Crystal: Welcome to the MetPro Method Podcast. I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe. Today I’m joined by MetPro client, Megan Turnbow. We’re going to be hearing all about Megan’s journey today. Megan, thank you so much for being here.
Megan: Thanks for having me, Crystal. I’m excited to get to know a little bit more about you.
Crystal: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to find MetPro.
Megan: I got introduced to MetPro through my mom. She had been using it for about eight or nine months before I started. My weight is something I’ve struggled with on and off since having kids, especially after my second child. I’ve tried a handful of different things previously but never quite had the success I was hoping for. My mom and I were on these journeys side by side, but on different programs. When she started having success and I wasn’t, I got frustrated. Last Christmas, she gifted me some MetPro one-on-one coaching since she’d been having good success with it. That’s how I got hooked up with you guys and started my journey in a new direction.
Crystal: Wow, what a gift. I’m laughing because I’m thinking of my husband saying something like, “Ooh, that’s a dangerous gambit, giving someone weight loss coaching.” Did you know it was coming, or was it a complete surprise? How did she approach it?
Megan: It’s something that we’ve always used each other for—checking in on how things are going, ups and downs. Weight is not a secret between us, so it wasn’t really a surprise. My mom saw that I was getting frustrated after gaining back what I had lost on another program. She asked if I wanted to try MetPro, and I thought, why not? It wasn’t a total surprise, but it was still a bit unexpected.
Crystal: Since you were using another program and getting frustrated, you have a unique ability to compare what wasn’t working versus what is working with MetPro. I’m curious, for you specifically, what are the differences?
Megan: For me, one of the pros of MetPro is having accountability and someone to check in with regularly. In the other program, I had one-on-one coaching, but everything was through email. At first, it felt good, but then it started feeling generic, like I was just a number. My weight would be going up, my exercise would be dropping off, and my coach would just email me, saying “great job.” I started to wonder if they were even looking at what I was doing. With MetPro, I feel like Eric, my coach, understands me and what’s going on in my life, whether it’s work-related or personal. He checks in throughout the week, which reinforces my efforts. The one-on-one phone calls feel more personal, and I feel heard. Adjustments are made based on what’s happening in my life at that time.
Crystal: So you had coaching with both, but MetPro works better with your needs as far as follow-up and direct communication. It’s a different style.
Megan: Exactly. I feel like things are actually being looked at versus just checking in via email at a distance.
Crystal: And I think we’re all dealing with the fact that life throws curveballs. It’s never going to be perfect, so you have to pay attention to the ebbs and flows of life. Sometimes you can give 100 percent, sometimes 80 percent, and sometimes 20 percent, but you’re still making progress. If you’re not prepared for that, it can be jarring. Since you hadn’t worked with a coach before either of these programs, was it difficult for you to start working with a coach? I’ve talked to people who find it difficult to open up and share what’s going on in their lives. What were your thoughts?
Megan: I’ve tried working with nutritionists in the past, so I had some experience with opening up, but maybe not fully. I knew I needed to get myself to a vulnerable spot because everything I had been doing before hadn’t been working. Ironically, I talk with people about their weight concerns frequently through my profession, so I’ve been on the receiving end. When someone grants you the opportunity to help with something so personal, I try to be as non-judgmental and open as possible. I hoped my coach would make me feel comfortable, just like I try to make my patients feel. That mindset helped me take the step to open up.
Crystal: That makes a lot of sense. It sounds like you’ve had a lot of success with MetPro. Do you feel comfortable sharing what success you’ve had so far?
Megan: I started working with Eric in February 2022. My weight was about 181, almost 182 pounds. I’m 5’2″ on a good day, and after my first daughter was born, I never really lost the baby weight. When my second daughter was born, I gained even more. When I hit that 180 mark, something mentally clicked for me. I knew I had to change. Now, in December, I’m down to 147 pounds, so I’ve lost about 30-35 pounds. It hasn’t always been easy—committing, measuring foods, being mindful of everything—but after adjusting and learning the app, it’s become easier. I’ve stuck to my meal plans, and I’m seeing progress.
Crystal: That’s exciting! What about movement and workouts? Were you active before MetPro? Has that changed with MetPro?
Megan: I’ve always been an active person, but my consistency comes and goes. My exercise increased and varied with MetPro. A good friend and neighbor got me into triathlons, and two summers ago, I did my first Olympic distance triathlon and sprint distance triathlon. I found I really enjoyed mixing things up in my training. Before we had kids, my husband and I used to do one or two half marathons a year. Now, I’ve gotten into triathlons, and this past summer, I did three of them. My weight loss has definitely helped with my performance. For the upcoming summer, I’ve set a goal to do a Half IRONMAN race. My friend, who got me into triathlons, regularly does them, and I look up to her. She’s amazing, and she’s inspired me to set new goals for myself.
Crystal: That’s very exciting! There’s nothing quite like going to an IRONMAN race. The adrenaline rush is crazy. When you start your training for the Half IRONMAN, are you working with Eric to be really specific with your training fuel, or do you handle that separately?
Megan: To be determined for this upcoming race. We haven’t worked specifically on race fuel yet, but for sprints, I treat it like my half marathons. We’ve talked about good carbs, hydration, and pre-race setup for success.
Crystal: My advice is to get used to lots of real food mixed in with the gels and tailwind. Your stomach will not be happy otherwise. And hydration is key. Some people’s stomachs are very sensitive to gels if they don’t drink enough water. It’s important to drink a lot as you use those. Everyone’s stomach is different, so it takes practice. You have plenty of time to get ready and practice. I’m curious if there’s been anything throughout this process that you’ve struggled with while doing MetPro—anything that surprised you?
Megan: My biggest struggle has been more of a mindset issue. I’ve tried hard to stick to my plan as perfectly as I can, but the time it takes to get used to figuring out the right amount of carbs and proteins, getting everything prepared, has been challenging. It’s gotten easier as I became more familiar with my plan, but it was hard initially. Another challenge has been social events, especially around the holidays. Being surrounded by treats and not eating them has been a struggle, but it’s gotten better. I just keep reminding myself of my goals and that the journey I’m on is worth it.
Crystal: That makes perfect sense. Do you struggle with people asking why you aren’t having a drink or eating dessert?
Megan: Initially, yes. People would say, “Just have one glass of wine.” Now they don’t even bother. They know I’m working on something. At work, we celebrate birthdays, and for mine in November, the girls I work with didn’t even bother planning a potluck. Instead, they put together a little goodie basket of non-food-related things. They knew I wouldn’t want to celebrate with food. The people close to me know what I’m working on and respect it. Even patients I see every few months notice the difference and ask how I did it. It’s nice to have other people notice and congratulate me.
Crystal: It’s very validating for all the hard work you’ve put in. Thirty to thirty-five pounds is a lot of weight, and you should be proud of that. I really appreciate you sharing your journey today. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, your life, or MetPro that we haven’t touched on?
Megan: I don’t think there’s anything we haven’t touched on. If people are wondering if MetPro is right for them, it might be, or it might not be. If you’re struggling and don’t like where you’re at, whether it’s a number on the scale or how you feel, and you’re ready to make a change, MetPro can help. It’s not easy, but it’s made it easy to follow. I haven’t used just the app-based MetPro, only the one-on-one coaching, but MetPro has made it very easy to follow. It helps you choose the right foods, which promotes weight loss and stabilizes blood sugar. It’s still hard work, but it’s easier to stay on track than with other things I’ve tried.
Crystal: What I heard you saying is that it helps you connect the dots close enough to be able to do the work. Megan, thank you so much for your time today. Before we let you go, would you like to share where people might be able to find you on social media?
Megan: My Facebook is Megan Deanne. I’m going to start an Instagram account to chronicle my training for my race. It’s not fully set up yet, but it will be Megan T underscore live well. There’s not much on there now, but I plan to share more about my exercises and life as I prepare for this big race.
Crystal: Congrats again on your progress and good luck on your Half IRONMAN journey.
Listeners, that’s all for this week. You can find all the MetPro Method episodes anywhere you get podcasts or at MetPro.co/podcast. Please be sure to follow the show, rate, and review so others know what to expect. You can also learn more about MetPro at metpro.co. I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe, and I will be back next week. Until then, remember, consistency is key.
