[gaialove]

First name: Zoe

Geographical location: Thailand (UK originally)

Age: 23

Marital Status: Long distance relationship

Children/Ages: Nooooo

Occupation: English (as a Second Language) Teacher

Pets: None unless you include the geckos that occasionally decide they wanna be roomies

Hobbies/Interests: Alternative/indie & trashy early 00's pop music, TV/Netflix, LGBT stuff, movies, reading, swimming, excessive alcohol consumption, travel

Height: 161cm/5'3.5" (the .5 is extremely important)

Eye/Hair Colour: Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/12/2016

Starting Weight: I'm not going by weight due to getting waaay too obsessed with the scale in my previous attempts at getting healthy, so I'm going by clothes size. Starting size: UK 14/16

Present Clothes size: UK 14/16

Goal Size: UK 10 / being able to fit into at least some of the high street Thai clothes.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: long history of binge eating, a massive sweet tooth and living in a country where I have to eat 90% of my meals out rather than cook at home due to both money and lack of equipment (I have no kitchen, only a fridge).

Following any specific plan: cutting crap out of my diet, reducing portions, exercise at least 4 times a week, focusing on weight training (I wanna be stronggg)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: gonna do it the healthy way so hopefully it will be maintainable, rather than heavy, unhealthy restricting that's focused on the scale rather than my health.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm socially awkward sorry??

[sarah91]

First name: Sarah

Geographical location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Age: 25

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages:

Occupation: Customer Service Coordinator at an Autobody shop

Pets:

Hobbies/Interests: I love cars, tattoos, spending time with family and friends.

Height: 5' 7

Eye/Hair Color: Brown for both

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today..?

Starting Weight: 245

Present Weight: 245

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: overeating, portion size, no support

Following any specific plan: going to try the Whole 30 next month.. other than that.. nothing

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: hoping if I have support it will help more.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just looking for support, tired of failure

[rustylush]

First name: Mandie

Geographical location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Age: 27

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Architectural Technician

Pets: Tortie female cat named Pepper, medium hair ginger male cat named Flash

Hobbies/Interests: Walking, softball, reading, watching TV series', travelling, drinking alcohol

Height: 5'-6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Dec 19, 2016

Starting Weight: 188

Present Weight: see ticker

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Bedtime snacking and drinking beer

Following any specific plan: A local clinic, Gail's Weight Loss, helped me last year with meal plans, so I will be following the same plan moving foward

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm getting married in June, have already ordered my wedding dress, and am also going to Mexico in February

Anything else you would like to share with us: For me, the requirement of weigh-ins is probably the biggest motivation. As long as I can get into some types of challenges here: I know I can succeed

[Futuremartian]

First name: Christy

Geographical location: Alaska

Age: 28

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: 1/1

Occupation: research scientist

Pets: 1 snake

Hobbies/Interests: painting/sculpture

Height: 6'

Eye/Hair Color: green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 2016

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 230

Goal Weight: 165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: motivation

Following any specific plan: 1800 calories/10,000 steps daily

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: meal planning, activity tracking, better all around planning

Anything else you would like to share with us: nope
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[Slothee]

First name: Sanna

Geographical location: Netherlands / Amsterdam area

Age: 25

Marital Status: in a relationship

Children/Ages: nope

Occupation: Grad Student

Pets: no

Hobbies/Interests: reading/writing, spoken word, Netflix my love!

Height: 168 cm

Eye/Hair Color: blue / blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 12 years ago

Starting Weight: 77 kg / 170 lbs

Present Weight: 77 kg / 179 lbs

Goal Weight: 65 kg / 143 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My vicious mixture of lazyness, sweet tooth and lack of discipline ...

Following any specific plan: counting calories, focussing on cooking myself and smooting into excercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: my mindset and my boyfriend who is on board!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Good luck to everyone!

[Guinness_Lady]

First name: Karolina

Geographical location: Poland

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: nah

Occupation: Student of applied linguistics

Pets: one pupper, a Landseer; a horse (if you consider horse a pet)

Hobbies/Interests: horse riding, languages I guess

Height: 164cm

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown/also dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:05.01.2017

Starting Weight: 81kg

Present Weight: 81kg

Goal Weight: 65kg

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: sugar addiction, binge eating disorder, depression? I'll see I guess

Following any specific plan: cutting sugar and more-or-lessly watching my calorie intake

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm here now

Anything else you would like to share with us: Good luck everyone!

[anm017]

First name: Amber

Geographical location: Maryland

Age: Almost 25

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Scheduling Coordinator

Pets: 2 skinny pigs (hairless guinea pigs)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading/music/watching TV. I am looking to find more to keep me busy/active

Height: 5 ft 3

Eye/Hair Color: green eyes/ blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:On and off again for some time. First was September of 2010.

Starting Weight: 347

Present Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 147

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Mindless/binge eating, try to work more activity in

Following any specific plan: Writing down what I eat. (No portions or calories, just what I have been eating) Exercise 3-4x week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In the past, I meticulously counted calories and it worked very well physically, mentally it was very hard. I became very obsessive over every bite I put into my mouth, making sure to record it down and get the exact calories. I stopped doing things with friends/family because I didn't want to eat with them. I lost a lot of weight quite quickly, however I was very irritable and it is unhealthy to be completely obsessed with it. I have not counted calories in 2 years. I have put back on 56 lbs, about 1/3 of the weight I loss. This time around, I will still be writing down what I eat, but just as a guide to reference. I already know what a "normal" serving size looks like and how to balance a healthy diet. It's just time to put it into action!

Also, I am going on a cruise in July and getting married in April 2018. I want to start dress shopping soon!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Please feel free to reach out to me, I'm always looking for people to talk to about their journey's!

[Zingo]

First name: Leila

Geographical location: London, UK

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single (as ever)

Children/Ages: No children

Occupation: Student, part time classroom assistant/mentor

Pets: Never had one

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, languages, crime dramas, documentaries, football

Height: 5'7 - 170cm

Eye/Hair Color: Black hair, dark brown eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 2016 is the start of my current journey, but I've stopped and started since February 2015.

Starting Weight: 176 - 79kg (Dec 2016). In Feb 2015 I was 167 - 75.5kg

Present Weight: 171 - 77kg (Jan 2017)

Lowest weight (since starting overall fitness journey): 155 - 70kg (April 2015)

Goal Weight: Under 140 - 63kg. But I'm more interested in inches, especially around my belly!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I comfort eat and stress eat :/ plus I give up too easily and make stupid excuses for my ridiculous eating habits

Following any specific plan: Nope.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Well, I'm hoping to not stop. As a student I tend to always give up my healthy eating/exercising when assignment/exam time rolls around, and I have next to no self control when I snack, so then I feel crap and lose motivation quickly. This time I won't allow myself that excuse! Hopefully.... lol

Anything else you would like to share with us: Good luck to everyone!
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[hiimawkward]

First name: Candra

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 25

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 1 boy, 6 months old <3

Occupation: stay at home mom

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: being a mom, psychology, music/singing, browsing the internet, watching tv

Height: 5'

Eye/Hair Color: green eyes and red hair (natural)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 2016

Starting Weight: 271

Present Weight: I honestly don't know right now.

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I can't get my eating under control.

Following any specific plan: I was trying to do Weight Watchers on my own. i need to get back on it.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a son now. I need to get healthy for him!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not really.. I just want to say that I could use any friends and support that anyone is willing to offer!

[ohhi]

First name: Jordan

Geographical location: Missouri

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No children

Occupation: Producer

Pets: 10 year old Aussie and 5 month old Aussie

Hobbies/Interests: Running, working, dog park

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: Green/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2017, did a stint of whole 30 in January 2016

Starting Weight: 187

Present Weight: 173

Lowest weight (since starting overall fitness journey): n/a

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating out has been a hobby for me and I work in adverting.

Following any specific plan: Nope.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm ready to get serious and also cut out drinking!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Good luck to everyone!

[linguigirl]

First name: Marie

Geographical location: Midwest, USA

Age: 21

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: nope

Occupation: undergraduate in linguistics

Pets: a gerbil named Webster

Hobbies/Interests: Language learning, figure skating, singing, cooking, sewing, wishing I could better play the piano and violin

Height: 5' 5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: lost some back in high school, but now Jan. 19, 2016

Starting Weight: 199

Present Weight: 197

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Difficulty curtailing snacks & desserts (especially emotional eating), lack of affinity for rote aerobic exercise like running.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting is at least moderately necessary for me, since I can't eat intuitively. My diet needs a lot of work. Going to bed on time to wake up early enough to actually cook something nutritious for breakfast is going to be a must. Am hoping to minimize gluten intake and possibly dairy as well (and I already eat mostly low fat foods). Snacks in the afternoon when I get home from classes must be curtailed! As far as exercise is concerned, I figure skate at the local outdoor rink when I can in the winter. I have total access to my university's gym, so I need to visit it. Perhaps shooting for three times a week (running, biking, etc)? Would also like to take daily walks (less intensive) just to make sure every day is active. I would move gym activities to outdoors once the weather perks up again. I also want to do rock climbing, but was humiliated by my weight the last time I went, so I'm holding off on that.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am noticing more and more health problems related to weight, and I'm sick of it! I also want to gain the upper hand on my PCOS sooner rather than later, since I hope to have children some day. So I have my health riding on the possibility of weight loss. Also, I want to feel proud of my body, rather than making every attempt to hide its form.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope. Praying that this post is not the last, but a strong beginning.

[Emsikins]

First name: Emily

Geographical location: USA

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: nope

Occupation: author

Pets: 1 cat, 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests: TV, books, architecture, football.

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I've been on and off for years. This new one started in early Jan.

Starting Weight: 194

Present Weight: In the 150s. Will check exact weight on Monday.

Goal Weight: 122

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binge eating, cravings of anything unhealthy.

Following any specific plan: Low carb.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm eating more instead of starving myself, and I'm making better choices.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Really love the support of this community!

[daffynewt]

First name: Kristin

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 23, almost 24

Marital Status: Newly married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student/Receptionist

Pets: 2 cats and a dog

Hobbies/Interests: Art, reading, biking, exploring

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown and blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 01/23/2017

Starting Weight: 198.4 lbs.

Present Weight: 196.5 lbs.

Goal Weight: 130 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Kicking sweets (for the most part) and not eating when bored.

Following any specific plan: Nope!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've made a plan and I have a definite, attainable goal, rather than trying to not eat, etc.

[alystical]

First name: Aly

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: One 2/12 year old

Occupation: Stay at home mom and day care provider to my 3 year old niece and 1 year old nephew. Also a graduate student.

Pets: 1 dog and 2 fish

Starting date of weight loss: I do not think that I have an actual date... I'm always trying it seems, just sometimes harder than others.

Starting Weight: 245

Present Weight: 224

Goal Weight: 135 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Healthy snacking (especially when I am taking care of the little ones!!), taking care of myself as in giving myself time to exercise and prepare healthy foods, my depression/anxiety. My sugar addiction and the overwhelming need to eat the entire portion/ what is in front of me.

Following any specific plan: Trying to exercise again slowly but surely, eating healthy foods (more vegetables, more fruits/ less carbs), taking it slow.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Not really sure to be honest, I am here... and I am not counting down how many pounds I should lose and by when. I just want to be healthy instead of skinny.

[bloominbutterflies]

First name: Cake (not my real name but my forum name, I've been using it 7 years on fragrantica!)

Geographical location: Detroit Metro

Age: 25

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Health Admin.

Pets: 1 dog moonshadow, 2 cats Mao & Fookie

Hobbies/Interests: Perfume Collecting, Cooking (I'm a gourmand), and sadly binge watching netflixs.

Height:5'4.5

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/ Blondish brown confusion

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 1st 2017

Starting Weight: 170

Present Weight: 169

Goal Weight: 110

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with my gradual weight loss plan spanning 3 years.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Using online forum to keep myself accountable!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm really quite lazy.
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