First name: Kate

Geographical location: Texas, ma'am.

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No way, Jose!

Occupation: Student

Pets: None but I really want a puppy... haha

Hobbies/Interests: Film, music, theatre, choir, singing, fine arts, reading, writing, dancing, laughing, shopping, cooking, traveling.

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel eyes, brown hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today! 05/25/10

Starting Weight: My highest, 273

Present Weight: 267

Goal Weight: 140 (ish!)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My inability to lose weight despite a restrictive diet and a rigorous exercise program. (Explained in the next couple of questions)

Following any specific plan: Low carb, high protein, because I was recently diagnosed as insulin resistant, and my body does not metabolize carbohydrates (even "healthy" ones that are naturally in, say, fruits) normally. Also taking cinnamon supplement to help in stabilizing my insulin releases and trying to up my cardio to at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I know what's wrong with me!!! And can start to figure out the best diet so that I can start to actually lose weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am really excited to see what happens now that I know how to eat for my body and its problems!! It was so frustrating this last semester to work so hard to maintain an obese body weight. :D Looking forward to meeting more of you delightful 20-Somethings. :)

First name: Rebecca

Geographical location: Georgia

Age: 29

Marital Status: In a Relationship/Living together

Children/Ages: Not unless i can give them back to their parents!

Occupation: Trainer Specialist- Customer Service

Pets: My boyfriend's (and now mine, too i suppose) beagle mutt

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, traveling, cake decorating (i know, terrible for the wasteline!), discovering new places and cultures, playing the violin.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1996, but this time? TODAY 26 May 2010

Starting Weight: 232

Present Weight: 189

Goal Weight: 150, but we'll see when we get there.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Indulging in good food and company, a desk job, and not being active enough.

Following any specific plan: I'm a type 2 diabetic (was diagnosed at 18...), high fiber, good GI scale foods, lots of fresh foods, not a lot of processed foods.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have diabetes and am just continuing the journey to a more healthy self. I didn't gain it all overnight and i'm certainly not going to lose it :) Oh and I wanna make it past the age of 50.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love to travel and do so frequently for work. Oh, and I love food. :) Need accountability so I'm coming back to 3FC after a 6 month break for an international relocation. Moved back to the states from Italy. Am hoping the lack of proximity to pizza and pasta will move things along more quickly!

First name: Arleta

Geographical location: FPO

Age: 27

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: 6,5,2

Occupation: Stay at home mom/doula/student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, baking

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2008 (lost 40 lbs but gained all back) so started all over again May 16

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 218

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: I love food, everything about it I also find myself running to the pantry when I am stressed and my life is pretty stressful with my active duty Marine husband. He does not make loosing weight easy for me. Also we are in the process of moving, I always find it hard to make time for me when we are in this transition phase hotels, traveling, vacation, and getting settled in make fast food all too easy.

Following any specific plan: I am following WW now but after our upcoming move I am considering doing a month or two of medifast after hearing rave reviews from friends.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am sick of being the way I am. I loved running last year and want to run again. I need that (running) to help me work out my stress in a more constructive way. I know this now so I think that will make everything easier.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am a college student and want to be a midwife, and for a career like that I need to be more mobile. I am getting closer to my degree and need to prepare my body for the demands.

First name: Sterling (it's my actual name, promise!)

Geographical location: Spokane, Washington

Age: 21

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: creating jewelry and full time college student

Pets: a black standard poodle 'Freud' & a chihuahua mix 'Annie'

Hobbies/Interests: video games, reading, writing, art, macrame, being nerdy, college, making people laugh!

Height: 5' 9''

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown & dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 5.27.10

Starting Weight: 279

Present Weight: 279

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I let food 'solve' my problems, and obtain an unnerving comfort from it. I also LOVE fast food.

Following any specific plan: moderation, moderation, moderation! water, no fast food, healthier meals, smaller meals, lots of excercise!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I recently went to my doctor and got the ultimatum that if I didn't lose the weight I would have to be on high blood pressure medication. I. Am. Terrified.

Anything else you would like to share with us: looking forward to meeting new people and starting my weight loss journey! :yoga:

First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married 7 years

Children/Ages: girl 6yrs, girl 3yrs, boy 1.5yr

Height: 5'4"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today. Thurs. may 27th

Starting Weight: 139pounds

Present Weight: 139

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: the food. and lately getting out when I have a police officer husband and I have 3 kids with little help.

Following any specific plan: jog daily. or get to the gym if I can find someone to watch my kids for the hour or two.

This is me :D
 

First name:Kristi

Geographical location:VA

Age:22

Marital Status:In a relationship

Children/Ages:Not yet lol

Occupation: Dog Bather

Pets:Pug-Willy, Pug-Charlie, Puggle-Pip, Chinese Crested Powderpuff-Ziggy, Mutt-Abby

Hobbies/Interests:Painting, Photography, Cooking, Reading, India, etc..

Height:5'7.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:Monday, May 23, 2010!

Starting Weight:206.2 lbs

Present Weight:205.4 lbs

Goal Weight:150 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: lack of motivation :^:

Following any specific plan: cutting portions, drinking lots of water, and basically watching what I eat... If I don't see any results, I will switch to calorie counting..

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've met the man of my dreams and will be moving to India in a year or so.. I want to slim down for my 2 weddings (one in US, one in India), for my new hubby, and for myself.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've started a blog about my weight-loss journey and learning about my future home, India. Check it out :) imindia-bound.blogspot.com

First name: Mish

Geographical location: alberta

Age:25

Marital Status: attached

Children/Ages:

Occupation: nail tech

Pets: boston terrier

Hobbies/Interests: nails, hair, loosing weight

Height: five foot five

Eye/Hair Color: grey, blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 29, 2010

Starting Weight: 180.5

Present Weight:180.5

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating properly

Following any specific plan: ideal protein

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: i am doing a gluten free version of this because i have celiac disease should be interesting lol:)

First name: Jaci

Geographical location: Kansas, soon to be Tennessee

Age:23

Marital Status: Married- 1 year in July *Just celebrated our 5 year dating anniversary!!

Children/Ages: No thanks, not for a while, if ever

Occupation: Medical Student

Pets: Cat- Jake, I want a puppy REALLY BAD, but it doesn't really work out with my schedule

Hobbies/Interests: Going to the lake, fishing, movies, shopping, and working out :)

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 1, 2010- Always been a struggle

Starting Weight: Heaviest 230.0, but recently 218
Present Weight: 203.6-- I WANT OUT OF THE 200's!!
Goal Weight: 145 - lightest I have ever been

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating properly, eating out less, previous eating disorder issues-- anorexia and bulemia (that is how I got to 145 :( ) the E.D.'s caused chaos for my metabolism, and sticking with the PLAN!

Following any specific plan: low cal and smart carbs! Simply being aware of what goes into my body!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am sticking with this one. Even if I have a couple bad days, I get back on track!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am about to embark on the journey of becoming a physician, and will find it hard to eat correctly and make time for working out!! :D

First name: Brittany

Geographical location: Eagle Mountain, UT

Age: 26 (what?! I dont know how i got to be this age! I swear i just graduated HS! LOL!)

Marital Status: married 4 years

Children/Ages: daughter age 2 in July

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Pets: a cat and a horse

Hobbies/Interests: i'm rediscovering myself and what I like to do. I have changed a lot in the past few years. Right now I would say playing with my daughter is my favorite thing to do.

Height: 5 whole feet tall!

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 28

Starting Weight: 127

Present Weight: 124

Goal Weight: 115- mostly just want to be FIT!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating clean and getting my butt in gear. I think winter is gonna kill me!

Following any specific plan: I am eating whole foods, doing Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and then starting the couch 2 5k and then going to start running races!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I never have done this before pre-baby (and even while nursing) it was EASY to keep the weight off and eat right. Now I am new to this whole weight LOSS deal....

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am really excited to join this forum. I am hoping to find internet friends, resources and support. Im excited to meet you all and read about your weight loss progress!

First name: Jamie

Geographical location: Maryland

Age: 21

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: fitness industry

Pets: none :(

Hobbies/Interests: dates with the boyfriend, online forums, tabloid mags, reading

Height: 5'5''

Eye/Hair Color: blue/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today, june 2, 2010

Starting Weight: 175

Present Weight: 175

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating when i'm bored, surgery

Following any specific plan: just making lifestyle changes

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: this is the heaviest i have ever been and working in my industry it is important to be healthy and look your best

Anything else you would like to share with us: i can't wait to get to know everyone

First name: Autumn

Geographical location: Savannah, GA

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No thanks

Occupation: Graduate Student by day, Bartender by Night

Pets: Cat (Ophelia)

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Ocean, British History, Baking and Cooking, Modern art, Red wine, Jet-skiing, Pedicures, Musical theatre, Yoga, Religion Spirituality, Tennis.

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: February 2010

Starting Weight: 220 lb

Present Weight: 180.6

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Alcohol and socializing, boredom and munchies, a LOVE for food... LOVE to cook, LOVE to eat, LOVE to watch people cook and eat.

Following any specific plan: Low calorie diet (using Ipod app), moderate exercise, lots of water, mini-meals, "poor-man" nutri-system diet (ie lots of lean cuisine and prepackaged foods)

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: I just want to get to my goal wait and keep it off. I Yoyo so so so so bad. I hope having women out there who share my struggles will help me maintain my determination.

First name: Sarah-Jean

Geographical location: Buckinghamshire, England

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Boy (aged 9), Boy (aged 8 ), Boy (aged 6), Boy (aged 4), Girl (aged 2), Girl (aged 1), Boy (aged 4m)

Occupation: SAHM, Company Director and Birth Doula...

Pets: Three cats - Minski, Cocco and Tat

Hobbies/Interests: Socialising, Medicine, Midwifery, Cooking, Home/Time Management, Facebook, Travel... All sorts really!

Height: 5 foot 6

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel eyes / Auburn hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today! 5th June 2010

Starting Weight: 180lbs

Present Weight: 180lbs :(

Goal Weight: 115lbs (eventually)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating three proper meals a day... I'm prone to skipping meals.

Following any specific plan: Nope, just calorie counting, eating healthy and exercising. If that doesn't work I plan on looking into the various plans!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've never tried dieting before - but I've never been this big before and I'm getting really depressed about it... So it's time to take action!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm currently breastfeeding as well. And unlike many women who seem to lose weight - I pile it on whilst breastfeeding... So this is going to be a bit of a journey!

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: Edmonton, AB, Canada (I'm a Bluenoser though, out here for work!! lol)

Age: 23

Marital Status: Cohabiting (no ring yet ;) haha)

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Grad student

Pets: none... yet

Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, music, art, outdoor activities, boxing

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: greenish hazel/light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 11 ish (I forget), 2010

Starting Weight: 159.6 at first "official" weigh-in

Present Weight: 146.4 yesterday

Goal Weight: 125-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Every time I lose weight, I get complacent midway through, start to become lazy about food, and gain it all back.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories on LoseIt! for iPod touch and exercising

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I joined a boot-camp style workout group - 2x week minimum workouts, and I'm paying for it so I don't want it to go to waste!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have a real love-hate relationship with chocolate. Whenever I'm home alone for an evening or afternoon I end up bingeing and though I feel awful about it, I just can't seem to help myself! I really want this to be the last time I lose the weight though (future pregnancies aside, of course... someday!)

New noob here..
 

First name: Mel

Geographical location: Southwestern U.S.

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single and Looking :D

Children/Ages: None, but someday

Pets: 1 crazy cat

Height: 5'2

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Official Date: 6/10/2010, but have lost 20 lbs by just eating healthy over the last year

Starting Weight: I think 170ish

Present Weight: 151

Goal Weight: about 125ish...

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to an exercise routine

Following any specific plan: Just eat healthy..no processed foods or fast food, limit carbs and sugar

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am much more serious about this effort. I have learned a lot about nutrition and am making this my new lifestyle.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just really happy to have joined this commmunity

Hi!
 

First name: Natalie

Geographical location: Portland, Maine (home) & Burlington, Vermont (school)

Age: 19--I'll be 20 next Saturday!

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None right now...someday!

Occupation: Full time elementary ed student, part time slave at Staples (for the summer)

Pets: Two cats and a new puppy at home; I'll be adopting a cat later this summer to live with me at school :D

Hobbies/Interests: Music, art, reading, writing, foreign language, history, cooking

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Reddish-Brown (?)

Starting Date of weight loss Journey: May 17, 2010

Starting Weight: 323lbs

Present Weight: 311lbs

Goal Weight: 145lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Portion sizes! And all the junk food that I "love"...trying to cut back on that.

Following any specific plan: I'm doing the 10-week trial with Jenny Craig, (to get me started!) and when that's up I'll probably just be counting calories.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past?: I actually feel "ready" this time. I've struggled with depression since I was 9, and developed a binge eating disorder which only got worse as time went on. The last time I was somewhat comfortable and happy with my weight was about six years ago when I started high school--I was 200-210lbs, and even though I was still overweight, I felt healthy. I gained a lot in high school, then lost some when I went to college; in fall 2008 I was down to around 265, but this year I've gone way up to the heaviest I've ever been at 323 pounds. Since I started Jenny Craig almost a month ago, I've lost 12 pounds (probably close to 15 by now) which I think is a great start and I'm definitely more determined than ever to be happy with myself. I want to enjoy my 20s (and the rest of my life) being healthy and loving my body! :)

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hmm...guess not. :3