First name: Joanna/Jo
Geographical location: Ishikawa prefecture, Japan
Age: 22
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: English teacher
Pets: A hamster, Viking Gladiator Movits McGee
Hobbies/Interests: Languages, computers, reading, stationery
Height: 5'5"
Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Dirty blonde
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 4, 2011
Starting Weight: 96kg
Present Weight: 94.5kg
Goal Weight: 72kg
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love drinking with friends and I'm a big-time boredom eater.
Following any specific plan: The "trying to be more conscious of my choices" plan
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more hopeful and in control.

Looking forward to spending more time around here :D

First name: Jenni

Geographical location: Columbus, OH

Age: 23

Marital Status: Living with boyfriend

Children/Ages: Do cats count :D

Occupation: grad student/buyer

Pets: 2 orange kittens, they're brother and sister Remy and Medli

Hobbies/Interests: knitting, hiking, playing video games, college football and hockey, fashion

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: blue/green blondish

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/1/2011

Starting Weight: 168

Present Weight: 165

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Time, I also get discouraged easily when I don't see results. Recovering from a running injury.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting, exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm finally fed up with half assed attempts at loosing weight

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm a counseling grad student, and I work full time. I'm getting ready to start my internship in May :) I'm excited and very nervous.

Aly's
 

First name: Aly

Geographical location: California

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Media/Marketing

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Travel,baking, beach

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 5th, 2011

Starting Weight: 154

Present Weight: 150

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Skipping fun things like happy hours!

Following any specific plan: Bit of the 5 factor (5 small meals, around 1200 calories a day)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm super motivated and annoyed as I've already lost this weight before, so ready to get back to a smaller size.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name (if you want to tell): Julie

Geographical location: South Dakota

Age: 28

Marital Status: Engaged... for 3 years and counting!!!

Children/Ages: Cole - 8 Carsten - 2 in April


Occupation: Mapping Specialist

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: music, reading, shopping, being outdoors

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 21, 2011

Starting Weight: 162

Present Weight: 162

Goal Weight: 130-135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Overeating and sweets!

Following any specific plan: Watch portions and Exercise!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I plan to stick with it... UGH!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not at this time, but I'm sure I'll think of something soon!!

First name: Kayla
Geographical location: Kansas
Age: 20
Marital Status: Engaged
Children/Ages: None
Occupation: Production/Circulation
Pets: Toy Rat Terrier, 3lbs., 3yrs old. Rat terrier/Pug mix "Puggat" 4 lbs., 8 weeks old.
Hobbies/Interests: Walking, playing with my doggies, running websites.
Height: 5'2"
Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blondish-Brownish-Redish, really depends on the day haha. It changes on it's own.
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 1st, 2010
Starting Weight: 158
Present Weight: ??? - Not sure, need to weigh myself again
Goal Weight: 115
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to my calorie limit
Following any specific plan: 1200 calories per day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm sick of not liking myself.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I used to way 204, I lost 69 lbs. and got down to 135 lbs., in two years I went up to 158 lbs. I plan on losing weight and keeping it off this time.

First name: Erin

Geographical location: Chicago Il

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student/ Full time job - Assistant Manager in a retail store

Pets: 1 Cat - Dexter, 1 Dog - Topaz

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, playing video games, when its warm bike riding or walking.

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, Hair is red ( but it changes a lot)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today would be day 1 so... 1/22/11

Starting Weight: I actually do not own a scale currently - last weigh in I was like 220

Present Weight: I will have to update this when I get a scale

Goal Weight: I want to be 'healthy' for my height - so possibly 160?

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating on a regular schedule. I am the biggest skipper of breakfast. Also, finding exercises I like and can stick with. I joined a gym that is 24 hours - but it is nowhere near my house so I rarely get the mojo to go.

Following any specific plan: I don't have anything in mind yet, I think I will check the forums for one I like that seems to be doing well.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't have anyone to bring me down. When I joined the gym I went with my friend, but her work schedule clashed with mine and she always wanted to ride together. Took way too much organizing to just get to the gym. Now I will try something at home first. Then get back into the gym habit.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I hope to learn all sorts of great things from the rest of you in the future! Good luck! :)

First name (if you want to tell): Jessica

Geographical location: Maryland

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Manager @ a movie theater

Pets: None, though in my house we have 3 snakes, 2 turtles, a ton of fish, and a hedgehog

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, going out with friends

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: blue-green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 01/18/10

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 240

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Actually eating well. I have a crazy work schedule and sometimes I don't eat meals just quick snacks.

Following any specific plan: Not yet. Starting with getting my eating habits right and exercising with a friend

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I never have attempted before, just said I need to. This time though I really want to lose the weight and have started making the changes.

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

First name: Christina
Geographical location: West Texas/Southern New Mexico
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: None
Occupation: Student
Pets: Suki, my black lab/dalmatian mix
Hobbies/Interests: finishing school, baking, cooking, writing, reading
Height: 5'5"
Eye/Hair Color: Brown and brown haha
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: About a year ago, but since I'm trying to start fresh, 1/23/11
Starting Weight: 147
Present Weight: 147
Goal Weight: 120
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Being more active and not eating out of boredom
Following any specific plan: 1200 calories per day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the farthest I've come towards my goal weight and I'm so ready to finally get there

Anything else you would like to share with us: My high weight was 180 in middle school but I found out I had PCOS and my doctors and I started fighting it. I've lost 30 lbs since then and am finally trying to make it to a total of 60 lbs weight loss

First name: Jasmine
Geographical location: Birmingham, Alabama
Age: 21
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: None (lots of siblings though :-D)
Occupation: Student (graphic design)
Pets: None
Hobbies/Interests: Design, cosmetics, social media, fitness
Height: 5'3
Eye/Hair Color: Brown, Black
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1.1.2011
Starting Weight: 314
Present Weight: 306
Goal Weight: 190 (my goal for now)
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating fried foods, drinking sodas, eating one or two BIG meals a day.
Following any specific plan: Sort of counting calories, but I'm mostly working on eating 3 times a day, with two snacks. I am also excersising at least 4x a week.
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't want to spend the rest of my twenties being over weight, and becoming more un-healthy. I've had too many close family members die from health related issues, or become limited because of their weight, and I want to do something about it now while I am still able.

First name: Anya (It's my nickname, actually)

Geographical location: Chicago, IL

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Full-time Student

Pets: Rottweiler (Angel), German Shepherd (Star), Pitbull (Chance), and Chihuaua (Peanut)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading (especially old Brit Lit and Harry Potter), friends, shopping, psychology, and a new one - exercise!

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: September 2010 (when I joined this site)

Starting Weight: 216

Present Weight: 206

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binges, late night eating, and fast food.

Following any specific plan: I eat between 1200-1400 calories per day, I exercise six times a week for at least 20 minutes, and I stop eating at 9 PM to form a habit of not eating a single thing at night, not even fruit!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Vigorous and consistent exercise. I did not make genuine attempts to exercise before. When I did exercise, it was never for more than 10-15 mins a day and it was not consistent. I just didn't know what I was doing.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I used to weigh 170 lbs, but bad college habits caught up with me and, before I knew it, I had gained about 40 lbs in under two years. I was fine at my previous weight (although I did want to lose some), but I hate the way I look in my clothes at over 200 and that is ultimately what motivated me to finally get serious. Seeing my father severely disabled from a stroke last year after years of bad habits, in addition to other health problems in my family, also provided a lot of motivation. Genetics are not on my side, so I need to do everything I can to stay healthy.

First name: Chantelle

Geographical location: Las Vegas, NV

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married to my long-time sweetheart :)

Children/Ages: None yet

Occupation: Secretary ("Administrative Assistant, to be PC...lol)

Pets: 2 cats who know they're cats, 1 cat that thinks she's a dog, and one miniature schnauzer that thinks she's a lazy lump..oh wait, she is!

Hobbies/Interests: Scuba diving (aiming to get certified this year!), hiking, reading (love me some J.D. Robb and James Patterson... and the Twilight & Harry Potter series! Yum), watching crummy chick flicks and - my guilty pleasure - Judge Judy :o

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Dark Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 24 2011

Starting Weight: 238 in Feb '10. Recommitted as of yesterday, 01/25/11, starting at 217.


Present Weight: 215 (love that water weight loss)

Goal Weight: Right now, I'll be over the moon to see onederland...I haven't been below 200 in about 13 years. Ultimate goal is around 150.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: IMPATIENCE and determination. Sometimes after busting your butt in the gym you just want to see your effort reflected on the scale immediately... and when I don't, or see an increase for whatever reason, I give up.

Following any specific plan: Slow/low carb + calorie counting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Trying to take it one step at a time rather than seeing the final goal being the end-all and be-all. Determined to celebrate my NSVs and depend less on the scale as a measure of my success.

Anything else you would like to share with us: My hubby lost 40lb in the time it took me to lose 20..grr! :?: I am looking forward to making this journey at my own pace, and to making as many friends as I can along the way. :)

First name: Melissa

Geographical location: Upstate New York

Age: 28

Marital Status: Was engaged and now recently single.

Children/Ages: None.

Occupation: Therapeutic Recreation Assistant at a nursing home.

Pets: None.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, watching movies, listening to music, exercising, cooking, traveling.

Height: 5'2.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Greenish-hazel/Black (naturally a golden dark brown)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: My teen years lol. It's been a looooong journey.

Starting Weight: 260

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 135-150 range.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Low self-esteem.

Following any specific plan: Not really. I make sure I eat whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and lean proteins every day. I go to the gym 4 or 5 days a week. There's no specific diet plan. I'm just making healthy choices.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I actually believe I can do it this time. I used to get depressed, start binging on food, and give up. I'm going through a really hard time in my life right now and instead of using pizza or french fries to make me feel better, I'm getting healthy. I need to make real changes. Binging on junk food may feel satisfying at the moment you eat it, but afterward I'm just plagued with guilt and negative feelings. I need to feel good about myself and unhealthy habits don't work.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I lost 60 lbs back in 2009 and then slowly gained a lot of the weight back. I'm finally back down to where I was in August 2009. I'm also currently a full-time college student. This summer I'm going to take the New York State Teachers Assistant Certification Exam and I'll graduate in September with an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education. I then plan on applying to colleges in New York City for my Bachelors degree. It'd be a dream come true to live in NYC and I'm determined to give it a real try!

First name: Mercedes

Geographical location: Elmore, Alabama

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None.

Occupation: A tutor to the meanest (and most troubled) 10 year old in the world.

Pets: Two adult cats named Grouchy and Jiji. Three half grown kittens named Meeko, Pink Panther, and Kovu. A crazy little dotson who goes by Princess Pei Pei and Bunny Kruger a Mini Rex rabbit.

Hobbies/Interests: Singing (a long time goal was to sing opera haha), reading (give me my trashy romances, please), video games, writing, gardening, and organizing.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel (sometimes dark brown)/ brown with blonde and red highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: September 30, 2009

Starting Weight: 234

Present Weight: ...218.6 D:

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Overeating, junking, and motivation. Overeating: if it is something I like, say, mac & cheese, I can sit there and eat and eat until I'm sick. If it is cooked I'll eat it, if it's not, I can stop myself from cooking it. I just can't say, "No." when it is cooked. Junking: Sunday my grandmother bought a huge bag of candy and the last 2 days I've pigged out on it- literally. I usually don't have a sweet tooth, but today I've learned my lesson. I feel awful.

Following any specific plan: Um, I have tons of Special K bars, Zone Perfect bars, and Slim-fast shakes/powders. So, I've adopted the 2 meal bar, 1 actual meal plan because this has worked for me in the past. Also, I try (really, I do!) to count my calories.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I only have a short amount of time to lose weight before my 21st birthday hits. When that day hits and I still haven't lost weight, I will not have health insurance. This is why I'm determined to lose the weight so that I can join the Air Force and become a healthier me (and because this -joining the AF- has always been a dream of mine).

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not that I know of. ^^

First name: Natalie

Geographical location: Niagara Falls, Canada

Age: 22

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: Step-daughter : 13 & Step-Son: 18

Occupation: Work in a plus size clothing store

Pets: cat & 2 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, old movies, music, traveling, cruises

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 11, 2011

Starting Weight:215

Present Weight: 210

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: staying committed ; not making excuses

Following any specific plan: counting calories & daily exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: losing weight will help reduce and eliminate my current health problems.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Glad I joined this community!

First name: Tracy

Geographical location:New Brunswick, Canada

Age:28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2 boys ages 2 1/2 and almost 5 months

Occupation: Teacher

Pets:2 cats Lucky and Bud

Hobbies/Interests:With two young boys no time for hobbies.. lol

Height:5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/ light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time around Jan 2, 2011

Starting Weight: 201

Present Weight: 191

Goal Weight:135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting the workouts in an already busy day.

Following any specific plan: P90X and loving it!!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Have to go back to work in September and want to buy new work clothes...

Anything else you would like to share with us: I wish all of you sucess on your weight loss journeys and keep up the good work!!!