First name (if you want to tell): Jessie, Jess or Jessica

Geographical location: San Lorenzo, CA (around 20 minutes south of San Francisco)

Age: 24 (25 next week)

Marital Status: I live with my boyfriend of over 2 1/2 years

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Human Resources Coordinator

Pets: two bearded dragons, Bella & Brutus, and a 13 week old Jack Russell Terrier named Chase

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, reading, watching movies, hanging out with my boyfriend and going out to the club dancing with my girlies!!!!

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: black/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: It's been a struggle for a long time

Starting Weight: 216 was my highest weight

Present Weight: 185.8

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I think now it is finding the motivation. I was 5 lbs away from my goal almost 2 years ago and then have gained so much weight back. I just need to get in the groove and go for it and when I get their, maintain! Besides motivation I need to stay away from the sweets!!!

Following any specific plan: No. I have never followed any plan and I was very successful at that in the past. I guess my plan is to make this a life change and not just a quick fix.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Before, when I had lost a bunch of weight I thought I could eat whatever I wanted because I was thin. I stopped watching the weight and what I ate. Now I know what it feels like to be the thin girl and I want that feeling back so baddddd. I never want to weight 216 again.

First name (if you want to tell): Jen

Geographical location: Arizona

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single....*sigh*

Children/Ages: None...BUT, I live w/ my family...9 yo brother, 15 yo sister, 16 yo brother and 20 yo sister...so I feel like I have children!

Occupation: Currently looking....*sigh*

Pets: None...I recently moved w/ my family across the country, and we left our two cats with a cat-loving neighbor....*sigh*

Hobbies/Interests: Walking, Reading, Writing, Travel, Cooking! (learning through trial and error ), Day Dreaming, Listening to Music (Bruce Springsteen, especially), Hiking, Playing w/ my little brother, Interior Design.....

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/21/05!

Starting Weight: 182

Present Weight: 182

Goal Weight: 115 lbs ...but I will settle w/ 120-130 lbs if I am happy w/ how my body looks....I have never been below 157, so I have no clue what 130, 125, 120 or 115 will look like!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binge eating...I am my own worst enemy....

Following any specific plan: 1300 - 1400 calories daily, 60 min. cardio 5-7 days/week and strength training 3-4x/week (I might have to wait on this one until I am able to join a gym)...That's the plan I want to do Pilates 3-4x a week as well. I have a Windsor Pilates DVD that needs to be dusted off

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel like nothing can hold me back from reaching my goals this time....I am ready to become the person I always knew was there, but was covered up by fat!

Anything else you would like to share with us: My reward when I reach my weight goal of 115 lbs is a week-long trip to the Bahamas!

Also, to everybody and !! (OK, that's enough smilies for now!)

First name : Jane
Geographical location: California
Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Sudent (Mechanical Engineering)

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Racing, Cars, reading, partying, shopping, anything that sounds fun

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/ currently red but want to go blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Not sure, a long time but I want to get it done this time.

Starting Weight: 155 originally, but 130 this time

Present Weight: 126

Goal Weight: aroung 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am a binge eater. I can stick on a plan for a little bit, but then I binge one day, and then can't stop for like a week. It takes me a long time to get back on track when I fall off the wagon.

Following any specific plan: just the one i made up, which has basicalyl no rules. i realized I always screw up if I have rules, so now I just try to excercise everyday and eat healthy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I always wanted the quick fix. Now I want to be healthy.

First name: Meredith

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age: 24

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: technical assistant

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: I love cooking, so I'm trying out some healthier recipes, and I think I can safely say that going to the gym has become a hobby.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Spring 2003

Starting Weight: 175

Present Weight: 133

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying motivated

Following any specific plan: I lost most of my weight following Joy Bauer's 90/10 Plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Finally decided to get healthy--also, fitting into smaller clothes is my vain reason.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I got down to my goal weight then regained about twelve pounds, so I'm looking to knock those off and stay there.

First name: Mel

Geographical location: Green Bay, WI

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married almost 1 year!

Children/Ages: 1 beautiful little boy, 5mos old

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 1 dog: golden retriever named Patriot, he's 2 1/2

Hobbies/Interests: my internet birth club, going to the dog park, shopping, playing with my son, painting, drawing, reading, cross stitching . . .

Height: 5"2

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 06/22/05

Starting Weight: 191

Present Weight: 184

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying motivated and not eating like my hubby!

Following any specific plan: not as of right now, but maybe

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I had a baby. It's not easy to lose that baby weight! Also, I'm going to do it without using pills!
Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name (if you want to tell): Erin

Geographical location: Tennessee

Age: 28

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: I'm a history geek who's found a way to incorporate that into a career as an archivist (sort of like a librarian, but with special collections like historic manuscripts). I also love sports, especially college basketball and Nascar.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: February 2003

Starting Weight: 286

Present Weight: 173

Goal Weight: 145-150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: binge eating and the fact that my couch seems so much more inviting than the elliptical!

Following any specific plan: nope

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I had never actually tried before. Honestly, I thought I would fail, so I never really tried.

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

First name: Lena

Geographical location: Malaysia

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single

Occupation: IT Developer

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Apr 2005

Starting Weight: 178 - 180

Present Weight: 170

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: snacking at night, eating all meals, not working out

Following any specific plan: eat less, work out a lot more

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: my mindset, I had lost 15 lbs from Apr - June 05 but gained 10 lbs. back when I started a new job (since August to now). Key thing is working out - which I have not done consistently since August .. so I have to make sure I get the workouts in.

Geographical location: Japan

Age: 22

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: English conversation teacher

Pets: one yorkie

Hobbies/Interests: reading, travelling, karaoke, spending time with my husband, playing spades, shopping, and web design

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I started working out again on Oct 4.

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 190

Goal Weight: 145-150...I was wearing a size 6/8 when I was 145 the last time. I'd be happy at a size 8/10 .

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not stopping my workouts after one bad day or after I plateau.

Following any specific plan: Eating well, working out 5-6 times a week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't feel like I have failed if I miss one day of exercise. I'm honest with myself about my shortcomings. I'm trying to think of exercise as more of a lifestyle than a 3 month goal where I lose 25 lbs and quit.

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 27

Marital Status: Married, 11 months

Children/Ages: none yet!

Occupation: graduate student

Pets: one 5-year-old cat named Tigger. Two one-year-old labrador retrievers at my parents' house. The dogs aren't really mine, but I go to visit them plenty...

Hobbies/Interests: writing, walking, photography, scrapbooking, cooking, knitting, shopping, watching movies (although they're usually very cheesy)

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: grey/lt brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: November 26, 2005

Weight goals: lose a total of 17 1/2 pounds. I have lost 6 so far.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: snacking! My husband and I had a habit of eating a lot of empty calories after dinner, more out of boredom than anything. Now we're on the diet, we can't do that, but sometimes it is ever so tempting.

Following any specific plan: South Beach Diet combined with moderate exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: never followed a specific diet plan before, so never had any clear boundaries on what/how much to eat before.

Anything else you would like to share with us: glad to be here on the forum, nice to meet everyone!

First name (if you want to tell): Vanessa

Geographical location: Virginia

Age: 22

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none...I work in a high school. That pretty much turns off the need for children, at least for now.

Occupation: Permanent sub at a HS, looking to be a grad student in the spring to get teaching cert.

Pets: 2 psychotic cats who believe I live for nothing but their pleasure.

Hobbies/Interests: Movies, art, TRAVEL, books, writing, going out with friends, cooking, music, museums, history (esp medieval and renaissance), etc

Height: 5'4"-(5'5" when I'm optimistic)

Eye/Hair Color: grey/blonde-brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: November 29, 2005

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 212.5

Goal Weight: 125, but I'd probably settle for something anywhere between that and 145/50.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm a really picky eater, and I think about having to eat a meal seperate from my family and it makes me feel guilty. Which means I have to start cooking healthy for everyone. This means I have to think ahead. Ugh.

Following any specific plan: I tried WW and Atkins, and I have found that I lose wieght when i go off these because i think about the food ALL the time. So this time its just doing Taebo 45 min every night and eating healthier and smaller portions. I'm still working on the eating part.

What is different this time in your weight loss effort: Every other time it was a "eh, it would be nice to lose the wieght." This time I have finally reached the point where I look at myself and I'm disgusted with myself. I'm sick of looking like I do, and being unhealthy.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm looking forward to reading the boards for support, friendship and ideas, and giving out the same.

First name (if you want to tell): Poppy

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 20

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: playing viola, soccer (but haven't playing in a while haha), rock climbing, watching movies.

Height: 5' 7.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: somewhere around january 2005

Starting Weight: 165

Present Weight: 145

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Eating healthily at school! I don't like bringing my own lunch and everything there is junk or full of fat. And eating when stressed/bored. Especially during exam times.

Following any specific plan: Sort of ww, but I just count points in my head and estimate. (right now on 23 points a day)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm not sure, it just started when I was a bit depressed and lost my appetite. Once that was over, I just kept on going and didn't stop until september, when I went back to school. Since then, I haven't been following plan at all, I've been stuck at 145. Weirdly enough I haven't gained weight even though I ate anything I wanted and more than I used to when I was losing.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love summer, can't wait till it comes. because this time I'll be ready for it.

First name (if you want to tell): Wilma

Geographical location: California

Age: 23

Marital Status: single, long distance relationship

Children/Ages: none, not ready yet

Occupation: Supportive Living Services for disabled adults

Pets: We have a cat. Katie Kat.

Hobbies/Interests: internet junkie, work, talking on the phone, going to the beach, swimming, biking, shopping, sleeping... zzz

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August '05 - started WeightWatchers

Starting Weight: 210

Present Weight:197

Goal Weight: Would be happy to get down to 160, but my goal set on WW is 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Odd work schedule and occasional feelings of haphazardness

Following any specific plan: WeightWatcher Core Plan (online)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was starting from a higher place. I used to be in the low 180s, but recently gained more. The added pounds made me feel disgusted with myself enough to give WeightWatchers a try. Now, I'm sort of feeling apathetic again... since it hasn't been working, or I've been lacking the discipline to follow correctly.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm a vegan, and I've found that made being on WeightWatchers harder because it narrowed down the options of what I could eat even further. With both limitations of Core and vegan, I feel like I have to constantly watch what I eat, and I feel very unnatural about that. I think that's why I'm having a hard time. Actually, at the moment, I'm considering trying some other way.