Screen Name: JessLess

Age/Age Range: 40

Family Life: Married, two dogs

Occupation: I work on the business side of an international science magazine

Hobbies and Interests: social justice, dogs, traveling, reading, seeing live music, lush

Favorite Music: I like funk, punk, rap, rock, alt. rock, alt. country, progressive rock, indie rock pretty much everything. I especially like: Iggy Pop And The Stooges, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Patty Smith, R.E.M., Kermit Ruffins, The White Stripes, Liz Phair, Davis Rogan, Metal Flake Mother, Stella Lively & Southern Culture on the Skids

Favorite Color(s): Blue, Purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I like the 60 minute weight-training/cardio interval workout that I do at my gym and I am trying to work on running.

What are your fitness/health goals?
I want to lose 60 lbs. and/or be a size 12/14. I want to be healthy and be able to keep up with my friends when we are walking or running around.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
I saw a picture of myself in my college alumni magazine that was not flattering, my size 24s were getting too tight and I could not keep up with people walking down the sidewalk.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
I'm lazy so exercise is always a struggle even though I like it.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
Drink more water.
Exercise 6 days a week.
Learn how to track calories and stay at the recommended levels for optimum weight loss and energy

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than?
I want to look the same as my BFF. She has had a major weight loss and looks terrific and I want to look like her. Alternatively, I want to look like the former thin me when I played rugby in college.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?
Halters! Sleeves will be a thing of the past.

Screen Name: MissSMcC

Age/Age Range: 25

Family Life: Single, one daughter

Occupation: Looking for work in care sector

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, cooking, movies, music

Favorite Music: Anything well written and well sung

Favorite Color(s): Red and green (like a xmas elf!)

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking, exercise videos

What are your fitness/health goals? To be able to walk without getting out of breath and needing a lie down afterwards!

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Realising i was the heaviest i've ever been / horrible holiday pics.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Confidence in my abilities to change my habits and body.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Snacking on fatty foods, being lazy, making excuses.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Myself when i was 22 and weighed around 170!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Shorts in the summer and brighter colours instead of the usual black.

Screen Name: kplus80 (= Katie)

Age/Age Range: 26

Family Life: Married

Occupation: HR

Hobbies and Interests: Traveling, TV, Shopping, Dogs (but I don't have one yet)

Favorite Music: Top 40

Favorite Color(s): Green & Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Jazzercise (seriously! ). It's the only thing I've ever stuck with, however there are currently no classes in my area.

What are your fitness/health goals?
I want to wear a size 6, but I would also be ok with an 8. My super secret size goal that I don't think I can attain due to the size of my hips is a 4. I also want to run a marathon even though I hate to run.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
My size 14s were getting tight and I didn't want to go up another size. And I was really unhappy with how I had "let myself go" after getting married. I started Ideal Protein at 190 pounds at the end of June 2010 and met my goal of 150 and phased off in early September. I wanted to get to 145 or 140, but at that time I was sooo tired of eating such a restricted diet that I settled for 150/size 8-10. I must have missed carbs more than I thought because I went carb crazy and gained back 10 pounds since then. I have been re-triggered now by the fact that my new wardrobe is getting tight and I already got rid of all my bigger clothes. Plus, this time I want to get on a plan for exercise and eating that I can stick with the rest of my life.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Motivation!

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
Motivation! And overeating and eating when I'm not hungry (boredom, stress, etc.).

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than?
My husband's ex-girlfriend (shouldn't be hard.. ) and Carrie Underwood.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?
A bikini! I have never felt comfortable enough to wear one, but have always wanted to. And jeggings before they go out of style (or am I already too late? )

Hi, hope I'm doing this post correctly!

Screen Name: scout83

Age/Age Range: 27

Family Life: Single, live with two roommates. Live near and am close to my family, though.

Occupation: In flux. Making the transition from early childhood educator to policy research.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, volunteering, learning new things, craft beer (calorie heavy!), art in its many forms.

Favorite Music: Classical and jazz.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Long walks. Like, miles and miles.

What are your fitness/health goals? Not live in fear of obesity-related health problems. Get myself in gear, drop these pounds, and keep them off.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Travelling to Europe and observing the difference in lifestyle and food habits. My eating habits are (were) out of control.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Emotional eating. I often use food as a way to reward myself for a job well done or to comfort myself when things do not go as I'd planned. I need to get out of that loop.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Making good choices when I'm dining out, cutting back the empty calories of craft beer (I feel confident this is where I've gained a lot of weight in the last year or two), and finding some sort of exercise I enjoy (I love walking, but I'd like to look into yoga or pilates).

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than?: This is tough!...No one, really? Just better than my current self, I guess.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Where do I start!? New, well-fitting jeans-- I feel like I've been stuck with some bogus jean choices at this size. Also, I'd like to go back to snug t-shirts (not happening now.) Also, pretty dresses that show off my waist.

Screen Name: gardennut

Age/Age Range: 37

Family Life: Married to my sweetheart of 12 years - he has a wonderful daughter who is 21 and off at college, and we have 2 teenagers at home - my son is (17) and my daughter (16).

Occupation: Office Manager

Hobbies and Interests: Gardening, Landscaping, Flowers, Card Making, Camping.

Favorite Music: Depends on my mood - Hard Rock, Hair Metal, 80's, Classic Rock, Easy Listening, and Alternative are my favorites. The only things I don't usually listen to are Country and Rap

Favorite Color(s): Again, depends on my mood - I really don't have a favorite.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Gardening/Landscaping is my favorite exercise. I really don't like working out at all. I started an exercise routine this winter because I knew that a majority of my weight issue stemmed from being so sedentary during the snowy months. I have been using Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" and "Yoga Meltdown" and they serve the purpose of burning calories and getting me ready for gardening season. As soon as Spring gets here though, I will be working out by working outside.

What are your fitness/health goals? One of my goals is to be able to put a full day's work in out in my gardens and actually be able to move the next day. Another is to be able to go up a flight of stairs at a decent pace and not be winded by the time I reach the top.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Realizing that my son is graduating from high school this June and I didn't want to have to look back at all the pictures and think - "God I looked terrible".

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I have a hard time staying away from sweets.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. I need to work on getting "in shape" via more cardio-intense workouts (I am hoping to start riding my bike again - if the snow ever goes away!!)
2. I need to keep working on cooking healthier meals for myself and my family
3. I need to be more careful of what I eat on the weekends

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? My boss

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Pretty summer dresses - I want to be able to wear a nice dress to my son's graduation and feel good in it!!

Screen Name: Wnt2bthnr

Age/Age Range: 31

Family Life: Married for 13 years and have 2 sweet girls ages 6 & 9

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Hobbies and Interests: My animals - we have miniature horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, & ducks and then your standard cat and 2 dogs. Also love to garden, can, do crafts, and cook

Favorite Music: Country mostly

Favorite Color(s): Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking outside

What are your fitness/health goals? To finally lose the weight

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Both of my kids are in school and I am realizing I have not excuses anymore why I don't get myself together with all my free time I have now

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Having an all or nothing attitude. One mess up for me = failure in my mind so I just give up.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. Making time for exercise.
2. Portion control.
3. Learning if I mess up to get right back up and no give up!

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : My old self, even when I was at my thinnest. I know even at that weight I will look better because on the inside I am a better person...I just need the outside to match!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Cute jeans and a t-shirt that does not have to cover my butt!

Screen Name: Niclyn

Age/Age Range: 30

Family Life: Married for 5 years with one 10 month old little girl

Occupation: Medical Assistant

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, cooking, photography and art.

Favorite Music: Anything but country

Favorite Color(s): Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: ZUMBA!!! Running, walking and yoga.

What are your fitness/health goals? Get rid of this baby weight and run more.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? We went to Jamaica with my best friend and her boyfriend. I had to buy my first one piece because I was too embarassed to wear a bikini....and to top it all off she looked so good.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I'm really lazy and can talk myself out of doing anything.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. Making myself go exercise.
2. Less drinking.
3. Being more realistic with my goals.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : My sisters ;P

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I want to wear a bikini agian!!

Screen Name: prepping

Age/Age Range: 28

Family Life: Married for 2 years. No kids yet, but <3 our 2 boxers (7 yrs, and 4 month old) and bratty birman cat

Occupation: office

Hobbies and Interests: new found interest in calorie counting and strength training! reading, games, gardening, and learning new hobbies (sewing, crochet, etc)

Favorite Music: Anything with a good beat.

Favorite Color(s): Purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Strength Training!

What are your fitness/health goals? a strong lean body.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I've always been after the goal of being strong and lean. It's just that I now have a better idea of how to do it!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Social life. Boozing and late night munchies. Need I say more?

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Moderation, consistent exercise, and moderation

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? LoL Everyone.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I already wear skirts and bikinis but I want to look smokin in them and not worry about chub days (or weeks or months). And I want to wear shorts comfortably! (haven't had shorts for 13+ years)

Screen Name: imlosingit4me

Age/Age Range: 43

Family Life: Hubby, 5 kids, all grown

Occupation: Design Consultant

Hobbies and Interests: Healthy Living, Traveling, Gardening

Favorite Music: 80's..New Country...New Age

Favorite Color(s): Black, Aqua

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: zumba, walking, aquarobics

What are your fitness/health goals? under 200

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? knee pain, high cholesterol

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? patience

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? drinking more water, giving up more carbs, better choices during travel


(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : my husband

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I want to shop in the Misses department
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Screen Name: RedheadChick

Age/Age Range:33

Family Life: Married with 3 kids

Occupation: AR billing specialist

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, gardening

Favorite Music:anything but rap and jazz

Favorite Color(s):Red

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:into jogging right now

What are your fitness/health goals?be healthy and feel great

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Ok, don't laugh. It as an oatmeal commercial, and the stupid catch line was "It's never too late" (I am sure you have seen this) and the kicker is...I HATE oatmeal.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Chocolate. *sigh*

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Will power, Will power, Will power

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Me at 23

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A trench style dress....or something strapless.
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Screen Name: squeeker
Age/Age Range: 39

Family Life: Divorced and dating....no kids, have a 5 year old Jack Russell Terrier that keeps me on my toes!

Occupation: Security Director

Hobbies and Interests: Bowling, golf, fishing, travel

Favorite Music: Blues, and 80's heavy metal!

Favorite Color(s): Red

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Elliptical and Treadmill....interested in trying Zumba.

What are your fitness/health goals? Be at my healthy weight, BMI, and lower my blood pressure!

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? High blood pressure, and a desire to be able to start my 40's fit and sassy!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? "convenience eating", and portion control

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Moderation, Sticking to exercise, and drinking MUCH more water.

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? My other single friends. ;-)

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? my little black skirt that I've held onto for 15 years.

Screen Name: MissLoud

Age/Age Range: 32

Family Life: I've been married 2 years in August and we have a 5 month old wee boy.

Occupation: Stay at home mum - previously Graphic designer

Hobbies and Interests: Eating! oh oh thats changing, I love to paint, knit, read anything craft related really

Favorite Music: Anything really - though do have a soft spot for something depressing like Radiohead

Favorite Color(s): who knows!

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I don't think I would be this big if I liked excercise - but walking and Xbox kinect is what I do when I have a chance

What are your fitness/health goals? weight goal is to be 75kg - curvy but not jiggly

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I'm a shocking Yoyo dieter but with a baby I can't justify him having a fat mum.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? The sometimes bordom of motherhood and a husban who loves me just the way I am.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Consistancy, perserverance, making time to exercise

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? My sister-inlaw lost 25kg and although I want to feel happy for her I also want to look better than her.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Jeans - its been 10 years! also have a gorg wrap dress that I bought hoping to fit in to - oh and long boots with out the muffintop legs

Screen Name: dbh

Age/Age Range: 51 and getting better

Family Life: Married and happy

Occupation:

Hobbies and Interests: Painting, Soap & Lotion Making, Reading

Favorite Music: most types except Rap

Favorite Color(s): Most colors

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: hate to exercise; guess it'd be walking

What are your fitness/health goals? more walking; maybe need to invest in treadmill because of hot weather in Georgia.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Trigger has been for awhile; Paxil made me gain over 50 pounds in 2 years, but doctor didn't know until over 50#!! So, with 20# due to quitting smoking plus the 50+# Paxil, I need to lose about 50-55# now. Slowly, I'm losing.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Crunchy/salty snacks is my downfall. I really don't eat alot of food/day. I don't eat alot of sugar/bread. It's the potato chips/doritos/cheetos that get me every time. Need to find better snacks.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Need to exercise more, better snack choices, get up same time on weekends.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : In all honestly, it has nothing to do with looking better than anyone else. I want to lose for health reasons, plus I want to find the keys to a small waist size.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I want to wear skirts/dresses! When I was a size 12, I thought I was too large to wear skirts; I was such a ditz!

Screen Name: SweetPeach3388 (Real Name: Stephanie)

Age/Age Range: 23

Family Life: Engaged to my high school sweetheart <3

Occupation: Law Student

Hobbies and Interests: I don't have much time for hobbies due to school, but I love spending time with friends, reading for pleasure when I get the chance, and spending time in the outdoors.

Favorite Music: Mostly Alternative, but my interests are widespread.

Favorite Color(s): It was always black, because it's slimming! But I do really love aqua.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Eh, exercise. It's one of those things I don't mind doing once I start, but it's getting motivated and actually doing it. Right now I do mostly EA Active for Wii, because I can't afford the gym.

What are your fitness/health goals? I've set a goal at 140, but I haven't been that small since I was maybe 12. So, all that matters to me is that I feel comfortable in my own skin.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I decided to hop on the Wii fit in January and realized I had almost reached 200 pounds.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? My fiance has a horrible diet. He eats like a child. He eats no meat or veggies and virtually no fruit. His main food group is grilled cheese. And amazingly he really isn't overweight. So, I struggle with trying to keep motivated and eat what I know is good for me, even though it would be easier to eat just like him.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Being consistent, eliminate my light binging, and motivation to exercise.

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? There is no particular person, but I just want to feel like I fit in with most of my friends. I want to be able to borrow clothes and such things.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Skinny jeans with boots and not feel like a bowling ball balanced on toothpicks (lol).