First name (if you want to tell): kit, kitty (nicks)

Geographical location: Baja California

Age: 23

Marital Status: Verrry single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: er... i start art school in feb! ^_^

Pets: Haru, an adorable cat that looks like but acts like

Hobbies/Interests: anything art related, lenguages, learning, going to the movies and out with my friends, reading, cooking, listening to music, and i spend too much time online so i guess its a hobby

Height: short (somewhere between 5'2" and 5'3" i think)

Eye/Hair Color: dark-brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: O_o ages, but i just snapped last night and *started* today.

Starting Weight: 140.8 lbs? (64kg)

Present Weight: i just started!

Goal Weight: about 123lbs i guess (56kg) but more interested in shape that weight... i WILL have a small waist someday.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: used to work out alot, but i was getting bored of it, i would work enough to look "ok" though, had an accident and stopped going to the gym, then i got lazy, then i couldnt afford it, then i didint had someone to go with, you get the idea.

Following any specific plan: not really, the times i've tryed it has backfired, so i'll just try to eat healthy and find alot of fun ways to work out.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: no more boring stuff, no more "cant eat this" and no more depending on someone to go with me to the gym, hopefuly i'll find some buddies here

Anything else you would like to share with us: i want to feel good again, i used to be so healthy and flexible... now old ladies have more energy and are more flexible than me ^_^;

First name (if you want to tell):Susan but call me Sue

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 20

Marital Status: not presently, but I am waiting till money and my weight is gone...

Children/Ages: 1/2yrs

Occupation: student

Pets: Does my boyfriend count? LOL!

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, going to the movies, reading vampire novels, watching tv, and playing with my son.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Gold/Brown w/ red streaks

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: When I quit breast feeding I didn't stop eating that way. I ended up much more over weight than I ever have been.

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 217

Goal Weight: 145... I just hope I can make it there this time

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I enjoy eating. I use it to relax, de~stress, heck I use it for anything. I LOVE FOOD!!! What can I say. I can't think of food as the enemy...

Following any specific plan: the weight Watchers Flew plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was told by my boyfriend that I looked like I had lost weight... but when I asked him how much he thought I weighed he sad about 250... ouch!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need someone to help me. Pushe me along. Tell me that even a smal hurdle wil help.. I dunno something. I don't want to give up now.

Geographical location:
Canada

Age:
21

Marital Status:
Single

Children/Ages:
N/A

Occupation:
Student

Pets:
A spoiled 14 year old cat that I get to see on the weekends when I go home


Hobbies/Interests:
Music, writing, wasting time online, drawing, reading, TV, movies...

Height:
5'4

Eye/Hair Color:
Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:
November 1, 2006

Starting Weight:
211

Present Weight:
211

Goal Weight:
145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:
I overeat like crazy, snack at night, and am embarrassingly lazy. So it's really no surprise that I weigh what I do.

Following any specific plan:
Nope, just one of my own making, that I'll modify as needed as I go along!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I'll be getting my degree this April, and then will hopefully be relocating to continue my education in another city. I want it to be a fresh start, and I want to go into it having more confidence and feeling better about myself. Also, the older I get, the more concerned I become about potential weight-related health problems. So far, I've been lucky enough to enjoy good health, and I want to be able to continue to do so. So, here I am!

First name (if you want to tell): Jessica

Geographical location: Santa Barbara, CA

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none, thank god. i can barely take care of myself

Occupation: student and barista

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: I love singing and dancing!

Height: 4'11

Eye/Hair Color: green/ light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 20

Starting Weight: 179

Present Weight: 152

Goal Weight: 125 or less, not quite sure

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Living at school it is so hard that I am reliant on the dining commons for my food. Its especially hard when I have a bad day. For example today I was pretty low on the calories from breakfast and dinnner and binged on mac 'n' cheese and ending up having a dinner of 1,500 calories. A part of the battle is also not letting things like that get me down.

First name (if you want to tell): Caro

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 23

Marital Status: long term relationship )

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: receptionist

Pets: 4 kitties

Hobbies/Interests: college football!

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I fluctuate between eating disorders constantly. at the moment, I'm trying to do this the right way. so my official "start date" is 11/4/06?

Starting Weight: somewhere around 200

Present Weight: ^^

Goal Weight: I'd like to be 120.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: let's see.. my boyfriend is a skinny little rail who eats pizza and drinks beer 24 hours a day and never gains a pound. my coworkers eat all the time and sometimes it's hard to resist. and I'm a comfort eater.

Following any specific plan: not yet.. just started Turbo Jam to get a little bit of exercise in.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm dead freaking serious this time! I want to look good in a wedding dress, be healthy, have an easier time getting and staying pregnant (it's actually pretty hard for me to carry to term..), you name it and I want it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been diagnosed with EDNOS and it's hard for me to not fall back into really horrible eating habits, be it starving myself or binging.

First name (if you want to tell): In my sig

Geographical location: South East Asia (if you want to know where specifically, just ask )

Age: 19

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student

Pets: 2 fluff balls (cats)

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing (my own invented dance moves ), drawing

Height: 5' 7 ish

Eye/Hair Color: both brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: erm about 4 years ago

Starting Weight: 213 lbs

Present Weight: 177lbs

Goal Weight: 145 lbs, I may want to lose 10 more if I still think I need to, but I'm in no hurry

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Avoiding lots and lots of bread!

Following any specific plan: Counting calories, balancing my meals, adding aerobic excercises, cardio and weights.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I do not want to be like this for the rest of my life and I guess you could call it a slap in the face this time. Before I wanted to lose weight for everyone else, this time I'm losing it for myself.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I come from a Scottish/Irish/Asian background where potatoes/bread/noodles/rice etc are part of our daily meals. So yes, not enough of the good stuff is involved

Geographical location: Virginia

Age: 24

Marital Status: been dating my BF for 4 years

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Marketing

Pets: none- I really want a puppy though

Hobbies/Interests: shopping,tennis,movies,reading, hanging out with my friends!

Height: 6'0"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 13,2006

Starting Weight: 231

Present Weight: 198

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love food and especially going to to dinner! Also, as a child I wasnt allowed to leave the table until my plate was clean- well lets just say that I dont have a problem cleaning my plate anymore! Now I have the hardest time stopping when I am full. I have been getting better at it though!

Following any specific plan: was on weightwatchers and am hoping to get back into it

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I followed a specific plan and admitted that I couldnt do it by myself

First Name: Janelle
Geographic Location:California
Age:27
Marital Status:Soon 2 B
Occupation:OFFICE STUFF
Pets:Dog, Hamster,Fish
Hobbies:Reading, Sewing, Cooking
Height:5'7
Eye/HairBrown
Starting Weight:215
Goal150
Biggest hurdle to overcome weightloss:Snacking
The difference this time is that I have been chunky all my life and I am getting married to a wonderful man and I NEED this for myself to know that if I can overcome being overweight I can do anything

Well, I've been around for a couple weeks now, and I figured I should probably give some background, so...

First name (if you want to tell): Amanda (Mande)

Geographical location: Bonnyville, AB, Canada

Age: 23

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: Do my pets count? Sometimes I think they act like children...

Occupation: Adminstration, Accounts Payable/Receivable

Pets: Laila (Cat, 22 yrs - Nicknames: Fatty, NoNeck, The Champ, The Chimp, Chimpy), Neda (Cat, 3 yrs - Nicknames: HoJu (from the Simpsons), Moju, Mojo), a plethera of fish and snails. My hampster, Bandit (4 1/2 yrs) just passed away this summer, and last year we said good bye to Socks The Cat (21 yrs)

Hobbies/Interests: I LOVE to read. I'll read anything. I don't garauntee that I'll like it, but I'll read it. I also take interest in writing, mostly poetry or prose. I used to love doing all kinds of outdoor activities when I was a bit younger, hiking, mountain biking, snowboard/skiing, swimming, and Ultimate Frisbee. I hope to get to the point where I can do these things with ease again.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Dirty Blonde (changes regularly)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Oh, well, there have been MANY start dates. I can't remember the exact date that the latest hit me.

Starting Weight: 279

Present Weight: This will change frequently, heh.

Goal Weight: The Gym instructor seems to think I'd be good at 160, but I remember being 160, and I was not happy. For someone with my height and build, I would say a good 130-135 would be the ultimate happy weight.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Bingeing. And the wrong kind of support (ie: "I love you just the way you are, honey. You don't need to change."). Lack of self control, missing willpower.. both hurdles ebbing away slowly. Low self esteem. That can't be taught, but somehow I've got to learn it.

Following any specific plan: Calorie Counting and Exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It's like a boyfriend that you really loved. You fight, you break up, you get back together. But the final breakup, you somehow know in your gut that there will be no getting back together.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Honestly, I'm shy. And the combination of shyness and selfesteem issues doesn't equal a happy combination, so if I tend to sit back in most posts and not say too much, trust me, I'm still reading and rooting for all of you!

First name (if you want to tell): Sacena

Geographical location: south jersey

Age: 23 next month

Marital Status: bf

Children/Ages: himilayan cat - kahlua 5 years old

Occupation: judiciary clerk

Pets: kitten love

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, school, reading, kayaking/canoeing, relaxing, football (cowboys!!!) nascar (#20), driving around in my jeep, being a beach bum
Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: some time this week...next monday?

Starting Weight: 155

Present Weight: 155 (i didn't start yet)

Goal Weight: oh to be 115 again

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: eating out and time!

Following any specific plan: i wanna try ww

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

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name (if you want to tell): Tasha

Geographical locationWashington
Age: 23

Marital Status: engaged, living with my wonderful fiance

Children/Ages: nada

Occupation: member service rep at a credit union
Pets: a 1 year old puppy, half rot/half german shepard... shes such a love! and a 6 month old grey tabby kitten.

Hobbies/Interests: crafts! anything and everything! from knitting, sewing, scrapbooking, beading... i love going to coffee with friends.. heck I go to coffee by myself! hehe, im such a caffine junky! i love the outdoors as well, from hiking, to walking, to running... im not a big winter fan, but i will go snowboarding from time to time. now i will be busy planning our wedding for next year... im a little scared about this though. not the marriage part, but the planning part.
Height: 5'2 "

Eye/Hair Color: *green* / drk brown,

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: oh my... pretty much my entire life! i was a chubby kid and didnt realise it until kids at school started making fun of me. my self esteem dropped and i wasnt happy with myself. i always wanted to be someone else and remember praying everynight to a high power to help me. during my 6th and 7th grade summer i wated to make a change. so i started eating right, excersizing everynight, was wearing makeup better and bought cute clothes. soon i started being asked out by boys... i was sooo happy then!

Starting Weight: my heighest weight was about 160, 3 years ago, and since then ive been at 135-140.

Present Weight: 138

Goal Weight: i would love to be at about 120-125, but weight reallt isnt the problem here, its my mental picture of myself. i would love to be a size 4-6 and just to be content with the way i look in the mirror, with our without clothes!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: my fiance! I love him with all of my heart, but he doesnt really support me the way i would like to be supported through this. hes alwasy telling me i dont need to lose weight, and if i eat small, he jumps down my throat. he just doesnt realise that i dont eat huge portions.. i just cant. but hes getting better with buying me sf treats, putting my meals on small plates and making sure to grab a kids menu when we go out!

Following any specific plan: not really, just sticking to a natural food approach, veggies and fruits and my gym time... 60-90 minutes.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i really dont know how to answer this... im on track, nut i just need to be more determined and guided.

Anything else you would like to share with us: ha, i think i wrote enough! but if you want to know anything more, just feel free to message me! I LOVE meeting new people and chatting it up!!

First name (if you want to tell): Katie

Geographical location: Philly (grew up in NC, went to college in Houston)

Age: 25

Marital Status: married to my law school library

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: student

Pets: two cats -> see avatar; the orange one is Mac, and the grey fluffy one is Fiona

Hobbies/Interests: rugby (not playing right now due to school schedule conflicts), watching downloaded tv shows on my computer (love Grey's Anatomy; I've also started watching Bones, Dexter, Six Degrees and <I'm ashamed> Desparate Housewives), biking (to and from school and around town), reading non-school related books, weight lifting, shopping for stuff I can't afford to buy on the internet, keeping warm, and most importantly - playing with the cats

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: green-brown hazel/brown with blonde highlights (both natural and otherwise)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: If you saw a family photo, you would understand it started even before I was born. But this newest push started when the school year did.

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 175 (in reality though, I don't care so much about the weight itself--since I lift, I expect to weigh more; I really want to get down to a size 14)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: The time involved. I'm just busy all the time, leaving home at 8:30 am and getting back at 10-11pm most nights. If I don't pack my two meals for while I'm gone, I end up buying bagels from the trucks or junk food from the vending machines. And because I'm vegetarian, I can't just pick up a grilled chicken whatever. Or I end up eating when I get back at night, and I'm too tired to deal with real food so I just make pasta. I think I just want to find a food plan and stick to it; something that I don't have to think about. Since I'm a vegetarian, however, I can't just buy South Beach or something like that and follow it.

Following any specific plan: Not currently. I'm just trying to cut back on starches and get back to not keeping any junk food in the house.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I recently had hand surgery and my dad came to take care of me; unfortunately, that meant the level of bad food in the house skyrocketed. And he left before finishing it. So in addition to not biking for several weeks while waiting for my hand to heal, I also haven't been lifting and I've been eating very unhealthily. And I can feel it. Not only have I gained back weight that I was happy to get rid of earlier, I feel crappy. Luckily, I've started back, but I know that with exam time coming, and the holidays, I'm about to enter an extremely stressful time. And like all good emotional-eaters, that's when I start overeating. So I think what's different is the realization that I needed to find some support to help me get through this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: No, think I said enough already.

First name (if you want to tell): Ana

Geographical location: Madrid (Grew up in Brazil, have lived for a while in Washington, DC and now Spain is my home, for the time being ! )

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single - giving a break to my poor heart ...

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Financial Analyst - focusing on the telecom market

Pets: none - would love to have a dog, but it wouldn´t be fair to it, as I´m never home...

Hobbies/Interests: soccer, mountain biking, volley, roller blading, snowboarding, reading, travelling, dacing ... Well, I´m up for almost anything, I always try to just have fun

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: brown for both

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: At age 10, I actually remember my first diet, I used to sail competitively and my coach told me I had to loose weight to improve my time, I lost 10kg then (about 22 pounds)... I was always chubby, on and off a diet, but things started to get serious after my grandma had a really bad heart attack (I was 18 then), and I gained 20kg (44 pounds) in 2 months... yo-yo dieted for a couple more years, then moved to the US, and things got worse when I moved back to Brazil 1 1/2 years later... until I finally reached my highest weight of 110 kg (about 242 pounds)... wake call was after a family intervention, in november 2004

Starting Weight: 242

Present Weight: 149

Goal Weight: 118

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional eating

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting, as I try to keep it around 1300 calories and exercizing

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In the past two years I´ve learned a lot about myself, I´ve started to pay more attention to me, and learned to cut me a slack sometimes (I´m my worst critic), this time I´m taking it slow, and I´m not expecting that all my problems will vanish once I get to my goal weight... this time I´m doing it for me

Anything else you would like to share with us: Uff, I think you guys had enough of me ... will be glad to share anything else you´re curious about, feel free to PM me... even if all you wanna know is about the beaches in Rio or the fiestas (parties) in Madrid !

First name: Sara
Geographical location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 23
Marital Status: single
Occupation: eBay customer service
Pets: none
Hobbies/Interests: knitting, knitting! some webdesign, I need to find more hobbies!
Height: 5'11"
Eye/Hair Color: brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today
Starting Weight: 330 I think
Present Weight: same
Goal Weight: I would like to be at 175, but we'll see
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sit-down job, stupid vending machines, getting off the computer.
Following any specific plan: thinking about going to Weight Watchers again, but not currently.
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I just feel totally different this time around.

First name (if you want to tell): Tina

Geographical location: Phoenix, AZ

Age: 26

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: production for a small manufacturing company

Pets: one daschund, Sonya

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, movies, tv, walking, concerts, listening to music, hanging out

Height: 5'3" I guess

Eye/Hair Color: brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: uh hmm last year

Starting Weight: 195

Present Weight: 195

Goal Weight: at least 150, but can deal with 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: being active and sticking to it.

Following any specific plan: no... just winging it

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