First name: Cheryl

Geographical location: Southern California

Age:45

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages:1 girl (Cassiddy: 14 yrs old); 1 boy (Gunnar: 9 yrs old)

Occupation: Business Development Manager for Civil Engineering Firm

Pets: 2 dogs (Puggles: Max and Mia); 2 cats (Dusty and Fuzzy); 2 fish (Nemo and Dirty Dan)

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Golf, and more Golf

Height:5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Dirty dishwater blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:10/12/2012

Starting Weight:186.6

Goal Weight:145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: No alcohol consumption and drinking enough water.

Following any specific plan:IP

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm just so tired of being overweight and am bound and determined to lose it this time!

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Angie

Geographical location: Eastern PA
Age:44

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages:1 boy - Bobby, 12 yrs old
Occupation: IT Business Systems Analyst

Pets: 4 cats, Oreo, Cookie, Double Stuff, Jingles 1 Dog - Candy
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Home improvement projects, entertaining the girls

Height:5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel - Reddish brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:8/14/2012
Starting Weight:169

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: No WINE!

Following any specific plan:IP

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Tried what I normally do to lose the extra lbs and it doesn't work anymore!! Had to pull out the big guns and do IP!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Except for when I was pregnant, I've never really had more than 20 lbs to lose at any point. This time however it went away in different places ... I think that was the IP difference. First diet I every tried that "targets" fat. Go figure.

Thank you Suzanne for this thread.
Geographical location:
Pacific nw, usa
Age:
42
Marital Status:
Married

Pets:
2 felines
Hobbies/Interests:
Sewing, looking at and dreaming of cute appareali have a passion4fashion.
Height:
5'7.5
Eye/Hair Color:
Hazel
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I'm calling it 314, my memory is fuzzy, I might have been as high as 319. I tried ignoring myy numbers in those days, I was in complete deniasl I got that heavy.

Starting Weight:
I began 3fatchicks at 214#s
Goal Weight:
130#
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:
Loving bad food,having pcos
Following any specific plan:
Not really. I did read furman's book "eat to live'
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: my health is in more danger if I drop the ball this time.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Cheryl

Geographical location: Alberta, Canada

Age: 42

Marital Status: Divorcced (x2 last one in '02) - now "shacked up" with an amazing one

Children/Ages: Daughter 25, Grandson 4

Occupation: Service Advisor

Pets: Three cats, one dog - may adopt another dog shortly

Height: 5' 7.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyed brunette

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Dec 4/12

Starting Weight: 178.6

Goal Weight: 142

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Breaking old habits

Following any specific plan: Counting calories, trying to cut out "bad" carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Haven't really tried before. Weight crept on after changing careers. 5 years in a chair has definitely added more than being an active bartender ever did.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Looking forward to reading more success stories

First name:Stacey

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age:40.5

Marital Status: Married middle of our 19th year

Children/Ages: G Jocelynn 18 (college) G Danielle 16 !!th G Chelsea 14 8th

Occupation: Childcare Provider

Pets: Fish and a 1 1/2 old Wiener dog Thome

Hobbies/Interests: DIY projects movies reading ( audio books poor eye sight) pc Organizing

Height: 5 ft 5 inch

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown eyes gold

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: in process of getting back on path

Starting Weight: I am right now 244.5

Goal Weight: fist goal 180

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: making the whole change for life not for the time being.

Following any specific plan: figuring that out ( calorie counting worked in past )

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

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have had the struggle all my life ( like most everyone it seems) I have done it in past in mid 30's I know it can happen but need to find the motivation courage to do it again. I know the work ahead and it frightens me I know how easy a small bump in the road can through everything out of order and of track. All your hard work can disappear before your eyes. so I think I am scared to invest again. But like most my body is screaming at me in pain and I just have to listen to it. I know what has to be done how to do it. Just the reason to want it again.

First name: Amy

Geographical location: MN

Age:43

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages: Fraternal Twin Daughters Alyssa (7) and Madison (7)

Occupation: Nursing Student

Pets: 1 cat - Chloe

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my girls and husband. Spend most of my time studying. Love to watch movies and read when I have the chance. Volunteer at local hospital and my girls' school.

Height:5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Green - Brown

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey:12/27/2012

Starting Weight: 200

Goal Weight:155

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying motivated. I have tried to lose this weight several times over the past few years, but it just doesn't come off easy like it used it and my motivation needs to see some success, even in very small baby steps.

Following any specific plan: Not really, but cutting back on carbs and increasing exercise for now.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am much older than my last struggle with weight loss (pre babies about 15 years ago) and I need to adjust my expectations. It has been very hard for me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have had my weight under control for many years after a loss 15 years ago of about 45 lbs. However, raising my girls with a husband who is away from home half the time and now starting school, the pounds have crept on and I find myself at my heaviest ever at 200 lbs ... I just want to get control and be healthy for myself, my future patients and my family as my children are so young yet.

First name June

Geographical location: SE Wisconsin

Age:48

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages: No

Occupation:Biochemist (currently unemployed)

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: Bicycling, gardening, cooking, triathlon, politics.

Height:5'4

Eye/Hair Color:Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2010

Starting Weight:175

Goal Weight:140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:I love food, especially baked goods!

Following any specific plan:No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have not really tried to lose weight since the days when i was ~30 and dumb and didn't know how skinny and lucky I was. Nowadays, I appreciate the importance of movement and exercise.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I don't want to be healthy so i can live forever, I want to be healthy to get more out of life now.

Geographical location: Tampa Bay

Age: 42

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: 17 year old son, 13 and 9 year old daughters

Occupation: tutor

Pets: 2 awesome crazy cats

Hobbies/Interests: spending time with my kids, reading, slowing going insane (that is more of a hobby than an interest)

Height: 5' 7"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown (why do I suddenly feel as if I am filling out a dating profile?)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/1/2013

Starting Weight: 210ish

Goal Weight: 140ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: massive addiction to cookies!

Following any specific plan: no

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: If I actually lose more than 10 pounds, that would be different

Anything else you would like to share with us: I was pretty thin until I started having kids. I had hyperemesis gravidarum with all of my pregnancies and, despite being sick hourly for months on end I still managed to gain about 100 pounds per pregnancy. (How the heck does THAT happen?)

I have already read a few posts here and there and I am very excited to see that I am in good company!

First name: Dani

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 41

Marital Status: Divorced. In a happy, committed relationship

Children/Ages: 4 DD 15, DS 13, DS 9, DD 6

Occupation: High School Teacher

Pets: Golden Retriever, Calico Cat, Goldfish

Hobbies/Interests: Volunteer work, tv, theater, movies

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/3/13

Starting Weight: 180

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Lack of will power and hatred of physical exercise

Following any specific plan: Not currently

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Seeking the support here, and from my friends and family

Anything else you would like to share with us:

Cookie addiction. oh yah. Copy that!

First name: Diana

Geographical location: Dallas-area

Age: 49

Marital Status: Married for 18.5 years

Children/Ages: Son, 15

Occupation: Attorney

Pets: Yoda (pound puppy)

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brunette

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: October 1, 2012

Starting Weight: 220

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Family get-togethers

Following any specific plan: Waiting on RNY

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: 1st surgery

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hoping to reduce the arthritis flares or, fingers crossed, remission, lower my blood pressure, and get rid of the sleep apnea.

First name: Natalie

Geographical location: Oregon

Age: 47

Marital Status: Happily married for 26 ½ years

Children/Ages: All girls currently 24, 21, 17

Occupation: Just finished my associates for Medical Office

Pets: 3 cats, 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Writing, Civ 5

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 7, 2013

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with it so this is my permanent journey to better health.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers (online).

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more motivated this time. Exercise has been steady.

Anything else you would like to share with us:Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

First name: Call me Gypsy

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 48

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 3 daughters aged 28, 22 and 21

Occupation: Homemaker, recently retired

Pets: 3 cats, 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Cooking, Crafts, Gardening, Travel

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 3, 2013 (this time around)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Impulse eating, lack of planning

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers (meetings)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have no excuses! I'm an empty-nester with all the time on my hands to finally take care of ME!

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Jennifer

Geographical location: NE Ohio

Age: 46

Marital Status: Married almost 19 years

Children/Ages: DD is 18 and DS is 15 (how did that happen ?

Occupation: HS English Teacher

Pets: 2 dogs and a guinea pig, all of whom are spoiled nearly as badly as my children!

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Scrapbooking, Travel, Genealogy, Music

Eye/hair Color: blue/strawberry blonde

Starting Date of Weight-loss Journey: Jan 7, 2013 (this time)

Biggest Hurdle to Overcome in Weghtloss: Impulse eating, social eating and drinking

Following any Specific Plan: Counting calories, eating very healthy

Different Now: I am truly sick of being big!!

First name: Sunshine (its the name I have used for 10 yrs)

Geographical location: Arizona

Age: 49 in March

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: 3 girls & 4 boys

Occupation: in-between jobs

Pets: none (but roomie has a cat)

Hobbies/Interests: photography

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color:Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: off & on since my daughter was born 30 yrs ago

Starting Weight:October 2012: 184# (the highest I have gone up)

Goal Weight:120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: motivation/willpower

Following any specific plan:no

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

Anything else you would like to share with us:Born & raised in NH; lived in 8 states as an adult and nooo my moving around had nothing to do with the military.