First name: Linda

Geographical location: Australia

Age:45

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages: 2 girls aged 17 an 15, one boy aged 10

Occupation: nothing at the moment

Pets: one dog, 2 cats and a goat

Hobbies/Interests:love lifting weights, cardio, walking,computer,stationary bike, the beach

Height: 5"6 (168cm)

Eye/Hair Color: blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 2010

Starting Weight:152 pounds

Goal Weight:132 pounds

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:binge eating

Following any specific plan:my own.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I am exercising a whole lot more. I am smaller than I have been ever.

Anything else you would like to share with us:Would love support to completely and finally stop binge eating.

First name: Deb

Geographical location: Harrisburg, PA

Age: 47

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Son, 20 years old

Occupation: Software Engineer (aka computer geek)

Pets: 6 cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, running, quilting

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 2009

Starting Weight: 188

Goal Weight: 138

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: being consistent with my efforts

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers at work & through eTools

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Loving the new WW Points Plus; after suffering various injuries in the past 12 years, I am able to return to running which I enjoy

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nothing comes to mind.

First name: Connie

Geographical location: Hills of Arkansas

Age: 46

Marital Status: Married for the 2nd time & the last

Children/Ages: Boy/25; Boy/23; Girl/21

Occupation: Insurance

Pets: Brussel Griffon - rotten dog but we love her

Hobbies/Interests: Walking (this is new); Reading; Volunteering

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown / Good Question - at the moment blonde/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 2nd 2011

Starting Weight: 241.4 lbs

Goal Weight: 135 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating out... we do this a lot. Initially it was really hard but it is getting easier.

Following any specific plan: working with Achieve Weight Loss - but mainly just trying to make healthier food choices. Plus I'm actually exercising!! Yea!!

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: I did my first 5K 2 weeks ago. Grant you I just walked it but I finished in less than an hour and that was my goal. Pretty proud of myself considering this was my first time to walk that distance.

First name: Julie

Geographical location: Tennessee

Age: 48

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2 boys 18 & 7, 1 girl 17

Occupation: Just graduated nursing school and work as an ER nurse at a level 1 Trauma Center

Pets: 1 dog named Murphy

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Gardening, Reading

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Tomorrow! 05/24/11

Starting Weight: 170

Goal Weight: under 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binge eating! and getting below 160 lbs

Following any specific plan: Just trying to find something that will work. Something that i won't quit after 2 days becuase I want to eat everything in sight!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
just saw myself in pictures from my sons high school graduation and don't want to look like that for my daughter's next year

First name: Debbie

Geographical location: Idaho

Age: 48

Marital Status: Married 8 years

Children/Ages: 3 sons 21/26/27

Occupation: 911 Dispatcher

Pets: Bruno- MinPin

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, baking/cooking, shopping

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown-green/ Brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 29, 2011

Starting Weight: 213

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting active, cravings for comfort food

Following any specific plan: Low fat/ Low calorie

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: More physical ailments. Older! HA!

First name: Nadine

Geographical location: VA

Age: 45

Marital Status: 25 yrs. to the boy next door!

Children/Ages: 22 yrs. girl/ 16 yr. boy

Occupation: yoga instructor

Pets: cat

Hobbies/Interests: biking, power walking, yoga, gardening, hiking

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 31st, 2011

Starting Weight: 180

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and struggling with weight gain. I am an emotional eater that turns to carbs.

Following any specific plan: Ideal Protien Diet

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think that this will be good for have friends that are going through the same struggles that I am.

First name: Christina

Geographical location: MT

Age: 40 (a new frontier for me)

Marital Status: married for 12 years

Children/Ages:3 daughters: 17, 12 and 8.

Occupation: Scentsy wickless candle consultant, Avon Representative, and store clerk

Pets: OMGosh...too many! 2 dogs and 4 cats

Hobbies/Interests: walking, reading, sewing, and online gaming

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 6th, 2011 (major restart!!!)

Starting Weight: 247

Goal Weight: 165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I have rhuematoid arthritis and plantar fasciatis (?) and not much of a support team.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am actually getting very worried and scared about my health especially hitting 40!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have been a member of 3 fat chicks since 2004 off and on. When I had a good supportive group on here and a plan, I was really successful and actually hit Onederland! We challenged each other and shared tips and tricks and I did great. As you can see though, I desperately need some weight loss companionship and to get back on track IMMEDIATELY!!!

First name: Jami

Geographical location: Southeast Michigan

Age: 40

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Son - 6, Daughter - 3

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Pets: None living with me (2 dogs living at my mom's house - lab chow mix)

Hobbies/Interests: Animals, TV, reading (before I had kids)

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green / Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 4, 2011

Starting Weight: 295

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Changing my lifestyle around those who are not.

Following any specific plan: Sadkhin Complex

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I want to be able to do things with my kids. I have to loose weight so I can be a part of their lives and they have good memories of me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I swear that I am addicted to fast food. Up until Saturday, I ate it almost every day for a few years. Back in 2003, I followed the Adkin's diet and I lost 90 lbs. Then I got pregnant. I gained it all back and then some over the course of 8 years. I have now just gotten to the point of being uncomfortable with my weight and need to get it off.

First name: Cerese

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age:40

Marital Status: Married (happily)

Children/Ages: Dylan - 18, Angelique - 17, Logan - 14

Occupation: Research Assistant

Pets: cat - "Wiggles"

Hobbies/Interests: Cheerleading

Height: 5' 0"

Eye/Hair Color: Green / Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Today

Starting Weight: 207.6

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: time management when it relates to cooking, exercising, etc.

Following any specific plan: trying WW new points plus.. had success with WW in the past.. seems to be something that works for me

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: im not sure yet.. i turned 40 this year and realize that my life is 1/2 over and i dont want to waste any more summers NOT enjoying myself because i dont like the way i look in shorts or a bathing suit..

Anything else you would like to share with us: not yet.. just beginning...

I feel the same way.. the last time I went down this road and lost weight I was eight years younger and exercise came a little easier.. now that I am 40 my knees hurt, my ankle tends to get weak, etc... hoping to overcome these obstacles soon by slowly adding exercise and getting those knees checked out! LOL.. some motrin may not hurt either

First name: Karen

Geographical location: Las Vegas, NV

Age: 47

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 1 girl/21

Occupation: Tax Manager

Pets: 2 Cats (Tuna babies and Missy Missy Meow Meow)

Hobbies/Interests: Looking for new hobby

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Used to be much redder now more like a strawberry blondish kinda color until the dye goes on!

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 318

Starting Weight:05/27/2011

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional Eating

Following any specific plan: American Diabetes Association Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have been diagnosed as a diet-controlled diabetic.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Glad to have found a community of like minded individuals.

Oh goodness. I am also an emotional eater. Big time. Thankfully, I haven't come up against that in my first 8 days of my diet. I have thought about it though. I have a couple things in my back pocket for me to do when I feel like that. I am glad I have found this site. I feel like I have a lot of support here.

First name: Ali

Geographical location: Ireland

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2 boys aged 14 and 7

Occupation: Accounts Clerk

Pets: Foster dogs for an Autism Charity

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Music, Walking

Height: 5ft 2 ins

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown (courtesy of my hairdresser!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 14th June 2011

Starting Weight: 190 lbs

Goal Weight: 147 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Self destruct button

Following any specific plan: Dukan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have gone off carbs for the past few days and I am feeling so much better in myself. I think carbs weigh (pardon the pun) me down and leave me sluggish and unsatisfied. I am eating really well and not hungry and feel that this is definitely something I can maintain.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking forward to being a part of this community

First name: Ginger

Geographical location: Round Rock, Texas

Age: 43

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Department Manager/Grad Coordinator

Pets: 2 cats - Angel & Bagheera

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, bicycling, camping, cooking, traveling

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 12, 2011

Starting Weight: 216

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: PCOS and changing bad eating habits

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm recently divorced, so I have no obstacles or excuses any more. I've also finally accepted that I'm worth fighting for.

"I've also finally accepted that I'm worth fighting for"



Well said!!!!!