-137 lb
Before
After
Why did you want to lose weight?
The trigger for my weight loss was my long-time friend's German-Turkish wedding. My husband recorded a video of me dancing with my friend and showed me that night. I started crying because I had always perceived myself differently than what I saw in the video. Nobody said anything mean, but I could suddenly see clearly.
"Every small step in the right direction brings you closer to your goal—even if it's just that one step!"
I've tried losing weight plenty of times. I spent a ton of money on pills, signed up for different weight-loss portals and, in some cases, didn't know anymore what to eat without looking at these specific recipes. I was tired of always having to cut out foods and being so "ignorant" about my diet.
What did you want to accomplish on your journey?
I never had a goal weight. I always set 20-pound milestones and then reflected on how I was feeling at that point. This always gave me a sense of achievement.
How did you reach your goals?
I tried to improve my life and switched my diet to 16:8 intermittent fasting. I bought a smartwatch and set step goals (initially 7,000/10,000/15,000). I also started doing various sports. First Nordic walking, then Zumba, and I kept adding more and more. Although, I did everything from home with DVDs or fitness apps.
Marina’s Tips
Start slowly and take small steps.
Change your diet step by step.
Make a weekly plan.
Set small milestones for yourself.
Make yourself aware of your portion sizes by keeping track of what you eat for 1–2 weeks.
To expand my nutrition knowledge I listened to a podcast from Ralf Bohlmann and started making fundamental changes in my life. I also always took my measurements because, when my weight would stagnate, the measuring tape always told a different story.
How did YAZIO help you?
Through YAZIO, I learned to deal with food on a more conscious level and didn't have to give up anything. I always looked at it the same way I looked at my monthly salary. You can't spend more than you bring in. If you want to go on vacation and treat yourself, you have to save up for it.
Did you have setbacks?
I didn't really have any setbacks. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't making progress, but I was quickly able to overcome this feeling by taking measurements and using a body fat scale. At some point, I had that "aha" moment and knew I was doing it for me and nobody else.
What advice do you have for other users?
Try to do the best for yourself every day. Set small milestones, like a certain step goal, a calorie deficit and/or exercise. Even if you only accomplish one of them for the day, you're still one step closer to your goal than having done nothing. Always keep going! Build a support system, even if it's just emotional support.
What are your future goals?
I'm slimmer than I've ever been. I also pay more attention to my diet, although I don't count calories anymore. I get a lot of exercise and pay attention to my lifestyle. My motto is: Your body works best when you give it everything it needs (sleep, positive mindset, exercise and proper diet).
Why do you want to tell your story?
I was always fascinated reading other people's success stories. I wanted to have my own so that I could motivate people in the same way.
