First name (if you want to tell): Jana

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 22

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: school secretary

Pets: a yorki-poo named precious

Hobbies/Interests: watching reality tv, going to the movies and spending time with famliy, i used to love to go out when i was skinny but since i've gotten fat i hate it.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: i have always been on a quest to be smaller even when i was at the perfect weight for my height...and to think back then i thought i was fat!!!

Starting Weight: 228

Present Weight: 212

Goal Weight: 160...but i will always accept something lower

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: is getting over my jealousy of all the skinny people in the world an getting off my butt and becoming one


Following any specific plan: nope...just walking and eating less

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i always tried fad diet's i.e SBD, Mayo Clinc, Grapefruit, WW, etc. to avoid excercising but now i eat what i want in moderation and walk everyday...and it's working...and i feel great...before i always felt miserable and deprived


Anything else you would like to share with us: stay tuned the best is yet to come

First name (if you want to tell): Cherish

Geographical location: Chicago, IL

Age: 27

Marital Status: Dealing with a Long Distance Relationship!

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Tax Accountant

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Theater, Bad reality TV, traveling, spending quality time with NY friends, board games, movies

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Dark Brown (finally back to my natural color!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Been back and forth since High School, but got serious the day I joined a gym out here - Super Bowl Sunday - February 4, 2006

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 230 (yay, 10 lbs!)

Goal Weight: I am thinking 160, but right now, I would be happy to just start it with a 1!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Recently I moved to Chicago (7 months ago) quit smoking (5 months ago) and am slowly overhauling my eating habits. My biggest hurdles are 1) boredom eating 2)airport food (they only HAVE fast food and 3) finding the motivation to get to the gym (although that 10 pounds is helping a lot.)

Following any specific plan: I have tried almost every plan out there, and this time I have decided to use my math brain and really focus of calories consumed and used. But most importantly, I am focused on exercising, and becoming a healthier me.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time is different because I have finally convinced myself there is no magic pill or magic machine that will make me a size 6. Also, I have joined a gym instead of trying to motivate myself at home to go for a jog. Lastly, I decided to use some of my savings to hire a trainer for 4 months to make exercise more efficient, and also to force some sort of responsibility on my exercise program (if you know someone is waiting at the gym, you tend to make sure you are there!)

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have been reading all these posts, and I think everyone on here has at some point inspired me. I am glad that I finally registered because I think all of you are very supportive, and its nice to hear some many supportive voices!

First name (if you want to tell): Amanda

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 24 (on march 6)

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: none yet!

Occupation: housewife

Pets: my spoiled chihuahua

Hobbies/Interests: i love spending time with my hubby and my dog, going to visit my family on the weekends, playing games and just having fun with the people i love!

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 1 '07

Starting Weight: 227

Present Weight: 226

Goal Weight: I would like to reach 156 because that was my lowest weight (2002), i felt and looked healthy at that weight.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My husband and I love to go and grab fast food. It is usually just an impulse, but this past week we have been fighting the temptations and havent gone out once this week (yaaa!) I also don't like to exercise too much.

Following any specific plan: I'm not really following a specific plan. I'm just trying to be more conscious of what i choose to eat, how much of it i eat, and if i am really hungry or just eating out of boredom.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more encouraged this time and I keep telling myself I don't want to give up.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think it is awesome that we can all share our struggles and encourage each other to do our best. Everyone keep up the good work! God bless

First name: Lisa

Geographical location: Toronto, Canada

Age: 24 (almost 25)

Marital Status: very single

Children/Ages: none yet but definitely in the future. One wonderful nephew (1 year old)

Occupation: Recruiter/HR

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, visiting friends, cleaning/tidying (slightly obsessive compulsive)

Height: 5'2/5'3

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: hmmm interesting question. I would say it seriously started February 19th, 2007 after I ate an entire frozen chocolate cheesecake in 1 day.

Starting Weight: 137

Present Weight: 135

Goal Weight: 122 (with a definite decrease in my body fat percentage being the main goal)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: overeating/bingeing

Biggest motivation: I am going to Europe for the summer (leaving May 31st)and want to be my best self by then.

Following any specific plan: No overeating and worked on an exercise plan with my friend who is a trainer. I was already exercising regularly so we just tweaked it a bit.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I believe that I will get to my goal weight as opposed to assuming the feat is impossible.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think this site has really been helping me to keep on track. Instead of reaching for food to keep me from boredom, I read all the posts! I can't wait to be happy with myself again.

Hey everyone! I have introduced myself before but think I should do it again here, I didn't even know there was a 20-somethings forum.

First name (if you want to tell): Nicole

Geographical location: Florida at the moment but at the end of the month I'm moving back to New York.

Age: 20... and 23 days. That's the "something"

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: No children.

Occupation: I will soon be working for the daily news and starting college in the fall to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

Pets: My 4 year old cocker spaniel, Tobby.

Hobbies/Interests: I love animals so anything having to do with helping animals interests me. Also music, I love music.

Height: 5'2'' (I wish I was a bit taller.)

Eye/Hair Color: I have two different colored eyes, one dark brown eye and one light brown eye. My natural hair color is light brown but tomorrow I'm dying it blonde!

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I started days before the new year began.

Starting Weight: I used to be around 170-180 last summer but 167 since joining the board.

Present Weight: 155

Goal Weight: 120-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: When people in my home (especially my dad) buy things like dounuts and cakes I just cave. Food portions is also a problem, I have always been used to eating big meals. Also I don't excersize enough.

Following any specific plan: I have found that calorie counting has been working good for me and because of it I have become more aware of what I put into my body. I also just did a 7 day juice fast and it was great, I plan to incorporate more natural fruit and vegetable juices in my diet.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think I have finally realized that I want to make a change and from browsing this forum and the internet I have become more educated, which is helping me keep the weight off. Not just lose it fast and gain it back... I'm moving forward and not looking back

First name: Samantha

Geographical location: Oklahoma

Age: 26

Marital Status: Engaged (Wedding Date: May 17, 2007)

Children/Ages: Not yet, planned in a couple of years

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Pets: 3 Dachshunds: Shasta, Merlin (both 8 yrs old) and Heidi (10 yrs old)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading & TV

Height: 5'7"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 15, 2007

Starting Weight: 224

Present Weight: 217

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: overeating, sweet tooth

Biggest motivation: Becoming healthy (mother has diabetes, sister is borderline).

Following any specific plan: No, eating healthier and working with my doctor to help eliminate extra carbs out of my diet. Exercising 6 days a week, planning to start working with weights.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've learned that diet plays a bigger role in weight loss than I thought. I am eating healthier while exercising and losing weight. Versus just exercising and not losing anything.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love reading all the post and getting a lot of helpful information from everyone.

First name: Becky

Geographical location: Keene, NH

Age: 23

Marital Status: Living with my boyfriend, getting married after I graduate

Children/Ages: AJ, 5 months

Occupation: Student/Loss Control Intern

Pets: A brain damaged minature dachsund, Mercedes

Hobbies/Interests: working out/running, playing with my son, swimming, WWII, shopping, complaining, a well-made Jack and Coke

Height: 5'5"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: November 2006

Starting Weight: 172

Present Weight: 164

Goal Weight: 130, although I would settle for being a size four regardless of the numbers on the scale

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I'm lazy, and I like to eat.

Biggest motivation: I ran track and cross country when I was in high school, and I was always in fabulous shape. When I was 18, I even had a sixpack! I fell victim to the Freshman 15 in college, but the day AJ was born I weighed in at 200 lbs. I am the fattest I have ever been, and I don't wear weight well. Besides, I refuse to buy clothes in bigger sizes, and I'm running out of sweat pants!

Following any specific plan: I suck at dieting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Before, I never really *needed* to lose weight, so I would half-a$$ it for a couple weeks and then give up. This time around, I really need to stick to my guns until I reach my goals, or I'm just going to be miserable for the rest of my life.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I cuss a lot, and have a tendency to forget capital letters. If either of those things bother anybody, please let me know. I don't want to offend anyone!

First name (if you want to tell): Leslie

Geographical location: Ann Arbor, MI

Age: 24

Marital Status: living in sin with my b/f (hah! Me, too !!)
Children/Ages: none

Occupation: I run a small community center

Pets: 2 cats- Sami and Davis, a Guinea Pig named Moose and 2 goldfish

Hobbies/Interests: Camping, Anything with Water (Swimming, Kayaking, Fishing..), Crafts (learning to sew)

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/ Dark Brown

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: Um.. my WHOLE life.. but this one? Yesterday

Starting Weight: My heaviest wsa 265..

Present Weight: 234

Goal Weight: Whenever those "skinny jeans" fit !!


Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Working with kids = always surrounded by junkfood. It's really easy to slip a cookie in and not even thing twice about it. And Beer.

Following any specific plan: South Beach and Yoga/Pilates

What is different this time in your weight loss effort: I think I want it more then before. I want to get married, and I don't want to look like this when I do. Also, I'm paying back student loans and none of my clothes fit.. I cant afford to buy new stuff !

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm so glad I found this place..

First name (if you want to tell): Ashley

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 19

Marital Status: Engaged (9/21/2008)

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Department Manager...sort of lol

Pets: 1 dog...great dane and pit bull mix...Lucas

Hobbies/Interests: SHOPPING (I'm addicted! lol), movies, dancing, putt putt, rafting, camping

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/greenish-brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: haha it seems like forever lol ...i think 2 years...

Starting Weight: 167

Present Weight: 165

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: whenver my fiance and i go out...we eat lol. that and my work makes employee meals ( not so healthy)

Following any specific plan: said to say but I'm taking dexatrim max and exercising and trying to eat healthy

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I'm getting more desperate and i don't want my eating habits to affect me later in life...stop the madness now before i do belong in the 300+ forum

Anything else you would like to share with us: i've never participated in a support group before..kinda scary

First name (if you want to tell): Colleen

Geographical location: Binghamton, NY and St. Paul, MN (go to school in NY)

Age: I'll be 20 in a month as of today.

Marital Status: a more or less live in BF, but we're moving in together next year.

Children/Ages: None, thankfully.

Occupation: Student, and projectionist for cinema classes

Pets: None.

Hobbies/Interests: film, singing, animation (other than anime), I really don't have much time for interests.

Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/brown (although it used to be purple)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Last summer is when I got serious about it.

Starting Weight: 155

Present Weight: 130

Goal Weight: 120 or maybe 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Mindless eatting and emtional eatting.

Following any specific plan: No. I have a hard time sticking to plans. I'm just going to try and be smart about what I eat and getting out and getting active.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Now that I'm on my own I'm far more accountable for what I buy and what I eat. I can't just balme it on family members anymore.

First name (if you want to tell): Phoebe

Geographical location: Norfolk, Va

Age: 24

Marital Status: married for 5 years

Children/Ages: wonderful litlle boy Nathaniel, 19months

Occupation: Student, asm in training

Pets: none, but would love another snake

Hobbies/Interests: die hard fan of movies, music, really enjoy dancing, don't so it very well though , basketball, and wwe (yes I am well aware of the fact that it is fake...I just can't help it I like it

Height: 5'1" ok so i am really 5' 1/2...big deal i round up

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown/cinnamon red..was purple, blue and green not too long ago

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: about 2 weeks ago

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 217

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: lack of motivation and really weak will power

Following any specific plan: No, but as of now I am cutting down on portions and cutting out sodas

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Not too long ago I took my son outside to play and after about 15 minutes I had to sit down and catch my breath. It really hurt that I couldn't just get down on the ground with my son and roll around without needing an oxygen tank. That and I want to be super hot for the hubby

First name (if you want to tell): Diana

Geographical location: California

Age: 15

Marital Status: Live with my parents! ^^ Have a boyfriend.

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: High School Student

Pets: Outside cat, named Ringo.

Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out, walking, reading, singing, cooking, The Sims 2, photography, walking.

Height: 5''10'

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 20, 2007

Starting Weight: 222

Present Weight: 209

Goal Weight: 165/170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I really do enjoy food, and I love going out sometimes on double dates etc. to silly places like Dennys, and I know that for losing weight, generally speaking the things I like there aren't good for me, just like most of what I like anywhere else. Making the right choices, or better than I used to has been difficult.

Following any specific plan: Eat less, move more! Not always easy, but I'm trying!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: A couple things, actually... Pretty much every time before when I tried to lose weight, I thought about it a lot, planned a lot, and ultimately qwound up giving up really fast. This time around, I just started one day, on an odd impulse of deciding to drink the amount of water you're supposed to drink daily. Then I was just like... I think now is the time to diet! It was quite bizarre... But look at me! I'm still working at my goal! Woo!

First name (if you want to tell): Kiera

Geographical location: Oregon

Age: 23

Marital Status: Newly Married =)

Children/Ages: I have an almost 5 yr old and our youngest will be turning two on the 28th of this month!

Occupation: Student, Mom and Part-time Actor

Pets: 3 cats, 1 dog, 2 goats, 3 bearded dragons

Hobbies/Interests: Parenting, Psychology, Breastfeeding (Slowly weaning my youngest, mostly child led), Singing, Acting, Education, Pregnancy

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2/28/07

Starting Weight: 183

Present Weight: 180

Goal Weight: I can't wait til I am 140 again (Pre-PRE pregnancy weight) and then after that I will see, but probably 130
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am breastfeeding and am very hungry... still, so that hardest part is just to go to bed hungry and not eat after the kids go to bed.
Following any specific plan: MODERATION! In the mornings I exercise to Denise Austin for 30 mins and then in the evening I go for a 40min jog (around the lake) with my girls in the double stroller. I am trying to eat healthy and not eat anything except healthy liquids after 8pm

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am determined for some jobs coming up
Anything else you would like to share with us: I recently had a miscarriage and my profile pic is while I was 5 weeks pregnant with that baby. My husband and I are devastated and can't wait to try again.

First name (if you want to tell): Maria

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 25

Marital Status: Married 5 months this wed.

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Accountant (not your typical accountant)

Pets: A beautiful cat named Coco (actually acts like a dog)

Hobbies/Interests: music, shopping, exercising, house projects

Height: 6'1''

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/medium brown

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: July 2006

Starting Weight: 192

Present Weight: 181

Goal Weight: Working on 176 right now; but am pretty happy with myself

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Not becoming obsessed with the scale, it always seems to be my enemy

Following any specific plan: Eating healthy, grains vegetables, fruits and tons of protein. Exercising and weightlifting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think I’ve finally realized it's not a diet its a way of life. I feel 100% better when I am exercising and eating healthy. I've also learned I can't give up all sweets I just need a little moderation

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've always had to deal with weight through out my whole life. Also, with being tall I've always had this mind set that I’m fat even though I’m not but this is one thing I have to change in my mind. For myself and also so that when I have my own kids if I have girls they are confident with their height and learn to love it like I have it just took me awhile.

First name : Jenni

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 29

Marital Status: With the BF

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Graduate Student/GIS (GIS:Geographic Information Systems)

Pets: Two dogs: Milo-Black Field Spaniel Srgt. Pepper-Lab mix They are the best!

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, music,Working Out, TV on DVD (Help! I am addicted!), Spending time with BF, Family and Friends!!!

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/reddish-blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 4, 2007

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 229

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: In the past it was usually with social situations. But I am so busy lately that I have cut back in my social life. I really do enjoy food too! I also lack willpower after a few weeks.


Following any specific plan: Trying the South Beach Diet!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel much stronger and commited!!! I want to be healthy again and get ready for the new things life are about to bring after get out of Grad School (MAy 2007)

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

"Come and see
I swear by now Im playing time
I against my troubles
Im coming slow but speeding"
-#41 - Dave Matthews Band