First name: Kimmie

Geographical location: NJ

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Nicky - 3 & Matty - almost 2

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 2 Dachshunds

Hobbies/Interests: My family, MMA, Kickboxing Scrapbooking, Reading

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Recommitting starting tomorrow 2/11

Starting Weight: 153

Present Weight: 153

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Myself

Following any specific plan: 6 Week Body Makeover (Modified due to excessive exercising...)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I need to make weight if I want to compete again...

First name: Casey

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No kids!

Pets: 2 sweet dogs

Hobbies/Interests: I don't have too many hobbies, but I enjoy reading and hanging out with friends.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Blonde/Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2/8/10

Starting Weight: 263 (Last year at this time I weighed 285, I somehow lost 20 pounds in the last year without trying)

Present Weight: 255

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Alcohol! A lot of the time spent with my friends is at bars.

Following any specific plan: Just counting calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a very supportive coworker (which is a HUGE help), I have a few trips coming up that I'd like to look nice for, and I'm just really excited and motivated this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been reading this forum for a while and am happy to now participate!

First name: Jenny

Geographical location: PEI, Canada

Age: 23

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Educational Assistant/Special Needs ***/Human Service Worker

Pets: NA

Hobbies/Interests: friends, music, movies, concerts, roadtrips, golfing, the gym, kickboxing, mauy thai...etc

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/ Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 12, 2006

Starting Weight: 285

Present Weight: 196

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Boozing

Following any specific plan: I weigh in with a nutritionist regularly.

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: Missouri

Age: 20

Marital Status: In a wonderful relationship! 2.5 Years and counting!!

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Direct Support Professional

Pets: Shih-Tzu named 'Malo,' and Guinea Pig named 'Guinea'

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, Art, Nursing, Cooking

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: D. Brown/ D. Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 02/15/10

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Hypothyroidism. It's HARD!!

Following any specific plan: Increasing exercise, 1200 calories/day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Never had to lose weight before! This is the first time, thanks to a thyroid disorder. I gained 75 lbs. in ONE year. Wish me luck!

First name: Ashley

Geographical location: Minneapolis, MN

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Full time student, full time sales associate, part time writer!

Pets: 4 month old German Shepherd, named Duke!! Love him!

Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, traveling, blogging, vintage fashion, celebrity gossip, school, life

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: blue eyes/blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feb 2009

Starting Weight: 310, eek!!

Present Weight: 277

Goal Weight: 140-145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: staying motivated and exercising, and not going out and drinking

Following any specific plan: counting calories!! staying under 1500 a day and trying to exercise at least 30 minutes every day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i'm actually motivated and exercising more. I WANT to lose weight!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm just excited to start losing weight with a bunch of other people, share stories, troubles, questions, and motvation!!!

First name: Julie (aka Jules)

Geographical location: St. Paul area Minnesota

Age: 25

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: None, except the fur kids

Occupation: Certified Veterinary Technician

Pets: At my house currently there is one hamster, two cats, one dog

Hobbies/Interests: Animals, music, cars, scrapbooking, reading, wine, cheesecake

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2009

Starting Weight: 155

Present Weight: 140ish

Goal Weight: about 130-135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Time! I work a lot and don't have the time to work our nor do I have the energy

Following any specific plan: I was calorie counting, would like to get back into that swing of it

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It may not seem like it, but I'm more motivated now (well, Jan 09 anyways) than ever before; I have a goal in mind this time

Anything else you would like to share with us: Getting married to my best friend in August (which is also a reason for dieting!!)

First name: Natalie

Geographical location: Chicago, Illinois

Age: 23

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: Only a fur-baby

Occupation: Admin assistant

Pets: Lilith, who is a cat but thinks she's a diva dog.

Hobbies/Interests: Animals, traveling

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: blue-green/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Oct. '09

Starting Weight: 265

Present Weight: 252

Goal Weight: At the moment, I'd love to be down to 170 again, but WHEN I get there I'll be changing that I'm sure.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Myself, and dealing with bad knees (from an injury and genetics)

Following any specific plan: Eat when I'm hungry, hit the gym!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a work-out buddy now that comes by at LEAST once a week, but usually more.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm cheap, so I use my apartment complex's gym. It's small, but it seems to be working so far!

First name: Samantha

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 21

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: full time student

Pets: a 15lb cat (honey pie). my friends and I swear she's human.

Hobbies/Interests: singing, listening to music, having a great time with friends, running

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: green/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: current one: Jan 16

Starting Weight: 160

Present Weight: 157.6 (i WAS 155 a couple of days ago...ugh)

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: once I get to 145, i hit a HUGE plateau. plus when I get stressed with school work, i friggin eat and i need to stop doing that!

Following any specific plan: counting calories with an application on my iphone, and exercising 6 days a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i'm doing it on my own! i want to prove to myself that I can do this, that I can change my eating habits for good, that I can get into great shape...that I don't need a weight loss camp or to spend loads of money just to feel bad about myself.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm ready to lose weight and keep it off completely!!

First name: Catarina

Geographical location: Portugal

Age: 25

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: None, unfortunately

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, fencing, cinema, dancing

Height: 5'3 (1,61 m)

Eye/Hair Color: Brown / Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today! (15/Feb/2010)

Starting Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)

Present Weight: 145 lb (66 kg)

Goal Weight: 119 lb (54 kg)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Eating when I'm bored, chocolate cravings when I'm studying for too long (which happens often), controlling the urge to go for seconds.

Following any specific plan: Exercise more, eat smaller portions.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm trying to loose weight for the first time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Can't wait to explore the forum and read all the wonderful advices.

First name: Stacy

Geographical location: Colorado

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 4 kids/ 13,9,8,7

Occupation: Stay at home wife

Pets: 2 rats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, long walks, bowling, listening to music

Height: 5'1

Eye/Hair Color: blue/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: always dieting,lol

Starting Weight: 250+

Present Weight: 170

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: taking it one day at a time

Following any specific plan: not currently

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

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: New Jersey/New York

Age: 25, will be 26 in a month

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Production Assistant for a womens clothing company

Pets:Fish

Hobbies/Interests:right now i dont have many, i mostly read and love crafts

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2010

Starting Weight: 242.6

Present Weight: 236.0

Goal Weight:145.0

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: my love for baking!

Following any specific plan: I started with Jenny in HS, that didnt work so well, i am now following Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:the fact that i have 12 weddings in the next 24 months. at my current weight i will not be able to enjoy all of them without getting rundown.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am around models all day long so that is my motivation everyday!

First name:Brit

Geographical location: Virginia

Age: 20

Marital Status: long-term relationship

Occupation: student

Pets: two cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, video games, watching movies, clothes

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: blue-green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: November 2009

Starting Weight: ~190

Present Weight: 178

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: realizing I needed to loose and getting in the habit of working out

Following any specific plan: i watch my caloric intake and make sure to eat only good foods and the right portions. i also use slim-fast and work out regularly.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've changed the way I eat, weigh in every week, and work out at least 5 days a week. Before I never changed my diet and would work out maybe twice a week with no weigh ins.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am so excited to be loosing this much weight. The biggest thing so far for me has been my emotions and sleeping patterns. I use to have lots of highs and lows in emotions and could never get to sleep before 4am and would sleep till 2pm! Now I always have energy and am always happy, I also maintain a normal sleeping pattern, its never hard to wake up!

First name: Allison

Geographical location: Toronto, ON

Age: 25

Marital Status: Recently single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Pre-service educator

Pets: Dog and cat

Hobbies/Interests: Films, literature, and shopping

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 27, 2009

Starting Weight: 164 lbs

Present Weight: 150 lbs

Goal Weight: 110 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Maintaining and the legs

Following any specific plan: 30DS and P90X

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm doing less cardio and more toning and strength training

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited to go on a vacation to Cancun in August. I would like to show off a beach-worthy body by then!

First name: Cami

Geographical location: NE

Age: 23

Marital Status: 4 years and counting

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Student/Retail zombie

Pets: 3 kitties

Hobbies/Interests: Reading/Movies of the horror and sci-fi variety

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Confused

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:2/1/2010

Starting Weight:231

Present Weight: 231

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Mindless snacking

Following any specific plan: Treadmill an hour a day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I joined a gym and I just feel more motivated. I can't graduate 40 pounds heavier than I started.

First name: Kelsey

Geographical location: New York

Age: 20 (almost 21!)

Marital Status: Somewhere in between single and married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: None (roommate has a mouse, though!)

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, music, art, cooking, dance, acting, exploring

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Light Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Probably ever since I learned that women SHOULD ALWAYS WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT (so, at an unhealthily young 12 or 13, around puberty)

Starting Weight: 155? 160?

Present Weight: around 140 or 145

Goal Weight: between 125 and 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: disordered eating and body image mentality/behaviors.

Following any specific plan: Nope

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am really honestly attempting to recover (so, I am truly recovering) from several years of binge/purge... or... errr.... bulimic tendencies. So, I won't start planning to skip meals or throwing up my food or taking laxatives in order to lose weight. I don't want to do that kind of stuff anymore. Maybe weight loss isn't really the most important thing to me, but I do consider this a food/exercise/health improvement plan and yes it would be nice to lose weight over time as well.

Anything else you would like to share with us: