First name: Scout

Geographical location:Chicago

Age:27

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: --

Occupation: Policy research

Pets: --

Hobbies/Interests: Music (classical, jazz), reading (mystery novels & nonfiction), crossword puzzles

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2/12

Starting Weight: 224

Present Weight:216

Goal Weight:175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Craft beer

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I actually have a plan. And find that, for the most part, I can stick to it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: High-five.
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First name:Kels

Geographical location: USA

Age: 20

Marital Status: i live with my boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: fast food employee

Pets: 5 dogs, 3 cats, and lots of fish (that don't live with us)

Hobbies/Interests:meeting new people, art, music, dance, self improvement

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: green/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: November 2008

Starting Weight: 185-190

Present Weight: 136

Goal Weight:125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food of course! I am an emotional eater. If I'm really happy, I eat. If I'm really sad, I eat. If food is in front of me, I eat.

Following any specific plan: I lost my weight thus far through wii fit and dieting. I recently started a mix of zumba, pilates, running (I get bored easily)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am so close to my dream weight, I can taste it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I would love to help anyone I can. It took a lot of will power to lose my first 50-60 lbs and I know it can be incredibly hard. I'm always willing to share my process through weightloss. I would also love to meet any fellow zumba dancers out there. Good luck to you all in your journeys!

First name: Lauren

Geographical location: Southeast

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Grad student

Pets: Dog

Height: 5'0"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Reddish brown

Present Weight: About 240

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional eating

Following any specific plan: Going to try the Mediterranean Prescription. I have tried Atkins in the past with much success, but find it difficult to maintain. I've done most major diet programs/systems ...

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I really need to lose the weight for my health. I'm still okay right now, but I know I am a ticking time bomb for developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes in the future. I have no kids but I want to lose weight so I can be healthy for future kids. I have a lot of weight loss tools (exercise equipment), so I hope this will help!

First name: Danielle

Geographical location: Oklahoma

Age: 25

Marital Status: In a Relationship but not married

Children/Ages: 1 boy; 2 1/2 years old

Occupation: Medical

Pets: None currently. Love cats but can't on one. Wil probably be getting a snake soon.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, surfing the net, cars, football, music, spending time outside.

Height: 5 foot nothin'

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/ Medium-light brown with some blonde/red highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2010

Starting Weight: 189

Present Weight:169

Goal Weight: 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sweets cravings/lack of accountability

Following any specific plan: 1600 calorie plan, using Alli, exercising daily. Workin out with Jillian Michaels currently.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm serious about it and seeing results.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I can't wait to lose all this weight so I can start taking dance classes!

First name: Lindsay

Geographical location: Massachusetts

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: Tortoise

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating while bored and sticking with a workout regimen.

Following any specific plan: Not a specific plan. More so just eating Smart Ones dinners, 100 calorie packs for snacks, and just better food choices.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've pretty much just had enough...I really want to lose weight and get more self confidence and be more social. I also need to lose weight for my health. There is diabetes in my family, and I have been lucky so far, but I want to try and eliminate the possibility of getting diabetes from being overweight.

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: California

Age: 27

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 3 kids - 10yr., 3yr., 4mo.

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 3 kitties

Height: 5'5" (i'm rounding up!)

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Present Weight: 203

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: EXERCISE!

Following any specific plan: portion control, low cal, low fat, high fiber etc..
Just eating better overall!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I will NOT gain back what i've lost.