First name: Vanessa

Geographical location: Southwest

Age: 27

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: an 8 month old Yorkie named Gidget.

Occupation: Inventory Control

Pets: Gidget.

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, reading, reality TV, driving range, hanging out with friends.

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Both are brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 20th

Starting Weight: 194

Present Weight: 186

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Snacking. I love snacking and candy.

Following any specific plan: My friend is with Beach Body and he wrote me up a meal plan, but I was successful on LAWL and am going to start following that more now that I''m motivated and have already started the process.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a better attitude towards it and I have incentives lined up (boyfriend is taking me to Hawaii when I feel ready to wear a swimsuit).

Anything else you would like to share with us: It definitely helps to have someone who loves you and supports you no matter what you choose, but wants you to be happy and always encourages you without putting you down. I have a great support group who don't get mad when I slip, but encourage me when I feel like I'm wasting my time.

First name: Sara

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: .Net (Web) Developer

Pets: Only 1 dog (Dexter) he's a husky/lab/cocker mix, and a cat (Lurch).

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Eye/Hair Color: both are brown, but I like to dye my hair and right now it's a redish brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I'm not sure what the start date would be since I've been trying for a couple years. Actually over a year ago I lost about 30 pounds, but I gained that all back I'd say that I'm really ready to start now, so April 2011

Starting Weight: 294

Present Weight: 286

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I think it might be my will power. Sometimes it seems like I don't have any, but I need to take it one step at a time.

Following any specific plan: I'm going to eat low-carb, and exercise a couple of times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm going into this with more knowledge than before, and try to make the best choices everytime.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Probably my favorite quote from any movie is 'Well, nobody's perfect' from Some Like it Hot. I want this as a tattoo to remind me everyday that I'm not perfect, but somebody will love me.

First name: Deanna

Geographical location: New Mexico

Age: 27

Marital Status: In a Relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Pharmacy Technician / Student

Pets: 1 Dog, 1 Cat, 3 Horses

Hobbies/Interests: Horse back riding, swimming, hiking, reading, writing, art

Height: 5' 3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown / Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 1, 2011

Starting Weight: 275

Present Weight: 272

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Chocolate, I'm a huge chocolate fanatic and it's very easy for me to forget about my diet when I have a chocolate craving. I need my fix.....lol

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers points plus

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My weight is to the point where it's effecting my health and its forced me to really open my eyes and wake up. I'm already having issues with HBP and joint problems its only going to get worse if I don't make a radical change.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Tori

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age:24

Marital Status:Happily Married

Children/Ages:None yet

Occupation Teacher

Pets: 2 wonderful doggies

Hobbies/Interests: traveling and learning

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown/Blonde highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 4th, 2011

Starting Weight: 238.8

Present Weight: 213.6

Goal Weight: Lifetime weight: 163 Final goal: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Just buckling down and doing it.

Following any specific plan: WW Points Plus

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I believe that this WW plan is more sustainable and have found success.

Anything else you would like to share with us: You can do anything you put your mind to.

First name: Cara

Geographical location: Montreal, Canada

Age: 24

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: legal secretary

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: shopping & hockey

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: brown & brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 03/20/2011

Starting Weight: 214.8

Present Weight: 204.6

Goal Weight: 136

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: laziness, food loving fiancee...

Following any specific plan: calorie counting & exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am tired of being "the fat friend". And want to enjoy my youth and not look back and think I could've been healthy...

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love everyone's positive attitude in here. It's the reason I got going!

First name: Victoria

Geographical location: the hot Arizona

Age: 19 (20 in July!)

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: border patrol (just admin)

Pets: 2 dogs (madison & buster), 1 cat (baby), 1 little sister (lol jk, but i do have a little sister)

Hobbies/Interests: working, playing with kids, swimming, lurking internet sites, reading, listening to music

Height: like 5'6'' ish

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown (my hair changes quite often, lol)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: february 1st

Starting Weight: 149

Present Weight: 130.4 as of this morning

Goal Weight: 115 (ugw, 110)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating everything in site, eating when im bored, not having control, eating taco bell at least twice a week

Following any specific plan: nutrisystem

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
im actually following my plan
Anything else you would like to share with us: since im just about halfway through im buying my new swimsuit (a new 2 piece!)

First name: Sarah

Geographical location: Northeastern, PA

Age:23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Secretary

Pets: NA

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Music, Bowling, WoW, Being Silly

Height: 5’7

Eye/Hair Color: Blue and Dirty Blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 1, 2011 (Yea, April Fool’s Day on Me.)

Starting Weight: 275

Present Weight: 266

Goal Weight: 150-170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: There are defiantly several I need to face and over come. The biggest of which is fear of failure. The second is emotional eating. The third is just sticking with it for long enough to make it to my target. I need to learn portion control, like WOAH.

Following any specific plan: Nope. Just being active and eating healthy. Maybe I should follow a plan but I don’t really have the money or time to join WW or any of the others. A lot of others require cooking, which I am never home to do.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don’t just want to lose weight, I want to create a new life for myself. One in which I am comfortable in my own skin and not ashamed of being overweight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am not sure how to motivate myself. Currently, trying to lose weight doesn’t feel real to me. I am exercising and watching what I eat but…it’s still new. I think once I hit 250, I will start to believe it is happening.

First name: Brittanie
Geographical location: Montgomery, TX (a.k.a. Country!)
Age: 25
Marital Status: Happily Married
Children/Ages: 3 Girls (1 1/2, 5 1/2, Step daughter=12)
Occupation: Unemployed
Pets: Dog=Casey, Fish=Torro, Hampster=PinkyPie
Hobbies/Interests: Photography, Cooking, Reading
Height: 5'6"
Eye/Hair Color: Blonde hair with roots ;-) Blue eyes
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Pretty much my entire adult life
Starting Weight: Highest weight=220
Present Weight: 206.8
Goal Weight: 165
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting through the cravings
Following any specific plan: Low-Carb
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've made it past the 2 week mark and have lost enough to know that this low-carb thing may really be the perfect lifestyle for me.
Anything else you would like to share with us: I really want to know what "DH" stands for... can anyone help me out? I know it is talking about husbands... but the D?

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: Cincinnati, OH

Age: 25

Marital Status: Separated but living together

Children/Ages: 3 kids, boy (6), girl (4) and girl (3)

Occupation: SAHM/ChaCha.com

Pets: 4 dogs and 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: Swimming, scrapbooking, reading

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/14

Starting Weight: 160

Present Weight: 160

Goal Weight: 130 or size 9/10 pants

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: exercise!

Following any specific plan: Fullbar

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I NEED to do this! It could mean finally getting pregnant

Anything else you would like to share with us: Im new to all of this!!

Hey today is my first day and I am really hoping to get some weight loss advice and motivation!

First name:Shona

Geographical location:Ireland

Age:20

Marital Status:Single

Children/Ages:None

Occupation:College Student

Pets:One dog - Molly

Hobbies/Interests:Going to the gym, socialising, reading

Height:5ft 4"

Eye/Hair Color:Blonde hair blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:14/04/2011

Starting Weight:128

Present Weight:127

Goal Weight:120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Eating unhealthy when in the evenings and especially with my boyfriend! Chocolate is my downfall!

Following any specific plan:No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I am completely fed up talking about weight loss, I just want to get it done!


__________________

I posted to the 100+ Club, but since I'm in my 20s, I figured I'll post here too. I hope that's allowed.

First name: Laura

Geographical location: Vancouver, Canada

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None.

Occupation: Medical transcriptionist.

Pets: 1 Labrador retriever (chocolate) named "Nilla."

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, video games, camping, baking, cooking, crafting.

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, brown hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:

Starting Weight: 255

Present Weight: 255

Goal Weight: Lifetime Goal weight: 150, Short Term Goal weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Motivation and energy!

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I can't think that anything's really different other than I realize I'm getting older and it's not going to get any easier. I've gained 100 pounds in 10 years, if I keep that rate up, I'll probably die very young and I'm terrified of death sooo.. yea.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm kind of shy, but once I open up I'm outgoing. I can talk a lot too - and I get excited easily. I'm friendly and I'm totally looking forward to supporting others here

First name: Felicia

Geographical location: New Mexico

Age: 20

Marital Status: in 3 1/2 yr relationship

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: school

Pets: dog-naughty 6 months old girl, cat-mischief-3 yrs old boy, snake-flame 2 yrs old, fish-fighy-? boy

Hobbies/Interests: music, animals, rodeos, everything

Height:5

Eye/Hair Color: hazel eyes, dark brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/20/11

Starting Weight: 173 lbs

Present Weight: 173 lbs

Goal Weight: 125 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating while bored :|

Following any specific plan: going to try to loose 2 lb a week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: im unhappy with myself and before i wasnt..

Anything else you would like to share with us....alot of things

First name: Nickail

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 18

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: babysitter

Pets: 7 month old yorkie named Giselle

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing,singing,reading,writing.

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: first start date was 11/20 re-start date is 4/18

Starting Weight: 1st was 295. 2nd is 275

Present Weight: 275

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: staying on plan

Following any specific plan: 2000 cals, workout 2 hours a day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I actually gave myself a deadline and Im making it a challenge.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Ashley

Geographical location: Connecticut

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Human Resources

Pets: I can't even keep a goldfish alive, lol

Hobbies/Interests: piano, tennis, reading

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/13/2011

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 242

Goal Weight: 165 is my ultimate goal weight, but have some current mini-goals too! 229 will be the lowest weight I've seen in a good three years, and of course entering One-derland is a big goal!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: not falling off the wagon completely...I tend to just binge eat the moment I make a mistake, rather than accepting that I made a mistake and moving forward with being healthy

Following any specific plan: I'm doing some weird cross between South Beach and Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am focusing on small goals rather than the end-state, because that usually just overwhelms and scares me! And usually I hide that I'm dieting like it's an embarrassing secret, whereas this time I'm obviously seeking the help of this group, and also have a good friend who is willing to pick up a healthier lifestyle so we can keep each other motivated!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm headed back to school for my Master's degree in the fall, and really want to be as confident as possible by that time! Looking forward to speaking with many of you!

First name: Wendee

Geographical location: Boise, Idaho

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages:Max-4

Occupation:St Luke's Hospice

Pets: Bella-Cocker Spaniel

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, scrapbooking, working out, cooking.

Height:5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blonde (currently)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Januaryish 2011

Starting Weight: 186

Present Weight: 168.2

Goal Weight:155

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Losing the last 13ish pounds. It is really a STRUGGLE.

Following any specific plan: my own.. 1400ish cals a day, low carb (under 100g) No diet coke (5 days clean!..of the diet coke...)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am serious!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Happy to share my journey with you all! <3