First name: Siobhan

Geographical location: Ireland

Age:44

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: 2 (boy 10 & girl 7)

Occupation: mum & we also run our own company so book keeping, secretarial etc.

Pets:

Hobbies/Interests: badminton, walking, cycling, knitting & baking

Height: 5ft 3"

Eye/Hair Color: green & brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time......Monday

Starting Weight:196

Goal Weight:147

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: making time for me and believing that I'm worth it.

Following any specific plan: Eating three good meals, with two snacks and not eating at night. Also moving more

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: following years of illness, I have had surgery and am now well on the road to recovery. Also feel that if I don't take control now that it will just spiral and get worse.

Anything else you would like to share with us: so glad to have found you!!!

First name: Jen

Geographical location: San Diego

Age: 41

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: Daughter, 8, Son, 5

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, traveling

Height: 5' 5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: October 15

Starting Weight: 162

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Taking the time to plan for what I am going to eat so I do not reach for what is most convenient. Particularly since I tend to eat differently from the rest of my family (at least for now).

Following any specific plan: My focus is on reducing processed foods and carbs. And limiting my wine intake

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am being more accountable. Telling more people about it. Joining a forum and telling you about it. I usually stay quiet about it so I am the only one who "knows" of my failure.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

No Howdy's just a big ole Hey There !

First name: Michelle

Geographical location: Corpus Christi Tx

Age: 48

Marital Status: 29 years and still counting

Children/Ages: no children

Occupation: semi retired needing to go back to work.. bored..

Pets: Chuco 20 yr old quaker parrot and Jade 17 yr old Blue/Gold Macaw

Hobbies/Interests: Scuba diving, Hiking, Fishing, hanging out at the beach(but I hate to go by myself), reading, BBQ'ing when I have others to cook for.

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Since I got married in 1984. I weighed a whooping 125-130 and thought I was fat. (yes I'm an idiot) So since then I have dieted until I got to my biggest ever.

Starting Weight: 263 pounds

Goal Weight: 145 pounds

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Making me a priority. Loosing weight for nobody but me. However, keeping in mind that any weight loss it a gift to myself, my husband and my family.

Following any specific plan: Since going back to lifting weights I am trying to concentrate on feeding the muscle. I follow a lean protein diet and try to get as much non starchy vegies as possible, I limit fruit to no more than 2 servings a day, if I get that and rice, flour, white or yellow potatoes to once a month splurge. Lots of water..

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
Tired of being over weight and out of shape. I lost my job in January and knew that if I did not find something to do that was productive, I would only get bigger. I did a lot of traveling the first 7 months of not working one of which included a hike in Oregon. It was embarrassing my lack of stamina. My goal is to go back and kick that trails butt. I'm doing this for me but I have made it a fun goal to surprise my husband with a weight loss when he comes back from the sandbox.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
My husband is a deployed civilian so each time he goes I have tried to loose a little weight. The first 6 months he was gone I was up to 263 and lost to around 250. The second 6 months I got down to 237 but he came home for 6months and we eat and drank a lot. I gained up to 254. When he left in June I wasn't really trying to lose yet. I went on a long trip in July with my sister and when I got back I knew I had to get in a gym and exercise to truly conquer my weight issues. I have a gym 2 blocks from my house and can walk there. It's a tough life having a husband 8000 miles away, no job, no family close and in an area where you have no friends. I spend a lot of time alone or traveling 5 hours to spend time with human friends versus my 2 birds.

First name: Angela

Geographical location: Pacific Northwest

Age: 40 (just turned a couple weeks ago). It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Five- M 18, F 15, F 13, F 3, M 1

Occupation: Professor

Pets: Yorkie and Shih tzu

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, computers, outdoors, travel

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel, Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Started Ideal Protein on Nov 29th

Starting Weight: 195

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating on the go. My love for carbs- bread, Pepsi, pasta)

Following any specific plan: Ideal Protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Due to the expense, I think my husband would be upset if I failed. lol. Nah, I am committed. I am tired of having such a low self-esteem. I want to love myself again. I want to be healthy for my children. I want to be sexy for my husband!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I look forward to getting to know you all!

First name: Melissa

Geographical location: Galena, IL

Age: 42

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Does the husband count?

Occupation: IT Manager

Pets: Three Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs - Indy (girl, 5), Ozzy (boy, 3) and Bowser (rescue boy, 4)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hiking, outdoors in general, dogs, photography, leather work, travel

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Green depending on mood, Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 1st

Starting Weight: Not into the scale - but guessing around 200

Goal Weight: More interested in dropping a couple of pant sizes down to 8 or 10

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My sweet tooth, sticking with it past 2 weeks, a spouse who is supportive on paper, but doesn't always get that his desire to go out for meals and drinks doesn't help (and I give in)

Following any specific plan: South Beach

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: More committed this time. Have a vacation at the end of January that is helping me push forward, although I don't expect to be near my goal by then.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hmmm, not sure. What else do you want to know?

First name: Marla

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married but not for much longer

Children/Ages: 19 yo daughter, 11 yo son

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 1 Shar-Pei

Hobbies/Interests: Working out, volunteering, Words with Friends

Height: 6'1"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: February 2013

Starting Weight: 303

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My biggest hurdle was committing to working out and I overcame that as I now workout 5-6 days/week. My next biggest hurdle is eating healthy and planning my meals.

Following any specific plan: Started working out using the Wii Fitness program, moved on to a Jillian Michael's workout program, now using the P90X fitness program

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I knew 2013 would be a big transition year for me - my daughter graduated from high school and was leaving for college and my son was starting middle school. I was also planning on ending a very unhappy marriage. I found that I was more determined than ever to live the life I want to live which includes a lot of physical activities that would be hard to do if I wasn't physically fit. Having those goals in mind was what kept me going in the beginning. Now, I find that I am focused on seeing constant improvement when I workout.

Anything else you would like to share with us: When I originally started working out I knew I would hit mental roadblocks that had stopped me in the past. I prepared for that to happen and each time it does I consciously remind myself to keep going and then I do it. On my rough days, I also remind myself that I never regret working out but I ALWAYS regret missing a workout. My challenge going into 2014 is to be in that same mindset when it comes to eating healthier. My ultimate goals are not all about a number on a scale but about what I want to be able to do - in 2014 I plan on competing in 2-3 triathlons and running in at least 1 half marathon. By the time I turn 50 I plan on completing at least 2 marathons and I want to compete in an Ironman Triathlon.

First name: Aimee

Geographical location: NE Wisconsin

Age: 40

Marital Status: Separated

Children/Ages: B21, G19, G14, B12

Occupation: Biomedical Engineering Student

Pets: A parakeet for the kids.

Hobbies/Interests: I'm a painter, mostly, but I love music and interior design.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: BL/BR

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: 12/10/2013

Starting Weight: 234

Goal Weight: Whatever looks and feels healthy--I'll know when I'm there.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: COE

Following any specific plan: OA

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Finally realizing and happily accepting the root cause of my binge eating is food addiction.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just happy to finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

First name: Nikki

Geographical location: Southern California, US

Age: 46

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2, one girl & one boy ages 14 & 16

Occupation: Jewelry designer

Pets: one cat, one dog, & two rats

Hobbies/Interests: currently learning Spanish & starting piano lessons

Height: 5' 2"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Which time? Currently 11/20/2013

Starting Weight: 185

Goal Weight: 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: stalls, plateaus and later, maintenance

Following any specific plan: low carb, low cal, vegetarian

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am older/it is harder this time. But at least now I have an idea how to maintain.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need accountability! Once I get into maintenance I need to STAY on this web site, KEEP LOGGING my daily food, and KEEP WEIGHING.

First name: Terri

Geographical location: Philly, PA

Age: 41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: one boy age 11

Occupation: Jewelry designer

Pets: one dog:Bella

Hobbies/Interests: Reading/ researching

Height: 5' 3"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/Auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Which time? Currently 12/13/2013

Starting Weight: 230

Goal Weight: 200 (current); 140 (End)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: self sabotage

Following any specific plan: less, no eating after 8 pm

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am older and it gets harder and harder, but I hope to take little bites at a time and not get so overwhelmed.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need accountability! I once lost a weight loss contest simply because I needed to weigh myself in public. Here's hoping this works.

First name: Jen

Age: 43

Marital Status: Married

Height: 5' 6"

Starting Weight: 150

Goal Weight: 125 and below

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: lack of patience

Following any specific plan: no, varies depending on the day or the week!

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

1) The older I get, the harder it becomes.
2) I no longer have any ED.

First name: Marlene
Geographical area: Texas
Age: 48
marital Status: married 22, almost 23 years
Children: 2 girls, 19 & 17
Occupation: accountant
Pets: miniature poodle, rabbit, flock of ducks
Hobbies: traveling, camping, motorcycling, cars, horses, reading
Height: 5' 4.5"
Eye/hair color: blue/highlighted blond
Starting date: (this and final time) July 2012
Start weight: 204 (but had gotten as high as 215)
Goal: original was 135, now trying to keep closer to 125
Biggest hurdle: finding something that worked for me
Plan: MRC
What is different: having a specific food list & plan really helped me achieve my goal.

Having continued accountability in a supportive format is what I need. I still speak to my coach, as needed, but need other support from others who understand. People who haven't been where I was, and gained & lost so many times don't get why I am so careful of what I eat and why I worry about it.

First name: Tirena

Geographical location: Northern Nevada

Age: 41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 2 Boys 8&10

Occupation: Accountant

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: Love to run, be active with kids, want to start snowshoeing, reading, love being outdoors!

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue-green /Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2012

Starting Weight: 192

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Giving up too early. Falling back into old habits.

Following any specific plan: Daily exercise, record everything I eat, have a weekly "treat" meal, eat tons of fresh veggies, very low sugar and modify as necessary.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: In Dec 2011, had a baseball size cyst removed from my ovary. Not cancer but a huge wake up call! I will not let my lifestyle deprive my kids of their mom. I felt like I was given a second chance to turn my health around.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am passionate, supportive and want to live life to it's fullest!

First name: Jen

Geographical location: Indiana

Age:41

Marital Status:Married

Children/Agesaughter, 9 years old

Occupation: administrative assistant

Pets: 2 Cats, 1 male and 1 female

Hobbies/Interests:knitting, crocheting (learning), reading, history, gardening

Height:5'3

Eye/Hair Color: hazel eyes, red hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journeyecember 30, 2013

Starting Weight:153

Goal Weight:120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: cheating

Following any specific plan:South Beach/Dash diet plan, portion control

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think it comes off slower, plus last time I lost weight only by diet. I will have to add in exercising this time. Also, my good cholestrol is too low and I am borderline on my bad cholesterol. Need to get those down!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I want to show my dd healthly eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.

First name:Michelle

Geographical location:Michigan

Age:40

Marital Status:Engaged

Children/Ages:2 boys, 14 and 11

Occupation:CENA

Pets:Macaw parrot, dog, cat

Hobbies/Interests:Crochet, music, chess, driving

Height:5'5"

Eye/Hair Color:hazel eyes, color in a box, usually black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:down loaded app last week, logged in this morning

Starting Weight:185

Goal Weight:145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:i hate exercising, and, I do more starvation than overeating.

Following any specific plan:no

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:well, I'm not getting any younger, and I'm engaged, and I need to be in shape for my career.

Anything else you would like to share with us:just that I'm looking for honest support, I'm straight forward. And, I love to laugh.