First name (if you want to tell): Cambri

Geographical location: Iowa

Age: 22

Marital Status: single-ish...there's a guy though...

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: I'm in between things right now...

Pets: 5 cats, a dog, and a turtle

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, tanning, hair, makeup, web design, hanging out.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Starting over again on January 1st 2006

Starting Weight: 234

Present Weight: 227

Goal Weight: short term - 180, long term - 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i need to do more cardio

Following any specific plan: lots of exercise and not eating as much

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am moving to florida and I don't want to be the "fat girl"

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have starting pictures, but I'm kinda scared to post them right now. :x

First name: Elise

Geographical location: SouthEastern Louisiana, USA.

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Mike (6), Joe (4) and Catie (2).

Occupation: sahm

Pets: 2 female cats, Momma and Marbles

Hobbies/Interests: art, webdesign, outdoors, animals, medical stuff, politics, religion...

Height: 4'11"

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, brownish reddish hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:

Starting Weight: 154lbs

Present Weight: 154lbs

Goal Weight: 115lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating right and having enough energy to exercise...

Following any specific plan: For exercise yes, Billy's Bootcamp. As for dieting... I haven't found a plan yet.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have realistic expectations of how much I should lose and how long and how much hard work it will take.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm losing weight to get healthy since heart disease runs in my family, and I'm getting in shape so I can do all the things I've always wanted to do. I've spent the last 7 years hiding inside my house, so I have alot to make up for. And I want to have the ability, energy and the confidence to do it all.

First name (if you want to tell): Kim

Geographical location: Perth Western Australia

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: One 2 Yrs old

Occupation: Stay at home Mummy

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, going to the movies, working out, watching tv Clubbing, Pubbing when i can

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/ dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 20th Jan 06

Starting Weight: 78 kilos

Present Weight: 78 kilos

Goal Weight: 55 kilos

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Probably giving up my fizzy drinks and take out and over coming the embarrisment at the gym

Following any specific plan: a little bit...lol

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Ive had my jenny criag photo moment, i was waiting for that moment to gain all the motivation to keep up with it, now ive had that moment... im full of enthusiasm

Anything else you would like to share with us: after 2 days my arms already feel tighter! :P haha or maybe thats what i keep telling myself!

First name (if you want to tell): Melissa

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 29

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: nada

Occupation: cubicle by weekdays, restaurant on weekends

Pets: my Trixie Belle!

Hobbies/Interests: reading, thinking, crafty stuff, travel

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown/auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: oh man...1989? It's a work in progress. I'll say 1/1/06 for now.

Starting Weight: 197

Present Weight: not sure...it's dangerous for me to have a scale around so I weigh once a month now. Have to wait 11 days to check progress.

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm a foodie and there's nothing I will say no to. The key is learning moderation!

Following any specific plan: none...I've tried every program out there (Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, etc, etc) and failed. I'm just not a structure person. Luckily I've counted calories/exchanges for so many years that now I just kind of add in my head throughout the day and try to make good choices. Like bacon and pancakes for breakfast equals chicken and salad for lunch and so on. I also work out five days a week at my corporate gym- 4 days of cardio, either treadmill or elliptical. Three days are 30 minutes and one day is 45 minutes. Also two yoga classes each week.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Because this is now ... this is not a failed attempt in the past. And if it turns out to be then I pick up and start over again.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm planning on starting culinary school this year. Kind of ironic, isn't it?

First name (if you want to tell): Alexis

Geographical location: Chicago, IL

Age: 24

Marital Status: Living in sin with my bf of 4 yrs.

Children/Ages: Someday

Occupation: R.N.

Pets: Someday

Hobbies/Interests: Running races, Going to the lake, Riding my bike, Shopping way too much, Drinking with Friends

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Bluish/Green and Blonde Hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Let's Say 01/06

Starting Weight: 188

Present Weight: 184

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not eating like a boy, Getting into the workout groove again.
Following any specific plan: WW by myself

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am journaling what I eat, I feel like I will be getting engaged soon, and I don't want to have to worry about planning a wedding and being a fat bride. Plus, I really have some great clothes in my closet from when I had mono (was skinny) and working at an VERY nice clothing boutique.
Anything else you would like to share with us: I used to have unhealthy eating patterns, so this is the first time that I have been on a forum that encourages healthy eating so I'm really excited. I love shopping, fashion, nursing, and all things Chicago. I am great about posting at other forums, so PM me if you have any questions. Good luck everyone. It's great to be here.

First name (if you want to tell): Frances

Geographical location: Norwich, England (mostly)

Age: 21

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Student, final yr English lit

Pets: a cat, Patch

Hobbies/Interests: hanging out with friends, shopping, watching films, reading

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/mid-brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time? Jan 06

Highest Weight: 168

Present Weight: I don't know, I'm seeing if I can do it without scales this time around. Maybe 161.

Goal Weight: For my size 12 (think that's an 8 in american) TopShop jeans to fit comfortably. Under 140 wouldn't suck.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: That I've aborted these things so may times before.

Following any specific plan: healthier food, less food. more exercise.


What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm trying to do it by how my clothes fit. I've found in the past when I've weighed myself that getting the numbers to go down becomes almost like a competition - it encourages my inner perfectionist. I have to teach myself that it's ok to screw up. I think. I'll let you know how it goes.

First name (if you want to tell): Athena

Geographical location: Kentucky

Age: 26

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Unemployed; student

Pets: 2 cats, Aries & Stinky

Hobbies/Interests: Reading (a LOT) , listening to country music, pouring over cookbooks, daily blogging, shopping, etc

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: dark green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2006....Dieting was always a half-formed idea in my mind, but for some dang reason, it really took root this past month.

Starting Weight: 206

Present Weight: 190....I still cannot believe that!

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Being able to have the right kind of food day in and day out. Sometimes I just don't have the money for it.

Following any specific plan: After doing extensive reading, I've honed it down to my own personal weight loss plan which is a cross between South Beach and Denise Austin. It's mostly common sense for the most part. My biggiest problem is exercising.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Because it's like a new chapter has opened in my personal book of life, and I'm finally ready to tackle this next step of mine.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Simply having a community like this to come back to when I feel good or bad on a given day is just great. I never thought having support in this area would be so crucial, but it is. Thank you for that!

Geographical location: Perth, Western Australia

Age: 27

Marital Status: living with BF

Children/Ages: none for me, but BF has two - aged 8 and 10

Occupation: Personal Assistant/Jack of all trades

Pets: my two babies - a king charles cav and a boston terrier, both 1 years old.

Hobbies/Interests: music, reading, photography, my dogs, cooking, crafty stuff, ie, jewellery making, scrapbooking

Height: 5'9" (or there about)

Eye/Hair Color: blue/dirty blonde in desperate need of a recolour

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Currently . . . . 24th Jan 06

Starting Weight: 108kg (238lb)

Present Weight: as above

Goal Weight: 65kg (143lb)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: stopping the excuses and just doing it.

Following any specific plan: whole foods, ie, avoiding the processed stuff, weights/strength training with Joyce Vedrals Definition program, and bits and pieces picked up over time.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am concerned for my health and with the big 30 coming up in a couple of years I want to be better and healthier and enjoy life as one should.

Anything else you would like to share with us: not just yet, but I am sure I will spill my guts eventually

First name (if you want to tell): Nicole

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 22 (in about a week, anyway, gotta practice!)

Marital Status: Unmarried, have a boyfriend

Children/Ages: Nope.

Occupation: Student in college, studying plant biology/natural resources

Pets: I stick with plants.

Hobbies/Interests: hobbies/pasttimes--walking, playing French horn, reading (books and magazines and internet and the back of cereal boxes....), cooking, sleeping!, original nintendo, beading, hanging out. interests--half a dozen pseudoacademic mental playthings at any given time (sovereignty, cultural interactions shaping the landscape, the environment, blah blah), sometimes fashion, my culture, surely some other less dorky things that aren't coming to mind

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I think I was four. Well, this time around anyway...sometime a little before the new year, followed by a holidays setback, and restarted for the new year 2006.

Starting Weight: 254

Present Weight: 244

Goal Weight: 199 is my first goal, and maybe by time I get there I'll have a better idea for a true goal weight.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Maintaining a routine is my biggest exercise challenge. Same with eating to a certain extent, but snacking and grazing all the time and the semi-regular use of food as entertainment lead me to eat a TON of food. I'm also a cheesaholic.

Following any specific plan: Nope.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm looking for my first post-graduation job and nearly all the job postings I read that I think look like something I want describe a certain fitness requirement. Even if I can do it I could be written off based on my weight--I'd like to avoid this in the future, and besides it's just sort of a bummer that for all the work I've done in school, I should have been working on this matter as well or what I have to offer will be overlooked. Also, I'd sure like to spend at least some of my young life not overweight.

First name (if you want to tell): Janell

Geographical location: Missouri

Age: 21

Marital Status: Married, 1 year

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Retail

Pets: 4 cats, two dogs, 10 fish, two turtles

Hobbies/Interests: Collecting Clowns, Reading, writing, crafts, art, sewing, movies, relaxing with hubby, a hot shower, swimming, SLEEPING!

Height: 5'10"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 6th 2006

Starting Weight: 252

Present Weight: 246

Goal Weight: 175, maybe lower, i will see when I get there

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: exercise, I hate it. I dont do it much though. All I do is walking. It seems to be paying off though.

Following any specific plan: 3 hour diet, walking 30 minutes a day. Also my doctor put me on Phentermine.(appetite suppresant, helps my body to stop producing sugar, maximizes metabolism)

First name (if you want to tell): Stacey

Geographical location: Germany (but I am an American)

Age: 24

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Domestic Goddess/Graduate Student

Pets: 0

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, reenacting, cooking, sleeping..

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Well..all my life..lol..but um..this time I restarted this back in November.

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 212

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: snack foods/sodas

Following any specific plan: No..no specific plan. Just watching what I eat. Counting calories, trying to cut out junk and exercising. :-)

First name (if you want to tell): Nicole

Geographical location: Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia

Age: 22

Marital Status: living in sin with the BF

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: currently editorial quality control specialist at LSAC, but looking into going to graduate school

Pets: three cats-- 2 originally my bf's, and a 3 month old kitten thats miiiine :-)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, going to the movies, browsing through stores (trying to cut down on actual spending, though!), anything with music, etc.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: red/hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: well I'm officially starting the diet on Feb. 6 (right after the Superbowl!)

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 230

Goal Weight: I'd be happy around 150, maybe 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm a carb junkie, especially anything sweet. I also eat when I'm bored. AND I like to go to restaurants with the bf... so, a triple threat!

Following any specific plan: going to be starting the South Beach Diet, and tryng to exercise more

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I guess I never seriously set out to lose weight before. I complained about my weight a lot, and pitied myself. I'd say, "If I get to be such-and-such a weight, THEN I'll start trying to lose," but I never did. I'm finaly sick of feeling this way about myself, so here goes nothing!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Ummmmmm... I have double jointed big toes. Really, I can do some seriously strange things with them.

First name (if you want to tell): Alison

Geographical location: Western MA

Age: 24

Marital Status: living w/my BF

Children/Ages: Nope

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Pets: 2 male cats, Shamis & Tucker

Hobbies/Interests: Taking pictures, scrapbooking, camping, traveling, having fun w/friends, and I love frogs too! Love watching the Biggest Loser too and all the forensic shows!

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/light brown w/highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2006

Starting Weight: 160

Present Weight: 151

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: To not go out drinking w/friends every weekend!! I love my beer! and to stay away from Pasta! I could live on pasta n beer for the rest of my life! UGH!!!!!!

Following any specific plan: Michael Thurmond's 6wk body makeover...as of right now, but once the 6 wks is up, i'll probably continue to eat right and maybe mix it up with some WW. I'll do whatever works for my body!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm really fed up this time. I can't stand to go up another size...I feel that if I don't do something now, it's going to get out of my control and I'll be sorry. I've realized that I have to do this on my own. I can't depend on any of my friends to be my support system or to stick with it, so I have to do it for myself and WANT it for myself!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Being able to come here & read everyone else's thoughts and tips makes me feel not so alone and it really keeps me motivated to have a place to go that relates to what I'm going through!

First name:Sara

Geographical location:NW USA (Oregon)

Age:22

Marital Status:Single and Loving it!

Children/Ages:Sammuel 2 1/2

Occupation:Mommy and supervisor at Burger king and soon, going to school

Pets:2 goldies

Hobbies/Interests:Midwifery, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology

Height:5'3"

Eye/Hair Color:blue/green brown/highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journeyriginally in 1994 @11 years old, but THIS time around 1/23/06

Starting Weight:261

Present Weight:245

Goal Weight:130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Working at BK and trying to feed my picky toddler. Also, when my friends go out to eat, I never felt like I could go with them because i though everyone would be like, Well, she's huge, she doesn't need to eat anymore

Following any specific plan:South Beach Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I'M READY

Anything else you would like to share with us:SAMMY IS POTTY TRAINING!!!