The 3 Simple Steps That Helped One Woman Lose 80 Pounds

Before: 200 lbs.
After: 120 lbs.

As a kid, Sarah DeArmond, now 28, was teased about her weight—for being too skinny. But during college, a lack of physical activity and her devotion to fast food took its toll. Convenience continued to trump health after Sarah got married in 2009. Rather than cooking, "we just microwaved pizzas or cheesy pastas every night," she says. Over the next three years, Sarah's weight climbed to 200 pounds. She felt exhausted all the time for no particular reason and found herself wheezing for breath whenever she had to go up a flight of stairs. To top it off, her blood pressure was sky-high. "I knew obesity could actually kill me," she says. "I wanted to live." 

In the spring of 2013, Sarah started overhauling her diet. Over the next two years, she took up weight training and cardio—and now, she's at a trim and healthy 120 pounds. 

Here's how Sarah says she was able to accomplish her goals:

• Make fitness convenient. "I got an exercise bike so I can work out whenever I want. I like to pedal while I watch TV."

• Shop smarter. "To deflect temptation at the market, I have a 'no junk in the cart' rule. I don't even set foot in the chips aisle."

• Fake-fry it. "I make 'fried' fish by dipping codfish in egg whites and whole-wheat panko and then baking it."

So Take an initiative...