[llladynasti]

I am seeing a lot of common themes, especially relate to the stuff about emotional eating and the desperation.
I am doing this via my phone, so I may have to do it in parts .

Name: Anna

Age: 30

Location: canada

Marital status: single and dating

Children: one girl, 9

Occupation: I work in a busy office

Pets: windowsill herbs, sometimes my moms choc lab (dog)

Hobbies/interests: dancing, reading, writing, massage and the body, camping and hiking

Height: five foot one

Hair and eye colour: brunette, sea-changing

Starting date of weight loss journey: every morning.

Starting weight and present weight: 226

Goal weight: 140-145

Biggest hurdle to overcome: the need to avoid feelings, fear of failure, self-Reliance to the point of isolation and nervous breakdown, control and fear of control

More to come. ..

First name: three (seriously: only my family and my boss use the name on my birth certificate any more)

Geographical location: minden, ontario

Age: 45

Marital Status: complicated with issues

Children/Ages: nikkita - 26 (in 3wks); caiti - 23; saari - 5

Occupation: assistant manager at a small-town bookshop

Pets: dandelion ("dandy"), border collie mix, 3-1/2yrs; rufus - orange tabby; she-who-must-not-be-named, tricolour, who knows how old.

Hobbies/Interests: powerlifting/bodybuilding; internet; books; dog training; alternative healing; anything else that strikes my autodidactical fancy.

Height: five-two and a bit

Eye/Hair Color: dishwater/grey

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: [just so you know: i HATE that term - "journey"; on my list right up there with the words "poignant", "bittersweet", and "moist". bonus points if you know what that last one referred to] this time around, march 1st.

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 125... 135... somewhere around there. i'll know it when i see it.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: ... money. it's bloody expensive to keep up with the shakes but it would be even more expensive trying to do it on whole foods alone.

Following any specific plan: medically-supervised VLCD (750cal/day)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: nothing, really. both times i did this before succeeded - i deliberately chose to gain it all back.

Anything else you would like to share with us: i have asperger's so i'm socially dysfunctional. i also tend to use words as if they were sledgehammers - lack of delicacy and tact, is what i mean. if i post something and you think you're offended, then it really wasn't meant to be so. i don't beat around the bush if i'm out to offend someone.

[llladynasti]

Continued. .. (Anna)
any specific food plan: yes, and it may evolve over time into what exactly I don't know but currently its this: fooddiary in Calorie Counter app , try to fill up on more than half my calories in the first half of the day while my brains still working and I can choose high protein low glycemic foods, preferably organic whole foods and good quality meat but let's face it I take what I can get. No added sugar, and preferably gluten free.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past? : THIS. I'be been in OA and trying to sidestep the food plan part. I've never admitted I might actually have a goal weight. I've never dared admit I want it. In fact I've rebelled against anything and everything that might resemble dieting. So being here and facing the physical stuff is different for me!

[Luceia]

First name: Jamie

Geographical location: Winnipeg, MB (Canada)

Age: 31

Marital Status: In a domestic partnership with a large ginger man

Children/Ages: Daughter - 14, Son - 10

Occupation: Research Scientist

Pets: My cat - 14 (awesome), his cat - 6 mo (jerk cat).

Hobbies/Interests: reading, camping, travel, sex.

Height: 5'10.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blonde/Grey

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 03/05/12

Starting Weight: 298

Present Weight: 262

Goal Weight: 170 (for now)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Anemia (=fatigue) and knowing when I am full (ie full does not equal stuffed to the point of wanting to vomit)

Following any specific plan: Less food IN, more workOUT.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm in my 30s now, and was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. TERRIFYING wake-up call.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm so grateful this place exists!!!

[TAPisREADY23]

First name: Tonya

Geographical location: North Georgia

Age: 23


Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 1/4years

Occupation: Staff Accountant

Pets: None


Hobbies/Interests: Photography, writing, and spending time with my family

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/27/2012

Starting Weight: 269.9 pounds

Present Weight: 262.8 pounds

Goal Weight: 145 pounds (ultimate)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Social/Emotional Eating & the Mental Game.

Following any specific plan: Yes, kind of like calorie counting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It's working lol

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am tired of giving up and I am tired of my husband saying I told you that you couldn't do it. :/

[kristinrenee86]

First name: Kristin

Geographical location: Western Kentucky

Age: 25

Marital Status: Looking for my ring any day now

Children/Ages: None yet

Occupation: Pharmacy Technician & Student

Pets: 1 Pomeranian and 2 German Shepard puppies

Hobbies/Interests: Reading...baking...crafty projects...Watching University of Kentucky basketball and Alabama football

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes and the hair color changes quite often, but it's dark now

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 04/09/2012

Starting Weight: 230 lb

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: For now, I'm saying 115. I have a small frame but I'm not sure just how low will be healthy for me.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My mama's cooking!

Following any specific plan: I plan on giving the Fast 5 a shot!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It gets harder to lose the weight every time I let it slide. I would like to start having children in the next few years and I want to be healthy.

Anything else you would like to share with us: This is my first post here but I've been lurking for a while. I've never been part of an online community like this, but I hope it will be a good source of encouragement and a learning tool.

[Yana2B]

First name: Yana

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 33

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: None yet

Occupation: HR Generalist

Pets: Cat - Katrina

Hobbies/Interests: Sewing, reading, cooking.

Height: 5'4" and some change

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 04/15/2012

Starting Weight: 298

Present Weight: No idea. I'm weighing once a month. Since the scale drives me mad I'm trying to find other ways to measure my progress.

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: 3 words... CHICK-FIL-A lol But seriously, portion control and exercise are my weaknesses.

Following any specific plan: Not really, just lowering my carb intake and exercising.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm in my 30's, ready to start having children, and I want to be healthy & fit before Motherhood.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

[meditateinmydirectio]

First name: Dee

Geographical location: California

Age: 30

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Gardener

Pets: 1 cat, Cap'n Jack (after Cap'n Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean)

Hobbies/Interests: Salsa Dancing, Yoga, Gardening, Home maintenance, Reading, Walking, Fitness, Healthy/organic cooking, stumbleupon, pylometric workouts, relaxation, health & balance, tai chi, smoothies

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: birth? haha... age 10/11

Starting Weight: highest weight = 260

Present Weight: 152

Goal Weight: 149 at dr's office (first of all just 149 at home though)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: dealing with medication stuff & bipolar disorder challenges... also staying motivated & inspired. and minimizing stress!

Following any specific plan: trying to take inspiration from lots of ideas but don't believe in restrictions ---that said---but no refined carbs, only whole grains... no refined sugars... no desserts... no chocolate (I don't eat caffeine)... but once in a while i make an exception. lots of fruits, lots of vegetables. (as much fruits and veggies as possible. try to minimize animal fat and replace it with vegetable fat eg nuts or avocado.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am staying focused, not giving up, keeping a food journal, and paying attention to it every day. letting go of self criticism and just keep trying.

Anything else you would like to share with us: the mantra my friend gave me is "losing weight is easy"... that's my weight loss mantra.

[missphalange]

First name: Regina

Geographical location: The southwest, y'all.

Age: late 20's

Marital Status: newlywed

Children/Ages: 1, 1.5, 8, 9...or thereabouts

Occupation: accountant

Pets: See: "Children/Ages".

Hobbies/Interests: Generally speaking, I enjoy exercise (Zumba, biking, walking/running, yoga, pilates), but have been in a funk for a while now. Otherwise, I love reading, bargain hunting, watching movies (and good tv shows), pinning (as in Pinterest), and cooking. I have just started trying my hand at growing some veggies & herbs, too!

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: hair: daaaaaaark brown, eyes: amber

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time around: 04/16/2012

Starting Weight: 269.4

Present Weight: 263.6

Goal Weight: 155.0-ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: binging

Following any specific plan: McDougall Maximum Weight Loss Plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I believe that it has finally sunk in that I am slowly killing myself from my horrid eating habits. I now realize that there is a direct correlation between my health (and longevity) and what I consume each day.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been a vegetarian for nearly 12 years and began transitioning to a vegan way of life earlier this year.

[jeninco]

First name: Jen

Geographical location: Colorado

Age: late 39

Marital Status: Happily divorced

Children/Ages: Boy age 5

Occupation: Equine Vet and horse trainer

Pets: Many, I train horses, also have two basset hounds and raise bucking bulls.

Hobbies/Interests: Showing horses, snowboarding, hiking, cooking, reading.

Height: 5'5'9

Eye/Hair Color: Blue and depends on my mood, lol. Dark Blonde naturally but right now it's Auburn.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: TODAY

Starting Weight: Not sure no scale 245 ish

Present Weight: see above

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: over-eating

Following any specific plan: none

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I want to be able to do things with my son and for myself and my health.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am scared to commit to this weight loss journey, I am addicted to food, but for myself and my son, I will do this, one pound at a time.

[Rocky Horror]

First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 24

Marital Status: Legally single, romantically taken

Children/Ages: Just pups

Occupation: Student/Teacher-to-be

Pets: 3 doggies

Hobbies/Interests: Belly dancing, reading, history, music, theatre, fitness

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 235 (just starting- highest I have ever been)

Starting Weight: 235

Present Weight: 235

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have a sweet tooth and retain water like CRAZY.

Following any specific plan: Low carbohydrate

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am sick of living in this skin and it is getting to the point where I do not want to leave the house.

Anything else you would like to share with us: >.>

[0ojoyo0]

First name: Susanne

Geographical location: Central VA

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: See pets

Occupation: GIS Specialist for an Army contractor

Pets: Delilah- 2 year old Chihuahua/rat terrier mix & the love of my life. Two cats, Luna (2 years) & Stormy (1 year), each were found in my yard when they were kittens.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading. I don’t really have too much time for anything else since I’m a full time student.

Height: 5’4”

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April, 2012

Starting Weight: 283

Present Weight: 277.4

Goal Weight: 140 realistically, 120 in a perfect world!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Wow, too many to count. I think fear is number one. I’m so afraid that I’ll quit when the going gets tough and all my hard work will go down the drain. Also, I have a very hard time limiting my caloric intake. I hate being hungry, and I have been known to binge. I need to train my body into being okay with being hungry.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and trying to get 30 minutes of intense cardio at least 4 times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In the past five years, I’ve gained over 100 lbs. This was largely due to depression and everything that goes along with that. I didn’t own a scale for the longest time; I guess I thought that if I didn’t weigh myself, I wasn’t really gaining weight, even though I kept having to buy bigger clothes. Being weighed in at doctor’s appointments and being faced with reality always put me in a funk, but I would just go home and eat. Two years ago, at the age of 25 and 256 lbs, I was put on blood pressure meds, but nothing stopped me from eating.

In February, I went to the doctor’s and weighed in at 283. That’s my highest weight ever. So, when I went home after that appointment, I did what I always did and ate. For 2 months. Finally, I came to the realization that if I were to continue at this pace, what’s to stop me from getting up to 500 lbs? So I started eating healthier and exercising at the beginning of April, and just bought a scale last week. I’m starting to count my calories, rather than just eyeballing portion sizes, and considering going on a specific diet, like Weight Watchers or Medifast.

I feel like I can do it this time, since I found this great forum

Anything else you would like to share with us: I feel like I just shared my life story, lol. I think that’s it. Good luck to everyone! Keep your eye on the prize!

[reallystruggling]

First name: Annie

Geographical location: Toronto, Canada

Age: 17

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: going to college in fall, 2012

Pets: Delilah- none

Hobbies/Interests: hanging out with my friends, partying- haha

Height: 5’9”

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 30, 2012 (TODAY!!!)

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 230

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:
-I've failed so many times before, and I'm just so scared i'll fail again
-Commitment issues... i absolutely can't commit to ANYTHING!!!
-Binge eating
-Emotional eating
-Being around skinny people all the time!!

Following any specific plan:
-A variation of the C25K plan, except running 20-30 mins EVERY weekday
-Strength training (various exercises on various muscle groups) EVERY weekday
-Giving myself a treat/reward on the weekend for every week that i stick with this plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
-I'm only 17 and i've already been on more diets than I could count/remember so this is really coming out of desperation. I don't want to spend my years in college being fat and ruining something that could potentially be the best years of my life.. I've suffered enough from my weight (mostly internal conflicts) and I would just love for all of that to end before I begin to pursue my career.. btw, i want to be a psychologist!

A month ago... I started to see back fat and HORRIFYING STRETCH MARKS on my stomach and thighs. They freaked the **** out of me and I know I could never live like this anymore. Being fat is terrible and I want to change my life before I have the chance to look back and regret not losing weight. There's no reason for me to look like this and there's certainly no way I could ever be happy looking like this.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
Before I even press 'post' I can already imagine all the people on this forum judging me and thinking that I'm just another teenager looking to lose weight to look hot for college and get a hot boyfriend. I wont deny that. However, what you have to know is that I'm in no way looking for a 'quick fix.' I've given myself 13 months (until June, 2013) to lose 100 pounds, and I will not stop until I reach that goal.

p.s. I'm REALLY looking for a buddy (or buddies) that support me in this weight loss journey, because from experience, I know that it's practically impossible to do i on our own.

Please feel free to message me if you're at all interested!!

[fatklr]

First name: Katrina

Geographical location: Virginia

Age: 39

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Advertising

Pets: 1 Dog

Hobbies/Interests: Art

Height: 6'0

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This FINAL one...4/30/12

Starting Weight: 328.5

Present Weight: 325

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Thinking it's okay to have cheat meals, and then going crazy with it.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories and exercising

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm consuming 1,200 calories of "healthy" foods instead of low-carbing it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: A year from now my goal is to look back at this post and say "that was the starting point of my happier, healthy life."

[Josephineky]

First name: Joe

Geographical location: Kentucky

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Banker

Pets: 2 cats (Sheeba) (Baby Kitty)

Hobbies/Interests: Baseball, Basketball, Traveling

Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10/2011

Starting Weight: 340

Present Weight: 284

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Changing bad eating habits, and quit drinking cokes.

Following any specific plan: Calorie Reduction and increase exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I can't overlook this problem anymore, it's starting to effect my health.