A History of Health Challenges
Like many others, Pat struggled for years with weight management. She tried different diets and exercise plans, but couldn’t maintain the desired results. In her late 40s and 50s, her health issues began to pile up. Degenerative disc disease led to spinal fusions, which limited her movement and made it even harder to manage her weight. Most alarming were her rising liver enzymes, which she couldn’t get under control
“I was fearful,” she shares. “My liver enzymes were so elevated—they were in the 80s. I didn’t want to eventually end up having to need a liver transplant in the future or die from liver disease.”
Finding the Right Fit
Pat’s health challenges brought her to Dr. Weiland at Surgical Associates in Wausau. “Dr. Weiland helped me through a few things, like my gallbladder removal that was needed and a hernia repair. But what stood out was how he actually listened when I told him I was worried about my overall health declining,” she says.
It was Dr. Weiland who introduced her to the Vitality Program at Elevé. “He validated my concerns,” Pat says. “He didn’t brush them off. That meant everything to me. It gave me hope that something could change.”
From the first meeting at Elevé, Pat knew the Vitality Program was different. The program addressed nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management and supplementation. She appreciated how Wellness Coordinator Katrina Krenz helped her understand what her body needed and where she could make lasting changes. It was also through the Vitality Program’s initial health screening process that she learned she was insulin resistant, which could lead to eventual diabetes.
“I was very impressed with the well-rounded approach they were taking,” Pat says. “It wasn’t just a diet or an exercise plan—it looked at every part of my health.”
The Power of Sleep and Stress Management
One of the most surprising areas of change for Pat was sleep. “I never realized how important sleep was to my health,” she says. With Katrina’s guidance, she started building a consistent bedtime routine—no lights, no distractions and a steady sleep schedule.
“Now my body is used to going to bed at 9 p.m. and waking up at 6 a.m.,” she says. “If I get off that schedule, I feel it. That’s how much it’s improved.”
They also worked together on reducing stress, which Pat believes played a big part in her previous health struggles. “Stress was definitely contributing to my weight issues,” she says. “Now I have tools to manage it better.”
One small change that made a big difference in Pat’s mindset was adding gratitude journaling into her daily routine. While it seemed simple at first, it had a deep impact.
“They encouraged me to start writing down things I was thankful for each day,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be big things—even small things like a walk in the sunshine or time with a grandchild. That practice helped shift my focus away from fear and frustration and toward hope and progress.”
Gratitude became part of her new rhythm. “It helped me realize how far I’ve come,” she adds. “I don’t just feel better physically—I feel more balanced emotionally, too.”
