A Journey from Overwhelmed to Empowered
At 54 years old, Paula Van Zee is many things—a devoted wife, a loving mother, and now, a powerful example of what it means to reclaim your health with courage and consistency.
When she first began her journey with Enara Health, she describes herself as being at an all-time low. Her type 2 diabetes was out of control. The scale was climbing toward its highest number. And her medication list felt overwhelming—insulin, two high blood pressure medications, cholesterol medication, two water pills a day, and an additional diabetes medication.
It was exhausting. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally.
But today, just 13 months later, her life looks very different.
Her A1C is under control. She is no longer on insulin. Her medication list has dramatically decreased to one type 2 diabetes medication, a small dose of blood pressure medication, and a cholesterol medication. And perhaps most incredibly, she is now at the lightest weight she’s been since junior high.
More than numbers have changed. Her confidence has returned. Her strength—both mental and physical—has emerged in ways she never imagined possible.
Starting at Rock Bottom
Paula discovered Enara through social media during a time when she felt discouraged and stuck. Her health metrics were moving in the wrong direction, and despite everything she was doing, it felt like her body was working against her.
Managing obesity alongside chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes can feel overwhelming. Medications increase. Energy decreases. Hope can feel distant.
But instead of giving up, Paula made a decision: to try something different.
That choice changed everything.
More Than Weight Loss — A Health Transformation
Over the course of 13 months, Paula’s transformation has been steady and intentional.
- Her A1C is now controlled.
- She is off insulin.
- Her blood pressure medications have been reduced.
- Her overall medication burden has significantly lightened.
But what makes Paula’s journey so powerful isn’t just what she came off of—it’s what she built.
She established sustainable habits.
She incorporated weight training.
She added cardio.
She committed to healthier eating patterns.
These weren’t short-term fixes. They were daily choices, repeated consistently—even on hard days.
Through that process, Paula discovered something unexpected.
She realized how strong she truly is—mentally and physically. Strength she didn’t believe she had.
That realization is often one of the greatest victories in any health journey. The strength was always there. It just needed the right support and environment to grow.
A Team That Made the Difference
One of the defining elements of Paula’s success has been the comprehensive support she received.
Enara was exactly what she needed:
- A nutritionist to guide her toward healthier food choices.
- An exercise coach to help her get started—and keep going.
- A medical professional to safely adjust medications along the way.
- A team that provided accountability, structure, and encouragement.
Paula lovingly refers to “My Sara(h)s” when describing her care team.
Sarah Jacobson helped her navigate healthy fats when she needed guidance.
Sarah Pitzer encouraged her to consider coming off medications—even when family history made her hesitant.
Samy Solomon provided exercises that matched her body where it was in the moment, making movement feel accessible rather than intimidating.
Paula expresses deep gratitude for each of them.
That level of coordinated care matters. When you are managing obesity and chronic disease, safe medication adjustments, nutritional guidance, and physical activity must work together—not in isolation.
This journey wasn’t about willpower alone. It was about partnership.
The Power of Grace and Consistency
If Paula could offer advice to someone just beginning, it would be this:
- Follow the guidelines set for your path.
- Create healthy habits and stick with them.
- One day should not break you—it’s just one day.
- Get back up and start fresh the next day.
That mindset shift is powerful.
Too often, people believe one off-plan meal or one missed workout means failure. But sustainable weight loss and metabolic health improvement are not built on perfection. They’re built on resilience.
Paula learned that progress isn’t about never slipping. It’s about not staying down.
Technology That Made It Simple
Another part of Paula’s experience that stood out was the accessibility of care.
Everything she needed was at her fingertips.
When traveling, all she needed was her phone to access her workouts. Appointments were held through the app. Messaging was simple. Tracking progress was easy.
For a busy wife and mother juggling life’s responsibilities, that convenience mattered. Health support didn’t require extra time or complicated logistics. It fit into Paula’s life instead of disrupting it.
And that ease helped her stay consistent.
Looking Toward the Future
Perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of Paula’s story is what lies ahead.
In the next five to ten years, she plans to enter retirement. But she doesn’t envision a quiet, sedentary season. She envisions movement. Adventure. Joy.
Hiking.
Biking.
Outdoor activities she hopes to convince her husband to try alongside her.
Her health is no longer holding her back—it’s opening doors.
The goal was never just to lose weight. It was to build a life she could fully participate in.
And now, Paula is doing exactly that.
A Reminder to Anyone Feeling Stuck
If you are reading Paula’s story while feeling overwhelmed—by medications, by lab results, by the scale—know this:
Change is possible. Even when it feels unlikely.
Strength can be built. Even when you don’t see it yet.
One decision can begin a completely different chapter.
Paula started at an all-time low. Today, she stands at her lightest weight in decades, with controlled diabetes, fewer medications, established habits, and a renewed belief in herself.
Her journey reminds us that health is not about punishment or perfection. It’s about empowerment. It’s about learning to trust your body again. It’s about creating habits that support the life you want to live.
And sometimes, it starts with a single “yes” to trying again.
We are so proud to celebrate Paula Van Zee as this month’s Rockstar of the Month. Her courage, resilience, and commitment are an inspiration to anyone navigating their own path toward better health.
Paula, your strength was always there. You simply chose to uncover it. 💛
