep, I feel that. How did that uncertainty around what to do in the gym impact your consistency or your motivation?

Karen: Oh, it killed it. Not knowing what to do, because you're proud of yourself that you're going to the gym and you're like, yeah, I'm going to knock this out of the park. And then you're like, nope, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm not seeing results, I'm not getting anywhere. It all plays into that snowball effect that gets you nowhere.

Host: Yeah. As you shared, it was the constant hamster wheel of gaining, losing and doing the same thing over and over, unsure of what to do. It's very confusing too. There's misleading information on what to do, how to do it, what to eat, how to eat. As you mentioned earlier, there are a lot of conflicting things out there. And trust me, you were a New Year's resolution baby, so was I. You're not alone there. There are so many other women that start their journey at that point too, and give up halfway through the year. You mentioned lupus, that you were managing that, and that added another challenge to your fitness and health journey. How did managing that add to it?

Karen: I found out that I had lupus a year and a half ago, so it's relatively new.

Host: Wow.

Karen: They found it because of other health issues I was having, like blood clots, which led to some heart issues, because I had a blood clot in my heart. Finally the doctor said, we're going to do some blood tests on you, and told me about the lupus. I had no idea what lupus was. I was like, okay, is this going to help with my fatigue? Because I'm an Energizer Bunny. I don't sit still. I'm go, go, go all the time. Is that going to help with my aching hands, my wrists? All my joints hurt. I was getting cortisone shots in my shoulders. So they put me on medicine to control the lupus so that it doesn't attack my organs. And I started to feel better, but still not where I wanted to be. And the doctors would tell me, well, if you worked out, you would feel better. It sounds counterproductive.

Host: And they're doctors, you would think you would listen to them. Not everyone does. You're not alone.

Karen: I did not. Because I was like, it's hard enough to get out of bed. How do you want me to go walk on a treadmill and lift weights and do this on a regular basis? What are you talking about? But in actuality, now that I'm in it and I'm doing it, I just saw my rheumatologist last week and he was amazed at the amount of weight I've lost. He asked me what I was doing. He is totally on board. He's like, yeah, you need to get a water rower for your basement to add to the gym, it's great strength. So he is behind it 100%. He took all of my bloodwork. Everything is amazing. He's like, yeah, you're doing it, so keep doing it. But he said the biggest question is, how do you feel? And I'm like, I feel the best that I ever have, honestly.

Host: That's incredible, and that makes my heart so happy to hear. To add to that point, how long have you been a WarriorBabe? Because you're definitely one of the WarriorBabes being interviewed who hasn't been in it for a year or two years. When I saw your transformation pictures, I was blown away. How long has it been?

Karen: I joined in September, and we're in February. So September, October, November, December, January. Five months.

Host: Five months. We just started February. What? We're going to tease the people watching this, because we're going to save your successes for the end. But to bring that point back, you had all of this going on. When did this all start, last year?

Karen: Well, the lupus diagnosis was a year and a half ago, but I've had issues for the last five years. I've been battling the joint pain and the blood clots and all of that. So actually getting the lupus diagnosis, I thought, yay, I have an answer to all of these problems.

Host: Wow, that's so wild. Okay, bringing it back, what was one thing you noticed last year, before you signed up for WarriorBabe, one experience where you were like, I need to change?

Karen: Being a single female owning a house, I was asking a lot of friends to come over and help me with landscaping, cutting the grass, just things that I should be doing on my own. And I was sick of the pains that I was feeling. I was sick of being tired all the time. I was like, this isn't the life that I signed up for. I need to make changes in my life overall. It has to happen.

Host: You weren't working out right before WarriorBabe?

Karen: No. I started dabbling with some stuff in my basement. I had no idea what I was doing. I was doing wall push-ups, I'd walk on my treadmill for 20 minutes, I'd do some sit-ups and I'd be like, okay, I'm done.

Host: Okay, I appreciate the honesty. This is awesome. And what did your nutrition look like?

Karen: Oh, that was all over the board. I was using MyFitnessPal, but I was only using the calorie deficit. I was not using macros. I didn't start any of that until I started WarriorBabe. So in my mind I'm thinking, okay, I'm doing good.

Host: What were you eating, if you could take me back?

Karen: Honestly, in the morning I would have oatmeal for breakfast. For lunch I would make what I thought was a healthy sandwich. For dinner I would make a protein and a baked potato and put some sour cream on it. Or I wasn't eating at all. I was one of those people where I'm like, oh, I'm not hungry, so I wouldn't eat. My metabolism was all over the board. I had no idea. I just knew I was in that calorie deficit, maybe too much of a calorie deficit.

Host: Okay. So let's bring it to how you found WarriorBabe. What initially drew you into the program?

Karen: I saw a video on Facebook with you in it.

Host: Okay. Do you remember what the ad was?

Karen: It was talking about women my age and balancing hormones. And I'm like, yeah, I kind of am at that age. I'm perimenopausal. That could maybe help me out. Maybe that's my problem, I don't know. And then on my own I started doing some more investigating: who's this Nikkiey woman? And that's when I found out about the whole macro thing and everything about it. They had a button to click to do the initial interview, and I'm like, yeah, I'm going to find out more about this. This sounds like the real deal. This is not a quick-fix type thing. This is something to make a lifestyle change, to be an overall healthy person. And at that time, I didn't even know the benefits that came with the whole mental confidence part of it. I was in it for the fitness and the macros.

Host: Of course. I just did an interview an hour ago and that's exactly what she said too. People just want the fitness and the macros. Give me the plan, let me follow it. I can't wait to hear about the confidence you've gained from the program. When you started, what were your thoughts when you first started your journey?

Karen: When I first started my journey, I was not overwhelmed, ever. I had the interview, I met with my coach, and she was like, okay, we're going to gradually build you up. We're going to start you off with protein, and then we're going to introduce your fats and carbs. And I said, you know what? No, we're not. Give it all to me. I am all in. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person, so if I'm going to do this, let's do it. And she's like, are you sure? And I'm like, absolutely, yes.

Host: I love that mentality. And honestly, of all the interviews I've been doing, everybody has said that. The ones that are winning, you're getting the results because you came in committed and said, yeah, give it all to me, I want to do it right now. But there's a self-awareness to that. You knew you could handle it, because you know how you tick. Somebody else might be like, oh, that would overwhelm me. But I love that mentality.

Karen: And I'm not going to lie, at first I was like, wow, what did I just ask for?

Host: So for somebody who wasn't into fitness or wasn't really eating right, what was it like when you got your first macros? Where did you start?

Karen: We started at the fat loss level. And I did a lot of research. I got cookbooks. I watched videos on what you eat. And I'm like, okay, if that's what Nikkiey eats and she says this works, that's what I'm going to eat every single day.

Host: I love that. So you just dove in headfirst. Do you remember the calorie range you were at when you first started?

Karen: I want to say it was 1,748.

Host: That's amazing. And from what it sounded like, going from oatmeal to a healthy sandwich to a baked potato at night, that was maybe 800 to 1,000 calories.

Karen: Oh yeah. I was like, I'll never be able to eat all this food. I don't know what they're thinking. I feel like I'm eating all day.

Host: So to go from that to 1,748 is a big jump up. And you did it. How did you feel the first couple of weeks at 1,700 calories?

Karen: I thought I ate enough that I wouldn't have to eat for a month, and my body was fine. But at first it didn't make sense to me mentally yet. But I had an energy that I've never had before, between actually feeding my body and working out. I was like, okay, so this is how my body's supposed to feel.

Host: Okay, we're going to switch gears really quick. You mentioned that you were feeling unsure about spending money on the program after you lost your job. What made you realize that WarriorBabe was worth the investment?

Karen: I unexpectedly lost my job. Again, being a single female supporting myself with a mortgage bill, plus with my job loss I lost my car, so I had to buy a new car because I had a company car. Everything was building up. And I was like, oh, I probably should not have just paid for WarriorBabe up front and dumped all this money. I might need that money. But I stuck with the program. I had my calls with my coach, I was doing the community calls, I was doing it all. And one day I had an epiphany: you know what? WarriorBabe is what's going to get me through this. Not only is it the confidence that I have, not only is it keeping me busy, because you can only look for a job for so many hours a day, it was the team of people that come with WarriorBabe. It was the mental teachings that they do on the community calls, setting boundaries and putting yourself first. I was like, no, spending that money was the best thing I could have done for myself overall, especially with losing my job.

Host: Wow. And in a very uncertain time, you put yourself first.

Karen: I did. And I kept telling myself, you know what, girl, you're investing in yourself. Nobody else is going to. You did this. Do it and keep going.

Host: All right, let's talk about where you're at now. Since joining WarriorBabe, where are you at in your journey? And you guys, just a reminder, she joined in September.

Karen: Since joining WarriorBabe, I went from a size 18-20 in pants, and I am now wearing a size 10 and 12. I've lost 6% body fat. I can't keep up with my clothes. I keep going shopping and donating stuff. It's a great feeling. Mentally, I don't feel bad anymore when I put myself first, because I'm one of those people that has always put everybody else first, whether it be friends, family, whoever's around me. And I don't feel bad when I put myself first and set those boundaries. I've lost friends because I've set boundaries, and I don't feel bad about it. I'm at a mental state that I've never been at before, but I'm still a very fun, giving person. You guys teach us how to be our true, genuine selves.

Host: Heck yeah. That mental resilience you just spoke to, setting boundaries with people who maybe weren't reciprocating the energy. Because you have energy, I can feel it through this interview. You're a happy-go-lucky, very happy individual, and if that's not being reciprocated, that can make you think something's wrong with you. It felt like you were potentially in that area, feeling you're not good enough for the people who were once in your space, when you were giving, giving, giving and wanting to people-please. But now you're putting Karen first and showing up for Karen first. It's so cool to hear you say that so confidently: yeah, I lost friends, but I'm still me. I'm the truest version of me that I wanted to be.

Karen: Absolutely. It made me realize that people actually used me because of who I used to be. And as soon as I became the same person, but put me before them, it was like an epiphany. I don't know how to explain it, but it's a great feeling.

Host: That's amazing. Truly, you should be so proud of yourself for those accomplishments, because it's really hard to achieve. It's one thing to have a fitness plan with your type of mindset, I'm going in committed, I'm going to follow through. But the mental aspect of diving deep with yourself and recognizing some things, what you've accomplished, is not easy. It's a feat to take on. So you should be proud of yourself for that.

Karen: And honestly, the friends that I have are amazing. You need that support system. Everyone is behind me. I did not realize how much of a motivation I am for people until I got involved with the program. One of my friends joined WarriorBabe. She's like, you're killing it, I've got to do this too. Let's go.

Host: So you mentioned the pant size, and what was the other one?

Karen: 6% fat loss.

Host: 6% fat loss. How about the weight loss as well?

Karen: I've actually lost a total of 36 pounds. My doctor was like, what are you doing?

Host: My jaw is going to stay permanently dropped right now. 36 pounds. And are you still at 1,700 calories? Are you eating more, less?

Karen: I'm at 1,748 calories, but we just upped my protein by 10 grams and took my carbs down a little bit. We literally just did that. And then I got sick in December with influenza A. It hit me pretty hard and took me out. And I started a new job, yay. But it's at a food distributor. So they say the freshman 15, because I eat every day, all day, learning their brands, all that kind of stuff. So I've been sidetracked a little bit, but I'm still maintaining and even losing because of the education I've gotten in the months of being part of the program. I told myself, you know what, I've kind of gotten off track a little, because I'm a big planner. I would plan my food the day before for the next day. But because of everything going on, I've been winging it a little. But as long as I'm doing workouts and I am maintaining and losing, I will get back. I just had my coach call yesterday and I told her, I am done with training in a week. I am getting back to planning everything the night before. I will be taking my meals in again. This is just a bump.

Host: Yes, that mindset right there. Let me unpack that with you, because a lot of women will get derailed and allow a job, a new job, a new child, whatever it may be in their life, to derail their progress, and then it will take them a year or five years to get back on track. You adapted. You're recognizing that it is a lifestyle. What's one tip you could give somebody who struggles with that?

Karen: It truly is a mindset. A lot of people get into the mindset that this is a setback: I can't do this, why am I doing this? And they spiral out of control. For me, some of the community calls helped. I was like, you know what? This is a bump. You're human. Life is going to happen. Don't give up on yourself. Don't throw in the towel. Take it for what it is and get back on track. You have control over your life. You have control over what choices you make. And I chose: nope, it's a bump, I got this.

Host: Heck yeah. You mentioned control right there, and you also mentioned education earlier. How does it feel to be in control of your health, your fitness and your mindset?

Karen: It is the most empowering thing that I have ever experienced, and the confidence that comes with it is amazing. I lost my job, I was at a low, and I ended up getting a job that I never thought I would get, in a director position, managing people and teaching them what I know in the industry. And I truly credit all of it to WarriorBabe and the mindset that you brought to me. That's why I say it's not just a health and fitness program. It is an overall program.

Host: I feel like I'm witnessing a true transformation, hearing your story and where you were before. It sounded like you were people-pleasing, wondering why you weren't good enough for this relationship, in a state of feeling deflated, because you knew deep down that you're a person who's giving and loving and excited and has so much energy. And it's almost like those things in your life fell apart for a reason, because now you're here, and now you have a job that you feel aligned with, that you never thought you would get before. You're so confident. You speak with so much of a this-is-who-I-am energy. You've had all the physical results of what you've accomplished, but you're also in the best mental place you've been. How does that feel?

Karen: It's amazing. People see me and they're like, you're always happy, you're always smiling. And I'm like, why not? What's not to be happy about?

Host: Oh my gosh, I love that. You mentioned the areas of your life where your transformation has positively impacted things, like work and relationships. Are you in a new relationship? Are you attracting that?

Karen: There are options, but I'm not going down that road yet. It's going to happen. I've raised my standards, let me tell you that.

Host: Amen, sister, as you should. And you're going to attract the right person from raising your own vibration, your own standards, your own expectations of what you need and what you want. I can't wait to hear from your coach, because you've still got another six or seven months to go.

Karen: Yeah, let's go.

Host: We're putting it out there right now.

Karen: I got this.

Host: So this is a question I like to ask, and it may feel a little uncomfortable. If you had never made a change back five or six months ago, where would you be today, and how does thinking about that make you feel?

Karen: I would be in the same lull, doing what I've always done. I'd be putting up that front to everybody, wasting energy on pretending to be happy versus actually being happy. I wouldn't know any different. But now that I know what true happiness, confidence and a go-get-it attitude is, I'm not going back.

Host: Amazing. Why would you? I love that. So really quick, I want to tie in the nutrition and fitness aspects. We talked about you being at between 1,700 and 1,800 calories. You've lost 36 pounds so far, gone from an 18-20 to a 10-12 in pant size, and lost 6% body fat. That's incredible. And you're 49, you're going to celebrate your big five-oh in April. With all those accomplishments, what would you say is the top one?

Karen: Honestly, they all go together. With the weight loss comes a confidence that was missing, looking in the mirror and being like, wow, I'm going to be 50, look at that. But it's also the mindset. It's truly the entire thing. It's very hard to pick out one thing that I'm most proud of. I guess for me, the fact that I'm working out diligently and I'm enjoying it is a huge success, especially because I never had the motivation. I was fatigued, I was in pain. So for me, I'd say that's a good high-five, pat on the back, way to go.

Host: Love that. And how many days a week are you working out now?

Karen: I started out with five days and I pulled back to four, only because my work schedule is so all over the board. But I told my coach, you know what? If I have to move it from a gym workout to a home workout, so be it. If I add a day, I add a day. But at least I do the four workouts.

Host: Even hearing you say four workouts and eating between 1,700 and 1,800 calories, and you've lost 36 pounds and achieved all these incredible things in such a short amount of time. Less is more.

Karen: Yes, less is more. And the part that baffles me is that when I was going to the gym and not knowing what I was doing, I would spend an hour and a half to two hours there with no results. And now I'm like, what do you mean I can go down and knock out a workout in 40 minutes and do a half hour of cardio? What are you talking about?

Host: I love that mental shift too. You don't need to spend three hours inside the gym to have results. So is there anything I didn't ask you today that you would want a listener to know?

Karen: If there is anybody out there who is on the fence, who is questioning, are these people for real, are they truly legit, I will honestly say yes. These are real stories, real people. Nobody asked me to do this, coerced me to do this or paid me to do this. This is a legit, real program that I'm still in shock that I'm part of.

Host: I'm so happy you're a part of it. I'm so happy you said yes and did the work, because that's what's so cool about it. You get to share this story because you put in the work. You did what was required of you to have the results you have today.

Karen: Absolutely.

Host: I do have one more question. What would you say to someone who feels guilty about putting themselves first or making an investment in their health?

Karen: Oh no, wipe that away right away, because you've got to take care of you. Nobody else is going to. You only get one you in this lifetime, so make the best of it. Knock it out.

Host: Heck yeah, Karen, let's go. And for anybody who's listening, Karen's entire journey, everything we just talked about, is proof that transformation isn't just physical. It's also about stepping into confidence, learning to put yourself first and finding your strength in every part of your life, which I think is the most inspiring part of this conversation with you. You've faced challenges, you've pivoted when needed and you've come out even stronger than ever. And if you're resonating with Karen's story, if you're waiting for that perfect time to start, or you're feeling like you're not enough, or your self-worth and self-confidence are in the gutter and you feel like giving up, this is your sign. Take that first step today. Check out warriorbabe.com. Karen, thank you so much for your time, your energy and your story, because I know it's going to really help someone.

Karen: Thank you. Go WarriorBabe.

Host: Let's go. Keep crushing it. Don't stop.

Karen: I'm not stopping. This is just the start.

Host: Let's go. All right, Karen, thank you.

Karen: Thank you.