First name: Kate

Geographical location: East coast

Age: 19 but will be twenty in about a week and a half.

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: No job at the present time.

Pets: One Chihuahua named Fitz. Four hermit crabs "Dino, Kevin, Housten, and Seymour."

Hobbies/Interests: I love to read. I'm also quite obsessed with the TV show Bonanza. My favorite character is Hoss and my second favorite character is Little Joe.

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color:

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I started in the Spring but stopped working at it. I renewed my journey December 1st.

Starting Weight: 219

Present Weight: 206.8

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Overeating. I want to break the hold that food has on me. I've always LOVED food but I don't want to be a slave to it any longer.

Following any specific plan: No, not really. I've been debating about counting calories. I'm trying to be extremely careful about what I eat and how much. I also dance for exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm commited. Before it was an interest. When the numbers on the scale didn't go my way, I would give up. Now numbers or no numbers, I'm sticking to this!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nah, I think that covered everything.

First name: Theresa, most people just call me T.

Geographical location: Kentucky

Age: 24

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: Son- 3 years old, daughter- 18 months old.

Occupation: Stay at home/work at home mother. I run my own accessory business and take care of my amazing children full time.

Pets: still trying to convince my husband for a kitty. lol

Hobbies/Interests: Hmmm...walking trails, and going fun new places with my family. Music. Expanding my business, lots of fun stuff.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: a bunch of different colors

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July, 23rd 2010

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 198.6

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to my guns when it comes to sweets. Desserts, candy, oh my! My true weakness.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am sticking to it and taking my life back.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have already found a ton of inspiration on this board. You all are amazing.

First name: Clarissa

Geographical location: Albuquerque, NM

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Legal Assistant

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: I mostly just read and play video games. I like to hike, but fell out of doing so after i gained weight. I enjoy swimming a great deal.

Height: 5' 10"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown&Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 12/21/10

Starting Weight: 321

Present Weight: 321

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Inertia. I am the laziest thing that ever lazied about.

Following any specific plan: Burn more calories than take in. No "white" foods.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: the realization that there is never a "perfect" time to lose weight, and that I have all the tools at my disposal to keep myself on an even keel. I have forgiven myself for never being good enough, and i'm ready to LIVE.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not at the moment! I reserve the right to update this at any time. I also always find the people at this board so welcoming and helpful. Thank you!

First name:
Criss. Original, aren't I?

Geographical location:
Louisiana.

Age:

Marital Status:
Single.

Children/Ages:
Not applicable.

Occupation:
I'm a card dealer at a casino, currently. I'll be returning to school as an English major next fall, however.

Pets:
Yes! Three lovely cats: Perrin, Zedd, and Caesar.

Hobbies/Interests:
If it's nerdy, there's a chance I love it. I enjoy reading, writing, art, video games, music (performance, not listening), history, languages, cats, science fiction, and fantasy.

Height:
5'3.

Eye/Hair Color:
Blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. I dye it a rich, deep red, though.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:
June 16, 2010.

Starting Weight:
197 pounds.

Present Weight:

152 pounds.

Goal Weight:
120-135. I'm unsure what weight will look healthy on me, as even 153 is starting to look rather tiny. I'm not sure if I have a larger frame than I knew, or if I'm just blessed with being very curvy and dense, but I think 120 might be too tiny.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:
The biggest hurdle was understanding it, honestly. There is A LOT of misinformation out there, and it's just really intimidating to people who want to lose weight but don't know how. With all these fad diets and diet pills, it's no wonder most of us fail before we ever start.

Following any specific plan:

Not really. I'm restricting my calorie intake based on my weight/height and activity level and eating mostly healthy things. Lately I've gotten complacent and have been eating less healthy things, but my appetite is so much smaller than I'm able to eat the junk in moderation. My rule of thumb is to typically eat only one "bad meal/snack" a day, and to eat a healthy snack a couple of hours beforehand so I'm not liable to overeat because it's tasty.

Beyond that, I eat a lot of whole grains, veggies, fruits, seafood, lean turkey, and chicken. I also drink A LOT of water, and nearly nothing but water.

Activity-wise, I had taken a break from the gym for the last few months, but I'm about to get back into it. I typically did a lot of interval training for my cardio and was just getting into lifting heavy weights before I got lazy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
Because it's not a diet. It's a lifestyle change. I don't "reward" myself for eating healthy, because that just encourages an unhealthy attitude towards food. I've trained my mind to see no food as bad, but to instead learn to balance and moderate my eating habits.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
Nothing, really! I'm so passionate about getting healthy and learning to love my body, and it makes me happy to be in such a positive environment devoted to these things.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

First name: Nic

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 25

Marital Status: Married!

Children/Ages: One daughter-She is almost 3 months.

Occupation: I work for the D.O.T.

Pets: Two cats.

Hobbies/Interests: Time with family, traveling, swimming.

Height: 5'1

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: When I was like 12. This time though was after the birth of my daughter in October.

Starting Weight: 256

Present Weight: 217

Goal Weight: No idea!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Hating exercise and loving sweets.

Following any specific plan: Atkins.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am truly enjoying the foods I am eating!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nah

First name: Danielle

Geographical location: PA

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, tennis, cooking, movies, nature, photography.

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Dec 25, 2010

Starting Weight:185

Present Weight:185

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I enjoy sweet stuff way too much, and I eat when I'm bored.

Following any specific plan: Not yet, mostly eating healthy, portion control, and exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the first time I actually realize that I'm fat. I went to the store to try on clothes and couldn't fit into anything.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I lack motivation! support and kind words from others to keep me going are more than welcome

Hi!!!

I just found this website from my search for Dr. Oz's smoothie recipe. I love that man, lol! I think this forum is a great site and I just may stick around.


First name: Jessyka

Geographical location: Idaho

Age: 22

Marital Status: Living w/ boyfriend ("unofficial" fiancée *he hasn't proposed yet but we know we are going to get married someday)

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Student (studying to become a pharmacy tech)

Pets: 1 Female Beta - Phoebe

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, listening to music, playing games, computers

Height: 5'3"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I haven't started anything yet...I like the South Beach Diet plan but I don't know how to fully incorporate it since I still live at home w/ my folks and my parents insist getting all the bad stuff and the stuff I would need/want is a little more spendy and uneconomical to have separate stuff. If anyone has any ideas for this kind of situation I would love to hear them! I was in the WDW college program last year and before I left for Florida I weighed about 195/8 and when I came back home I was down to 172 (my boyfriend was amazed)...sadly I couldn't maintain that once I lived w/ my folks again (and I don't have a job now - being a costuming hostess is an extremely physical job and there was TONS of walking all day -especially using the tunnels getting from the back of the park to the front, lol) and so I'm back up to 185 and it sadly depresses me. I bought the Tony Little Gazelle earlier this year and haven't used it as much as I should have. I really don't want to gain anymore weight while I'm at my folk's so I'm going to do my best not to inch further up. I've tried eating recipes from the South Beach Diet (mostly just breakfasts and desert) and did that for a couple weeks before I got burnt out on the same things day in and day out. The SBD just makes plain sense to me, I just gotta figure out how to make it work for my situation and I gotta quit making excuses.

Starting Weight: Spring 2009: 195/8 :: Winter 2009,10 : 173 :: Spring/Summer 2010 : 175-180

Present Weight: 185

Goal Weight:My ultimate dream weight would be 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Living at my folk's place, not knowing how to incorporate a "diet" into my lifestyle, not making time to use my Gazelle Freestyle (aka exercise)

Following any specific plan: I would like to follow the SBD...it just makes plain sense to me! It should be called common sense, lol!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I have a forum board to go to for support, and use as a resource

Anything else you would like to share with us:I have been diagnosed (by symptoms) w/ PCOS when I was in high school but I don't believe that since my doctor didn't do any kind of testing to PROVE that I had it...I like anything natural or homeopathic and take a MultiVitamin, Omega 3, Cinammon, and immune booster daily. I've also used My Fitness Pal in the past but I got tired of having to count my calories all the time...it got tiresome and was not something I could continue...I prefer being able to choose better foods instead of counting every little thing...it provides better flexibility and won't drive me crazy, lol

First name: Kat

Geographical location: USA

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single but live with boyfriend

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Barista

Pets: 2 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, crocheting and sewing

Height: 5 even

Eye/Hair Color: Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 2010

Starting Weight: 221

Present Weight: 207

Goal Weight: 150 (hopefully less but I feel 150 is an easier starting goal. I'll reevaluate when 150 gets here)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I LOVE to eat!

Following any specific plan: eating healthier and exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually going to stick to it :-/

Anything else you would like to share with us: I don't want to be the chunky sister anymore....

First name: Brittany

Geographical location: Midwest USA

Age: 20

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: 1 daughter 16 months

Occupation: student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: school and my baby

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color:green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: dec 23rd 2010

Starting Weight: no idea i didnt have a scale but i got one today and I weigh 179

Present Weight: 179

Goal Weight: 145 would make me happy but 135 would be just perfect

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: not sure this is my first week

Following any specific plan: dont eat more than 1550 calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: first try :P

Anything else you would like to share with us: i am already misssing my DR.PEPPER

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: Idaho

Age: 20

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 2 kitties Spazz (4) and Isbe (1)

Occupation: Fast Food Worker

Pets: See Children Above

Hobbies/Interests: My hair, I was an active poster over on the long hair community board but recently had to take time away, I also love books, classical music, tattoos and yoga.

Height: 5'2.5" and yes the .5 counts

Eye/Hair Color: Blackish brownish greenish/ Hair color subject to change without notice.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:12/28/2010

Starting Weight: Around 210. I've avoided weighing myself

Present Weight:Same

Goal Weight: 119-129

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My mindset, usually I think I am going to fail and then obviously I do. But this time is different I know it is.

Following any specific plan: Sensible eating, and lots of different exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: There is someone there to support me. Who will make sure I get my booty to the gym and who wont mind eating healthy food with me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am going to school to be a teacher

First name: Rebecca

Geographical location: Australia

Age: 24

Marital Status: In a relationship (2 years)

Children/Ages: Sebastian 20.5 months, Harley 10 months

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: Kitten - Belvedere (Male)

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family & friends, shopping, internet, movies, exercising

Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue / Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 28th February 2010

Starting Weight: 85kgs

Present Weight: 64kgs

Goal Weight: 55kgs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Having motivation

Following any specific plan: Just eating healthy, exercising

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Im doing it the healthy way

First name: Katherine

Geographical location: NC

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: In need of a new one, I'll leave it at that. Server/Student

Pets: 3 dogs. Though their my parents, as I just moved home.

Hobbies/Interests: Before depression and general insanity took over, running (haha the irony) and hiking were big ones. I'll get back there.
Otherwise, hmmm...reading. A lot.
Just a hodgepodge of things, psychology, neurobiology (or trying to understand it!), philosophy, corner street cafes (lol), vintage, music, etc.


Height: 5'9

Eye/Hair Color: Brown (it was quite red before, so its some odd faded brownish/red)/ green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Birth?! Haha (my mother would always go on about how i was such a big baby. yeah). This is attempt two after an insane, insane, insane rapid weight gain that started...well about a week prior to today last year. Started trying to reign that in last summer. Did well, then took a nosedive and regained over half what i lost (i did NOT see that coming).
So take 2, start date was 12/27/10.

Starting Weight: Well, I didn't weigh in until the 28th, but whatever. 189.2

Present Weight: 186.8

Goal Weight: 126
(for years prior i maintained @115 so even though my current weight is really high, I have a small frame underneath the fat)


Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Compulsive over-eating. So far past the point of fullness, its pain. For years I was actually bulimic (so um i do suppose the maintaining 115 wasn't like my set point, but still...small frame for my height. and well bulimia obviously incorporates bingeing, and mine were pretty extreme. i just never imagined i'd keep them up w/out the um, other factor) and idk...snapped into other extreme. My drinking made my binges even worse. Working on getting/staying sober. So the fact that i swing really wildly to extremes/issues w/alcohol.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting. Everything. I want to increase protein/decrease carbs...but I already cut most bread and most carbs out and my carbs were still 44%. Working on tweaking it, its really early in the game. Focus on lean protein (i only eat dairy and fish) and lots and lots of veggies.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Well, the first big loss I had at 20 spiraled into an eating disorder. Which then turned into my absolute worst nightmare (i still can't understand how i spent the last 6 years destroying myself to keep my weight low/not that its really "about" the weight in of itself...but i never imagined i'd ever allow what happened to happen. its like, unimaginable) and I just, let myself go- and went to the other extreme.
Last summer, I was doing well (i mean rather insane restriction i suppose) but I allowed myself to go right back into it by increasing my drinking/and set myself up for disaster.
This time, I want balance. And I WILL make it happen.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think i shared too much as it is!!

First name: Ashley

Geographical location: DC

Age:22

Marital Status: Married since 2008

Children/Ages:No children yet!

Occupation: I am an education assistant in a special education school

Pets: We have two kitties, Lily and Jasmine.

Hobbies/Interests: Working out of course and doing crafty things, I like to knit and cross stitch.

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 5th 2010, when my husband left for his deployment.

Starting Weight:160

Present Weight:138

Goal Weight:It was 140, so I reached that goal. I want to tone up more though, so I think I will end up closer to 130, but my focus isn't on the weight, it's on toning up my stomach and hips.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food for sure. I can get myself to workout easy, but to eat healthy and overlook those yummy bad foods is hard. I also get hungry fairly often and I have to eat every 4 hours or so or I will feel sick so I have had to really make sure I am eating healthy and have smart snacks. I just love good tasting food so it can be hard to give up things like cheese fries with ranch, but I have managed to do it. lol

Following any specific plan: I just stay under 1500 calories daily and workout 6 days a week. I am now on my last week of P90X and I lost 10 pounds on that and toned up a lot. Before that I was running and will get back into that now that P90X is about to be over.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am settled now. I lost 10 pounds in college in 2009, but then going from college to living at home back to college and then graduating and moving in with my husband all had me put it back on plus some. Now that I have my own home, a steady job and my own kitchen I can focus more on keeping a good schedule and making sure I eat healthy because I don't have to choose from a dining hall or eat what is being made wherever I am.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I wanted to join this site because my husband comes home from a 6 month deployment to Afghanistan next month and I am worried we will fall back into our bad habits of eating out and snacking on less healthy foods and I really need to have an extra push to keep this weight off because I do NOT want to put it back on when I have worked so hard!

First name:jenni

Geographical location:san bernardino, ca

Age:23

Marital Status:in a relationship.... i think i still am

Children/Ages:1

Occupation:dental assistant

Pets:0

Hobbies/Interests:ummm work work

Height:5'5''

Eye/Hair Color:brwn/blk

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:12/31/2010

Starting Weight:191

Present Weight:191

Goal Weight:145ish
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss:eating enough,not starving myself for days then eat a lot when i get a chance. i have a really busy life and i forget to eat sometimes and i guess that makes your metabolism very slow....watever... you would think I'd be smaller considering how little i eat but no ....i think i even may like that starving feeling..you know when your tummy is almost on fire and its turning and burns a little. it makes me feel like im losing weight...lol is that crazy? probably huh oh well but yea i try to be healthy i work out i eat healthy food 90% of the time i do, cuz i aint gonna say i dont like junk food but being on a normal eating schedule that's healthy is hard for me. i need fast convenient on-the-go food.

Following any specific plan:not really

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:i wanna do it for me now not anyone else

Anything else you would like to share with us:
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