[elfjewel]

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 24

Marital Status: single -- soon to be married!

Children/Ages: none.

Occupation: college student

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, watching Netflix, listening to music/partying, gaming, knitting, etc.

Height: 5'4''

Eye/Hair Color: hazel eyes, blondish hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 6, 2015 (today!)

Starting Weight: 158

Present Weight: 158

Goal Weight: 118

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: finding the motivation to exercise

Following any specific plan: nope! just trying to eat right and be more physically active.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Nothing, really. I just can't take it anymore. I'm very serious this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: PM if you're feeling especially sad, because I'm sad too and we can support each other. <3 PM for any reason, actually.

[lalalagringa]

First name: Teresa

Geographical location: Rotterdam, NL

Age: 29

Marital Status: Long term relationship

Children/Ages:0

Occupation: Graduate Student

Pets: 2 European shorthair cats: Luna (12) & DJ (3)

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Yoga, Pilates, Reading, Writing.

Height:5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown with light brown highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: TBD. Sorry :x still doing my research and making sure I don't just throw myself into it like I usually do.

Starting Weight: 193 lbs.

Present Weight: 193 lbs.

Goal Weight: 130 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Myself. I get in the way of myself all of the time. I know I can do this but I'm battling depression and anxiety and I'm trying to get my life back together.

Following any specific plan: Still TBD, but looking at Blogilates, Keto and some kind of cardio/yoga/weight training plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I need to reach out for a support system. I want to be motivated and motivate others on this journey we are in together.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Feel free to PM: I'm an American living abroad in Europe; traded dollar pizza and high rises for dutch cheese and windmills. I really want to connect with people who have struggled and really want an ongoing support system. I also lost a parent this year; it's been rough and I'm slowly trying to escape this abysmal hole I've buried myself in. I miss the confident, smiling girl I was. Other than that, I don't bite, I promise

[Amberkkski]

First name: Amber

Geographical location: New York

Age: 25

Marital Status: living with boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: secretary at a fast paced mechanic shop

Pets: 1 cat, Brena

Hobbies/Interests: Hair, cooking, phone games, reading, movies

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes and blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/1/15

Starting Weight: 283.6

Present Weight: 241

Goal Weight: 155

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: myself really. just trying to stay focused and actually working out

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I honestly couldn't even tell you but something is majorly different because ive never lasted this long or lost this much weight

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking for people close in age/weight to talk to if anyone would like to message back and forth that would be awesome. Don't have any friends in real life that are going through this
__________________

[lalalagringa]

Originally Posted by Amberkkski

First name: Amber

Geographical location: New York

Age: 25

Marital Status: living with boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: secretary at a fast paced mechanic shop

Pets: 1 cat, Brena

Hobbies/Interests: Hair, cooking, phone games, reading, movies

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes and blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/1/15

Starting Weight: 283.6

Present Weight: 241

Goal Weight: 155

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: myself really. just trying to stay focused and actually working out

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I honestly couldn't even tell you but something is majorly different because ive never lasted this long or lost this much weight

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking for people close in age/weight to talk to if anyone would like to message back and forth that would be awesome. Don't have any friends in real life that are going through this
__________________

Hi Amber!
We're kind around the same age and weight. And, im a native New Yorker. (I miss it!)

I know how you feel: none of my friends really understand this struggle. They are all naturally fit and can pretty much eat anything and maintain.

How is weight watchers? I thought of doing it on my own; not sure if they have it here in Holland.

Feel free to say hi!

[Amberkkski]

lalalagringa hello!! Yea it really sunk in when we went to a baseball game on Saturday and all my friends are drinking and eating pizza, icecream, nachos it was REALLY hard and I just realized they'll never understand what im going through.

I absolutely love weight watchers. This is my second time on it and the first I lost 30lbs and just being me gave up and started eating crap again and this time with very little working out (haven't since april) and with going off track here and there have lost 42lbs since march this time. I do the online program for weightwatchers so you should be able to do it from Holland!

[snl8387]

First name: Steph

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 28

Marital Status: Living with Girlfriend

Children/Ages: Step son- 11yrs step daughter 8yrs

Occupation: Sales rep, AR Manager, Social Media Director, general jack of all trades around the office.

Pets: 2 dogs, Hopps and Snickers 1 big cat Buckeye.

Hobbies/Interests: Kayaking, camping, swimming. Generally being outdoors, mud runs ( 3 time warrior dash runner)

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 8/20/15

Starting Weight:279

Present Weight:279

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Over eating, giving up pastas

Following any specific plan: lowering carbs, already eliminated pop and beer.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I want to get fit and healthy for me. No ones else.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 18. I was on metformin for a bit when I was 18. But was stubborn and refused to take it. Now my body is starting to resist insulin. I had my gall bladder removed in October due to so many stones. I have a B12 deficency, and arthritus. Basically my bodys falling apart and no one can figure out why I don't absorb b12 right. Despite all this I keep trucking and I am sure weight loss will help my joints.
Also what really kicked my *** into gear was seeing my reflecting in a restaurant window. I saw myself sitting with friends and I felt horrible about that person in the reflection.

[kymb92]

First name: Kym

Geographical location: London, UK

Age:22

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Legal Secretary

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, history/old monarchy, visiting historical places, watching documentaries, cross-stitch, sci-fi

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blue / Ginger

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1 August 2015

Starting Weight: 165

Present Weight: 161

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating less and making sure it's the right foods. Fighting temptation of unhealthy food. Being more active/starting the gym.

Following any specific plan: None in particular, just trying to eat healthier.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Nothing much, I just put on ~15lbs from my lowest weight so would like to lose it again.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking forward to the challenge ahead and getting to know the lovely people on this site!

[StephRMP]

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: Oregon

Age: 27 (3 months from 28)

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Cashier

Pets: 1 cat (co-owned with a roommate)

Hobbies/Interests: Movies, Reading, Travel, and crafting. I don't much care for the outdoors...unfortunately. I'm very much a homebody.

Height: 5'6 1/2"

Eye/Hair Color: greenish eyes and dark brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today!

Starting Weight: 319

Present Weight: 319

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love food and I hate physical activity. Hence, a huge reason why I am where I am.

Following any specific plan: Nothing really specific in mind yet. I'm open to suggestions if anyone knows of anything that actually works. I've used MyFitness Pal in the past and I liked it so I think I'll start with tracking my calories. Definitely need to work on eating more balanced meals as well. Unfortunately, I'm a fan of carbs.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This forum for starters! Something I will have to be held accountable for. Also, I have a couple friends that are going to be joining me on this journey. AND, I have a few travel plans coming up that I can actually set weight loss goals for. yay!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been overweight my entire life. Ever since I can remember I was always the biggest one of my siblings and friends. I had my gallbladder taken out when I was just 17. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, and recently have been put on medication for pretty terrible cases acid reflux. I stand all day for my job and my knees are already starting to feel the pressure. I have no doubt that all the extra weight I'm carrying is starting to put a strain on my body. I Can't wait to finally lose some of it and eventually know what it feels like to not be the heaviest person in the room!!

[golfergirl38]

First name: Zoe

Geographical location: London, UK

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No

Occupation: Systems Administrator for a law firm

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, learning new languages, travelling

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Yellow / naturally brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 25th September 2015

Starting Weight: 238

Present Weight: 232

Goal Weight: 145 ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: no snacks!!

Following any specific plan: Slimming World

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: the shock of not being able to fit in a rollercoaster seat

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not really! Just looking for support and hoping I can offer the same back

[omarosa47]

First name: Kate

Geographical location: Boston, MA

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Student

Pets: Nope

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Photography, Medicine, Sailing, and Reading.

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Sometime in the last week of July, 2015.

Starting Weight: 225.4 lbs

Present Weight: 204.6 lbs

Goal Weight: 130 lbs (Give or take a few)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm a super picky eater who likes salty and crunchy things, so learning to try new foods is tough. Additionally, I'm a student living on campus, so I am constantly surrounded by crappy food.

Following any specific plan: Dukan Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have always focused on numbers, counting calories and points, without taking into consideration the nutritional value of the food I'm eating. Now, I am no longer counting calories, but eating a much more whole food diet, knowing that if I can adjust what and how I eat the weight loss will come.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope! I'm just looking to get and give support!

[LettuceDoThis]

First name: Leah

Geographical location: NY

Age: 26

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Paralegal

Pets: None at the moment, though I want to eventually have multiple cats and dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, reading, netflix

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I don't even know. Which one?

Starting Weight: Highest ever was 200

Present Weight: 177 as of last week

Goal Weight: Not sure, probably about 130 or 20% BF

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Persistence

Following any specific plan: Right now trying to really limit carbs and sugar, and those are what I have the most trouble with.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It's this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've never been at a healthy weight as an adult. So in a way, I'm simply curious as to what I'm genetically supposed to look like without all this extra fat.

[AmyLouFreebush]

First name: Amy

Geographical location: Austin, TX

Age: 25

Marital Status: In a relationship

Children/Ages: Step-son, 4

Occupation: Hardware Engineer

Pets: 3 cats - Musha, Mia, and Brother, and 1 dog - MaryJane

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, sewing, baking, scrap-booking, reading

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel, dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 8/04/15

Starting Weight: 237.6 lbs.

Present Weight: 215 lbs.

Goal Weight: 150 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: lack of motivation, difficulty finding a diet that worked with my lifestyle and laziness level

Following any specific plan: Ideal Protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm seeing big gains very quickly which is helping with my motivation problems. I'm also eating low carb, which I never did. Additionally, I've never done a pre-packaged food plan like this before

Anything else you would like to share with us: I got my first non-scale victory when someone who didn't know I was on a diet said, "Jeez, have you lost 30 pounds or something?!"

[Dialacliche]

First name: Hattie

Geographical location: Durham, UK

Age: 26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages:

Occupation: Student/Marketing

Pets: None, I want some rats but I am so busy I don't think it would be fair on them.

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, baking and attempting to crochet

Height: 5' 8"

Eye/Hair Color: Greenish eyes and weird red/blonde/light/mid-brown hair depending on the time of year.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 24th of August

Starting Weight: 106kg/234lbs/16st 10lbs

Present Weight: 102.5kg/225.5lbs/16st 2lbs

Goal Weight: 68kg/150lbs/ 10st 10lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My deep and committed love of pizza. Also, on a serious note, I have recently come to the realisation that my level of overeating in recent years has been a sort of self harm based in general insecurity over my appearance and that starting to love myself is more important than losing weight. I need to learn that I'm fierce and a total babe whatever I weigh, but that starting to care for my body is a big part of that.

Following any specific plan: I'm doing slimming world

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: There are a few main things: 1) following slimming world seems to be working for me so far, I've not been so consumed by hunger that I've gone out and ordered a family deal for myself from Domino's. 2) I've discovered yoga! It's really helping me tune in to my body and I'm craving bad things less because of it and 3) possibly most importantly I'm attempting this in an incremental way which isn't based on hating myself and getting the weight off as soon as possible but actually starting to care about myself. I feel incredibly positive about this.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just really looking forward to getting to know you all!

[2gabsxo]

First name: Gabs

Geographical location: So Cal

Age: 24

Marital Status: Boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Group Home Counselor

Pets: I have a dog named Habibi. She is my pretty princess and little brat

Hobbies/Interests: I love to be outdoors enjoy the sun. I am one of those crazy Disneyland people. I do many different arts and crafts, I am currently trying cross stitch and painting. When I have time i try to relax by reading or watching movies. Most of the time I spend with my family and boyfriend.

Height: 5ft 6in

Eye/Hair Color: Brown eyes. Natural color: Brown. Current color: Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Nov. 2011(gastric bypass) Current journey June 2015

Starting Weight: Highest 310

Present Weight: 238

Goal Weight: 199 ONEDERLAND! I would love to reach 170. For now I just want to be under 200.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Self control. Motivation. Managing mental health issues.

Following any specific plan: None currently.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have realized I have a deep problem with food. I am admitting i have a problem and I am a compulsive over eater. I am tired of the yo-yo. I want to be completely honest and accountable for my actions.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need support from people who know what it's like. As much as I know my family and BF mean well they don't quiet understand the struggle. Looking to make some friends along the way. ONEDERLAND here I come!

[TheLibrarian]

First name: Kristy

Geographical location: Northeast US

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Student

Pets: 2 dogs, 2 rats

Hobbies/Interests: READING! <3

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Ash Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/18

Starting Weight: 152

Present Weight: 150.4

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightless: Binge eating when stressed and maintaining control when my husband is eating junk food I can't have...

Following any specific plan: Eat 1200 calories, take vitamins, get plenty of fiber, drink 40 ounces of water a day, and remove unnecessary items from my diet that are just taking up calories I could use for food. Jog 3-4 times a week, particularly on days I don't work since I also go to school and so off days are when I'll have more energy and motivation.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more stable emotionally. I'm identifying triggers for my behavior and working on removing them entirely.