Michelle Tollefson
About Michelle Tollefson
Michelle Tollefson is the Secretary on the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Executive Board. She is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Denver, CO, and a Professor in the Health Professions Department at Metropolitan State University of Denver where she created and oversees the Lifestyle Medicine Program and the Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine Pathway.
She was one of the first physicians ever trained as a wellness coach. She has also been a leader in the lifestyle medicine movement for over a decade. She founded and co-chairs the Women’s Health Member Interest Group as well as the Pre-Professional Lifestyle Medicine Education Member Interest Group within the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She serves on the ACLM Education and Membership Committees. She received her board certification from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and is also an ACLM fellow.
She is the editor-in-chief of Improving Women’s Health Across the Lifespan, an international speaker, women’s health consultant, and leads PAVING the Path to Wellness groups with creators Dr. Beth Frates and Dr. Amy Comander. She also recently co-authored the PAVING the Path to Wellness Workbook with them.
She is a breast cancer survivor and thriver through the power of lifestyle medicine and enjoys spending time in the Colorado outdoors with her husband and three children.
Lifestyle Medicine for Women
A healthy dietary approach supports women’s health across the lifespan but becomes especially important throughout the menopausal transition and beyond. Dietary choices and other pillars of lifestyle medicine (exercise, managing stress, optimizing sleep, prioritizing meaningful interpersonal connections, and avoiding risky substance use) impact how a woman ages. The impact of lifestyle medicine with a focus on a whole-food, plant predominant diet will be explored, as it relates to areas of women’s health such as menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats, sexual health, bone health, and breast health. Attendees of this presentation will also understand how they can use lifestyle medicine education to empower their clients to make healthier lifestyle choices and optimize their health throughout their lifespan. In addition to information that may benefit their professional practice, attendees will hopefully gain information that supports their own wellbeing.
Objectives:
1. Learn about the history of ageism, how to debunk myths around aging and positive ways to respond to ageist comments.
2. Demonstrate how a mindful approach to wellness and fitness will support the long-term growth and success of your clients.
3. Attendees will recognize opportunities to incorporate lifestyle medicine education into their interactions with their clients.
