First name: Jenny

Geographical location: Bay Area, California (moving to Vancouver, Washington in a month or 2)

Age: 20

Marital Status: practically engaged

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: sales rep/assistant manager for verizon wireless

Pets: cat and dog

Hobbies/Interests: gaming, reality tv

Height: 5'5''

Eye/Hair Color: blue/black(blonde but i dye it)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Nov 2007

Starting Weight:342

Present Weight:228

Goal Weight:145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: not giving up

Following any specific plan: counting calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: its my main priority.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have skinny jeans waiting for me

First name: Lori

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: N/A - unless you count pets!

Occupation: Journalist

Pets: Thumper, 5-year-old maltipoo & Belle, 3-year-old Collie

Hobbies/Interests: Watching mindless television, dancing, writing & spending time with my pups

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Gosh.. My entire life. I didn't get serious about weight loss (again) until earlier this year.

Starting Weight: 225

Present Weight: 204.5

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking to eating healthy; remaining patient with progress; not succumbing to an eating disorder.

Following any specific plan: Nixing bad foods (pizza, excess starches, etc) and staying active.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm back at my original weight again. At 17 I had gone down to a 125.

Anything else you would like to share with us: There's plenty of time for that later! Let's do this, ladies!

First name: Sophie

Geographical location: Toronto

Age: 21

Marital Status: Taken

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student, although I pay to be one so it doesn't really count!

Pets: Milo, my roommate's cat, who should probably join this site

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Baking, Design

Height: 5'6''

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This week I suppose!

Starting Weight: 170 as of a couple weeks ago

Present Weight: Haven't weighed in so we'll say 170

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Where to begin?! I'm a student in Uni with a very tight budget, parties and after-party snacks are hurting my efforts, I love trying food and all sorts of desserts but just a taste is never enough...Oh and I very rarely get off my arse

Following any specific plan: Portion control - enjoying a bit of everything in moderation, and I tend to eat Mediterranean-ish but not following THE Medi. diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm living on my own! In high school it was a lot easier for me (although I never lost weight very healthily)

Anything else you would like to share with us: I want to stop my gradual weight gain before it gets out of control. At 170, I don't feel like myself, and I'm tired of shopping with the worry of not fitting into the largest main-range size!

First name: Erika

Geographical location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Age: 22 (My birthday was Thursday. 22 feels so much older than 21!)

Marital Status: long-term, live-in boyfriend

Children/Ages: none.

Occupation: Student, Waitress

Pets: none.

Hobbies/Interests: I'm pretty crafty and enjoy working with my hands. I also read like a fiend (I'm studying literature), and I like to write.

Height:5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brownish, Redish, Blondish (changes seasonally)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: TODAY.

Starting Weight: 186

Present Weight: 181

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: emotional eating; being a college student and avoiding splurging with alcohol/take-out/dinners out with friends. I also work in a pizza restaurant where I get free food, so that is hard to pass up since I'm usually pretty low on money because I'm working my way through school.

Following any specific plan: My diet plan as of now mostly involves focusing on eating enough fruits & veggies. I find if I focus on eating enough portions of them every day, then I'm less likely to grab something else to snack on.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm ready. I have to put on a bathing suit for the first time in years in July and I want to be able to wear a bikini and not be ashamed or self-conscious of my belly/love handles/muffin top.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm ready!! No shenanigans this time. I refuse to be good and excited for a week and then lose my motivation like I have in previous attempts.

First name: Linda

Geographical location: Seattle, WA

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married/Complicated

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: childcare/personal assistant

Pets: cats and a turtle I got when I was SIX

Hobbies/Interests: nature, photography, kids, music

Height: 6'1"

Eye/Hair Color: both dark

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 2010

Starting Weight: 322

Present Weight: 247

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional eating, eating out of boredom, and binging

Following any specific plan: low carb/low glycemic index

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I never even made any efforts in the past, I just never believed I could do it. I never had any sort of will power or motivation to even start. Finally did and showed myself I could do it and just haven't stopped.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm also bipolar which adds some interesting struggles to all of this sometimes. I've got a blog on tumblr where I've been keeping track of my journey as I go and I'm more than happy for anyone interested to check it out, the name over there is fatgirlrevolution. I'm also always more than happy to chat/exchange pms/email with new friends/ladies that want to talk about the issues facing us every day.

Hey erikarae - sounds like we have a similar situation and goals, glad to know there's someone else out there. Working to pay my way through school is definitely a big hurdle to eating well... Good luck!

First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Virginia, US

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Teacher

Pets: 2 Cats

Hobbies/Interests: Movies & Scrapbooking

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 5/31/11

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 230

Goal Weight: Goal 180

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Pain From My Illness

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've never been so determined, I NEED to feel good about myself

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'd be happy for any advice

First name:Gretchen

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 25

Marital Status: Serious relationship

Children/Ages: None!

Occupation: Student

Pets: 2 adorable kitties, Kitts is my avatar!

Hobbies/Interests: Full time graduate student... that takes up all of my time!

Height: 5'10"

Eye/Hair Color: Green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Forever.... but seriously, today:May 30, 2011

Starting Weight: 206.8

Present Weight: 206.8

Goal Weight: 160... perhaps lower, we'll see.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Motivation! I live with my boyfriend, and he is 125lbs soaking wet but can eat a 48oz container of ice cream for dinner (seriously) but not gain a pound.

Following any specific plan: Nope.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Turned 25... know it's time to make a serious change.


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First name: James

Location: Ireland

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Children: None (None that I am aware of anyway!)

Occupation: Engineer

Pets: 1 Cat.

Hobbies / Interests: Sport, Soccer especially. Like the outdoors, expecially water, coast and rivers.

Height: 5'7"

Eyes / Hair: Blue Eyes, Reddish / Blondy - Irish colour hair!

Begin weightloss journey: Approx 31st March 2011

Start Weight: 266lbs (19 Stone)

Current weight: 226 lbs (Just over 16 Stone)

Biggest hurdle: Reducing / Stopping drinking alcohol and partying, and Fast Food. Not giving in and sticking to it.

Specific plan: High protein, specific vegetables, some fruit, low carbs and sugar (and some small portions of restricted Vegetables).

Different than before: I am motivated and committed to it this time and can see the rewards and benefits. Want to enjoy my younger years now, live life and do things I wanted to do but doubted I ever would. Over half way there, making better progress than I could have imagined, full of energy and improving fitness, enjoying sports more, more confidence, smaller clothes fitting.

First name:Ashley

Geographical location:Louisiana

Age:27

Marital Status:married

Children/Ages:2-- Arianna who is 7 and Aden who is 4.

Occupation:crew chief/server trainer at IHOP

Pets:1 cat. tux

Hobbies/Interests:everything really. being outdoors, swimming, gardening, cooking, jumping on the trampoline with the kids, even cleaning sometimes.

Height:5 '5

Eye/Hair Color:brown for both

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 30, 2011. I am now on DAY 3!!

Starting Weight: first weigh in- 163 this morning

Present Weight:well 163 .. lol

Goal Weight:135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:not giving in to temptation. gosh, I mean, I work at a pancake shop!!

Following any specific plan: Ideally, 1300 cals /day. but more of changing how I eat in general.. bought sugar free lifesavers for when I just want something in my mouth ( really good btw ) little things, cooking 2 vegetables with every meal, so like 3/4 plate vegetables and the rest starch /meat.. trying to drink more water as well .

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:Last time , I was taking Adipex.. which, since I am not obese, I should never have been prescribed in the first place.. but I had drastic weight loss, very quickly and eventually gained it all back, plus. This time, I know I need to do something that will be a lifetime thing.

Anything else you would like to share with us:_I am very excited to get to know everyone here so we can help each other through our weight loss journeys. I looked around for a bit before I decided to join this support group and I have to say, everyone seems so amazing. The before and after pictures I saw were just incredible. Obviously , you guys have it going on , and I am so excited to be a part of it!!_________________
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First name: ANDRIA

Geographical location:GRANITE CITY, IL

Age:29

Marital Status:MARRIED

Children/Ages: HANNAH 8/MADISON 5

Occupation:RECEPTIONIST

Pets:MINI-SCHNAUZER NAMED LELAND

Hobbies/Interests:SPEDNING TIME WITH MY HUBBY AND KIDS,SOCCER,CAMPING AND AN OCCASIONAL GIRLS NIGHT

Height:5'4''

Eye/Hair Color:HAZEL

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:MAY 2011

Starting Weight:160

Present Weight:157

Goal Weight:130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: SNACKING, I LOVE TO SNACK AND LOT BEFORE BED

Following any specific plan: NOT YET, BUT GOING TO A IDEAL PROTEIN 6/8/2011

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

Anything else you would like to share with us:MY MOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN OVER WEIGHT SO I AM JUST SCARED THAT IF I DONT STOP THIS NOW I WILL GET VERY OVERWEIGHT AND BE STUCK THAT WAY
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First name: Jen

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 22

Marital Status: Engaged, wedding date is 5/26/2012

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Full time student working on my Master's degree.

Pets: 1 Golden Retriever - Mojo and 1 cat - Mittens

Hobbies/Interests: Movies, reading, gardening, cooking

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Both dark brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 5/28/2011

Starting Weight: 285

Present Weight: 282

Goal Weight: Ideally, 130... realistically... 140.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I think I have a food addiction... seriously. I'm constantly thinking about it even when I'm not hungry. Also, I have been working out but it's painful so I hope that goes away soon...

Following any specific plan: Counting calories, working out at least once a day.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was always thin and a healthy weight until I started gaining about three years ago, so I've never had to do this before.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm glad I'm here.

First name: Holley

Geographical location: Boston

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Hospitality

Pets: None, I would love a cat though.

Hobbies/Interests: I love reading and writing. I also love walking and just taking in scenery and I also love shopping.

Height: 5’8”

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blue and Black hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 30th 2011 (started losing weight in March but not on purpose.

Starting Weight: 295

Present Weight: 277

Goal Weight: 155

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Motivation and willpower. Action speak louder than words! You can say you will lose weight all you want but doing is another, that has always been my biggest problem.

Following any specific plan: Not really. I am just going to workout every morning and eat better and include breakfast In my diet.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I know I can do this and I have support this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope.

First name: Allison

Geographical location: NYC

Age: 24

Marital Status: Fantasy-married to a bevy of 60s rockstars

Children/Ages: None!

Occupation: I work in the music industry.

Pets: None here in NYC, but at my mom's back in Ohio, 4 awesome cats.

Hobbies/Interests: Going to concerts, traveling, writing, reading, anything to do with music.

Height: 5'10"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 31, 2011

Starting Weight: around 336

Present Weight: 336 (I just weighed myself tonight for the first time, haha)

Goal Weight: I would love to break into Onederland, but I'd love to make it to 200 first!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Fried food.. my ultimate weakness!

Following any specific plan: Joined a gym and working out 4-6 times a week, trying to cut calories, drinking lots of water!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think I'm more dedicated to it. I'm really ready for a change. I'm sort of doing a whole "mind/body/soul" makeover on myself, so I have to be invested.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited to meet you all! If anyone else is in NYC, I'd love to hear from you! (Always glad to make new friends. )