Betty Doyling interviewed one of her clients for this week’s column. Sarah Murphy Christopher spent a year working on her diet and exercising in an effort to get healthy. She’s now 75lb lighter.

Q: When did your weight become an issue?

A: I knew I was overweight. I’ve been overweight most of my life. My feet, knees and back hurt often. I also had a hard time to find clothes that I liked and fit nicely.

Q: What were your previous diet attempts?

A: I’ve never really tried a diet. I ate whatever, whenever and didn’t think that the weight would pack on.

Q: What has made it different this time around?

A: Sticking to it and I now know that what I eat makes a difference in my weight and how I feel.

Q: What was your lightbulb moment that pushed you to lose weight?

A: I decided I wanted to feel good about myself and I wanted to lose weight to get healthier, not just for myself, but for my family.

Q: What are you doing to keep fit and lose weight?

A: I attend B-Active For Life group classes three times a week along with personal training. I also walk or jog one mile every day before I work out. Now that jogging is getting easier I have started jogging four to five miles on Saturdays with a few girlfriends.

I have also changed my diet to cut out a lot of the junk I was eating and drinking before.

Q: How much have you lost so far? How long did it take?

A: So far, I have lost 75lb and it has taken me a year of working out, four to five times a week, and eating right.

Q: How much do you have left to lose?

A: I set a goal to lose 100lb, so I have 25lb to go before I reach that goal. When that time comes ,I will then take a look at where I am and set a new goal. The end result will be to feel great and maintain.

Q: What is your biggest struggle: food, exercise or temptation?

A: My biggest struggle has to be food. I have no trouble getting up and getting to exercise class. My problem is that I love sweets: cupcakes, soda and pizza. I have a hard time to say no to any of these temptations — all the time. But I have learnt that I don’t have to have them everyday. A once-in-a-while treat is nice, and it also helps me to say, ‘Not today’ to them.

Q: What do you think hitting your goal will be like?

A: I think it will be the best feeling ever. Satisfaction and pride, I may even do a happy dance.

Q: What keeps you motivated when you are down?

A: I think about how far I have come — the weight loss, the knowledge and the strength I have gained. I also look at the people around me. They motivate me to push harder. I work out with some amazingly strong women (and men).

Keep going Sarah! Stay focused & B-Active For Life!

•Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife