First name: Barbara

Geographical location: Charleston, SC

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married to the MOST amazing and supportive husband!

Children/Ages: No kids

Occupation: Technical writer at a software company

Pets: 2 cats - Annie and Lily

Hobbies/Interests: Sewing and being crafty

Height: 5'6''

Eye/Hair Color: Dark blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/21/2010

Starting Weight: 180

Present Weight: 174.5

Goal Weight: 140 (then I'll reevaluate and see if I want to lose any more)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Cravings for sweets and eating at restaurants.

Following any specific plan: No specific diet plan. Just trying to stay with very natural whole foods.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm not on a specific diet, so I don't feel like foods are "off limits." I'm just trying to make smart decisions about what goes in my body one day at a time. Previously, I would lose weight while on a "diet" but gain it back as soon as I stopped because my lifestyle hadn't changed. I'm also blogging about my weight-loss journey this time, and I've never done that before.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am involved in a "Biggest Loser" type challenge at work that is helping me to stay motivated.

First name: Danielle

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 23

Marital Status: Divorced.

Children/Ages: Kade is 5.

Occupation: Unemployed.

Pets: Rafiki is a 6-year-old pug & Lestat is a 2-year-old corn snake

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Eyes blue, hair red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: No idea anymore! 2 years ago.

Starting Weight: 180

Present Weight: 165

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Procrastination.

Following any specific plan: No.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm more motivated & have more time on my hands since losing my job 2 months ago.

First name: Jessie

Geographical location: Washington State

Age: 26

Marital Status: In a relationship!

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Administrative Assistant / Freelance Makeup Artist

Pets: Three cats and a dog (who lives with my boyfriend in CA)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Walking, Movies

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Hazel eyes // Brown/Blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4 years ago

Starting Weight: 600

Present Weight: 304

Goal Weight: 250 (and I'll go from there)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Bad eating habits, I backslid BAD.

Following any specific plan: WLS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Motivation. I want to fit into smaller clothes and get down to my goal SIZE, not my goal weight. And I have people who support and love me. My boyfriend is AMAZING.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think this site is a godsend, and I'm very fortunate to find it when I did. I hope to make some friends while here!

First name: Holly

Geographical location: British Columbia, Canada

Age:23 (1986)

Marital Status:single

Children/Ages:0

Occupation: Dietary Aid (good luck not eating the left over desserts, lol)

Pets: cats and dogs

Hobbies/Interests: movies, reading, walking, nature (wait to go on a trail ride), and travel

Height:5'8ish

Eye/Hair Color:blue/red-brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: ever since childhood

Starting Weight:215 (a starting weight from the last 4 years or so)

Present Weight: 202

Goal Weight:160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: staying on the diet (no binge eating) and excerising every day

Following any specific plan: low carbing (although i may still friet even though they are high on the carb count.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i will a great support group (this site and all of you) - has i have always been alone before

Anything else you would like to share with us - its great to be here and the success stories are SO inspirational

First name (if you want to tell): Alex

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age: 24

Marital Status: Married 1 Year

Children/Ages: Does my golden retriever Butters count?

Occupation: Small biz owner

Pets: Butters

Hobbies/Interests: I love TV and movies, especially comedies. I also like trying to be crafty

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/light Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I haven't started yet... so tommrow maybe?

Starting Weight: 195

Present Weight: 195

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am awful at forming good habits and I don't have a lot of money to buy healthy foods

Following any specific plan: Not sure yet - reading here for inspiration!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I need to do something that I can stick with rather than a fad. I also really need to incorporate physical activity. As a business owner of a bridal shop, I feel like I should "put my best face forward" as they say, which means I need to slim down so I feel confident. Also, I plan to start having kids in 3 years and I want to have good habits instilled by then!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love this forum - I have never seen an online community that is so supportive and kind to each other. It annoys me when it seems like people are just there to fire other people up - I didn't see that here at all! You all are so impressive and I have mountains of respect and admiration for your determination and great 'tudes!

First name: Sheree

Geographical location: Mooresville, NC

Age: 29 (almost 30something haha)

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: fiance's kids emily-11, lily-4

Occupation: Hair Stylist

Pets: 1 dog -her name is biscuit, 2 cats -named potter and weasley

Hobbies/Interests: music, concerts, reading, yard work

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/ Chocolate Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 2010

Starting Weight: 252

Present Weight:247

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: to stop eating like crap

Following any specific plan: watching my carb intake and getting enough calories.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: im ready for a change. im tired of being overweight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: i love this place. lol

First name: Nicole

Geographical location: NEPA, Pennslyvania

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Pets: 2 cats, Kitty and Tigger

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, crocheting, walking

Height:5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Green/ Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 30, 2010

Starting Weight: 248.5

Present Weight: 243.0 ( as of this morning)

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I always started off committed and stick to it till I get to about 200lbs then I get lax about following the diet/exercises every day. And no support from family.

Following any specific plan: Count calories, monitor my fat, carbs, and sugar intake, and make sure I get my minimum protein.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I'm doing it for MYSELF. I want to change.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm really nervous about failing.

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: Kentucky

Age: 26

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: none yet - hopefully in a few years

Occupation: early childhood developmental therapist

Pets: nope

Hobbies/Interests: reading, baking, socializing, hiking, traveling, concerts

Height: 5 ft. 3 inches

Eye/Hair Color: eyes: brown, hair: black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 04/12/10

Starting Weight: 192

Present Weight: 187

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: getting frustrated, giving up

Following any specific plan: calorie counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time, I'm commited to a whole lifestyle change and I'm doing it for me!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm really hoping this time I'm able to get to goal and maintain a real lifestyle change.

First name: Shari

Geographical location: TX

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None...in the future though

Occupation: Student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: having fun, being with family and friends, talking on the phone, being on the computer

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Tuesday, May 4th 2010

Starting Weight: 212

Present Weight: 208

Goal Weight: 135-145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: self control over certain foods

Following any specific plan: a little of weight watchers, a little of carb counting....doing a little of everything....trying to do my own thing

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is my heaviest and I do not want to see it again

Anything else you would like to share with us: You guys give me inspiration

First name: Priscilla

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 26

Marital Status: Engaged - the wedding is in September!

Children/Ages: Nope.

Occupation: Manager/Presenter

Pets: Bear, a 100 pound white Chowador (Chow/Lab mix)

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Eyes brown, hair brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2009

Starting Weight: 185

Present Weight: 156

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Moving home with my parents, where I lose some control over my diet. That and a fondness for beer and wine.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting. And C25k, if that counts.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The wedding dress puts some serious motivation on! That and some medical issues have made me quit smoking this year and be serious about my weight loss if I plan to have kids in a few years, which I do.

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: Washington

Age: 21

Marital Status: Not married, but with a very nice man.

Children/Ages: No children ever ever.

Occupation: Student.

Pets: I can't even keep a plant alive, much less a pet.

Hobbies/Interests: Working out, collecting records, video games, movie marathons and knitting.

Height: 5"5

Eye/Hair Color: Blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 5/1/10

Starting Weight: 155

Present Weight: 149.6

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm a binge-eater. Always have been. Also, inherently lazy.

Following any specific plan: 1200-1300 calories/day, food log w/ calorie counting, cardio 5-6 times a week, and strength training 2-3 times a week. Also, trying to lay off the booze and "other" stuff.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm going to take what I've been learning and apply it even when I'm to my goal weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I like to find support here because my partner isn't very encouraging and actually does not like the idea of me losing weight. So everything I take away from reading this forum helps a lot more than people might think.

hey guys i decided to join u after many attempts (to lose weight) and failures. things can be much easier with moivation
my goal is to lose 12.5 pounds before i go home in mid july
things to do: dieting aiming at 900 kcal a day (500 less than my bmr)
aerobics on weekends
setbacks: food cravings especially at nite

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: Flagstaff

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Nope!

Occupation: Student & fine dining server

Pets: Cat and a fish

Hobbies/Interests: I really enjoy working out, swimming, and traveling!

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: On and off for years...

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 235

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Self-esteem

Following any specific plan: Exercise 5 days/week and no fast food or sweets

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I lost 60 lbs about 2 years ago, and never imagined that I would gain it back. Well, I did and I haven't forgiven myself for it. I need to do this for my health. I'm 25, and I get severe chest pains. I'm depressed, which I think is mostly due to my weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Believe it or not, I do have a BS in Exercise Science. The one thing that I EVERY professor said: Weight loss can only be obtained by calories out equally more than calories in. That's the magical formula. However, through my own experiences, I have learned that each person needs an individual plan in order to make that happen. Whether it's pilates, a vegetarian diet, or cutting out sugar, you need to figure out how you can and WILL consume less calories than you burn.

First name: Gretel

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Engineer

Pets: 5-year old German Shepherd (Darla), 15-year old cat (Salem), ~8-year old cat (Moody), and a 6-year old guinea pig

Hobbies/Interests: Being a homeowner, bicycling, travel, gardening

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Since high school, but actively taking control since the summer of 2009

Starting Weight: 215 (highest was 225-230)

Present Weight: 202

Goal Weight: ~140 or whatever feels right

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Having a skinny husband who can eat anything and not gain, plateaus after every pound, and if I cut back calories, I lack energy to exercise - it's a cycle that leaves me not wanting to eat well or move much.

Following any specific plan: Right now, just sensible eating close to Adam's Diet from the jpfitness forums with NROL4W and lots of biking.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm starting to have health issues that can be alleviated with weight loss. Also, I'm planning for children in the next couple of years and taking the weight off now would be best for everyone.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Frankly, I don't care how I look anymore. I just want to keep the weight off for good / or be fit enough to do all the things I won't do now.

First name: Toby

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Attorney

Pets: Domestic Shorthair (Parsifal, 2 years)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Gaming

Height: 6'

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: On and off for a couple years

Starting Weight: 300 lbs

Present Weight: 298 lbs

Goal Weight: 240 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Having a spouse that can eat anything they want and not gain an ounce, sedentary job.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories and limiting portion size

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Getting more support, having a friend who lost 70 lbs in the past year that I've always been smaller than.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm a dude, so I know some of my requirements/plans need to be adjusted accordingly.