Screen Name: FALLENFAERIE27

Age/Age Range: 27

Family Life: SINGLE (LIVE W/PARENTS)

Occupation: LOAN PROCESSOR FOR BANK

Hobbies and Interests: READING; WRITING POETRY; LISTENING TO MUSIC; DANCING; SURFING WEB

Favorite Music: COUNTRY (ACTUALLY EVERYTHING EXCEPT RAP)

Favorite Color(s): PURPLE

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: WAP 1

What are your fitness/health goals? TO BE UNDER 200 LBS

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? 10 YEAR CLASS REUNION IS NEXT YEAR

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

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? WILLPOWER TO RESIST; ENERGY TO EXERCISE; COOKING HEALTHY

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : ME; WANT TO SPLURGE & BUY NEW CLOTHES

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? JEANS IN A SINGLE DIGIT RANGE...LOL

Screen Name: Zerofill

Age/Age Range: 30

Family Life: single

Occupation: Social Research

Hobbies and Interests: reading, movies, messing about on the computer

Favorite Music: mostly indie bands

Favorite Color(s): blue

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Yoga, biking

What are your fitness/health goals?

Want to lose weight and get lots of nice muscles!

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

I was going on a trip with a friend and was afraid I'd have to ask for a seatbelt extender on the airplane (thankfully, I didn't, though)

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

Exercising more

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

Being more motivated to exercise, sticking to a schedule, not getting discouraged about plateaus or losing less than 2 lbs per week

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : I want great toned arms like Madonna's!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?

Any bathing suit without a great big shirt over it.

Screen Name: brattypatti

Age/Age Range: 47

Family Life: Widow w/ 2 grown children (Freddy-22, Elizabeth-26) I have two beautiful grandsons (Ash-Stephen-5, Noah-3) My son still lives at home and my daughter is married and lives in a nearby city w/ her family. My Mom is 78 & lives on the same street as me. I have a brother & sis (Gene & Joyce) who are twins-age 57, and a brother, John who is 51.

Occupation: I have two jobs. I work during the day as a salesman at a sporting goods store (we do school uniforms, business attire, etc) and I work at night as asst. manager of a movie theatre.

Hobbies and Interests: I am a HUGE Nascar fan..(go Tony). I love to read, watch movies, play piano, got to concerts, exercising, etc.

Favorite Music: Country-Hank Williams, Jr., Reba, Toby Keith, etc. I also love the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Celine Dion and tons of others. I like most types of music and listen to oldies alot.

Favorite Color(s): BLUE BLUE BLUE

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:Walking outside is my fav. exercise, but I am into the Yourself Fitness game on Xbox. It is fun. (just started it) I also do the walk away the pounds DVD & am going to purchase a dance DVD for fun soon.

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to reach a healthy weight. I figure around 135, but may go lower after I reach that, if I feel I need to. I want to be able to at least make an attempt to keep up with my grandchildren.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I really dont know what really triggered me. I just had made up my mind over a period of worrying about how huge I was getting.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I have very little patience and I struggle to stay with the program and not get mad and frustrated when I dont see the results that i think I should.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to add fruit to my diet. I am terrible about getting any fruit in. I do well with whole grains and salads, but seems every time I buy fruit, I end up letting it ruin.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : I would love to get skinny and go to my class reunion next summer (30th 1976) and look better than my old snobby cheerleader type classmates.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I cant wait to wear shorts and I cant wait to wear jeans that dont have elastic in the waist !
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Screen Name:
teatree

Occupation: Student

Hobbies and Interests:
Running, Music

Favorite Music: Music that makes me happy.

Favorite Color(s): No clue. . .

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:
Running

What are your fitness/health goals?
Lose 10 lbs!


What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Seeing everyone else fit into pants so easily and me having fat come out from over the top of my pants.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Dieting. I love food.


What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Weight, confidence, strength.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : The prettiest girls at school.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? JEANS! Without feeling fat.

Introduce Yourself!!

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Screen Name: want2Bhealthy

Age/Age Range: almost 25

Family Life: single and hating it!

Occupation: Emergency Room Registrar

Hobbies and Interests: well I just purchased my first home by myself, so decorating it and fixing ti up is my hobby right now!

Favorite Music: Country, Punk, Top 40's, Pop, Rock...anything besides heavy metal I guess

Favorite Color(s): purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I just bought the exercise ball, so maybe that will inspire me to start getting my butt moving!

What are your fitness/health goals? I am almost 25, weigh too much, have high blood pressure and am already on medicine, basically I just want to make myself healthy and happy

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? when my family started to treat me differently. when I watch my mom's face when she has to go into the "fat store" with me to find clothes. When I am left out because my sister refuses to help me find clothes that fit...when my best friend told me I looked terrible in a new outfit that I thought looked great.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I live by myself so there is no one to say "NO!!!!!"

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? eat less, exercise more, don't get depressed

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

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? a tank top and not be ashamed!

Screen Name: girl_in_cullowhee

Age/Age Range: 21

Family Life: just married in August

Occupation: student, computer tech

Hobbies and Interests: international politics and debate, music

Favorite Music: anything by Ben Folds

Favorite Color(s): blue

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: strip aerobics exercise my husband and I both enjoy!

What are your fitness/health goals? to be able to walk up the 3 flights of stairs to my classes without gasping for breath

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 from my wedding

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I love pizza. It's going to be hard to give up. It's hard for me to motivate myself to exercise because I always feel so tired.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to eat more veggies, I need to exercise every day, I need to drink more water

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : besides me right now? my sister-in-law... just because she always makes fun of me

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? all the things my husband wants me to wear now I'd like to be able to wear a bathing suit without a skirt!

Screen Name: shellerooskie

Age/Age Range: 28

Family Life: I live with my wonderful husband.

Occupation: Nurse

Hobbies and Interests: walking, watching movies, spending time with my husband and friends.

Favorite Music: anything except for rap.

Favorite Color(s): Red

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking

What are your fitness/health goals? To walk 4 times a week for at least 1 hour.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I get tired walking up the stairs. I just started to not feel comfortable in clothes.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? People LOVE to peer pressure "naughty" foods and sometimes it is hard to say no..especially to sweets.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to eat more fruits.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : A relative on my husband's side of the family.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? a swimsuit

Screen Name: gonnalooseitagain
Age/Age Range: 33

Family Life: I live with my sweet husband, 2 daughters and 1 son.

Occupation: Teacher/SAHM

Hobbies and Interests: watching movies, spending time with my husband, and playing with kids.
Favorite Music: Country.

Favorite Color(s): blue/purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: stretches/floor work
What are your fitness/health goals? To get my BMI in NORMAL range

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I got sick and tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? My own cravings of sweets, but so far they have been beaten into submission...yippy

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to exercise more!!!

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : I could say my Ex-husbands wife, but she is much bigger than I have ever been. I could say my husbands ex-girlfriend but I am definately better looking than her...so I guess no one. I want to look better than my OLD self!!!!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Shorts!!!

Screen Name: mandy71480

Age/Age Range: 25

Family Life: Engaged, will be married as of 11/12/05

Occupation: Customer Service for Utility Co.

Hobbies and Interests: Making graphics, posting on message boards, watching movies

Favorite Music: A little bit of everything

Favorite Color(s): Royal Blue and Soft Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, Walking

What are your fitness/health goals? To lose 120 lbs by 5/31/05

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I'm in the middle of miscarrying my first baby and I am afraid my weight may have played a factor in it. Plus I want to be able to enjoy my pregnancy, and I was sure to be miserable at my weight.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Getting back on plan after a treat.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Sticking to a plan, eating the right foods, staying satisfied

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : My sister Darlene

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A Dress!!! I've never been comfortable in a dress. I would love to be comfortable in one for once!

Screen Name:frankiesgirl

Age/Age Range:22

Family Life: living with long term boyf, hopefully fiance eventually!

Occupation: management in the tourism industry

Hobbies and Interests: photography, socialising

Favorite Music: i love 50s/60s/70s, not so keen on the later stuff! i was born 20 years too late!!

Favorite Color(s): blue

Favorite Exercise/Workoutsilates and swimming

What are your fitness/health goals? to be able to be active without getting out of breath, to be able to dance in a club without getting all sweaty

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? have been battling since i was 13 with my weight, have never been small, but really ballooned during my three years at university, lonely comfort eating ruled the day. So now i am in full time employment i cant make excuses about stressful exams etc.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? to stop comfort eating and bingeing

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
increase exercise, accept this as a life change, and conquer my emotional eating triggers
(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : my younger 19 year old cousin, she has exactley the same body shape as me, but around 4 stone lighter, so that is good motivation!!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size: a pair of jeans that i felt fabulous in when i wore them, when i was around 197 lbs. Not that light, but i felt really good about myself then.

Screen Name: PrairieRose

Age/Age Range: 41

Family Life: Married to a wonderful man with 4 great kids.

Occupation: Self-employed, agriculture and transportation.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, travel, watching my kids in their many different activities, crafts, horseback riding.

Favorite Music: I like different kinds--depending on my mood.

Favorite Color(s): Purple, pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking, WATP tapes

What are your fitness/health goals? To lose 100 lbs. and to stay at a healthy weight. Have the energy to keep going well into old age.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Just tired of being tired all the time and how bad I look. Plus oldest graduates in 2009 and my 30 year reunion will be in 2012. I want to look great.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I've always been a stress, emotional eater.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Need to eat more fruit and veggies. Need to exercise alot more than I do.


(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than?: A mother of my daughter's classmate. She tends to look down her nose at us heavier moms.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A swimsuit on a beach in Hawaii!!!

Hello!

Screen Name: sf40

Age/Age Range: 40

Family Life: Married 15 years, one dog, a couple of cats

Occupation: Currently unemployed, but making a career change and exploring various opportunities.

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, writing, traveling, bike riding with husband, spending time with family and friends, eating (oh, did I say that??).

Favorite Music: Depends on my mood.

Favorite Color(s): Various shades of blue.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I really don't like to exercise ... which is part of the reason why I'm here. But I do enjoy bike rides with my husband and I am beginning to enjoy weight training. I am kinda new at working out, so I hope to experiment with various exercises.

What are your fitness/health goals? To improve my general health. Also, to dump about 45 pounds. But honestly, if I can fit into a size 10 (loose), I will be happy.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Several things happened at once, or I became aware of them at once. First, I am tired of being tired all the time and having no energy. Second, I think I need to project a more "in control and energetic" image as I make my career transition. Third, my blood pressure and cholesterol went up. Fourth, I lost about 1/2" of height. These served as a warning to me that I can no longer abuse my body and expect it to look and feel good.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Carbs. Oh my, I love them. I just started a food journal a couple of weeks ago and was shocked at how much I ate. I am really having a tough time limiting carbs to 30-40%. Also, getting enough cardio ...

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Most important, eating well and exercising is not selfish (I feel guilty when I work out, like I should be sending out resumes or something). Also, I need to change my state of mind to think of exercising and eating well as a gift to myself, not as punishment for bad behavior. Finally, I tend to be a workaholic, so I worry about eating well and exercising when I work crazy hours.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Former co-worker. But I will be happy to look as good (she really watches her diet, so I doubt I'll look better)

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Gosh, almost anything! My clothes are so tight and everything looks awful but I don't want to spend money on new clothes right now.


I am new here. Just signed on last week and lurked for a couple of days before that. I really enjoy the support and info here and look forward to this journey with so many like-minded people!

Screen Name: Crstnamre

Age/Age Range:37

Family Life:Committed/LT relationship, 19 yr old son

Occupation: Caregiver/paralegal student

Hobbies and Interests:stamp collecting, collectables,antiques, crafting

Favorite Music: Alternative

Favorite Color(s): Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:Walking

What are your fitness/health goals? To lose weight, become a healthy weight and become stronger physically and feel good about myself

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? My clothes dont fit and my BF has been gone for 9 mos and will be back in 2 1/2 mos and I have gained weight!!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I LOVE FOOD

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to stop eating on the run and walk more

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : I don't think I want to look better than anyone specific, I just want to feel I look good.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? My old jeans/shorts
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Screen Name: M&MQueen

Age/Age Range: 53 y.o.

Family Life: divorced for 4 years; 2 sons 29 & 25; 1 DIL, 3 beautiful grandkids; one BF

Occupation: Staff Assistant for county welfare office

Hobbies and Interests: painting/decorating birdhouses, reading, watching Law & Order(all of them!) CSI original, and my personal favorite EATING!! HA!!

Favorite Music: classic rock; grew up during Beatlemania and still love them!

Favorite Color(s): blue, red, pumpkin color

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: walking on my treadmill; WATP videos I love Lesley Sansone!

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to be an every day exercisier; to be able to run/walk a 5k without stopping; to be able to bend over without wanting to pass out!!

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I'm sick and tired of being Sick and Tired!!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? emotional eating is No.1 and boredom/procrastination eating is a big 2nd

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Planning and Eating regular meals and healthy snacks

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : All 3 of my sisters!!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Sexy red dress, sexy lingerie and maybe even a thong!!! Yes I said THONG!