"I Dropped 80 Pounds by Eating at Home"

Dawn's Weight-Loss Plan

The Diet: Breakfast is cottage cheese and pineapple or kiwi. At lunch, Dawn has grilled chicken salad with low-fat dressing. Dinner is grilled fish or steak, spinach, and mushrooms. She snacks on carrots and applesauce.

The Workout: Dawn does 45 to 60 minutes of cardio (stationary bike, elliptical, treadmill) and 30 minutes of strength training twice a week. She also walks three miles twice a week.

Biggest Temptation: Fried calamari and other munchies at work. "I bring in my own food -- veggies and cottage cheese -- so I'm not as tempted."

What She Couldn't Wait to Wear: Halter tops. "Before, my chest was too big and I had major back rolls, but now I look good even without a bra."

Originally published in Fitness magazine, May 2006.