For years, Dena Marienau had gotten used to not feeling good. She struggled with bloating, digestive discomfort, fatigue, brain fog, and what she described as inflammation. By the time she got home from work, she was perfectly content sitting on the couch with a book while her husband watched sports. And then they'd wake up and do it all again. But after a serious health scare involving her husband, Dena knew it was time for a change. She joined the VIP Weight Loss System and started with one simple habit: eating breakfast. Within the first week, she began noticing a difference. Several months later, Dena was celebrating 17 pounds lost, a reported eight-pant-size change, significantly less bloating, and a level of energy she hadn't experienced in years. Today, at 55, she's no longer dreaming about simply getting through the day. She's dreaming about hiking through Ireland, exploring waterfalls, and enjoying every moment of the life ahead of her.
Meet Dena: A Woman Who Was Tired of Feeling Tired
At 55 years old, Dena Marienau has a whole new outlook on life.
But it wasn't always that way.
Before VIP, her evenings followed a familiar routine.
She and her husband, Jeff, would come home from work.
The television would go on.
Jeff would watch sports.
And Dena would settle onto the couch with a book.
She loved reading.
And she still does.
But back then, she didn't have much energy for anything else.
They'd sit there until bedtime.
Wake up the next morning.
Go to work.
And repeat.
She wasn't necessarily thinking about everything she was missing.
She'd simply gotten used to feeling that way.
But today?
Everything feels different.
"I have this energy. I need to move. I need to do things and it's phenomenal."
When Coach Katie asked Dena to describe how she felt in one word, her answer came immediately.
"Outstanding."
And for Dena, that one word says everything.
A Health Journey That Started in Her Twenties
Dena's struggles didn't begin in her 50s.
She'd been trying to understand her body for decades.
In her twenties, she discovered she had hypothyroidism.
She began thyroid medication and experienced weight loss.
But she still wasn't feeling the way she wanted to.
She tried Weight Watchers.
Then life moved forward.
Her thirties were filled with raising her children, including twins.
And like so many women, her attention was focused on family, work, and everything that needed to get done.
But by her forties, new challenges began appearing.
Her digestive system started giving her trouble.
She experienced significant bloating.
Her energy declined.
And she described feeling increasingly uncomfortable in her body.
By her late forties, she knew something needed to change.
The Years of Bloating, Brain Fog, and Frustration
Dena tried to find answers.
She researched information online.
Experimented with supplements.
Tried intermittent fasting.
Eliminated different food groups.
And eventually sought help from a gastroenterologist.
She explored dietary approaches, including low-FODMAP recommendations.
But despite all the effort, she continued struggling.
She didn't feel good after eating.
She had very little energy.
And she described experiencing brain fog and persistent bloating.
"I was miserable. I did not feel good ever."
For Dena, the hardest part was that these symptoms had become normal.
She'd been dealing with them for so long that she'd almost forgotten what feeling good was supposed to feel like.
She knew something wasn't right.
But she didn't know what would finally make a difference.
The Health Scare That Changed Everything
Dena's turning point came when her husband, Jeff, experienced a serious health crisis.
He learned that he had diabetes, with an A1C above 10.
The diagnosis was frightening.
And Dena immediately knew that they needed to take their health seriously.
They began exploring dietary changes together.
But approximately a month later, Jeff suffered a heart attack.
He ultimately underwent open-heart surgery involving five bypasses.
It was an incredibly difficult time for their family.
And Dena is deeply grateful that Jeff survived.
But the experience changed the way she thought about health.
She wasn't only thinking about her own discomfort anymore.
She was thinking about their future together.
Their family.
And the life they still wanted to live.
"This is not only your health scare, this is my health scare."
Dena knew she wanted to make changes alongside her husband.
Not simply for a few weeks.
But for the years ahead.
Starting With One Small Habit
When Dena joined VIP, she didn't begin by changing everything overnight.
She started with breakfast.
For years, she'd skipped breakfast because she didn't wake up hungry.
It was simply part of her routine.
But through VIP, she began having a protein-focused smoothie in the morning.
And something surprised her.
By the end of the first week, she was already noticing changes.
She felt less bloated.
She had more energy.
And she was beginning to feel better.
"The first week I was less bloated. I had a little more energy."
What made the experience even more meaningful was how simple that first change had been.
She hadn't started a complicated exercise routine.
She wasn't walking every day yet.
She was simply focusing on consistently eating breakfast.
For Dena, that small step helped build the momentum she needed.
She still enjoys her VIP smoothie most mornings.
And it remains one of the habits that helped her get started.
Real Food Instead of Another Restrictive Diet
One of Dena's favorite things about VIP was discovering how enjoyable the food could be.
After years of eliminating foods and trying different eating plans, she appreciated having meals she genuinely looked forward to.
She loved the recipes.
Especially the soups.
Taco soup quickly became a favorite.
She also enjoyed buffalo chicken recipes and meals made with tuna.
And she discovered simple substitutions that made familiar dishes work better for her preferences and goals.
One of her favorites?
Using lower-fat Greek yogurt in buffalo chicken recipes.
She was surprised by how much she enjoyed the flavor.
For Dena, these weren't complicated diet foods.
They were everyday meals.
Meals she could prepare.
Share with her family.
And continue enjoying.
Finding Foods That Worked for Her Digestion
Before VIP, Dena had struggled with digestive discomfort for years.
Pasta was one of the foods she often found difficult to tolerate.
But during her VIP journey, she began experimenting with protein pasta.
She discovered that she could enjoy small portions while still being mindful of her digestive tolerance.
It wasn't about forcing herself to eat foods that made her uncomfortable.
It was about finding options that worked for her.
And that made eating feel less restrictive.
She also discovered that eating regular meals and protein-focused snacks left her feeling more satisfied.
In fact, when she first started having her morning smoothie, she sometimes felt too full to eat her planned midmorning snack.
She was surprised by how satisfying the new routine felt.
And she appreciated learning that supporting her nutrition didn't have to mean constantly feeling hungry.
Seventeen Pounds Lost—and Eight Pant Sizes Down
After several months in VIP, Dena was celebrating a meaningful physical transformation.
She had lost 17 pounds.
But the scale wasn't what excited her most.
It was the change in how her body felt.
And how her clothes fit.
During her interview, Dena shared that she'd gone down approximately eight pant sizes.
Eight sizes.
She hadn't taken body measurements before starting VIP.
And she wished she had.
Because she knew her body had changed significantly.
But she didn't need a measuring tape to recognize the difference.
She could see it in her clothes.
And feel it in everyday life.
For Dena, the transformation was about far more than a number on the scale.
The Day She Actually Enjoyed Shopping for Jeans
One of Dena's favorite non-scale victories happened while shopping.
She needed new jeans.
And for the first time in a long time, she actually enjoyed the experience.
That might sound like a small thing.
But for Dena, it was huge.
She used to dread shopping for jeans.
She had old pairs sitting in her closet for years.
And she often chose clothing based on what would hide her stomach.
She'd stretch out her T-shirts.
Buy larger blouses.
And choose outfits that made her feel less self-conscious.
But now?
She was excited about trying on clothes.
She didn't feel like she needed to hide.
And she was comfortable wearing a medium T-shirt.
"Just the feeling good in your own skin."
For Dena, that confidence was worth celebrating.
Because she wasn't simply changing sizes.
She was changing how she felt about herself.
From the Couch to a Life Full of Possibilities
Perhaps the biggest transformation in Dena's story is her energy.
Before VIP, she was content spending every evening on the couch.
Now, she wants to move.
She wants to be active.
She wants to experience life.
And she doesn't want to spend the years ahead feeling limited by fatigue.
She's enjoying walking.
Yoga.
And other activities that feel more manageable than they used to.
She described everyday movement as feeling easier.
And that change has made her excited about what she can do next.
She isn't simply thinking about losing weight.
She's thinking about the life she wants to live.
Her Dream Trip to Ireland
Dena and Jeff have a goal.
They want to travel to Ireland.
And when they get there, Dena doesn't want to spend the trip sitting on the sidelines.
She wants to explore.
Hike.
See the waterfalls.
Take in the mountain views.
Shop all day.
And experience as much of the country as possible.
"I'm gonna go see that whole damn island."
For Dena, that dream represents something powerful.
She remembers when even everyday activities left her feeling exhausted.
Now, she's imagining a vacation filled with movement and adventure.
She wants to feel capable.
Strong.
And excited about everything ahead.
Because at 55, she knows she still has so much life to live.
The Power of Having Someone in Your Corner
Dena credits much of her experience to the support she received through VIP.
Before joining, she'd spent years searching for information on her own.
Online advice.
Supplements.
Different diets.
And conflicting recommendations.
But through VIP, she found something she'd been missing.
A community.
She regularly uses Practice Better to read messages and connect with the program.
She appreciates the food journal feedback.
The weekly resets.
The recipes.
And the encouragement from coaches and other women.
She doesn't respond to every conversation.
But she reads.
Learns.
And takes in the support.
For Dena, knowing someone is there to help her stay consistent makes a tremendous difference.
"You don't get that on the internet."
Learning to Be Accountable to Herself
Dena has spent much of her life caring for other people.
As a wife.
A mother.
And an employee.
She's used to showing up for the people who depend on her.
But through VIP, she began thinking differently about accountability.
She didn't just want to meet someone else's expectations.
She wanted to follow through for herself.
"I want to be accountable to me."
That mindset was an important part of her journey.
She wanted to lead by example for her family.
Support her husband.
And continue building habits that would help her enjoy the future.
But she also wanted to prove something to herself.
That she was worth the time.
The effort.
And the investment.
A Transformation That Reached Her Family
Dena's changes didn't happen in isolation.
Her husband, Jeff, was also working on his health.
And together, they began making different choices at home.
Their adult daughter, Morgan, was living with them after finishing college and starting her career.
And even she noticed how much the household's food habits had changed.
For Dena, it was a reminder that when one person begins prioritizing healthier habits, the effects can extend beyond that individual.
The groceries change.
The recipes change.
The conversations change.
And the family begins thinking differently about food and health.
Dena was proud to be part of that shift.
Not because everything had to be perfect.
But because they were working toward a healthier future together.
Why Investing in Her Health Was Worth It
When Coach Katie asked Dena what she would say to women who were hesitant about the cost of VIP, Dena understood.
She'd been there.
She'd spent money on Weight Watchers.
Supplements.
Different products.
And approaches that promised to help her feel better.
She knew how easy it was to keep searching for the next answer.
But for her, VIP felt different.
She appreciated the structure.
The education.
And the accountability.
And she was experiencing changes that mattered to her.
Not just weight loss.
But better energy.
Less bloating.
More confidence.
And a greater sense of control over her daily habits.
For Dena, investing in herself was about more than a program.
It was about investing in the life she wanted to live.
Her Message to Women Who Feel Stuck
Dena remembers how miserable she felt before VIP.
She remembers the bloating.
The fatigue.
The digestive discomfort.
And the years of trying different approaches.
She knows how discouraging it can be to feel like nothing is working.
But she also knows what it feels like to begin noticing positive changes.
And she wants other women to understand that they don't have to accept feeling uncomfortable as their only option.
Her message is to take action.
Seek support.
And remember that your health is worth prioritizing.
"This is the one we get."
She's talking about the body we have.
The life we're living.
And the importance of caring for ourselves so we can enjoy the years ahead.
For Dena, the journey isn't about reaching one number and stopping.
It's about building habits she can continue for the rest of her life.
Today, Dena Is...
✔️ 17 pounds down after approximately five months in VIP.
✔️ Reporting a change of eight pant sizes, one of her proudest non-scale victories.
✔️ Feeling significantly less bloated, based on her personal experience.
✔️ Enjoying more energy, instead of spending every evening on the couch.
✔️ Feeling more comfortable in her clothes, including wearing medium T-shirts.
✔️ Enjoying shopping for jeans, something she previously dreaded.
✔️ Eating a protein-focused breakfast, a habit that helped her get started.
✔️ Enjoying real-food recipes, including taco soup, buffalo chicken, and protein pasta.
✔️ Finding food substitutions that work for her, while remaining mindful of her digestive tolerance.
✔️ Walking and practicing yoga, with everyday movement feeling easier.
✔️ Feeling supported by VIP coaches and community members, through regular encouragement and accountability.
✔️ Building healthier routines alongside her husband, with changes that have influenced their household.
✔️ Looking forward to traveling to Ireland, with dreams of hiking, exploring, and experiencing everything she can.
✔️ Feeling happier and more confident, with a renewed sense of possibility.
✔️ Committed to continuing her habits long-term, rather than returning to another temporary diet.
Dena's story is about a woman who spent decades searching for answers and eventually got used to feeling uncomfortable. At 55, after years of digestive struggles, fatigue, and frustration, she decided to make a change. With support from VIP, she began building consistent habits, starting with something as simple as breakfast. Several months later, she was celebrating 17 pounds lost, an eight-pant-size change, less bloating, and energy she hadn't experienced in years. But her biggest victory wasn't measured in pounds or clothing sizes. It was realizing she could look forward to the years ahead with excitement. Because Dena doesn't want to spend the rest of her life sitting on the sidelines. She wants to explore Ireland, hike to waterfalls, enjoy time with her family, and live fully. And today, she's feeling ready to do exactly that.
Individual results vary. Dena's reported improvements in digestive symptoms, energy, and body comfort reflect her personal experience. The interview does not establish that VIP treated hypothyroidism, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or any underlying inflammatory condition. Her husband's medical history is included as context for their motivation, not as a claim of treatment outcomes.
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