First name: Emily

Geographical location: Wisconsin

Age: 24

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: Not for a while!

Occupation: Administrative

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, running, weight loss tv programs

Height: 5-10"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown hair, blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1-Jan-2009

Starting Weight: 170

Present Weight: 170

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I periodically binge eat

Following any specific plan: Seattle Sutton (I just bought my first 5 week plan!)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I accept that I shouldn't try to lose it as quickly as possible and I've also realized that once the diet is over, I need to continue with healthy habits- there is no "end."

Anything else you would like to share with us: It's great to be here!

First name: Alana

Geographical location: Richmond, Va

Age: 23

Marital Status: single... still

Children/Ages: not that i know of

Occupation: marketing intern

Pets: yorkie named berkeley

Hobbies/Interests: sports (watching and playing), cooking, getting the answers wrong on jeopardy

Height: 5-4.5...that 1/2 is very important

Eye/Hair Color: green/ brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2008

Starting Weight:210

Present Weight:200

Goal Weight:150... that day you will need to peel me away from the scale

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I tend to eat without thinking about it. If it is in front of me, it wont be for long. Its only later when half the bag of something is gone that I realize what i have done.

Following any specific plan: I love to exercise. Circuit/ weight training and cardio for the most part. Watching portion sizes (when did plates get so large?!?!)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am not stressed out all the time. Any I have my family backing me so that really helps. I am doing this for me, not for the cute guy at the gym or for my parents, but for me. And I finally get that slow and steady wins the race.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'll get back to ya.

First name: Nina

Geographical location: South

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Makeup, Shopping, Internet, Video Games, Reading, School

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown, Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 20, 2008, restarting January 6, 2009

Starting Weight: 332.6

Present Weight: 298

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My eating, I love to eat. I need to stop having food as a friend.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I need to know that I don't have to be perfect when I lose weight. I know that mistakes will come along, but I need to pick myself up and dust myself off.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I WILL SUCCEED!

It's lovely to read all these profiles and get a sense of who I'm in the boat with!

First name: Sara

Geographical location: NY/The Netherlands on holidays

Age: 21

Marital Status: In Relationship

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Costume Design Student

Pets: 1 cute beagle at home named Penny

Hobbies/Interests: History, historical fashion, costume design, garment and prop construction, corsetry, circus, marching bands + swing bands, retro and vintage fashion, art and sculpture, opera and theater, etc.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 12/1/08

Starting Weight: 180

Present Weight: 165

Goal Weight: ~130, probably slightly less.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Finding time to exercise in my busy conservatory schedule!

Following any specific plan: The Atkins Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I'm done feeling sorry for myself. This time I'm holding myself accountable for my persistent laziness and procrastination--and it's going to end!

First name: Dana

Geographical location: VA

Age: 29

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: girl/3, boy/almost 2

Occupation: sahm

Pets: cat named scout

Hobbies/Interests: natural living, sewing, birth and pregnancy related anything, cooking, reading, politics

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Mon, Jan 5, 2009

Starting Weight: 211

Present Weight: 211

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: stop eating so much crap!

Following any specific plan: WW points and hopefully joining a gym soon

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: not much except trying WW this time around

Anything else you would like to share with us: that's it for now

First name: Roxy is good for now

Geographical location: CA

Age: 28 (almost 29... bleh)

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: 0. gotta put a ring on it, first

Occupation: something geeky

Pets: 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests: art, music, travel, shopping too much, foood

Height: 5'9" when I'm not slouching

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/light brown naturally.. currently several shades of dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: yesterday, mentally. but not just yet, actively. i won't start cracking the whip until i have my food plan set - which could be at least a week from now.

Starting Weight: 280. and it took balls to type that.

Present Weight: ditto

Goal Weight: 180 would make me happy. anything beyond that would be shocking, and lovely.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating out! snacking, finding other ways to socialize that don't revolve around food.. emotional eating.. i was brought up to use food as a reward and crutch, which is no good.

Following any specific plan: not as of yet, i'm still in the ramp-up stages. but i will most likely do some form of meal delivery plan for the majority of the year (at least) and start getting my @ss to the gym.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I do not want to do any extreme form of dieting that is not going to teach me how to eat in the real world -- ie: Atkins or fad diets (no offense to anyone who likes that approach) -- I've done them in the past, but it's hard to maintain once you start adding some carbs back in, etc.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm a little paranoid about public sites/boards, so don't hold it against me if I'm stingy with the personal info for now I am friendly, I swear..

First name: Allison

Geographical location: Upstate, NY

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single (living with boyfriend)

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Communications Specialist

Pets: Cat - Jake, age 2 Ferrets - Sam and Zoey, age 3 mo Lizards - Betty, Joe, Lola, and Tito

Hobbies/Interests: Snowboarding, Cake Decorating, Roller Blading, Video Games

Height: 5'0"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, Brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: When I was born... Starting again! 1/09

Starting Weight: 165

Present Weight: 163 (?)

Goal Weight: 145 for now

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting bored, feeling deprived

Following any specific plan: Calorie Counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Less to lose this time. Know what to do and what works. Am in a relationship this time, usually have been single when I've been sucessful.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Gaining weight when your short sucks because every lb shows. Luckily losing weight when your short isn't as bad because every five to ten lbs to me is a pant size. It's motivating but EXPENSIVE!

First name: Ania

Geographical location: NW Chicago Suburbs

Age: 26 (that crept up really quick after college)

Marital Status: Happily Married

Children/Ages: 0 (it's still a toss-up whether the hubs and I want them or not)

Occupation: Intellectual Property Legal Secretary (dying to move up to Paralegal though when I get enough experience)

Pets: 2 Cats - Maja (a/k/a Queen She-B!tch of the Universe) our loud-mouthed Calico, and Malinka (a/k/a The Lump) our perpetually terrified Tortie.

Hobbies/Interests: Good grief, where to start? I'm a total foodie, so I suppose that counts. I can probably give Martha freakin' Stewart a run for her money in the cooking, baking, gardening, etc. departments. Attempted crocheting, but ended up making a rug. Planning on trying knitting to see if that goes any better. World traveler - next trips will probably be to South America or Africa (got to love the malaria shots)! I love dancing, reading, any type of outdoor activity (I am a total nature girl and proud Sierra Club member), and gardening. Oh yes, and I am a total Francophile - anything French j'adore (yes including escargot) and Japanophile who has developed a slight bento box obsession (I have over 30 of them . After the whole Greek wedding/honeymoon thing I totally fell in love with that country too! So many cultures and places to experience and visit, so little time on this earth. We'll see down the road maybe I will get into some other things, nothing to standard and no team sports (I tend not to play well with others)...fencing worked out for awhile until some guy went totally ninja on my ***.

Height: 5' 4" (which used to be average and apparently is now considered petite by all the jeans manufacturers)

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes and light brown hair with blond highlights (all natural baby!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Um, forever? I was always the chubby kid. It all kind of evened out in high school, when I asked my Mom, "Why on earth did you let me have all those sweets? Have you seen some of the pictures in the albums?!?!"

Starting Weight: 140

Present Weight: Not quite sure, I haven't stepped on a scale this week, but it should be lower because I've been OP all week.

Goal Weight: For now, 120. We'll see though, maybe more maybe less depending on how things go.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Hmmm, I have all the right information (what not to eat, how to exercise, etc.), but I seem to lack drive, perseverance, etc. I hate to exercise, but once I finally get up and do it I feel good. Having a foot injury hasn't helped this because it's given me a great excuse not to exercise. Binging and boredom/emotional eating are also BIG problems with me. Also, after a few good OP days I get into this weird mentality where I think "Well, I can afford to eat this cookie (or whatever) because I've been really, really good for so long." One cookie turns into a whole box of cookies, which turns into feeling depressed, which turns into giving up, which turns into starting all over. What a vicious vicious cycle.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories - I can't really imagine cutting anything out of my diet entirely. Also, kicking myself in the *** and actually exercising AND trying to keep a lid on those binges.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: 3FC of course and some mysterious sort of motivation. I don't know where it came from, but it's welcome to stay.

First name: Robyn

Geographical location: New York, NY

Age: 27

Marital Status: Living with boyfriend

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Marketing manager for good housekeeping magazine

Pets: I am a huge dog lover, but live in a teeny tiny nyc apartment!!

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking; Baking; Bicycling; Chinatown; Barbeques; waterslides; state fairs; street fairs; world's fairs; the Jersey Shore; Coney Island

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 5, 2009

Starting Weight: 156

Present Weight: 156

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm really skeptical since I've never successfully done this before!!! I am also a huge foodie... I love to cook and to try new restaurants and cuisines. And I really like to nosh

Following any specific plan: South Beach Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a great support system... my coworkers and I have started a biggest loser competition at work, and we're all incredibly supportive of one another

Anything else you would like to share with us: Happy to be here

First name: Amber

Geographical location: NC

Age: 24

Marital Status: Waiting to be Engaged

Occupation: Office Coordinator

Pets: Bailey- Jack Russel Terrier

Hobbies/Interests: Football, Movies, Parties

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/ Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/2009

Starting Weight: 147

Present Weight: 146

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not snacking and eating fastfood

Following any specific plan: Trying to eat healthy

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: pills, exercise

Anything else you would like to share with us: My twin sister is getting married in June in Jamaica so I have to look good being I am the maid of honor. We aren't identical but if I lost 27 pounds we would look a lot more alike and I hope I can do it this year. I have a boyfriend that is saving up money for a ring so I also have my wedding to plan for!

First name: Erynn

Geographical location: Hutchinson, Kansas

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Occupation: Nursing

Pets: 2 Dogs - Brock & Baxter, 3 Turtles - Ozzy, Izzy & Lizzy, 2 Oscars - Wolowitz & Koothrappali, 1 Frog - Leonard, 1 Plecostamous - Sheldon, 1 Betta - Krabby Patty Deluxe

Hobbies/Interests: Crafting, Gardening, Hanging with the family.

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Brown for both

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/6/2009

Starting Weight: 200

Present Weight: 198.6

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My weird schedule since I work night shift.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've tried pills, & cutting out certain foods, but I think this time will work because I'm doing it more as a life change & teaching my family more healthy choices too, not looking at it as a diet.

First name:Connie

Geographical location: West Texas

Age: 28 in a few weeks

Marital Status: i think he's figuring it out

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: accounts receivable

Pets: can't have my heeler in a tiny apt....

Hobbies/Interests: my pickup, computer, etc

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: signed up dec 31

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 224.5

Goal Weight: abt 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i work at a distributor of candy and tobacco mostly - there are FREE samples EVERYWHERE and when you're broke, you take free when it comes around.

Following any specific plan: Metabolic Research Center

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i'm determined to stick with it and i believe it'll work this time!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: finding this forum is what gave me that last push to go ahead and join... lookin forward to getting where i want to be!!!!

First name: Bethany (bunny)

Geographical location: Illinois DeKalb county

Age: 19-almost 20

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: I take care of my little sisters, with my mom so I talk about them alot, they just turned 15 and I have another sister who lives with my dad she is 17

Occupation: Student, I am attending CNA school, and I will hopefully become a RN, then on to MSN in womens health/midwifery

Pets: I have two rabbits one is a normal cage rabbit, Thumper. The other is about 12LB, English lop, Hugh Hefner, he is litter box trained, and gets full run of the house. I also take care of my Fiances cat Pear...we love her, she is a weird cat...never really was a cat person...I have two dogs as well...two miniature schnauzers, Jack and Cole. There real brothers.

Hobbies/Interests: I love cooking, baking, crafting, driving, going on vacation, shopping, swimming.

Height: 5'7 3/4 yes it matters...I need it it helps me try to stay a bit taller then my sisters.

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel, and Dark brown hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/5/09

Starting Weight: 289

Present Weight: 288

Goal Weight: 175-150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have to become motivated, and I don't have too many people to hang with, or talk with about this so that's hard. I also love!! food!!

Following any specific plan: I am hoping to start Weight Watchers tomorrow, and I will be trying to do the biggest looser, fitness plan.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have someone to share it with, my Fiance Matt...he loves me no matter what, but I want to loose the weight so that when we get married I dont have to pay 300.00 $$ extra to buy a plus size dress, and so that he can carry me over the threshold of our house, with out him dropping me. (and hey it cant be bad for our intimacy!! lol)

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love cooking, and food, and I love life. Up until now it did not bother me that I was over weight, but now that I am getting older I want to take better care of myself, and have a healthier year, leading to a healthier life. I just need a little help getting there.

First name: Kimberly

Geographical location:Florida

Age:24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Hopefully one day!

Occupation: Vet Tech going to school to be a nurse.

Pets: Jack Russell-Cheyenne, Lab- Brandie, 2 cats- Mamma Kitty and Simba, 3 sugar gliders- Dinky, Dupree, and JoJo, 2 rabbits- Dusty and Jill, and 1 turtle- Crush.

Hobbies/Interests: I love to bowl and play putt-putt. Go camping and the movies. I love to play my Guitar!

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown Hair and Blue eyes.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today January 9, 2009

Starting Weight: 294

Present Weight: Same

Goal Weight: 150lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Losing the weight and keeping it off.

Following any specific plan: Not yet.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I relise that I need to lose the weight so I do not have health problems in the future.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not at the moment.

First name: Bethany (bunny)

Geographical location: Illinois DeKalb county

Age: 19-almost 20

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: I take care of my little sisters, with my mom so I talk about them alot, they just turned 15 and I have another sister who lives with my dad she is 17

Occupation: Student, I am attending CNA school, and I will hopefully become a RN, then on to MSN in womens health/midwifery

Pets: I have two rabbits one is a normal cage rabbit, Thumper. The other is about 12LB, English lop, Hugh Hefner, he is litter box trained, and gets full run of the house. I also take care of my Fiances cat Pear...we love her, she is a weird cat...never really was a cat person...I have two dogs as well...two miniature schnauzers, Jack and Cole. There real brothers.

Hobbies/Interests: I love cooking, baking, crafting, driving, going on vacation, shopping, swimming.

Height: 5'7 3/4 yes it matters...I need it it helps me try to stay a bit taller then my sisters.

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel, and Dark brown hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/5/09

Starting Weight: 289

Present Weight: 288

Goal Weight: 175-150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have to become motivated, and I don't have too many people to hang with, or talk with about this so that's hard. I also love!! food!!

Following any specific plan: I am hoping to start Weight Watchers tomorrow, and I will be trying to do the biggest looser, fitness plan.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have someone to share it with, my Fiance Matt...he loves me no matter what, but I want to loose the weight so that when we get married I dont have to pay 300.00 $$ extra to buy a plus size dress, and so that he can carry me over the threshold of our house, with out him dropping me. (and hey it cant be bad for our intimacy!! lol)

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love cooking, and food, and I love life. Up until now it did not bother me that I was over weight, but now that I am getting older I want to take better care of myself, and have a healthier year, leading to a healthier life. I just need a little help getting there.