First name: Rachael

Geographical location: Sunny Southern California

Age: 19

Marital Status: single

Occupation: Student

Height: Just 5 feet

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 21, 2009

Starting Weight: 182

Present Weight: 182

Goal Weight:110

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: everything... sticking with it

Following any specific plan:

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: support... lots... more of a real goal

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: Southern California/Maine

Age:22

Marital Status:Single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Cosmetologist

Pets: a 21llbs cat named Elvis, and an akita named Trinity

Hobbies/Interests:Singing, music, fun, etc

Height:5'5

Eye/Hair Color:green eyes/brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:June 1st 2009

Starting Weight:201.4

Present Weight:197.6

Goal Weight:130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:
-Family history of obesity and thyriod problems

Following any specific plan:
-cut my calorie intake down to 900-1200 a day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
-I got on the scale for the first time in over a year and was heavier then 200lbs, and it scared me. I can not be this heavy, I refuse to be this heavy, and I will not give up until I am healthy. My aunt is heavy and it scares me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I track my activity and calorie intake on a program called Diet Analysis plus. It is amazing. I am open to any ideas, or chatting with anyone about goals. I have a very positive out look on weight loss. When I put my mind to something, I accomplish it. I am looking forward to the support and information this site has.

First name: Suzanne.

Geographical location: The Netherlands.

Age: 16. Yeah, I know I'm not a twenty-something, but I like this place and it's the only support group that sort of fits.

Marital Status: Have sadly enough never dated.

Children/Ages: None.

Occupation: Student... And I work Saturdays at a greengrocer's.

Pets: None. I used to have two guinea pigs but I got allergic so they had to go.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, drawing, writing, art, history, theatre, cooking, travelling, travelling, travelling!

Height: 5'10.

Eye/Hair Color: Green, dirty blonde.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Monday, June 22nd.

Starting Weight: 182 lbs.

Present Weight: 182 lbs.

Goal Weight: 146 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binging. I binge a lot. Exercise isn't a problem for me, nor is dieting, really, but the problem is that once I have one cookie or something I just can't stop and I eat until my stomach aches.

Following any specific plan: Nope, just counting those calories and exercising my but off.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm serious now. I really want this. I can see myself in all these cute dresses and skirts and revealing tops and not being ashamed of my blubber and looking great but most of all also feeling great about myself and knowing that I worked hard and acchieved a goal and am fabulous. I can see it, and I so desperately want to get to that place. I really believe I can. I really do.

I will.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hmm... Well, just that I'm hoping to find the support I need here and that the Goal Photo Album is such an amazing inspiration, especially h0cusp0cus' story. Wow! I can't wait until I can create a thread there myself and show you guys what I've accomplished.

First name: Angie

Geographical location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Age: 25

Marital Status: In a Relationship

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Unemployed

Pets: 0

Hobbies/Interests: Films. Cinema. Reading. Socialising.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark Brown. Blonde (dyed, not natural)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 22nd June 09

Starting Weight: About 12 stone I think. Don't own scales!

Present Weight: See above!

Goal Weight: Just want to be trim.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Laziness and willpower.

Following any specific plan: No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Making me feel really down, want to be happy!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Don't think so!

Hey, I'm new here, so I figured I'd introduce myself first before anything.


First name: Whitney

Geographical location: The middle of the U.S.

Age: 22

Marital Status: live with boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Marketing/PR at Financial Institution

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: reading, painting, writing, going to coffee shops, supporting local music, dinner parties, refinishing old/unique/interesting furniture.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Grey/usually varies between light blonde and dark brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: since i was 6. even though i was underweight for my age, i've always felt ten times bigger than I am.

Starting Weight: 215 (that was my heaviest, 14 months ago)

Present Weight: 198

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i like food, and i have specific cravings when i'm hungry, and i am almost ALWAYS hungry

Following any specific plan: no, just trying to make better eating decisions, and work out more and be more active.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i've been so depressed about my weight that i've become over anxious and never want to go out for ANYTHING because i don't want people to see me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: i need constant motivation. and i need constant accountability. if anyone knows how i can do that, please let me know!

welcome newbies! so glad to see you all here and good luck on your journeys! i know you'll be successful with all the support here.
just one thing, slyman, i am wondering if you have consulted with a nutritionist or physician about your weight goals and the plan you're following. i know that everybody's bodies are different and therefore the process is different, but just off the top of my head, 900-1200 calories per day seems really low to me as a jumping off point.

First name: Janice

Geographical location: Denver

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages:3 yr old boy

Occupation:Student/TSR

Pets:1 cat, 2 weiner dogs!

Hobbies/Interests:art, writing, scrapbooking, shopping

Height:5'6"

Eye/Hair Color:brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:officially a few days ago

Starting Weight: 314

Present Weight: 310

Goal Weight: 145-ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:midnight binges, sweets, overcoming this giant cooking learning curve

Following any specific plan: just counting calories, exercise with the dogs & my son. thinking about joining WW.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: To be honest, I've never had the guts to try before.

Anything else you would like to share with us: If anyone enjoys getting email/snailmail, I'd love to have a weight loss pen pal.

All about me...

First name: Nicole

Geographical location: Dallas

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Financial Planner

Pets: Dog and Cat

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping,

Height: 5-6

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Yesterday...June 24th

Starting Weight: 184

Present Weight: 184

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating with my husband and bread and pasta

Following any specific plan: Watching calories and carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't feel like myself anymore

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am really excited to have found this site and think this will the be the time I can make a difference in my own life.

First name: Mar

Geographical location: Maine

Age: 25

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages:n/a

Occupation: Banking

Pets: 2 Cats, 1 Rabbit

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Dark Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 06/24/2009

Starting Weight: 225

Present Weight: 222

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Stress

Following any specific plan: Counting Calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm not going to let myself get discouraged.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Lani

Geographical location: Boston

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Not yet.

Occupation: Office drone, writing tutor, daydreamer, looking for better.

Pets: None (yet).

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, reading, photography, baking, interior design.

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown in both cases.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: My whole life...officially, 6-26-09

Starting Weight: 270

Present Weight: 270

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Fear, shame, stress, laziness. I also bake when I'm stressed or happy...danger, Will Robinson.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and my 30-Day Shred DVD is on its way...

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm a little older now, I live in a very walkable city, and more than feeling embarrassed about the way I look, I'm ashamed. I feel almost guilty and really need to do something about this. I admit, I'm terrified to fail again, or simply to let it go again, but I need help to really do it this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm new in town and lacking in support, so I'd love a few supportive buddies.

First name: Tara

Geographical location: West Virginia, US

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Tristan, boy, 4, Aurora, girl, 16 months

Occupation: housewife

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: History, Video games/computer games, knitting, law, religion, scrapbooking, all sorts of stuff

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 26, 2009

Starting Weight: 280

Present Weight:280

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: sabatoge, not only by myself but my husband's enabiling me to induldge in foods I shouldn't be indudging in.

Following any specific plan: no

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am recruiting help and support. I signed up for a program from my husband's work which offers a year long assistant via phone to help you make gradual changes to your life style and I found thissite

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited to be here.

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: New York

Age: 27

Marital Status: Divorced/ In a relationship

Children/Ages: No children

Occupation: Learning Specialist/Supervisor in Customer Service

Pets: 2 cats...Mojo and Dusty

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Autocross, Jogging, Walking, Wii Fit, Facebook

Height: 5;6"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Light Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 2000

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 187

Goal Weight:160-165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Portion Control...safe weight loss habits

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am more focused, motivated, and have a lot more support.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have had a 9 year addiction to diet pills. I have been "clean" since April of 2008. (This is why one of my biggest hurdles to overcome is safe weight loss habits)

First name: Anna

Geographical location: Southern Indiana

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: No kiddos

Occupation: Music Teacher (well, I just graduated. Actually looking for a job.)

Pets: 2 handsome kitties (Howie and Chief) and 2 guinea pigs (Edith and Edna)

Hobbies/Interests: Music, music, music! I also really enjoy reading and animals. I like outdoorsey things like hiking, riding horses, camping, swimming, etc.

Height: 4'11. I know. I'm a giant.

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 15, 2009

Starting Weight: 240 (!!!)

Present Weight: I'm not really sure. I don't have a scale. On purpose.

Goal Weight: 130-140ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I've been big my entire life. Everyone in my family is big and many of my friends are big. It makes living a healthy lifestyle even more difficult.

Following any specific plan: Excerise: on day 2 of the 30 Day Shred (umm... ouch!), 30-40 mins. of DDR (6 days a week), swimming laps occasionally. Diet: Trying to keep it in the 1300-1400 range

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm honestly just terrified. This isn't as much of an effort to look good as it is an effort to simply get healthy. I stepped on my parent's scale and saw what I weighed and instantly visualized myself dropping dead from a heart attack. I will be healthy.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Thanks for all the encouragement and support! This website is amazing. I really enjoy seeing everyone's progress. I'm extremely open to conversations and meeting new people who are experiencing the same things I am.

First name: Bridget

Geographical location: Arkansas

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single, but I have a boyfriend

Children/Ages: None yet!

Occupation: Librarian assistant

Pets: one doggie, Belle

Hobbies/Interests: reading, watching movies, softball

Height: 5ft. 5in.

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes/brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 2009

Starting Weight: 232

Present Weight: 227

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Resisting cravings and knowing when to put the fork down.

Following any specific plan: I'm sort of following weight watchers.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Well, I lost weight once in the past, but then I gained it back and more. So, who knows.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I do not believe in diets, I believe in life style changes.