First name: Linsey

Geographical location: Orem, Utah

Age: 20

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Small Business owner (doggy daycare/boarding/grooming/training facility) Canine Nutrition Advisor

Pets: 4 dogs (Champ-GSD, Grissom-Corgi, Annie-Boxer, Chesney-Cocker) 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: canine nutrition and behavior. I LOVE a good book.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/ Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 16, 2010

Starting Weight: 235

Present Weight: 221

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Exercise, I feel sick when I sweat. But I'm doin' it!

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've only been heavy for two and a half years, but last year when I decided to "diet" it was all about how I looked. This time around, it's about how I feel, and wanting to start a family in the next couple years, I want to raise my kids healthy so they NEVER have to feel this way about their bodies.

Anything else you would like to share with us: This is my journey to LOVE MYSELF once again, thanks for being a part of it.

First name: Rachel

Geographical location: Southern Illinois

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None!

Occupation: Full Time Student studying Marketing and Management

Pets: 1 Beta Fish named Squid

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, movies, Cardinals Baseball, Spending time with family and Friends

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Grey Eyes, Blond Hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/5/2010

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight:215

Goal Weight:175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating just to eat. Its such a comforting feeling, but I hate myself afterwards.

Following any specific plan: Taking it one day at a time

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Commitment (hopefully)

Anything else you would like to share with us: I know I can do this!!!
__________________

First name: Chone (pronounced Shawn)

Geographical location: metro atlanta

Age: 23

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 1 daughter age 1

Occupation: Student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: reading playing with my daughter

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: sometime in the beginning of april '10

Starting Weight: 194

Present Weight: 178.4 just weighed myself today

Goal Weight: profile says 145 but really 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: fried foods fast food

Following any specific plan: counting calories eating a protein and a carb every two-threee hours plus i'm doing a program called revabs and walking at night

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i've never really had to lose weight. when i hit puberty i gained like 25 lbs in 3 months but as soon as i was in gym class the weight came right off. doesn't really work like that anymore.

Anything else you would like to share with us: i'm really happy i found this site

First name: Brooke

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married for 6 years!

Children/Ages: 2 Kiddos...3year old boy and a 4 year old girly girl!!

Occupation: SAHM and Student

Pets: 1 Dog...A Boxer named Alexa

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, Scrapbooking, sewing, making hairbows for my daughter, movies, One Tree Hill

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: Eyes...Hazel Hair...RED

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/05/10

Starting Weight: 205

Present Weight: 205

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: FOOD. I swear food is the devil! I am an emotional eater. I haven't had any real friends in years so when I'm stressing out I eat. So far this week that has been the hardest thing to over come.

Following any specific plan: Counting Calories and working out. Thinking of joining the local gym next month.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am so beyond tired of living the way I do and wanting more out of my life. I can't live another minute eating like a pig and sitting on my butt doing nothing about it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am pretty shy. I'm hoping to find some great support here and make some good friends as well.

First name: Molly.

Geographical location: USA.

Age: 19.

Marital Status: Single.

Children/Ages: N/A.

Occupation: College student.

Pets: N/A.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, tennis, jogging, music, guitar, charity work.

Height: 5' 7.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark green/medium brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: September 27th, 2009.

Starting Weight: 304, possibly higher.

Present Weight: 232.

Goal Weight: I'm focusing on 200 right now. After that, it's really not a set thing. 145 is my dream weight, but it may very well be too low, so I'll probably aim for 160/155. I've never been under 200 (as an adult or teen) so I have no idea what weight would be appropriate.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Insecurities about what I'm capable of and about my body.

Following any specific plan: Eating clean, staying active, enjoying life, lots of water, and no meat except certain types of seafood. I go back and forth with calorie counting. I prefer intuitive eating.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I had a health related wake-up call and basically, I realized that I'll never be/do what I want in life if I stay obese. I decided being happy was worth more than temporary pleasure, and I want to be physically and emotionally at my best.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not yet, but maybe one day.

First name: Ada

Geographical location: Croatia

Age: 21

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: I have a son (2 months)

Occupation: taking care on my baby.

Pets: no

Hobbies/Interests: makeup

Height: 168cm (5' 6'')

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown / dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 07/13/2010

Starting Weight: 75kg (165.3 lbs)

Present Weight: 75kg (165.3 lbs)

Goal Weight: 58 kg (127.8 lbs)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Nothing. I can do it!

Following any specific plan: Counting calories. Riding an exercise bike for 60min at least 5 days a week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've never tried to lose weight till now

First name: Courtney

Geographical location: Houston, Texas

Age: 23

Marital Status: Happily Married for almost one year!!

Children/Ages: None yet.

Occupation: Recently graduated college and looking for a job.

Pets: Chloe my pretty puppy!

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, music, guitar, piano, karaoke.

Height: 5'4''

Eye/Hair Color: Dark Blond/Light Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/7/2010

Starting Weight: 203

Present Weight: 198

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving up when I become discouraged

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers and The Biggest Loser exercise videos

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm tired of trying and failing and ready to completely commit. I'm so glad I found this site for the extra support to keep me focused on my goal each and every day!

So do you go to SIUE since you live in SO-IL? I just graduated from there.

First name: Dani

Geographical location: New York

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Student

Pets: A giant German Shepherd and a kitty

Hobbies/Interests: travelling, reading, shopping

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown / black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 07/05/2010

Starting Weight: 214 lbs

Present Weight: 205.2 lbs

Goal Weight: 130 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have a killer sweet tooth...but I'm working on it!

Following any specific plan: I count calories (1200-1400 a day) and work out for about an hour 5x a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I'm not doing it alone.

First name: Steph

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: Just got a kitten, his name is Carlos.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hanging out with family, swimming and yes Twilight haha

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyed brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 27, 2010

Starting Weight: 190 lbs

Present Weight: 190 lbs

Goal Weight: 130-140 lbs or when I decide I'm happy with my body!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Zero motivation, lack of support, being in college is tough for weightloss.

Following any specific plan: Trying to find one. I currently use the Shake Weight and Wii EA Active.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: First time I am really trying.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking to give and receive support and motivation. I also have a younger sister who is looking to lose weight, as well as my mother.

First name: Liz

Geographical location: New York

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Nope...

Occupation: I work part time in a library, but I'm a full time college student during the fall and spring...

Pets: 2 dogs, 3 fishies

Hobbies/Interests: Music, Internet, Photoshop, Photography... Jillian Michaels... haha

Height: 5'9.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Green & Brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Early June 2010...

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 213.5

Goal Weight: 165 ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating... I love to eat, that's for sure...

Following any specific plan: Not really. Been trying to listen to Jillian Michael's a lot lately. lol. Just watching what I eat and exercising regularly.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Uh...JILLIAN!!!

First name: Cheryl

Geographical location: MA

Age: 27

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: graduate student

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: running, rockclimbing, reading, traveling, growing succulents (seriously, I have a grow light in my apartment)

Height:5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: green/blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 2010

Starting Weight: 160, highest within last couple of years: 175, highest ever: 185-190

Present Weight: 147

Goal Weight: 125-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: cheese...oh yeah, and I also eat when I'm bored

Following any specific plan: I'm trying to get my 5k down to a competitive time. Just getting to the point of being able to run a 5k was a good weight loss strategy, but now every time I run I'm motivated to keep going to see if I can beat my previous time. I also try to incorporate veggies into every meal, which means less of everything else! We subscribed to a CSA this summer, so that helps.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Rather than relying on trying to get to the gym, I started running outside and doing videos at home when the weather is lame. This flexibility has really helped because getting the motivation to go to the gym was a hurdle last time I lost weight (~2 years ago). At that time I lost about 40lbs by doing the couch to 5k program and kept it off pretty well until I quit my job and then went back to school. The irregular hours of school made it hard to plan meals and fit in workouts. Now that I recognize the issue, it's easier to tackle it.

I'm also trying to greatly reduce the amount of dairy in my diet which has helped with the weight loss too (I already eat relatively healthy, just too much of everything sometimes). Cutting back on dairy has also helped my ability to run. I used to get stomachaches all the time if I ate within 4 hours of running (even when I was very fit), but now that I've cut down the dairy, I can eat before a run and be okay. It's pretty remarkable.

First name: Barb

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 27

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Electronic Case Screener at USIS and student at Univ of Phoenix

Pets: 1 cat named Choby

Hobbies/Interests: Sports, Online Gaming, Music

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Uhm, the day before yesterday? Hehe

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 212

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: With working full time and going to school full time it is hard to find time to exercise! However, I live at home with my parents, so I have less responsibilities like household chores, etc. But I have little to no control over food choices in the house as far as cooked meals since my parents are retired and I work all the time... lol

Following any specific plan: Nothing yet, open for suggestions! Thinking about Weight Watchers, Calorie Counting..

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am fed up with feeling depressed because of my weight. The only one that can do something about those feelings is me!

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Denice

Geographical location:Arizona

Age:28

Marital Status:Married 6 years

Children/Ages: Daughter, 8 Months

Occupation:Art Gallery Director

Pets: Dog and cat

Hobbies/Interests:Gardening, hiking, cooking

Height:5'8"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:6/22/10 (This time, but really about 10 years)

Starting Weight:185

Present Weight:175

Goal Weight:145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:I have a hard time getting motivated to exercise and having time. Sticking with a plan for longer than a few months.

Following any specific plan:WW at home

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I don't know, just feel like I've got a fire lit under my *** this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Khalan
Geographical location:MA

Age:26

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages: Son, 10 months

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: Dog

Hobbies/Interests:Gardening, hiking, cooking

Height:5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/9/10

Starting Weight:178

Present Weight:176

Goal Weight:140