How Much Would You Spend for Your Dream Body?

The $2,325 Plan

Who: Jayne Santoro, 46

Before weight: 305

After weight: 180

Gym membership fee, $1,000; annual gym fee, $125; and a home treadmill, $1,200

Cycles or jogs for 30 to 45 minutes five to seven days a week and strength-trains for 30 minutes three days a week

"I was a chunky kid, but I stayed active, so I never worried about my weight. Then my mom died of cancer when I was 19 years old. Food comforted me, and I gained 100 pounds. Mortified, I began my first of many lose-60-pounds-then-gain-70 cycles. In 2002, I went shopping and the size 28 jeans didn't fit. I thought, I can't keep doing this to myself.

"I was determined this time to make the weight loss stick. I tricked myself into feeling full by eating high-volume foods, like a huge veggie-filled salad with low-cal dressing. I started cycling and running on weekends with a childhood friend, just as we used to do when we were kids. During the week, I hit the gym or used my treadmill before work.

"It took a year to lose the weight, and I've kept it off for six years now. The treadmill has helped enormously. I have no excuse for not working out, even if it's storming outside. I've literally exercised my butt off!"