This time neither started another failed diet; rather both committed to a lifestyle change that would evolve into a journey of wellness. They’ve both learned that diets fix short-term problems rather than a broken system. Wellness requires a commitment to self.

The uniting inspiration for our subjects, Yasmin Pirbhai and Heather Dombos, is wellness. Yasmin, 16, is living life as a busy student, and is athletic and driven. She’s experienced a yo-yo of weight fluctuation throughout most of her life. Love of food and sweets has regularly hijacked good intentions. Love is food and giving is sweet. Heather, in her 40s, is successful, busy, and creative. She had a regular childhood regarding health and weight but began to experience a body and health change during university.

And while wellness was certainly the impetus; each are thrilled that looking great, being confident, and increasing strength are direct consequences of their commitment. Both are happier now that their burdens of insecurities have melted away along with inches, and confidence has grown with their strength. We showcase their wellness success, transformational change, strategies for success, and inspiration to others traveling on their wellness journey.

Yasmin Pirbhai

“I now know the difference between what my body needs and what I want.”

What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness is not only the physical health, but the mental health. It differs from person to person. For me, it is being able to be active, enjoy life, and being happy with who I am.

Was there a catalyst for the choice of embracing wellness now?

I’ve never been happy with my body and I just decided that it was time to do something about it rather than just wishing that I wasn’t the way that I was.

Have you tried to lose weight before? What was different this time?

Throughout my childhood, I had been bribed to lose weight by my father. He’d set goals and offer me prizes. It worked. I would go from fat to skinny. And then, my love of baking and sweets would win. My desire to consume massive amounts of cookie dough hid behind the screen of “it’s for charity.” The difference now is that I am doing it for me. I am doing this for me this time. No one else is involved. I am trying to make myself into the best version of myself that I can be.

What do you do to exercise?

If I have a wide-open day, I usually start with my morning matcha. I will run between one and three miles. I will do some sort of workout whether it is core or a specific muscle group, then I often go to the barn and ride my horse, and finish the day with a basketball workout or go to the track and throw. After dinner, sometimes I will do a heavy workout. It takes a lot to keep your body moving all day, but it feels good to incorporate activity into everything that you do.

Do you use any tools to help you?

The Lose It app.

Do you miss anything?

I really miss baking. The biggest thing that I probably miss is being able to eat anything that I want to eat without feeling guilty. Like, I was at a restaurant the other day and wanted to order a quesadilla but didn’t because I knew that I would regret it later.

Your change by the numbers…

There’s been a lot of change in numbers, from dropping 40 pounds, to running a mile a day and being able to run up to four miles.

Tell everyone the truth: Do you cheat?

Yes, of course I cheat. My example today: I baked a double batch of banana bread and ate way too much of it. There was another time my brother bought ice cream including a pint of rum raisin that I ate almost the whole thing. On my sister’s birthday, I ate multiple slices of ice cream cake even though I promised myself that I was just going to have one.

The most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t really matter if you have a bad day as long as you return to your goal tomorrow. We recently went to Mackinac Island and I indulged in fudge. When I say indulge, you have to understand that I mean indulge, as in fully, completely, and with abandon. Peanut Butter Fudge might be the best food I have ever eaten.

On tough days, how do you keep yourself disciplined?

I just tell myself that it is okay if it is not my best day.

Do you wish you had started sooner? If so, would it have worked?

I don’t think it was necessary that I started earlier. It was mostly during quarantine that I was able to make a lot of progress. If I’d started earlier, I don’t think my results would have been as good.

Do you have any further wellness goals?

To be able to sustain what I have been doing and to become as strong as I can.

How do you feel now?

Physically I feel stronger and healthier than ever. My body can do things that I definitely could not do before. I am faster, have more stamina, and am more agile. Mentally I am happier and for once I am happy with how I look as well as just feeling better because I know that I am actually doing something good for myself.

Favorite words to describe your current commitment?

Strong. Physically I can do the athletics that I want.

Willpower. I am strong enough to make myself run the mile that I don’t want to. And strong enough to prevent myself from excessive snacking.

What do you credit your success to?

I had a lot of support from my parents, my friends, and my brother, my coach. One of the main things that I changed when I started to lose weight and downloaded the Lose It app. I tracked everything that I ate and drank. This completely changed my mindset about caloric intake. I was able to balance. I now know the difference between what my body needs and what I want.

Advice for those who want to start on their journey, but are not because of knowledge, inclination, time?

I know that it is really hard to get yourself to commit. The number of times that I tried in the year before I actually succeeded, I cannot actually count. So, my advice is to never quit trying to begin. Once you find something that will help you whether it is a diet plan, a favorite work out, or a way to count your calories, it will become much easier.

Heather Dombos

“I knew that I had to start fighting for myself and my health because I was digging my own grave with a fork and spoon.”

What does wellness mean to you?

It really boils down to being happy. I don’t believe you can be truly happy when your body is in crisis (which we all know obesity causes a body to be in crisis). Being able to wake up in the morning and feel rested and truly present for my life. Liking the way I feel both mentally and physically, liking the way I look. Looking forward to each new day and ending each day with a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Was there a catalyst for the choice of embracing wellness now?

Yes! As a Type 2 diabetic, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact Michigan I became very aware that if I were to contract this virus, I could very easily be one of the people who did not recover. I think this knowledge combined with the down time of quarantine gave me ample opportunity to assess just how far off the rails I have let my health get and I knew that I had to start fighting for myself and my health.

Have you tried to lose weight before? What was different this time?

I have tried to lose weight so many times before. Sugar addiction is very real and it has been the ultimate challenge for me. Having reached a point where I was able to admit that this addiction was killing me was eye-opening. This time it isn’t about wanting to fit into a pair of jeans or look sexy, it is about wanting to gain and maintain a great quality of life.

What do you do to exercise?

I walk more than anything. When the weather is good, it’s an easy task to accomplish. I make a playlist with great music, lace up my shoes and walk around the neighborhood. On days that being outside is impossible, I walk laps around my house. Steps are steps! I also really like weight training. It is something that has always come easy to me (well as easy as it can be) so I like to lift. I think the key is to purchase a few sessions with a professional personal trainer and have them develop a routine for you to do at home or alone in the gym. I honestly think that they are both important, and the more muscle mass you have, the easier it is for your body to burn fat.

Do you use any tools, mind games, or other tactics that you find helpful?

My Apple Watch provides that little mind game around movement and is super helpful. I also use the Noom app which focuses on the psychology of eating and weight loss. It has been super helpful. I have also been observing quiet time daily with just a period of 5-10 minutes where I like to get outside (if possible), quiet my mind, tune into what my body is saying and focus on breathing exercises.

Do you miss anything?

I don’t really miss anything, because I haven’t declared anything off limits. Even with diabetes, I loved to drink Coca-Cola; it is my weakness, and I’m sorry, diet just won’t do. I drink a lot of water, but on the days when I really want an ice-cold Coke, I enjoy one. I think enjoyment is the key. Instead of mindlessly indulging, I take time to pour it into a glass of ice and I savor each sip.

Tell everyone the truth: Do you cheat?

Of course I do! A few weeks into this journey I ate almost an entire loaf of white bread by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…in one day. I’m not really sure how it started. I made myself sick (literally) and felt like I had the worst hangover of my life. The next day, I woke up and decided not to dwell on it. I focused on the day and moved forward. Yesterday we had an indulgent dinner of smoked brisket with sweet corn bread, and I had a big Coca-Cola with mine. Dinner ended and so did the “cheat” period. I woke up this morning and resumed my new life of mindful eating.

On the tough days, how do you keep yourself disciplined?

I make it easy to access my healthy options and I make it a real hassle to indulge, so that helps on busy days. I am disciplined in other areas of my life, so I like to remind myself that it is much easier to control what goes in my mouth than what comes out of it and if I have mastered self-control of what I say, I can certainly master self-control of what I eat.

Do you wish you had started sooner? If so, would it have worked?

I do. I wish I would have never found myself in this position. I don’t know if it would have worked. I am a much different woman than I was five months ago, let alone 20 years ago. I wish I could tell my younger self that the temporary satisfaction of food is not worth the experiences you will give up because you are too tired or too lazy to get out and enjoy your life.

How do you feel now?

Invigorated and accomplished. There are days (lots of days) where I fight a constant battle within myself over what I’m eating or whether or not I am going to move my body. Those days can be rather exhausting, but I suppose it is kind of like battling a strong-willed child. I have to remember I am the adult and I make the decisions.

Do you have any further wellness goals?

I want to do an extreme white-water rafting trip next summer, so I think that on the days when my exercise motivation is lacking. I would also like to learn to snow ski. I think it is best summed up by saying that I want to be way more active and each step tracked on my watch is a step close to that goal.

Your change by the numbers…

To date I have lost 42 pounds. Before shifting to a healthy lifestyle, moving was at the bottom of my list and I would often be out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. Now I can easily walk a 5K daily and I don’t have any trouble with the stairs.

Favorite words to describe your current commitment?

Reclaiming my life.

What do you credit your success to?

A great support network of family and friends. My husband has watched me try and fail probably 1,000 times and each time I announce I am ready to try again, he always makes sure to let me know that I am loved just as I am, but he is ready to support me in every way he can.



Advice for those who want to start on their journey?

Honestly, I don’t think there is any advice that can start someone on their journey to health. The spark point is different for each one of us and until we are ready and able to stand toe-to-toe with our true, raw self and ask the hard questions (and be brutally honest with the hard answers) we will remain in our place of comfort. Lately, I have been thinking of a quote by Tony Robbins:

“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”