I Never Knew I Could Love My Body—How One Woman Lost 50 pounds

Before: 205 lbs
After: 155 lbs

Three years ago, Yasmine Farazian, now 31, was working long hours for a boss with whom she didn't really get along. "I was unhappy, which made me stress eat—especially anything that was salty and crunchy," says Yasmine. The former design firm associate would skip breakfast and eat a bag of chips or a sandwich for lunch. But by the time she got home—usually between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.—she would be so hungry that she'd binge on heavy meals like pasta, rice, and stew. By May 2011, the 5'4" woman weighed 205 pounds.

The Change
Weight-related illnesses run in Yasmine's family: Her father suffered a heart attack, and her grandmother developed diabetes. But Yasmine had other reasons to shape up, too. "I was fed up with how I looked—I really didn't believe I was beautiful," she says. "And if I wanted to switch jobs eventually, I'd need to change the way I saw myself first to gain more confidence."

The Lifestyle 
Yasmine sat in her office and searched online for nutritionists who might be able to give her professional help. She called Rania Batayneh, author of the One One One Diet, and that's when her weight-loss plan finally took flight. "She told me that she'd never tell me not to do something," says Yasmine. "Instead, we discussed healthy options—especially regarding food—that worked for me and my lifestyle. That was a huge light bulb moment."

Following Batayneh's plan, Yasmine ate one carbohydrate, one protein, and one fat per meal. Take a burger, for example: "I would have the bun, beef patty, and avocado," she says. "And if I wanted fries, I'd ask for lettuce instead of the bread." She also included more snacks into her daily eating plan—usually she'd nosh on a something small like a KIND bar, which stopped her from overeating in the evening. "I no longer go to the refrigerator late at night," says Yasmine. "I'm just satisfied with my meals."

In addition to revamping her eating habits, Yasmine also started an exercise regimen. She began hitting the gym three times a week—usually doing about 40 minutes on the elliptical—and did TRX twice a week to tone her muscles. By June 2012, she was down to 170 pounds.

The Reward 
Yasmine took a risk and quit her nerve-racking job in 2012. Now, she's a professor at an art and design college. By reducing her stress levels on the job and sticking to her workout plan, Yasmine was able to reach her target weight of 155 pounds in July 2012. She loves all of the newfound energy that she can put toward being physically active. "I can't sit and watch a movie anymore because I just want to be out and about exploring," says Yasmine. "Now, I can't wait for my TRX classes or long hikes on the weekends."

And since 2012, the college instructor is happy just maintaining the number she sees on the scale. "I'm perfectly content with being a size 8, and I think I look good at this weight—which is all that matters," says Yasmine. "I don't have to shroud my body. I can rock sexy clothes and show off my figure."

Yasmine's Tips

• Find a workout you love. "Whether it's pole dancing or barre exercises, try different things to learn what you like to do," she says. "If you don't enjoy it, you won't keep up with it."
• Never feel guilty for indulging. "If you want chocolate cake, enjoy it," says Yasmine. "You can always make up for it later by going to the gym, eating fewer calories later, or walking an extra 20 minutes to work." 
• Celebrate your weight-loss milestones. "Buy a smaller shirt or snap a selfie to post on Facebook," she says. "Owning your wins will help you stay motivated."

More from Women's Health:
The Shocking Truth About Some Before- and After- Weight-Loss Success Story Photos
Why Jada Pinkett Smith Is Happy About Her Weight Gain
How Food Network Star Kelsey Nixon Lost 20 Pounds While in Culinary School

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