Jillian Michaels: How I lost 55 pounds doing martial arts

The Biggest Loser star Jillian Michaels may be the picture of good health now, but the 5'2" fitness trainer was once a 175-pound couch potato!

Michaels, who stars on her own reality show, Losing It with Jillian, says a dysfunctional home life led her to an unhappy, sedentary youth of overeating and self-hatred.

'KARATE CHANGED MY LIFE'

One of those "right decisions" was taking a martial arts class -- something which literally changed her life.

"Karate saved my life," she says. "It all stopped the day I broke two boards with a kick."

Armed with a newfound self-confidence and a fitter physique, Jillian became a certified fitness trainer, and auditioned for The Biggest Loser. After starring on the hit reality TV show since 2004, Michaels branched out by writing fitness books, releasing her own fitness DVDs and starring in her own spinoff, Losing It With Jillian.

The 5'2" Jillian Michaels, who once weighed 175 pounds, got fit
and healthy by overhauling her diet and doing karate.