First name: Dorothy

Geographical location:Southern CA

Age:23

Marital Status:boyfriend of 1 1/2 years

Children/Ages:N/A

Occupation:Piano Teacher, practicing for auditions

Pets:a fuzzy little monster named Molly

Hobbies/Interests:Music, Piano, Teaching, Reading, Politics, History, Nature, Art, History, Watching Documentaries

Height:5'5

Eye/Hair Color:Green Eyes, Blond Hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/26/11

Starting Weight:190

Present Weight:190

Goal Weight:110

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Emotional eating If I've had a bad day I have a tendency to just throw it all away and give up.

Following any specific plan: Currently I'm mainly eating vegan, no pre packaged food stuffs, no fast food....just trying to be healthy I guess

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: this time I'm trying to do it slow and healthy. I'm not in a rush and am not trying to starve myself. Also I'm not depressed, sure I'm not happy about the size I've become, but before I was so negative and disgusted with myself there was no way I good lose weight in a positive way I have a feeling attitude will really be what makes this time different.

Anything else you would like to share with us:just happy to have found this site. It seems really nice

First name: Megan

Geographical location: Pennsylvania, USA

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Web Designer

Pets: None at the moment

Hobbies/Interests: Drawing, reading, writing

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9-30-11

Starting Weight: 186.5

Present Weight: 184.9

Goal Weight: 125 by next summer

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not getting enough exercise. I have a very laid back, sedentary lifestyle that I'm trying to change.

Following any specific plan: I'm on the Special K diet (replace 2 meals with cereal), but mostly because it's cheap.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actively trying to get out and get some exercise, as opposed to just eating different. Also, the fact that I've forced myself to care enough to join here, normally I'm completely without accountability and I've found I can rationalize absolutely anything.

Anything else you would like to share with us: My finances are a huge issue with me, which is the reason I'm not a member of a gym, or participating in any 'mail-order' diets (which my mother did and it worked great for her).

First name: Jillian

Geographical location: Los Angeles

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Designer

Pets: n/a

Hobbies/Interests: drawing, fashion, costumes, reading, movies

Height: 5'11"

Eye/Hair Color: green/ dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/20/11

Starting Weight: 236

Present Weight: 228

Goal Weight: 185

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My biggest hurdle is believing I will actually achieve my goal. I have always been overweight, not severely so, but I have never been a smaller size so I no way to imagine what I would look like.

Following any specific plan: 6 Week Body Makeover

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have the support from a significant other that I have never had before as well as someone other than myself to be accountable to.

First name: Lindsy

Geographical location: "33.598777" "-112.040368" (Sorry I'm sassy hahah) Phoenix Arizona

Age:20

Marital Status: Singleish

Children/Ages: Nada

Occupation: Retail at Sears, Need a mattress or vacuum?

Pets: Beta fish, named Mortimer. We always eat breakfast together.

Hobbies/Interests: Baking, working out, Singin in the shower.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color:Blue, Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: February 1st 2011. ( I have been off and on with it, but that is when I got serious!)

Starting Weight:181

Present Weight:166!

Goal Weight:145ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Junk food, the easy choice.

Following any specific plan: Calorie Counters and Sweating

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I'm sticking with it this time!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love to chat with people. I prefer always posting so I can stay on top of things. Or just having someone to check in with! Weightloss Buddies! Oh, and I'm pretty competitive

First name: Anne

Geographical location: Perth, Australia

Age: 25

Marital Status: Boyfriend of 2 yrs

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Electrical and mechanical draftsperson/building designer

Pets: 1 male black labrador named Charlie

Hobbies/Interests:Scuba diving, goign to the beach, 4x4ing, movies, dvds cooking

Height:1.65

Eye/Hair Color: blue and originally blonde but dye it chocolate brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 31 August 2011

Starting Weight: 222

Present Weight:214.5

Goal Weight:143ish will probably go down a bit lower once im there but will see what i feel comfortable with

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Carbs

Following any specific plan: calorie controlled

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: head is in a better place and ive made it more public with friends and family

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Hillary

Geographical location: NC

Age:21

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: NONE

Occupation: Student/ CNA

Pets: Horse(Ranger) Mini horse (Pearl) Mini mule (Cooper) Cocker spaniel dog (Bela)

Hobbies/Interests: horseback riding, reading, walking Bela

Height:5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/13/2011

Starting Weight:280

Present Weight:272

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: consistency

Following any specific plan: calorie counting/ exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a community of support!! In the past I have had no support

First name: danielle

Geographical location: southern california

Age:20

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Student/cashier

Pets: a golden retriever named Franklin

Hobbies/Interests: reading, playing with Franklin, going out with friends.

Height:5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: green, brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10/5/2011

Starting Weight:295

Present Weight:295

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting past the "plateau" was my biggest struggle, I'd lose hope and just give up. So that will probably be my biggest hurdle.

Following any specific plan: the 17 day diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm doing it for myself, not to make anyone else happy. I am five pounds away from weighing 300lbs, and I don't want to ever see that number on the scale. I'm more determined than I've ever been.

First name: Ali

Geographical location: Missouri

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 20 month old daughter

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Camping, being with friends

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: 9/24/11

Starting Weight: 196.5

Present Weight: 189

Goal Weight: 140ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Sweets

Following any specific plan: High Protein/Low Carb diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm finally dedicated

First name: Ree

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Unemployed, but looking!

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, cooking, graphic design.

Height: 5'6''

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Oct 6, 2011

Starting Weight: 329

Present Weight: 329

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Not giving up on myself before completing the goal. I have trouble finishing the things I start and weightloss has been the main issue. I also believe I'm battling a food addiction as well so that would definitely count as a serious hurdle that I need to overcome.

Following any specific plan: Weightwatchers, or simple calorie counting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The fact that I just feel calm, prepared and ready. I'm not frantic or obsessing or worried about dates and goalweights and mini goals and expectations and pressure. I just want to take things at my own pace. I know what to do, I've been dieting for many years. Now it's time to just stick with it and not give up.

Anything else you would like to share with us: This is the largest I've ever been in my life, and I've decided that I've come to the point where I need to make a change, once and for all!

First name: Katy

Geographical location:Los Angeles, CA

Age:23

Marital Status:Single

Children/Ages:none

Occupation:Student

Pets:none

Hobbies/Interests:Photography, Scuba

Height:5'2''

Eye/Hair Color:Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Oct/2011

Starting Weight:210

Present Weight:205

Goal Weight:120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binge eating, Not allowing myself to purchase meaningless foods at the store and then eat them all , low will power to change for good.

Following any specific plan:WonderSlim

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:Going to the doctor and being told , my kidneys are not working right, and that i may be developing type 2 diabetes. Finally having the support of my family to change my health .

Anything else you would like to share with us: I use to weigh 115 , being at my heaviest now , i dont feel like im myself, its a trapped feeling, and coming from a family of very health and weight conscious people i feel very alone, its nice to find a community with support and information in it.

First name: Laine

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 21

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: student

Pets: 1 dog (Pumpkin)

Hobbies/Interests: Horse riding, painting, reading, music, running, general tomfoolery

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: green/honey brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:10/1/11

Starting Weight: 177

Present Weight: 177

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: portion control and eating out of boredom (and man do I get bored!)

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and staying the heck away from fast food

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It was always about what I looked like but now it's more about my health. That and I wanna look bangin' when I graduate

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've got my fantasy 'skinny wardrobe' all planned out.

First name: Jamie

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: none (although I want one)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, exercising

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Fall 2007

Starting Weight: 200

Present Weight:153

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: School stress

Following any specific plan: nope

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The closer you get to your goal, the harder it is to lose the weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
__________________

First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 24

Marital Status: Legally single, committed in love

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Teaching student/Sales Associate

Pets: Three beagles!

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, belly dancing, acting, musical theatre, reading, my doggies

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark greenishblue/Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: October 8, officially

Starting Weight: 200

Present Weight: 199

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Myself

Following any specific plan: Lower-carb (but not ketogenic)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In the past I lost sixty pounds severely restricting my eating and exercising obsessively and this has come back to bite me. This time I am eating properly!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nah

First name: Paula

Geographical location: Washington D.C.

Age: 24

Marital Status: uNmarried

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Bean Counter/ Happy accountant

Pets: n/a

Hobbies/Interests: softball, nerdy cell phone stuff, bowling, shopping, movies, guitar/violin

Height: 5'9''

Eye/Hair Color: BrownBrown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10-12-11

Starting Weight: 270

Present Weight: 270

Goal Weight: 220/170/160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Losing concentration, falling into ingrained eating habits that suck!

Following any specific plan: Minor southbeach, portion control

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel stuck...just got back from my best friends wedding and can't stand the thought of being "the fat girl" and not ME, a person with interest and love and humor

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love this community and even thought I've floundered I love that I can come back to the support and openness here after failing so many times...

First name:Cheri

Geographical location:Missouri

Age:26

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages:none

Occupation:none

Pets:dog-takumi, 2 cats-ginger and grant

Hobbies/Interests: reading,couponing,shopping,garage saleing

Height:5'3

Eye/Hair Color:brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:10-12-11

Starting Weight:205

Present Weight:205

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: depression medicines

Following any specific plan: eating less and exercising more

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I really want it this time

Anything else you would like to share with us:I have bipolar disorder and right now pretty feel worthless...i need to do this