First name:Crystal

Geographical location:Seattle, WA

Age:26

Marital Status:Boyfriend

Children/Ages:Nope

Occupation:Student/Teller

Pets:2 Dachshunds

Hobbies/Interests:Music, TV, playing with my doggies, non-stop homework

Height:5'7"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown/Varies (right now dk brown w/blonde highlights)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:1/24/11

Starting Weight:300

Present Weight:297

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Eating less

Following any specific plan:Just trying to eat a little healthier for now, and working out as often as possible.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I won't let myself starve on a "diet" so that I just quit in a few days.

Anything else you would like to share with us:Applying to graduate school right now, wish me luck!

First name: Charlotte

Geographical location: CA, USA

Age: So I'm not technically a 20-something, but I'm close.... 18

Marital Status: Single.

Children/Ages: None....but I have three nephews (13, 8, and 7 who I love!)

Occupation: Receptionist

Pets: 1 dog, Joe.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, being involved at church, focusing on school, ZUMBA!

Height: 5'6.5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue-gray/ brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I've tried for a while, but I've always yo-yoed. I became serious January of 2011.

Starting Weight: 167

Present Weight: 163

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Overcoming my sugar cravings!

Following any specific plan: Zumba, Turbo Fire, Turbo Jam, and some INSANITY

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm tired of being overweight. I want to be healthier, not only on the outside, but on the inside. I've been depressed by my weight and because I have the ability to change it, I won't let it control how I feel any longer.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm praying for all of you on your weightloss/health journey's and appreciate the encouraging words you all bring to this forums! <3

First Name: Vanessa, but I go by Vanny

Geographical Location: Texas

Age: 21

Material Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Cosmetologist

Pets: 1 dog toy poodle she's 14yo

Hobbies/Intrests: Art painting, sculpting, drawing, playing guitar, reading, makeup and hair, watching movies...

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair color: light brown/right now dark brownish red but always changing

Start date of weightloss journey: 1/1/11

Starting Weight: 237

Present Weight:229

Goal weight: 150-140

Biggest hurdle in weightloss: Life, those situations where its so easy to fall off the wagon parties, getting sick, alcohol...

Opps I forgot a few

Folowwing any specific plan: counting calories, excerise is walking jogging the wii

What's diffrent this time. Its a lifestyle change this time, even when I mess up the next day I go back to counting.

First name: Michelle (or Michi)

Geographical location: Rhode Island

Age: 21

Marital Status: Boyfriend

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student - Accounting major

Pets: 3 cats all back at home

Hobbies/Interests: Hello Kitty, Cooking, Student Government, Reading, French Language

Height: 5' 3"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, Dark Blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 5th, easing in; January 16th, official start of calorie counting

Starting Weight: 255+ (guesstimate; was 253 in June 2010, probably gained past it though)

Present Weight: 249

Goal Weight: Ultimately, a size 14 which for me would be around 160 - 165 I think

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love food, especially fast food, restaurant food, and comfort food (Mac and Cheese is my #1). I hate exercising too.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting (1,800 a day to start, will adjust as I lose)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually counting calories and focusing on staying full as long as possible by drinking tons of water. I was inspired by a friend who recently lost 90+ pounds, too.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm happy to start my journey and already excited to see I've lost some weight! It's been much easier than I thought it would be so far, and I found out that 1,800 calories a day leaves a lot of room for yummy foods. Thanks for reading

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: Currently Ontario, but soon to be South Korea

Age: 25

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: unemployed, but soon to be an ESL teacher

Pets: 1 Pug, Winston

Hobbies/Interests: travelling, reading, hockey

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan. 1, 2011

Starting Weight: 207

Present Weight: 199

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: emotional eating/eating when bored

Following any specific plan: 1500 calories a day and exercising 4x a week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm hoping this time it'll work and I'll stick to it!

First name: Sarah

Geographical location: St. Paul, MN

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Full-time student, Part-time Nanny

Pets: One cat (her name is Friend)

Hobbies/Interests: Surfing the internet, listening to music, hanging out with friends, the standard 20-year-old interests...

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This one? Or the last 2894893821 journeys? The start date of this one was January 3rd. And hopefully this will be my last "start date".

Starting Weight: 223

Present Weight: 208.6 - oh yeah, .6, baby. I'm gettin' real accurate!

Goal Weight: 135 =

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Realizing it's not just about how I look but also how I feel.

Following any specific plan: Calorie Count / BodyBugg / Cardio fitness / Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My boyfriend is doing it along with me. Having his support in this has helped me get 100% serious about it. Having a partner to talk about fears surrounding weight and looks really helps. He's a huge help to me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I never stick with forums very long... HOPEFULLY (I'm not making any promises) I will be able to stick around here.

First name: Amber

Geographical location: Upstate NY

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married 3 1/2 yrs to Eric

Children/Ages: Adam - 2; baby #2 due in April

Occupation: SAHM, church organist/pianist/choir director, Pampered Chef consultant

Pets: Trixie - my in-laws are going to be taking her soon

Hobbies/Interests: playing piano, Pilates, reading

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: eyes - bluegreen; hair - dark blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: My weightloss journey is going to (re)begin after baby is born

Starting Weight: I was 200 before I got preg

Present Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 150-160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have a horrible sweet tooth - I love ice cream, chocolate, cookies, etc...

Following any specific plan: nothing right now, just trying to eat healthy and exercise daily

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: not sure yet.... I will let you know!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love trying out new recipes and new exercises.

First name: Erica

Geographical location: memphis

Age: 27

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: nope.

Occupation: trucker

Pets: no

Hobbies/Interests: scooting, painting, jewelry making, crocheting, beer

Height: 5' 3"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/red,blonde,purple

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I guess today.

Starting Weight: 181

Present Weight: 181

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: fried chicken.

Following any specific plan: pay attention!!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm getting older, and I know it's just going to get more difficult if I don't do this now.

Anything else you would like to share with us: not that I can really think of right now. I'm just glad to be here.

First name: Emily

Geographical location: Durham, NC

Age: 25

Marital Status: newlywed

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: PhD student in engineering

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: cooking, reading, tennis, sustainability

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dirty blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/12/2010

Starting Weight: 172.6 lbs

Present Weight: 157.8 lbs

Goal Weight: 125 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: making the time to work out and not listening to my excuses

Following any specific plan: when I first started I was just calorie-counting but for the past month I've been doing the Belly Fat Cure and I really like it!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I found out that I have a very high genetic predisposition for Type II Diabetes - which obviously I have no control over - so I am motivated to work on what I CAN control i.e. my weight and hopefully amount of visceral fat. I super do not want to develop diabetes (or even prediabetes or gestational diabetes).

Anything else you would like to share with us: Thanks for your expertise and support!

First name: Desiree

Geographical location: Las Vegas

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: not yet

Occupation: Hotel Front Desk Agent

Pets: 3 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: anything w/ family

Height: 4'11

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: around aug 2010

Starting Weight: 298

Present Weight: 265.2

Goal Weight: 199 this is my first big goal getting under 200

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Actually Sticking to a Diet and Exercising

Following any specific plan: A Low Fat, Low Cal diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am finally ready and finally have the motivation to become healthy im tired of being TIRED!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not really just that i am happy i found this place and I cant wait to share my weight loss jorney with you all!!

First name: Andrea

Geographical location: New Brunswick, Canada

Age: 29 ( almost 30 something!)

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: One daughter 5 years old

Occupation: Receiving manger

Pets: 1 shih tzu Cleo

Hobbies/Interests: Camping, knitting, skating.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Started January 7th 2011

Starting Weight: 236

Present Weight: 213

Goal Weight: 165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Seeing my husband eat eveything he wants without gaining an ounce!

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and drinking lots of water!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was so depressed and physically exhausted that I thought something was really wrong. I thought I was severly depressed and would have to back on an anti depressant after working so hard to get off them. After just one week eating healthy I felt sooo much better. No longer exhausted all the time, I had lots of energy and felt like a huge cloud had been lifted off my shoulders! Everytime I think I wants some chips I tell myself that if I eat these chips I will be back on anti depressants. Thats enough motivation for me!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I also have psoriasis and I think that for a long time I didn't care about losing the weight due to the condition my skin was in. So while I am battling my weigh I am also trying to battle psoriasis!

First name: Danielle

Geographical location: Danville, VA

Age:24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Education & Guest Services Specialist/Librarian

Pets: not into animals

Hobbies/Interests:reading, hanging with friends, traveling

Height:5'8

Eye/Hair Color: brown/ brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Week of Thanksgiving 2010

Starting Weight: 293

Present Weight: 270

Goal Weight:193

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Learning how to be patient. It's going to take A LOT of work getting this weight off

Following any specific plan: calorie couting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm just more determined. Before I tried to lose weight because things didnt work out with a guy. Now im doing it for ME!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am NOT a patient person, and this journey really is testing my patience! I gotta stay strong and keep my eyes on the prize!

First name: Crystal

Geographical location: Seattle, WA

Age: 20

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: nope

Occupation: Hostess

Pets: cocatiel -kakashi, guinea pig -sammy, cat -zaz

Hobbies/Interests: cooking, video games, art, crafts, anime, crochet

Height: 5 foot 3 inches

Eye/Hair Color: green eyes, light brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: February 4th, 2011

Starting Weight: 190

Present Weight: 187

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: snacking and eating too often. i love food and i think about it to often. i snack everytime i stress or i am bored as well.

Following any specific plan: calorie counting, 1500 a day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I really want to lose weight before my wedding, which is in about a year. Keeping a blog to stay on track will help.

Anything else you would like to share with us: this is awesome! Hello everyone!