Welcome to 3FC, girls! (Yeahhh, I've kind of taken it upon myself to be "cheerleader" and "greeter" since posting my intro. I hope we can interact more). May you all find the motivation/inspiration/support that you desire on these forums :). I've found that the challenges and accountability that comes with it have pushed me to do better in following my fitness plans.

Just a thought - if any of you are interested in a February challenge there is this one I'm going to participate in as well,
"February Weight Loss Challenge"
for the ladies! And also another weigh in / accountability one is

"New Year to Mid Year Challenge!"

I really need some additional motivation at the moment so I'm going to join in on these, hope you all are doing great! :)

First name: Dulce

Geographical location: Texas y'all

Age:28

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: Isis, 13 and Alicia, 3

Occupation: Call Quality Monitor (phone police)

Pets: no

Hobbies/Interests: photography, bike riding, love all types of music, and dancing

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/1/2012 (3rd times a charm)

Starting Weight:213.4

Present Weight: 200

Goal Weight:135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food!! I work out at least 4-5 tomes a week, but once the weekend get here it's all about food. The kids want to go out and eat and I go to my parents and my mims Mexican food is my weakness

Following any specific plan: I try to stay under 1300 calories and avoid carbs after 4pm

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: my husband is on the wagon this time. Doing it alone caused conflict at dinner time. We would eat at different times and it messed us up.

Anything else you would like to share with us: do it for your self! I want to be healthier and want my kids to follow what I do right. I want them to have an active mom that can run around for many years to come.
__________________

First name: Em

Geographical location: London, UK

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single! Hehe

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Foreign cultures and languages, cooking, art, dining, and being a general media obsessive. ^^

Height: 5'2.5

Eye/Hair Color: Dark Brown / Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 30th January 2012

Starting Weight: 72.5kg / 160lb

Present Weight: 72.3kg / 159.4lb

Goal Weight: 59.0kg / 130lb

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to my plan!

Following any specific plan: To lose weight slowly but consistently... I'm aiming for 1lb-1.5lb weight loss per week. I'm trying to achieve this mainly through a low calorie count (1200), (300 cal breakfast, 500 cal lunch, 300 cal dinner, and 2x 100 calorie snacks) and working out for at least 15 minutes a day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In 2010, I managed to finally lose 17lb gradually and healthily and got down to 70kg (155lb). In 2011, I became very busy with my studies and studying abroad so I had no time for weight loss. In 2012, I want to get back on route and become healthy and actually get to my goal weight of 130lb. :exercise: (Also my cousin's wedding is coming up in 5 weeks which I want to lose 5-6lb for! Hehe :goodvibes: )

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've always been a chubby girl growing up, and when I was 15-16 I weighed my peak around 83.5kg (184lb). I'm now at an average fluctuating weight of 71-74kg (157-163lb), but I want to get rid of this weight once and for all and start living life as a maintainer of weight rather than someone who needs to constantly lose it. :sorry: I hope to share my journey with you guys and I'm looking forward to seeing your journeys, too. Thanks for reading guys!

First name: Chelsey

Geographical location: Virginia

Age: 26

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: daughter, 5.

Occupation: manager at starbucks

Pets: dog and cat

Hobbies/Interests: reading, video games, movies

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: brown brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 02/03/12

Starting Weight: 158

Present Weight: 158

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with it.

Following any specific plan: being more mindful of eating and trying to work out regulary

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: nothing, honestly. I'm just frustrated with myself and want to try again.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Put on 48 lbs while pregnant, managed to lose about all of it and then the rest of it from anxiety. Gained it back with the depo shot, lost that again through calorie counting and then gained back from just being lazy and the why bother attitude. I can't seem to get below my pre baby weight, which was 149, and I ultimately want to get back to my wedding weight of 130-135 ish. I fail at sticking with exercising because even when i was regular about it, no big difference.

First name: Katie

Geographical location: Oklahoma

Age: 20

Marital Status: boyfriend

Children/Ages: none yet

Occupation: student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: computer,movies,hanging out

Height: 5'3ish

Eye/Hair Color: blue,dark auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 01/28/12

Starting Weight: 223

Present Weight: 223

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with it

Following any specific plan: the 17 day diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more motavated this time

Anything else you would like to share with us:Not right now:)

First name: Jamie

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married for 5.5 years

Children/Ages: 2.75 year old son, and a 13 month old daughter

Occupation: I used to teach 2nd grade, but I've been a SAHM for almost 3 years. I'm ready to go back to work though, so hopefully that will happen soon.

Pets: 3 dogs (two boston terriers and a pug)

Hobbies/Interests: movies, parks, reading, dancing (at home), exercise

Height: 5'5.5

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel eyes/Dark brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 02/01/2011

Starting Weight: One month after giving birth to my daughter I weighed 165 and started my weight loss journey from there (though I've been as high as the 180s in my earlier twenties)

Present Weight: 138

Goal Weight: 125-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food! I love to eat bad, carby food... ice cream, cake, french fries, pizza... I could eat all day.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting (1200-1400 most days) and exercising

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think I've finally figured out that I'm always going to have to think about what I'm eating and be moderate. In the past, I've gotten to a comfortable wait and then threw it all away by going right back to my old ways.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I got down to 132 lbs last summer and felt really happy and comfortable with my weight... then my husband came home from a 6 month deployment in July and since then I've packed on some pounds that I'm finally motivated to get (& keep!) off. :)

First name: Nickail

Geographical location: California

Age: 19

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: babysitter

Pets: 1 & 1/2 year old yorkie named Giselle

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing,singing,reading,writing.

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 12/20/11

Starting Weight: 290

Present Weight: 267

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: staying on plan

Following any specific plan: 2000 cals, workout 1 hours a day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I actually gave myself a deadline and I'm making it a challenge.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name:Amanda

Geographical location: Minnesota, brrrrr.

Age:22

Marital Status:single

Children/Ages:0

Occupation:Cashier

Pets:none

Hobbies/Interests: Running, making parody songs, writing stories, going to museums.

Height:5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:June 2010

Starting Weight: 191.5

Present Weight: 138

Goal Weight:125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: This pesky 138

Following any specific plan: Can;t find one that consistently works.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Nothing, Ive been consistent, my knowledge of nutrition has gotten better however. Mashed potatoes does not count as "health food".

Anything else you would like to share with us: Happy to meet you all, maybe you all can give me the support I need to finish this journey. :)

First name:Lindsay

Geographical location:Connecticut

Age:28

Marital Status:Engaged

Children/Ages:n/a

Occupation:Office Manager

Pets:1 cat 2 dogs

Hobbies/Interests:movies, bowling, skiing, figure skating, traveling

Height:5'6"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown & Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:11/1/2011

Starting Weight:164

Present Weight:150

Goal Weight:135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Snacking

Following any specific plan:Insanity

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am trying to get to my goal weight by June 23rd for my wedding!

I think I will join now that I hang around here the most.

First name: Isis

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 21

Marital Status: Common-law

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: None, quit my job recently

Pets: Dog named Apollo

Hobbies/Interests: Video games - HALO WHAT?, Reading, Nutrition

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue and Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 2011

Starting Weight: 177

Present Weight: 130.5

Goal Weight: 115-120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying away from restaurant's and to much cheese... I love cheese.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting, recently got Bodymedia fit and have been striving to meet the goals set on there.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think I am more mature, my will power it better and I genuinely want this. I am tired of being fat and unfit, I want a lean athletic body.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am happy to have a support group! My boyfriend, friend and I started out together but my friend fell off the wagon, my boyfriend met his goal (d@mn guys losing weight like its nothing!) and I was feeling a little alone. I want to thank everyone on 3FC for supporting me when I needed you!

First name: Lauren

Geographical location: South Carolina

Age: 22

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: 00000000 thank the lord!

Occupation: full time student! about to graduate in April! :D

Pets: 1 cat named Daisy

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Music, Choir, Writing, Shopping, Makeup, Friends

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, Reddish brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 30, 2012

Starting Weight: 239lbs

Present Weight: 234lbs

Goal Weight: 200

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Exercising and not being so afraid of myself

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and getting in a workout whenever I can

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually motivated and I joined a weight loss competition, so I'd feel guilty if I gave up now.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been obese my whole life and I am so sick of it! I was a child the last time I weighed less than 200lbs, it'd be nice to see what I'd look like as a normal sized individual.

First name: Valerie

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 22

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: None yet! But would like to start trying soon after the wedding!

Occupation: RN, BSN

Pets: 2 cats- Biggie and Dexter

Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, reading, and I would like to learn how to crochet! Just recently tried picking this up :?:

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Blonde hair, blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Lost part of the weight in the summer of 2010, stopped in August of 2010, and just now started back up January 8, 2012

Starting Weight: 235 in 2010, 218 in 2012

Present Weight: 201.6

Goal Weight: 150.0

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: At first, changing my eating habits was the most difficult. Mostly because I am addicted to sweets, and my fiance was eating poorly too (which as you all know, makes it much harder to stick to anything!). He started losing weight with me on January 8th (down from 240 to 212!) which makes it so much easier.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and exercise. Only thing that works for me.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
Before with weight loss I would look at it like 'omg, I have 65 pounds to loose! :tantrum:'. Now I am trying to look at it in 8 pound increments, which if I lose 8 pounds a month until September, I will be at goal for our wedding (which I am already ahead of schedule :D). I have always done calorie counting/exercise.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I REFUSE to give up this time! And 3FC is really helping me stay on track and be accountable.

First name: Mayra

Geographical location: Monterrey Bay California

Age:22

Marital Status:Single

Children/Ages:None...yet!

Occupation: Caregiver/Medication Technitian

Pets: 1 Cat, Misa :)

Hobbies/Interests:Reading, drawing, spending time with my cat and boyfriend

Height:5'5"

Eye/Hair Color:Naturally black but its always changing/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:Feburary 1st

Starting Weight:161.8

Present Weight:156.6

Goal Weight:125<

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Socially eating :/ i can control my food intake when im alone but not around other people

Following any specific plan:Cutting out fast food

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:Im using the support from this fabulous site and all the members that i seem to share something with :)

First name: Laura

Geographical location: Northwest washington state

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: none of own

Occupation: foster mom and mary kay beauty consultant

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: makeup, partying, crocheting, dancing, dating my hubby, playing with kids, reading, hiking, sight seeing, travel, spending time with family.

Height:5"3

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/ dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:2/18/2012

Starting Weight:309

Present Weight:309

Goal Weight:160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss:emotional eating

Following any specific plan:journaling, just moving more, overhauling my eating habits

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I just got told my blood pressure is WAY high so I need to get this weight off NOW. I also have a 2 year old and 1 year old foster children to take care of and am finding it hard to keep up with them and play with them the way I would like

Anything else you would like to share with us:

I am fun loving and shy if I don't know you yet. I am tired of my weight holding me back from the things I love most. I am tired of being in pain and depressed. I do think I look great now but know i will look AMAZING at my goal weight.