First name: Yvie

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 49

Marital Status: married

Occupation: writer/editor

Hobbies/Interests: books, films, music, art

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feb 7, 2011

Starting Weight: 168

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: staying focused; resisting spur-of-the-moment temptations to go off the rails "just for now" in hopes that I can compensate for it afterwards

Following any specific plan: not really; I'm trying for a balanced 1200 calories per day, and a serious workout four to five times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've come here looking to share the experience with others in hopes it'll help keep me focused on the task at hand!

First name: Omai

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married (but separated)

Children/Ages: 4 (2 boys, 2 girls): b25, g22, b19, g7

Occupation: County employee

Pets: 1 dog, 1 rabbit

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, photography

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Hmmmm... I forget

Starting Weight: 236

Goal Weight: 200, then 175, then 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Diet

Following any specific plan: No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It's just something I really feel I need to do

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

First name: Kathy

Geographical location: TN

Age:44

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 1 son 23

Occupation: homemaker

Pets: Dogs and Parrots

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 5' 9"

Eye/Hair Color: lgt brown/ dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time Jan 25th 2011

Starting Weight: Too much

Goal Weight: Just right

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Wanting food I shouldn't eat and exercise

Following any specific plan: Nope Just healthier eating and portion control

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My whole family is trying it together this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm going to reach my goal! Just watch me!

First name: Vicki

Geographical location: New Enland (Connecticut)

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married for 22 years

Children/Ages: 2 Boys, 20 & 16

Occupation: Finance Analyst

Pets: 2 Dogs - border collie and shih tzu

Hobbies/Interests: my dogs, reading

Height: 5'

Eye/Hair Color: Brown eyes - this month I've chosen "chocolate brown" to cover the grey

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This year I'll be starting today, Feb 13th. (this seems to be an annual event!)

Starting Weight: 158

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: mindlessly eating before i even realizing i just ate 1/2 a bag of chips!

Following any specific plan: The Ideal Protein Protocol

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My health! It has deterioriated over the last 2 years and spiriling out of control.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I was always told that hitting my 40s was going to be great. But for me, it's meant that my weight is spiriling out of control and it's MUCH harder to remove it! any exercise i've done just maintained the fat i had, not removed it. I'm tired of failure and am looking for support here to stick with something!

First name:Virginia

Geographical location:Nova Scotia

Age:44

Marital Status:married

Children/Ages:gilr 18, boy 16

Occupation:sorter in bottle recycling plant

Pets:3 dogs/3 cats

Hobbies/Interests:Zumba,reading,walking,drinking wine with my girls and enjoying life

Height:5'4"

Eye/Hair Color:blue eyes/med brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:February 1st

Starting Weight:263

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying away from sweets

Following any specific plan:Currently trying the vegan lifestyle

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:More focused

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Melody

Geographical location: The Midwest

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: small business owner

Pets: 2 dogs and a cat

Hobbies/Interests: sewing, hiking, making things, cooking, fashion,

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: the eighties and February 1, 2011

Starting Weight: 210

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I can be lazy and I can be too afraid of being judged to go to the gym sometimes. I'm a foodie. I have trouble sticking to anything.

Following any specific plan: I've been trying to follow the macrobiotic plan which works wonders on my blood sugar.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I'm being honest with myself and I can pretty much get what I need to do this. I have no credible excuses.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
I used to be bulimic when I was in my twenties. I've never had a healthy relationship with food or with my body. I am working hard on trying to recognize these issues and respond positively. I want to eat healthy and not like a 13 year old whose parents are on vacation. It's time for me to grow up.

First name: Missi

Geographical location: Central Texas

Age:41

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: John-24, Spencer-21

Occupation: Market Manager

Pets: Ollie, spoiled rotten puppy dog

Hobbies/Interests: Volunteering, reading, weekend road trips, people watching

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, Brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feb, 2011 (Second start)

Starting Weight: 267

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving in to something sweet...

Following any specific plan: Atkins

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am finally unhappy enough with my weight that a change is inevitable...

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Cheryl

Geographical location: chicagoland

Age: 44

Marital Status: divorced

Children/Ages: 1 son 24

Occupation: Department Manager

Pets: None currently

Hobbies/Interests: fishing, boating, being outdoors

Height: 5.7

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dark blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/2/11

Starting Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: potato chips and beer

Following any specific plan: Slow Carb with supplements

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I hit rock bottom with my depression and remembering who i used to be. I'm done being fat and unhealthy. My doctor just put me on Cholesterol meds to go with my blood pressure and reflux meds. I want to get off ALL THE MEDS!

Anything else you would like to share with us: yes, i've been up down my entire life, this is the first time i have reached out to a group for support. This has to be the time that changes my life. Has to be.

First name: Jodi

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 43

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2 boys...26 & 24

Occupation: Design Consultant

Pets: 3 dachshunds...Maggie, Ryder, Riggins

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Gardening

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Grey/Brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/26/10

Starting Weight: 277

Goal Weight: under 200

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Carbs

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers (also watch carbs)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
The doctor told me my cholesterol was high, hyperthyroidism, & POCS

Anything else you would like to share with us: ((((((hugs))))))

First name:Susan

Geographical location:Illinois

Age:47

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages:Eddie 26, Nick 20, Danny 18

Occupation:Sales Rep

Pets:3 Dogs

Hobbies/Interests:Birds, and dieting

Height:5'4

Eye/Hair Color:Blonde/Blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:3/13/11

Starting Weight:235

Goal Weight:140 or so

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Emotional/Husband Eating

Following any specific plan:Low Carb

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I'm motivated to see a new me!

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Dawn

Geographical location: Newfoundland, Canada

Age: 44

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 25

Occupation: Sales / Customer service rep

Pets: 3 Dogs, Izza, Male, Lab/Golden Cross, Peg, female Pure bred Golden, & Cali, Female Pure Bred British Bull Dog

Hobbies/Interests: Not sure I have any right now...Just working on me!!

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green / Dark Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 23, 2011 (On going Always the chubby kid)

Starting Weight: 210

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binges

Following any specific plan: calorie Log, and Add Excersize

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: 3 FC Support and being kinder to myself.

Anything else you would like to share with us: 3 years ago in May I lost my step mom to cancer, I quit smoking cold turkey, and in the process lost a bit of myself. this is not only a journey to a smaller me, it's a quest to find me.

Being 40-something is spectacular! If you get a chance, introduce yourself to current and new members by filing out the bio below. Copy the below to a new reply and fill in as desired

(copied from 100 club, thanks!)

First name: Chris

Geographical location: Port Charlotte FL

Age: 48

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 1 22 yr old step daughter

Occupation: Mental Health

Pets: 6 rescue cats

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 6' 1"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown of what is left hehe

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/13/11

Starting Weight: 301

Goal Weight: 225

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: fitting in to smaller clothes

Following any specific plan: low carb

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: am getting married in november.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Monica

Geographical location: Thailand

Age: 40

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: almost 17, 14, 11

Occupation: missionary

Pets: 2 dogs - wăan and s'mores

Hobbies/Interests: knitting, reading

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: green hazel/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 28 February 2011

Starting Weight: 220

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: lack of support from husband.

Following any specific plan: crossfit for excercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i'm focused on not only my goal, but the rest of my life.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Lynn

Geographical location: Naples, Italy

Age: 41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Daughter - 15, Daughter - 13, Son - 9

Occupation: Explorer

Pets: German Shepherd Dog, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - Tango, for short

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, traveling

Height: 5'5''

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/25/11

Starting Weight: 199.6

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving up wine, cheese, and bread

Following any specific plan: No plan, just trying to cut calories and white carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is my first experience. I don't love it.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Wendy

Geographical location: Madison, WI

Age: 41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 3 children ages 7, 9, and 18

Occupation: IT Project/Portfolio Manager

Pets: Dog, Buddy

Hobbies/Interests: Photography

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/dark blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 9, 2011

Starting Weight: 212

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: adding exercise!!

Following any specific plan: Atkins

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I joined a support group!!! :-)