How Roxanne Mullenberg Lost Nearly 150 Pounds

How Roxanne Mullenberg Walked Off Nearly 150 Pounds

By sharing her story, Roxanne Mullenberg, a 42-year-old bank project manager from Fargo, ND, gives hope and practical advice for anyone struggling with weight loss. Her journey—marked by loss, perseverance, and self-discovery—proves that with the right mindset and support, anyone can transform their life.

Growing Up: Struggles with Weight and Self-Esteem

Roxanne’s family has always been, in her words, “big-boned.” She stands 5’8” tall and battled her weight for as long as she can remember. Her childhood was a constant negotiation between healthy intentions and harsh realities. Her mother, despite best efforts to prepare nutritious meals, faced the challenge of stretching a budget to feed four children—a situation that inevitably meant fewer fresh foods and more processed, filling alternatives.

The struggles didn’t just affect Roxanne’s appearance; they impacted her self-esteem. She grew up watching the numbers on the scale climb uncontrollably, sometimes reaching 350 pounds. Attempts to follow weight loss programs and count calories were ultimately unsustainable, especially before the advent of user-friendly apps. Nutrition and exercise seemed mutually exclusive for Roxanne—when she focused on one, the other suffered.

Family Tragedy and a New Role

The trajectory of Roxanne’s life—and her approach to health—changed dramatically in 2014. That year, her sister underwent gastric sleeve surgery at just 39. The operation, meant to bring hope, instead ended in tragedy. Shortly after surgery, her sister suffered a fatal blood clot. Roxanne not only lost a beloved sibling but became the single mother of her nephew, Ryan. This sudden responsibility fueled a new determination: Roxanne wanted to be healthy and energetic for Ryan, to be a parent he could rely on for years to come.

• Dealing with profound loss and grief
• Taking on the role of single mother
• Balancing work, parenting, and personal needs
• Struggling to prioritize self-care while caring for others

Juggling Life, Work, and Health Challenges

Roxanne’s schedule was a whirlwind. Between long hours at her banking job, looking after her son, and supporting her extended family, self-care took a backseat. Rushed meals and frequent fast food became routine, especially during busy periods packed with work and children’s activities. An undiagnosed inactive thyroid and rising blood pressure were red flags for change. She reached a tipping point: feeling unwell, unenergized, and stuck.

Despite making walking part of her regular routine—sometimes daily—the weight wouldn’t budge. It became clear that activity alone wouldn’t solve the problem; nutrition and mindset needed attention too.

Finding a Nutrition Plan That Finally Worked

What made the breakthrough possible? Roxanne credits the Profile by Sanford program. Encouraged by coworkers, Roxanne was initially skeptical, having tried shake-based diets in the past without lasting results. Her doctor’s encouragement and the customization offered by Profile’s approach helped tip the scales—literally and figuratively—in the right direction.

• Personalized Nutrition: Each member gets a meal plan tailored by a health coach, with different phases to facilitate sustainable change.
• Reboot Phase: Begins with protein shakes, vegetables, healthy fats, tea, and bars, providing both convenience and nutrition.
• Adapt Phase: Gradually introduces more whole foods, including starches and fruit, and reduces reliance on packaged foods.
• Supportive Coaching: Coaches provide accountability, customized grocery lists, and meal ideas.

Although hesitant to try another shake program, Roxanne found Profile’s shakes far more palatable and sustainable. The personalized, phased structure meant she wasn’t just swapping meals for drinks—she was learning to shop and prepare healthy options, reducing the likelihood of fast food temptations.

Roxanne’s Daily Menu (Reboot Phase Example)

The program’s structure reduced decision fatigue. “I like the meal plans because I don’t have to think about what to eat or try to make the right decision because it’s already laid out for me,” Roxanne shares.

Mindset Shifts and Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

Over the months, Roxanne underwent a profound transformation driven by both physical changes and mindset shifts. She became intentional about her choices. Fast food gave way to prepped veggies and on-the-go shakes. Instead of viewing slip-ups as failures, she learned to take ownership without guilt, saying, “If I choose to go off my meal plan, I’m making that choice and I’m not letting it ruin my entire day.”

Key principles Roxanne adopted:

• Progress over perfection: Not letting a single mistake derail an entire day or week
• Preparation: Always having a healthy snack ready to avoid impulsive eating
• Experimentation: Trying new recipes and fresh vegetables; making real food enjoyable
• Support and accountability: Leaning on coaches and friends for encouragement

Social support played an essential role. Roxanne swapped healthy recipes with neighbors and celebrated milestones together. When both hit 100-pound weight loss marks within a week, the shared victory doubled the joy and motivated further effort. Her Progress wasn’t always linear, but the results were undeniable.

Incorporating Movement and Celebrating Milestones

Though walking was already part of Roxanne’s routine, as her confidence and energy grew, so did her goals. She worked up from daily strolls to 5Ks with her son. For her 42nd birthday, she challenged herself to a celebratory 10K. This milestone—paired with her 100-pound loss—marked a new chapter not just in weight, but in belief in her own strength and capability.

• Walking at least three miles per day
• Completing a 5K and later a 10K alongside her son
• Viewing exercise as a celebration, not just a chore

Results: Beyond the Number on the Scale

For Roxanne, the journey wasn’t just about the number on the scale—though the transformation is dramatic. Over the course of a year, she lost nearly 150 pounds and dropped several pant sizes, reaching numbers she never thought she’d see. More importantly, she:

• Gained consistent energy
• Lowered her blood pressure
• Developed a sustainable relationship with food
• Improved her self-esteem and overall quality of life
• Modeled healthy habits and resilience for her son

Her experience also led to new connections: “I’ve become super close to my coach—she’s a cheerleader, resource, and friend. That steady support made the journey easier and far more rewarding.”

Lessons Learned and Advice for Others

Roxanne’s story is rich with lessons for others considering a health transformation:

• Start without waiting for the ‘perfect’ time: Life responsibilities never stop, but starting now is better than waiting for someday.
• Get support: Accountability through coaching and friendship is invaluable.
• Embrace change gradually: Allow time for habits to form and progress to happen.
• Focus on feeling good: Numbers matter less than energy, mood, and confidence.

Her final encouragement is simple: “If you think it won’t work for you, just try. It’s never too late to make change happen.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Profile by Sanford only for people who need to lose a lot of weight?

A: No. Profile by Sanford customizes nutrition plans for a range of goals—from modest weight loss to more significant transformations and even long-term wellness maintenance.

Q: Are all meals on the Profile plan shakes and bars?

A: Not at all. While the early phase includes shakes and bars for convenience, the program is designed to reintroduce more whole and fresh foods over time. Roxanne prepared most of her meals from scratch as she progressed through the phases.

Q: How important is coaching in the weight loss process?

A: For Roxanne, coaching was essential. Her coach provided consistent support, encouragement, and adjustments to her plan, which kept her motivated and accountable throughout the journey.

Q: What happens if I slip up or eat off-plan?

A: Roxanne’s advice is not to let a slip-up ruin the whole day or week. Acknowledge the choice, then get back on track with the next meal. Progress, not perfection, leads to lasting change.

Q: How can I fit healthy habits into a busy lifestyle?

A: Prepping snacks and meals ahead of time, having quick options available (like shakes or chopped veggies), and planning walks as part of daily routine can help busy people stay consistent and on track.

Key Takeaways from Roxanne’s Journey

• Personalization and support are vital.
• Mindset and self-compassion fuel progress.
• Planning and preparation prevent impulsive choices.
• Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small.
• It’s never too late to make positive changes.

By sharing her candid story, Roxanne shows it’s possible to overcome even the most challenging setbacks. Her journey offers an inspiring blueprint: start with one change, stick with it, ask for help, and celebrate every victory. For anyone seeking healthier living, her footsteps light the way.