First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 28

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: Yes- 9, 6, and 5

Occupation: Nursing Student

Pets: a cat and guinea pigs ^_^

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Theme Parks, and family

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes and Red hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 250

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving up soda, and sticking to a plan

Following any specific plan: Looking for guidance in the best route to go for weight loss

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am determined now, and want to feel better about myself

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: Toronto, Ontario

Age: 25 (next week!)

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Admin Assistant

Pets: Toki, Dacshund/Min Pin mix - 5 Months

Hobbies/Interests: Walking my puppy, concerts, music, movies

Height: 5'10

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 2009

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 180

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: After the plateau!

Following any specific plan: Low cal/cardio

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm taking my health seriously, I had no concept of calories and weight gain, I'm educated and ready for the last 30!

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Mindy

Geographical location: Washington state

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Nursing student

Pets: Rearden - Golden Retriever, 1 year

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, being outdoors, volleyball

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2011

Starting Weight: 157

Present Weight: 154

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight-loss: Consistency once school starts

Following any specific plan: Low carb, primal-ish

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I gained 30 pounds and lost it about 5 years ago just by watching what I ate and exercising a few times a week. Now, I have a lot less to lose but more frustration instead.

Anything else you would like to share with us: This is my last year of school (finally!) and I want to go out stronger than I started.

First name: Alex

Geographical location: California

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: legal/ but unemployed right now

Pets: Yufi - Cat age 6, Fred - goldfish age 1sh

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, playing video games (nothing else really just finished up at a pretty demanding school and didn't have time for anything, lol)

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 250

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I was raised in a meat and potato household, and am moving back home, so I would have to say having the courage to not fall back into bad habits (for the record my mom is about the same size as me).

Following any specific plan: Not so far looking for guidance

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time its for me, not because someone told me I should do it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am a bit self conscious about joining, but am excited when I see everyone's tickers.

First name: Mary Elizabeth

Geographical location: Chicago

Age: 22

Marital Status:no way

Children/Ages:definitely no way

Occupation:student

Pets:none

Hobbies/Interests: dancing, reading, exercising, music, movies

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown hair, brownish-green eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 14

Starting Weight: 160

Present Weight: 155

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i love salty snacks way too much and being a recent college kid i sometimes like alcohol a little too much (and the resulting drunk food)

Following any specific plan: south beach phase 1 for the past two weeks

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: first time I've really been serious about losing weight

Anything else you would like to share with us: nope
________

First name: Jen

Geographical location: Boston

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: RN

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Mid-August

Starting Weight: 159

Present Weight: 155

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Recent back surgery (cause of weight gain)

Following any specific plan: Back into my regular exercise routine I had pre-surgery, and trying a high protein diet and low carbs (not Atkins-low, but lowish )

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I had a taste of being thin for the first time this past year and a half before my surgery happened and I gained some back. After looking great and the attention I got for it, I crave it more than the food

Anything else you would like to share with us: Also trying to lose for a wedding I have in a couple weeks, mini goal for that is 147

First name: Oxia

Geographical location: Zurich, Switzerland (anyone else live here?)


Hello! Here are my details:

Age:24

Marital Status:married for a bit over 1 year

Children/Ages: 1 daughter, who is 16 months old

Occupation: I've studied music, want to be a college prof, but am currently a full time mother.

Pets: none currently-- I love cats, and once my daughter is less high maintenance, I'll probably get one again.

Hobbies/Interests: playing sax, piano, and recorder. decorating, sewing, writing.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: I have green eyes and dark blond hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: a couple days ago-- August 28, 2011

Starting Weight:156lb

Present Weight:156lb

Goal Weight:110lb

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating when I'm stressed, sad, or bored

Following any specific plan: no, but I need to find one!!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm not sure, but I'm trying to get more support instead of doing it alone.

Anything else you would like to share with us: In my family I've always been the "chubby" one or according to great grandmother "pleasantly plump." I want to change that and be more active, thin, and healthy.

First name: Thrive for 145! (I like that better)
Geographical location: MD- DC Metro area

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married 9 years

Children/Ages: 6 year old wonderful little boy

Occupation: Air Traffic Control

Pets: Norman (turtle)

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, Singing, Dancing, Enjoying Life!

Height:
5'4"
Eye/Hair Color: Dark Brown/ Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 8/18/11

Starting Weight: 255

Present Weight: 248

Goal Weight: 145 (my pre-pregnancy weight)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying consistent i.e., exercising daily, eating regularly (on average I would eat once maybe twice a day which I know is terrible for my metabolism) Not eating out often

Following any specific plan: Just doing what my personal trainer tells me to do i.e. cutting back on my carbs, doing alot of cardio and weight lifting, eating 5-6 times a day, eating lots of veggies and protein.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am almost 30 (YIKES!) and I know I need to make a change now before this weight is with me for the rest of my life!

Would really LOOOOVE to have all the support I can get! Need to stay motivated!

First name: Jialin

Geographical location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Age: 29 (so I just make it to this forum)

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages:

Occupation: Financial Anlayst

Pets: Layla (cat)

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, swimming, travel, anime

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Aug-29-2011

Starting Weight: 168

Present Weight: 161

Goal Weight: 105

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: cravings and not give up

Following any specific plan: C25K and calorie counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The difference this time is that I am not viewing this as a diet, but a lifestyle change. 6 years ago I lost over 40lb with the help of this forum, but stopped "dieting" after I achieved the goal. Now I am back and more overweight than before.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First nameana

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age:25

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages:none

Occupation: student/waitress

Pets:none

Hobbies/Interests: sports, going out, blackjack, travel

Height:5'4

Eye/Hair Color:blue/blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: sept 5th 2011

Starting Weight:185

Present Weight:185

Goal Weight:125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:sticking to a healthy diet, stop drinking and eating out
Following any specific plan: low fat, work out 4-5 times a week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:i am not doing it by myself, i am being open with my friends and looking for support

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Rebecca

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 23

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Recent Graduate/Unemployed with an engineering degree

Pets: 2 cats and a dwarf hamster

Hobbies/Interests: I'm still trying to come up with an answer for that after all these years

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/either light brown or blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 14 2011

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 191.6

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Moving back home after graduating from college and getting used to a huge change in my life

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers Online

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is my first time trying to lose weight. I got to a point where I didn't even want to go anywhere because I didn't want anyone to judge me by my weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: This is my first time posting! I come on here every once in a while and look at progress photos for inspiration but I thought that I might want to start trying to take advantage of the support of the community!

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: Texas...

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Student/Weekend Receptionist/Crisis Counselor

Pets: Tuxedo cat, and a mini schnauzer

Hobbies/Interests: Politics, music, sex, psychology, food, all that is good and interesting

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2011

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 208

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight-loss: To continue, and see it through to my goal

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Focus.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I want to graduate at a Normal BMI.

First name: Jessica

Geographical location:Bonney Lake, WA

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Patient Service Rep - Urgent Care

Pets: 2 Yorkies.. Turbo and Zoey

Hobbies/Interests: Cake Decorationg, Theme Parks, and family

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown w/ highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2nd, 2011

Starting Weight: 317

Present Weight: 272

Goal Weight: 180 or lower

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving up soda, and sticking to a plan

Following any specific plan: Ideal Protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the pastetermination.. Personal Goals

First name: Katie

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 24

Marital Status: dating, in a serious relationship

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Credit Analyst

Pets: 2 dogs - Fiso and Harley

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, walking the pups, volleyball

Height: 5' 8"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/ brownish

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/8/11

Starting Weight: 185

Present Weight: 185

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love cake!

Following any specific plan: WW

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Doctor said I had high cholesterol and made me wake up a bit!