This 'Real Housewives' star blasts haters over weight, GLP-1s: 'I am done with shame'

"The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star and Beauty Lab + Laser cofounder smiles and laughs as we zig-zag through topics on a Zoom call from her office, a little snow dotting the ground outside. She's effervescent and engaging even as we tackle a topic many dread discussing: weight and weight loss.

"I've always been a big-boned Pioneer Girl," says the 51-year-old Gay, author of memoirs "Bad Mormon" and "Good Time Girl." "I don't know how else to say it."

But Gay brushes it off like a few specks of snow. She's releasing herself from shame, one conversation about GLP-1s, protein and dieting at a time.

'My weight ... had been a huge burden'

Gay talks at length on "Housewives" about leaving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But now she's sharing how that's connected to her weight loss journey; she's recently partnered with Atkins.

"In a culture and church where being small, quiet and docile was highly, highly valued, I stood out like a big thumb," 

she says, adding that "as much as I didn't want to make weight any part of my identity, the world continually did, and I just had to constantly overcome that."

That followed her as she built her Beauty Lab + Laser med spa business through her reality TV fame.

"My weight had not kept me from getting or accomplishing any of my goals, but it had been a huge burden," she says. "And for me to say otherwise would be to deny the experience it was. People were mean to me about my weight. Always, no matter what, it always came up."

Heather Gay of "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" is releasing herself from shame, one conversation about GLP-1s, protein and dieting at a time.
Gay began taking GLP-1s in 2023, trying different brands and versions before finding what worked for her (as side effects are quite common). 

Atkins products like their high-protein shakes have complemented her weight loss – helpful, given that sudden weight loss and feeling satiated because of GLP-1s can hinder nutrition. Whole foods, of course, are still favored by dietitians.

Crosswords Promo January 2025

"With weight loss always comes some complications," says Jon Clinthorne, senior director of nutrition and scientific affairs with Atkins. "When calories are really restricted, 

vitamins and minerals can be insufficient," in addition to protein and fiber. "I view GLP-1s as a very powerful tool to help people optimize their diet, rather than just a potent weight loss drug," he adds.