[aleksandra]

First name: Alex

Geographical location: Europe

Age: 21

Marital Status: In a Relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Waitress/Student

Pets: 2 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Exercise, Beauty

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Honey Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3. 1. 2006

Starting Weight: 216

Present Weight: 170

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Well, after I've lost 60 lbs, I've become a bit obsessed with my weight and exercise. I've been exercising 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week and weighted myself like 3-5 times a day. I became really depressed if i gained as little as 0,1 pound. So after being miserable for quite a while, I've stopped working out and following a diet. What followed was a beautiful year, but it was followed by a terrible year of overeating. Now that I'm more in control of myself, I've decided to achieve my goal weight by weighing myself every one or two weeks and exercising max. 1.5 hour a day.

Following any specific plan: I'm trying to do my best to feel good.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I will try my best to focus on feeling good and being healthy.

[gypsybeggar]

First name: Jenny

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Waitress

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Jewelry Making

Height: 5"9'

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/ Dark Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: God it's been going on forever...

Starting Weight: 282

Present Weight: 267.4

Goal Weight: 200 (maybe)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My urge to snack/Laziness when it comes to getting up in the morning and exercising

Following any specific plan: Combo of Slim-Fast/Atkins and just plain ole calorie counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I'm serious..I've got mild PCOS and I don't want it to get worse and get diabeties..this terrifies me

[mselle]

First name: Leslie

Geographical location: Lancaster, California (Southern California)

Age: 27

Marital Status: Divorced once, in a commited relationship now.

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Banker

Pets: 2 dogs- 1 Doberman (Kassy) and 1 Weimaraner (Quinn)...these two are the love of my life.

Hobbies/Interests: Phorography, taking my dogs to the park, bike riding

Height: 5'6''

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Will begin on 8/1/2011.

Starting Weight: 205 lbs.

Present Weight: 205 lbs.

Goal Weight:140 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying on track. The major problem I have is that I'll stick to it for about a week, and then I become too tired of dealing with this new lifestyle, or I'll skip working out and then it's back to the old me. I'm hoping to get more support this time.

Following any specific plan: Nope. Just eating right and working out.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually excited to do it this time. In the past I felt like I was dragged into it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Any additional tips/comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Ramra]

First name: Withheld

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 18

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Unemployed

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, biking

Height: 5"9'

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: About a year 1/2 ago, on and off since.

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 163

Goal Weight: 140 (possibly 130)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating when I feel anxious.

Following any specific plan: Cutting calories and walking when I can.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've got an awesome boyfriend, and I wanna show him results.

[thissideup]

First name: Samantha

Geographical location: Winnipeg, Canada

Age: 21

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: None!

Occupation: Administrative Assistant (desk job, barely move all day )

Pets: A dog that thinks she's a cat and a cat who thinks he's a toddler.

Hobbies/Interests: I don't really have any, as scary as that sounds. I'm either working, spending time with my fiance or relaxing after working out.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 25, 2011

Starting Weight: 181.5

Present Weight: 177.5

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to it. I've never stuck to a single thing in my entire life.

Following any specific plan: Whatever my personal trainer tells me to do!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I just got engaged, so now there's a deadline for me to aim for.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am scared out of my mind that I will fail at this!

[melodymist]

First name: Witheld

Geographical location: South Africa

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Teacher/Student

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Internet, graphic design, beauty, fashion, food, travel, poetry, excercising, fitness and health.

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Brown hair, green eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: All my life.

Starting Weight: 187

Present Weight: 171

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating until I'm sick.

Following any specific plan: No. Heathy diet, lots of water and excercise 5x a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time it is forever and it's a lifestyle change!

[lifehouseluver]

First name: Liz

Geographical location: Washington, DC

Age: 23

Marital Status: been w/ my boyfriend for almost 7 months

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Fitness Specialist If you guys have any questions regarding fitness, please ask!

Pets: My dog Duffy, and my turtle June

Hobbies/Interests: Running, Dancing, Partying, EATING!

Height: 5'4.5

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 25, 2011

Starting Weight: 154.0

Present Weight: 150.0

Goal Weight: 120-125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: NUTRITIONAL HABITS. I've been a member here since 2006, on and off diets (Mostly off!) Usually i'll go for 2-3 weeks of being PERFECT and then I fail. :'( Working out is NEVER a problem for me. I LOVE being active, but I also LOVE eating.

Following any specific plan: Eating as many calories as my BMR (about 1,500 calories right now) Just making sure that Calories Out>Calories In

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've ALWAYS wanted to lose weight to "get a boyfriend" Shallow, but true. Well, I met my boyfriend 7 months ago, and he loves me no matter what I look like, so I feel that this time i'm doing it more for me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm terrified of failing again :'( I suck at dieting!

[CatP]

First name: Catherine

Geographical location: Johannesburg, SOuth AFrica

Age: 28

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Ben, 3 and Sam, 3 months

Occupation: Teacher and Sports Coach

Pets: 2 dogs (Harley and Murphy)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Cooking, Spending time with my family, Gym

Height: 1.77 m

Eye/Hair Color: Blue and blonde ;-)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Last week Friday

Starting Weight:75kg's

Present Weight:74.3kg's

Goal Weight: 65kg's

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Losing weight whilst breastfeeding (and going back to work soon!)

Following any specific plan: Low GI food (mostly) and gym 6 days a week for the next month.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I didn't have 10kg's of fat on my butt?! Never gained weight with my first son as he was extremely prem. Second time round I've gained a lot!

Anything else you would like to share with us: That my MOTHER just offered me a pair of her pants!
__________________

[PghGal]

First name: Jess

Geographical location: North Carolina (Charlotte Area)

Age: 28

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Social Worker (For the Elderly/Disabled)

Pets: Two dogs that I have part-time & the neighborhood cat who adopted me.

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping (which isn't good since I am broke ... see above occupation. lol), Airplanes, Reading, News/Politics, Astronomy, Words with Friends, Football (Steelers!), Hockey, etc. Wide range of interests here.

Height: A hair under 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel & Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 6/9/11

Starting Weight: 292

Present Weight: 275

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Food addiction (Carbs/Sugar!)

Following any specific plan: Good old-fashioned calorie counting (using My Fitness Pal) & making an effort to hit the gym at least 4x per week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm just tired of being fat. I'm over it. Tired of receiving "...you have such a pretty face" compliments. Seriously, this time I am making it a lifestyle change rather than dieting. I am making changes I can maintain.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nothing that I can think of!

[Meredith]

First name: Meredith

Geographical location: NY, NY

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Pets: Nope

Hobbies/Interests: Entertainment, Media, anything social.

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes/Blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/2011

Starting Weight: 165 lbs

Present Weight: 157 lbs

Goal Weight: 125 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with it after losing the first 10 lbs.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories and working out at least 5 times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Don't know yet. Kind of hoping this helps keep me accountable.

[NotJustALittleFat]

First name: Celesa

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 25

Marital Status: married to the best hubby in the world!

Children/Ages: Lilly 3

Occupation: Work at home mom, professional photographer and sell thing I sew, crochet on Etsy

Pets: Lucy, my 4 year old beagle.

Hobbies/Interests: I love photography, sewing, crochet, making tutus and hair bows, and blogging!

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: brown eyes, really a brunette, but hubby likes me blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 2011 can't remember the exact date

Starting Weight: 195

Present Weight: 191

Goal Weight: 135-140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: believing I can do it and not expecting myself to fail

Following any specific plan: just counting calories. I get about 1500 per day. I am loosely following a diabetes meal plan but just to help with what to eat and when to eat. I had Gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my daughter, so if I'm already doing the diet when I get pregnant with the next one, it will be way easier.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: there's no turning back. I'm blogging and posting progress on Facebook so there's no way I'm going to fail in front of so manympeople. Also my hubby has been uber supportive this go around and has even changed his eating to coincide with mine!

[intellectlove]

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: Wilsonville, OR

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married. January 1st, 2011

Children/Ages: No kids

Occupation: Marketing Representative

Pets: 2 cats (Copper/Heidi), 2 dogs (Jack and Daniel)

Hobbies/Interests: video games, bowling, pool, darts, cooking, nutrition

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: Brown eyes, dirty blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 1st, 2011

Starting Weight: 164

Present Weight: 156

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Motivation!

Following any specific plan: Low carb / fat burn exercises

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have never really been over weight until last year.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have a blood clot disorder, meaning if I get a bad enough injury it could potentially cause major problems for me.

[Unthinkables]

First name: Jamie

Geographical location: Boston

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Occupation: Sing Language Interpretation student

Pets: 3 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Sign Language, Writing, Personality psychology research, food politics, classic alternative music

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: bluish-green/always changing currently brunette with red and blonde highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 1st

Starting Weight: 145lbs

Present Weight: haven't weighed in yet

Goal Weight: 120 or less depending on how I feel

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not giving up when I don't see immediate results, peer pressure to eat junk, staying on good sleep schedule

Following any specific plan: calorie counting/excerise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am ready. In the past, I was willing to lose weight at any cost. I had a poverty of ambition, and was quick to quit. But this time around, my perspective on why I need to do this is much different. Yes, I want to look good- but I want to FEEL even better. I want to experience everything and know I worked for it. Being healthy is one of the biggest gifts I can give myself and I'm ready to do this.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've only been a member of this site for a short while, but even this SHORT while has outlived my previous attempts at weight loss. I feel this certain fire and this forum has helped keep me tending to it's light. Thank you, I hope one day I can post my Goal pictures!

[HautePinkHeels]

Nickname: KayTee

Geographical location: Atlanta, GA

Age: 23

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: self-employed

Pets: 4 puppies

Hobbies/Interests: hair, makeup, fashion

Height: 6'1

Eye/Hair Color: dk brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 1, 2011

Starting Weight: 196

Present Weight: 174

Goal Weight: 155-160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: motivation

Following any specific plan: exercising 5 times a week, eating smaller portions

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually motivated this time!

[Jumi]

First name: Judy

Geographical location: Northern Virginia

Age: 25

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: n/a

Occupation: Recruiter

Pets: n/a

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, dancing, reading, cooking...eating :/

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: dirty blonde / green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 08/08/11

Starting Weight: 175 lbs

Present Weight: 174 lbs

Goal Weight: 140-145 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: always hungry... I love food too much...

Following any specific plan: weight watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I just moved to the USA to be with my husband. New beginnings... all over

Anything else you would like to share with us: