Heather Gay has been a fan favorite on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City since its debut. She was open and honest about the struggles that she faced, which endeared her to viewers. During her time on RHOSLC, she had some iconic moments, including her legendary quote, “Receipts! Proof! Timeline! Screenshots!”
Meanwhile, Season 6 ushered in a new era for Heather as she became an empty-nester. The Beauty Lab + Laser owner raised three daughters and was looking forward to having some time to focus on herself.
Reality Tea chatted with Heather about her new health journey with Atkins, her favorite moment from Season 6, and why her time on RHOSLC “keeps getting better.” We also spoke with Dr. Jon Clinthorne, who is the Senior Director of Nutrition and Scientific Affairs for Atkins, about the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle.
Which moment from RHOSLC Season 6 was Heather’s favorite?
“Favorite moment was in Greece. There were a few of them, but there’s one moment, I talk about it at reunion,” Heather stated. “In the finale, when we were on the cliff, and we were having this delicious food and wine, and the sun was shining on us, but there was this beautiful breeze. It was like those moments on vacation where your body and the food and the air – it’s all the same temperature, and it’s just like you’re in a flow.”
The author added, “And I just, I can feel the feelings right now remembering. It was just … I was the luckiest girl in the world, and it was a true Greek moment. And to hear about Angie [Katsanevas’] family, and to be with her cousin, you know, it was very, very cool.”
‘However, there were a couple of co-stars who annoyed the cast this season. When asked who was more frustrating to deal with this season, Meredith Marks or Lisa Barlow, Heather didn’t hesitate. “Meredith. Hands down, Meredith,” she replied. “All of us. She frustrated all of us.”
Next, Heather addressed rumors of a possible cast shake-up ahead of next season. When asked who she would pick to exit the cast, Heather responded, “I’ll tell you. Anyone but me, and that is my answer. And I think Salt Lake City is pretty small, and we’re the craziest, richest ladies I can find in this area. So, I don’t know where they’re going to find more. They’re going to have to move in.”
Heather continued, “People will be relocating for a chance to be a Salt Lake City housewife. Don’t do it! This is my warning to the world. Big mistake!” she added with a laugh.
Which season of RHOSLC was the best?
“Every season’s the best. I mean, every season. This season was really, really fun. We did Below Deck [Down Under]. We, you know, we went to Greece,” Heather explained. She added, “We went camping. These are like my favorite things to do.”
And while there was plenty of drama between the Salt Lake City ladies during Season 6, there was also bonding and friendship. “We really do have a lot of fun together. Every year, that kind of friendship deepens and ripens a little bit. So, I think every season is my last, and this last season, for sure, [was] my favorite so far,” Heather stated. “It keeps getting better.”
She also noted a milestone in her fitness journey. “And I was wearing a bikini this year, and, you know, I’ve never done that. And you know, going yachting, I usually had to think, ‘Oh, I’m going to be, you know, just not enjoying it like I should enjoy it.’ You know how you think in the back of your mind like, ‘This could be better if I had just worked out more,’” Heather stated.
“I didn’t have any of those fears or feelings. I just felt happy and healthy and ready to just live my best life. And I’ve never felt that comfortable before. And I really … I can only attribute it to, you know, this new chapter. This new healthy journey I’m on.”
Of course, Heather also had the chance to hang out with Captain Jason Chambers during the epic BDDU crossover. Heather brought the ladies aboard Captain Jason’s super yacht, and the crew might never be the same. “Captain Jason. I mean, yeah, how could this not be my favorite season? I swam with him in the ocean,” Heather said. “It was a thrill. I felt like a teenager.”
Heather shares why she is partnering with Atkins
Heather has been working with Atkins for “about six months.” She stated, “It’s the first time that I’ve been able to kind of like talk about practical, actual things that I’m doing rather than just GLP-1s, which is what the big headline was forever, you know, ‘Heather Gay finally lost weight, and this is how.’”
However, being able to maintain a healthy weight in a lifestyle-friendly way is an issue for many of us. “And so, partnering with Atkins to focus on things that are really important to me at this age, like protein, fiber,” the RHOSLC star said. “You know, I need a shake. I need a … what I call a candy bar, you know, I need a protein bar.” She added, “I need ways to be who I am and support this new body.”
Meanwhile, switching to a low-carb lifestyle can be challenging. “That’s why I love [it] when I can have a protein that tastes like a carb. Like it’s just a mind game, you know?” Heather explained. “I like texture and crunch. I’m a foodie. I like food that tastes delicious.”
She continued, “I would rather be 20 pounds heavier and eat what I love than starve myself to look a certain way. It’s just … that’s why I’ve been the way I’ve been my whole life. And so, this is a new experience for me to be able to eat what I like and still wear the clothes I want to wear.”
Working with Atkins felt like a good fit for Heather. “And it really seems simplistic, but if it didn’t come down to something that I could support with who I actually am as a person, I wouldn’t be able to maintain the weight,” she remarked. “And so that’s kind of why Atkins was the first product I really wanted to put my name and my platform behind, because they are delicious.”
How does Atkins help maintain weight loss?
As a nutrition scientist, Dr. Clinthorne noted that one study reported that “Atkins was actually ranked as the most effective out of all those different kinds of named dietary interventions.” Plus, the Atkins approach offers different programs to help people obtain their goals, each with a different amount of carbohydrates allowed per day.
Dr. Clinthorne explained that a low-carb diet has “a foundation of fruits and vegetables, then you have your healthy proteins and fats.” In addition, there are health benefits to following a low-carb diet. “When you look at the clinical evidence, it’s very strong as far as supporting healthy blood sugar levels, optimizing triglycerides,” Dr. Clinthorne explained.
According to a press release, “Atkins is unveiling findings from a pioneering pilot clinical trial that helps answer growing questions about how diet can influence and support success for those trying to lose weight with help from a GLP-1. The study showed that following Atkins’ tailored GLP-1 eating approach makes it easy for people to get more protein and fiber while on GLP-1s and is easy to tolerate.”
This interview was edited for clarity.
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock the next day.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HEATHER SHARING HER WELLNESS JOURNEY? DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE SAME CAST ON RHOSLC NEXT SEASON?
