Michelle Keith is a woman on a mission—not only to achieve her ultimate health goals but also to bring a little-known condition into the spotlight.
Diagnosed with lipedema – a painful, often-misunderstood disorder in March 2023, Michelle has fought an uphill battle to reclaim her health, manage her pain, and inspire others along the way.
Her journey, amplified by the support she found on Facebook, is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless drive to help those struggling in silence.
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(Image: Michelle Keith/Cover Images)
From her heaviest weight of 211lbs (15st), Michelle has shed an astonishing 75lbs (5st 3lbs). But for Michelle, this journey is about more than weight loss.
“My goal is to lose 100lbs,” said the 31-year-old from St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I’ve never been this close to my goal before.”
Michelle’s story took a turn in 2020 when she began experiencing severe pain, swelling, and mysterious bruising.
“I had been experiencing pain really bad,” Michelle shares.
“I thought there were so many health issues with me. I went to numerous hospital visits for dislocated joints, bruising, and swelling.”
Despite her efforts, her doctors couldn’t pinpoint the problem.
(Image: Michelle Keith/Cover Images)
It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a Facebook video in January 2023 that the pieces began to fall into place.
“I saw a weight-loss doctor and happened upon a video of someone with lipedema. I related to every symptom,” she recalls.
A spark ignited, driving her to seek out specialists, and by February 2023, she connected with a vascular specialist who provided her with a life-changing diagnosis: lipedema.
For Michelle, this revelation was both a relief and a burden. Lipedema, a condition affecting about 11% of women, causes painful, abnormal fat buildup, mainly in the arms and legs.
“Fat isn’t supposed to be painful,” she said, hoping to educate others about this misunderstood illness. She has since taken to social media to share her journey and raise awareness about lipedema’s devastating impact.
(Image: Michelle Keith/Cover Images)
Michelle’s weight gain didn’t just affect her appearance—it dramatically impaired her mobility and quality of life.
“My heaviest weight was 211lbs,” she says.
“It affected my mobility, my pain, and I had swelling and inflammation through my entire body. I was in constant pain and had pitting edema and swelling in my legs as well. I also suffered from severe back pain, depression, and self-esteem issues.”
Michelle’s description of the pain caused by lipedema is visceral. “It feels like an intense heaviness and achiness, like carrying around extra pounds of inflammation,” she explains.
“The pain in my arms can feel like a stinging, burning sensation if someone pokes me or touches me.”
Hormonal fluctuations can make her symptoms even worse.
(Image: Michelle Keith/Cover Images)
“Every month, two weeks before my period, I suffer from PMDD,” Michelle shares.
“My nodules swell, my body swells, and I bruise easier.”
Lipedema fat is notoriously resistant to diet and exercise, so Michelle had to get creative with her approach.
“I did a keto diet and anti-inflammatory diet for a year, lots of walking, massage, lymphatic drainage, dry brushing, compression, vibration plates, red light therapy, and supplements like diosmin, vitamins C and D, guaifenesin,” she says.
Recently, she began a GLP-1 medication, tirzepatide, which she says has been helpful for her pain and inflammation.
Michelle praises the keto diet for helping her manage her inflammation.
(Image: Michelle Keith/Cover Images)
“Keto drastically helps inflammation as it depletes glycogen stores of water, keeps blood sugar lower and stable, decreases the size of the nodules by the chemical BHB, and takes away your hunger. It also helps your lymph vessels and lymphatic system,” she explains.
Today, Michelle is focused on not only her personal journey but also on raising awareness and helping others with lipedema.
“I want people to know they are not alone if they suffer from this,” she says.
Michelle’s journey has empowered her to find her voice and, through social media, offer hope to others.
“I plan to support people through my Facebook community group, raising awareness on TikTok and Instagram, and growing to empower women.”
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