First name: Megan
Meaning of user name: I got divorced last year and had to give up riding horses because I can't afford it living on a teacher's salary. I still love horses and hope that one day I can have several mini horses, which cost less and are easier to care for, in order to fill my need/love for horses.
Geographical location: Vancouver, WA
Age: 33
Marital Status: Single, Divorced
Children/Ages: none
Occupation: teach 4th grade
Pets: One naughty siamese cat named Kitty Face
Hobbies/Interests: reading, music, friends, exercise, teaching, wine tasting, comedy, home entertainment, camping, coffee
Height: 5'4"
Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown and blonde
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 2009
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 135/115/110
Problem: binge eating, compulsive overeating, bulimia
Plan/Way of Eating three moderate meals with nothing in between
Favorite exercise Gym with friends
Favorite movies: Vicky Barcelona, Juno, Hangover,
Favorite books/plays: Acceptance within, Broken, Diaries of a Geisha Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Nutcracker
Music: Rascal Flatts, Zack Brown Band, Saving Abel, Leona Lewis, Jason Aldean, Michael Jackson, Lilly Allen, Jewel, Nickleback, Chicago,Garry Allen, Katy Perry, Theory of a Deadman, Eric Church and I could go on forever. lol
Favorite Quote(s): From Dexter: There are not secrets, just hidden truths beneath the surface," In talking about a match for himself "She's perfect, because in her own way she is as damaged as me," "Happy Hour. Now there's a misnomer,"
Favorite People (dead and living): Audrey Hepburn.
People I can’t stand: various political figures: not sure
Places you’ve been: Canada, Cabo, DC Nevada, Idaho, Wash/Oregon, CA
Places you want to visit: Italy and France
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word?I'll have to think about that
02. What is your least favorite word?
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? music, art, horseback riding, book studies
04. What turns you off? large egos
05. What is your favorite curse word? as bad as it is "f..k, but I'm learning to replace it. lol.
06. What sound or noise do you love? Sound of a river rushing
07. What sound or noise do you hate? children screaching or screaming
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Forest Ranger
09. What profession would you not like to do? School Cafeteria worker
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Now you can see your grandma again.
Any other tidbits you would like to share: Nope

First name (if you want to tell): Let's just stick with my username!
Meaning of user name: Spiny Norman was a character in the Monty Python tv comedy series. He is an imaginary hedgehog who's size depended on how depressed another character was. It just makes me laugh!
Geographical location: Ireland
Age: 29
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: None
Occupation: Teacher
Pets: I can't keep any in my apartment although my dog lives with my parents
Hobbies/Interests: Movies, Reading, Computers
Height: 5'5"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1 week ago
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 151/147/125
Problem: Binge eating disorder (originally had a binge-restrict form of bulimia)
Start of weight problems: Around 16yrs
Eating Plan: Stop bingeing!!!!! Eat regular meals (not one huge one!), no fast food,
Favourite exercise:Power Walking! Talking with friends as you walk is great fun... you don't notice the time pass.
Favourite Movies: At the moment I like Moon
Favourite books: Anything and everything although I prefer non-fiction
Favourite Music: Depends on my mood
Favourite People: I like most people I meet!
Least Favourite people: People who don't realise how lucky they are
Places you’ve been: Most of Europe and Asia
Place I want to Visit: South Pacific Islands, Central America
Things I worry about: My weight and my depression
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? giggle
02. What is your least favorite word? whatever
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Nature
04. What turns you off? arrogance
05. What is your favorite curse word? I'm Irish... I can't narrow it down to just one
06. What sound or noise do you love? The sea
07. What sound or noise do you hate? People or animal's cries of pain
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Writer
09. What profession would you not like to do? Anything finance related
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Well done my child you made it through the test. From now on it's all fun, fun, fun!

I am also new to this site....hoping to find what I'm looking for!!!!
First name (if you want to tell):Amanda
Meaning of user name: I have loads of bad habits....and my job doesn't help!
Geographical location: Newfoundland, Canada
Age: 28
Marital Status: Engaged
Children/Ages: None
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Pets: Casey (my cat)
Hobbies/Interests: I love to read, water aerobics, volleyball, love HGTV & all the home reno shows, I'm a sucker for reality TV & celebrity magazines, I also love to clean, esp when I'm PO'd...LOL
Height: 5'5''
Eye/Hair Color: hazel, brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: which one?????
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 210/205/155
Problem: Binge eating/compulsive overeating
Plan/Way of Eating: food journal, calorie counting, water
Favorite exercise: Walking/treadmill, water aerobics, 30day Shred
Favorite movies: Twilight, The Sound of Music, Lethel Weapon series,any horror movie.....even the really bad ones!
Favorite books/plays: anything by James Patterson or Emily Giffin, Twilight series...recently read "This Much I Know is True" by Wally Lamb....awesome book
Musiche Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, ACDC, Prince, anything 80's
Favorite Quote(s): can't really think of any right now..
[b]Favorite People (dead and living): Chris Rock, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Aniston,Sophia Bush, Dr Phil!!!!!!
[b]People I can’t stand: Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and in general: rude people, people who drive super slow in a passing-only lane, supermodels who say they eat like pigs & don't exercise, ladies in exercise videos who don't break a sweat (really....could you guys make me feel any worse?)
[b]Places you’ve been:
Been on 2 Caribbean cruises & visited various places (Belize, St Thomas, St Maarten, Cozumal......)
Places you want to visit: New York, London, Paris
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? it is probably a curse word....LOL
02. What is your least favorite word? fat
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? ???
04. What turns you off? ???
05. What is your favorite curse word? f***
06. What sound or noise do you love? A cat's purr
07. What sound or noise do you hate? snoring
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? real estate
09. What profession would you not like to do? teach
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? not sure but I know I don't want Him to greet me anytime soon.......
Any other tidbits you would like to share: I really need help, support, whatever you wwant to call it....LOL. I really don't think I can do this alone!!!

Meaning of user name: It's time to be brave enough to be myself ... no more hiding in fat
Geographical location: Ontario, Canada
Age: 43yrs old
Marital Status: Happily Married
Children/Ages: One - 10yrs old
Hobbies/Interests: My time tends to be centred about my daughter's various activities. When I have free time, I love to read and just hang out at home.
Height: 5'8"
Eye/Hair Color: Blue / Green eyes ... depends on the day and what I'm wearing / Brown hair
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: There have been so many the last 15yrs
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 225lbs / 225lbs / Not sure, probably 150lbs,
Problem: Emotional eating, sabotaging myself when I lose weight, feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I definitely hide in fat.
Plan/Way of Eating: Trying to make health a priority. I had done the diet thing and have only gained it back and more.
Favorite exercise: Walking
Favorite movies: The Family Stone
Favorite books: Anything by Jodi Picolt
Music: Easier to say what I don't like: rap, jazz and opera !!
Favorite Quote(s): From a Nickelback song: "Each day's a gift and not a given right." By CountingDown: "Don't wait. Your life is calling."
People I can’t stand: Phony people. Bullies - adults or kids

Any other tidbits you would like to share:
I need a lot of support, but I'm also a private person. This site seems to be a perfect fit for me. I can share my feelings and troubles honestly, but still have the privacy that I wasn't able to get from support groups.

First name (if you want to tell): Debi
Meaning of user name: I have 3 girlsGeographical location: Dallas
Age: 39
Marital Status: married
Children/Ages: Michael 16, Lauren 3, Elleigh 2, Jamie 3 weeks
Occupation: SAHM, previous career was Family Nurse Practitioner
Pets: None, waiting until kids are older
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, sewing, cooking
Height: 5'8"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 168/163/145
Problem: sugar and carb addict, binge eating when bored and really hungry, and eating when feeling depressed
Start of weight problems: always felt I was overweight but was slim until first year of college where I gained 20 pounds
Eating Plan: whole foods, stay away from sugar and simple carbs. Contemplating WW
Favourite exercise: ummmm....none If I had to chose it would be riding my bike
Favourite Movies: Breakfast at Tiffany's
Favourite books: I love to read, now reading Memory Keepers Daughter
Favourite Music: Contemporary Christian, rock, 80's alternative
Favourite Quote: A hundred years from now... it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.
Favourite People: my little munchkins
Least Favourite people: those that are apathetic and those that are not accepting of other cultures
Places you’ve been: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, all over US, Japan, Iraq, Kuwait, and others
Place I want to Visit: dream to hike the Machu Pichu Trail
Things I worry about: Am I a good enough parent, do I make a difference to this world, will my husband love me when I am 80, will my children be "good" people when they grow up
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? bamboozled
02. What is your least favorite word? the 4 letter word that starts with F, seems that it has become everyday language for many
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? sewing for creativity, music for spirituality, and kind words and soft touches for emotional
04. What turns you off? apathy
05. What is your favorite curse word? don't have one
06. What sound or noise do you love? the content sighs of my newborn after she eats
07. What sound or noise do you hate? whinning
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to be a clothing designer, even though I would not be very good at it
09. What profession would you not like to do? I would hate to be a veterinarian and put down sick animals (my DH is one and it traumatizes him all the time)
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? You are loved and forgiven for all your sins.

First name (if you want to tell): Amelia
Meaning of user name: nickname as a child
Geographical location: GA,in the country
Age: 31
Marital Status:happily married
Children/Ages: Dalton/4, Elizabeth/7
Occupation: stay at home mom
Pets: 3dogs
Hobbies/Interests: reading,watching tv, playing w/kids, computer games, hiking, tennis
Height: 5 "3'
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:summer of 05
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 278/190/160
Problem: emotional eater
Start of weight problems: in my early teens
Eating Plan: calorie counter
Favourite exercise: run intervals,walking
Favourite Movies: Pride & Prejudice
Favourite books: Twilight
Favourite Music: country
Favourite Quote: What does not kill us,shall make us stronger
Favourite People: My mother,father,husband.
Least Favourite people: fake people
Places you’ve been: Panimal City florida, St. George Island Florida, Cozumel mexico,
Place I want to Visit: Rome, Austriala, iceland, new york.
Things I worry about: everything
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? positve
02. What is your least favorite word? negative
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? spiritually
04. What turns you off? ignorance
05. What is your favorite curse word? When i mad, s**T
06. What sound or noise do you love? bird chirping, kids laughing
07. What sound or noise do you hate? kids whinning
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? nurse
09. What profession would you not like to do? banker(dealing with peoples money)
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Good Job Amelia

Hi, I'm lostbutstilltrying

First name: Heather
Meaning of user name: I feel lost, but don't want to give up
Geographical location: St Louis MO
Age: 37
Marital Status: married 11 years
Children/Ages: 1 girl, 8
Occupation: unemployed,desperately seeking
Pets: 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 husband
Hobbies/Interests: eating, thinking about eating, thinking about not eating
Height: 5'-4"
Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/ brownishy

Problem: Binge eating/compulsive overeating/emotional eating

Plan/Way of Eating: counting calories
Favorite exercise: none, We hates it, my precious
Favorite movies: Don't really have one
Favorite books: Anything Terry Pratchett
Music: Re: Your Brains, J Coulton

Favorite People (dead and living): My DH and DD
Places you’ve been: Wish I could travel more, a handful of states
Places you want to visit: Everywhere!

Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? spelunk
02. What is your least favorite word? pokemon
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? reading
04. What turns you off? cruelty
05. What is your favorite curse word? dmit!
06. What sound or noise do you love? rain
07. What sound or noise do you hate? pokemon games and constant tapping
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? guide
09. What profession would you not like to do? slaughter house
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? You look thin, eat this

Any other tidbits you would like to share: I'm barely hanging on right now!

First name (if you want to tell): Shannon
Meaning of user name: A nickname given to me by friends
Geographical location: South Carolina
Age: 29
Marital Status: Single, never married
Children/Ages: 9 year old son
Occupation: full time student
Pets: 2 cats, 3 dogs
Hobbies/Interests: reading, spending time with my family
Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 300/300/200
Problem: compulsive overeating
Plan/Way of Eating: portion control, making better choices
Favorite exercise Walking
Favorite movies: Nightmare before Christmas, X-men movies, Batman movies
Favorite books/plays: any
Music: pretty much anything
Favorite Quote(s): If I had a star for each time you've made me smile, I would hold the entire night sky in the palm of my hand"
Favorite People (dead and living): My dog, Mandy Patinkin, Yeats
People I can’t stand: way too many to list on here
Places you’ve been: most of the eastern US
Places you want to visit: Ireland
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? doodle
02. What is your least favorite word? what
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? smells
04. What turns you off? stupidity
05. What is your favorite curse word? ****'s bells
06. What sound or noise do you love? silence
07. What sound or noise do you hate? alarm clock
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? social worker
09. What profession would you not like to do? waste management...yeah, gross
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome home
Any other tidbits you would like to share: Nah

First name (if you want to tell): Chloe
Meaning of user name: I use this phrase a lot, it's somewhat antiquited, but I love it!
Geographical location: at this moment Paris, France!
Age: 19
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: No, thank goodness!
Occupation: Student.
Pets: Four dogs, 3 cats, 2 rats.
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing my thoughts out, dancing crazily to music, playing rugby, piano, singing
Height: 5'4"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 6/29/09
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 243/229/160
Problem: oh where to start...I have had problems with compulsive overeating which morphed into bulimia
Start of weight problems: pretty much since I exited the womb
Eating Plan: calorie counting
Favourite exercise: elliptical! I am getting more into running though.
Favourite Movies: Pulp Fiction, Amelie, Clueless, Star Wars, LOTR, Shaun of the Dead
Favourite books: Le Petit Prince
Favourite Music: can't even do this one
Favourite People: nice ones?
Least Favourite people: mean ones
Places you’ve been: canada, uk, ireland, amsterdam, rome, france
Place I want to Visit: Greece, Spain, Portugal, Morocco
Things I worry about: The economy, my weight, overcoming an eating disorder, paying for school, passing school, being alone, yada yada

Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? pamplemousse(french for grapefruit)
02. What is your least favorite word? plop. it's just so ugly and ungraceful sounding!
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? politics!
04. What turns you off? meanness. guess I'm really simple.
05. What is your favorite curse word? f**k-a-doodle-do
06. What sound or noise do you love? the sound of rain on the roof
07. What sound or noise do you hate? construction
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? comedian
09. What profession would you not like to do? sanitation, gas pumping, nanny
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I think I would settle for a simple hello haha.

First name (if you want to tell): Erin
Meaning of user name: Nickname from my friend while we were watching Goonies, we tend to be a bit silly . . . but it stuck and I no longer have a name with him, its only Coondocks
Geographical location: Winnipeg, but trying for Vancouver in the spring
Age: 30
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: Son, born feb09 so still new to the Mom role
Occupation: Hotel Front Office Asst. Manager though going back to bartending (oddly enough, more money)
Pets: 1 dog
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, music, going out, talking, taking my son out to see new things, playing with him
Height: 5'4"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: December 2009
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 221/213/145
Problem: Under eating and lack of knowledge to eat properly
Start of weight problems: 7 or 8
Favourite exercise: elliptical and circuit weight training.
Favourite Movies: Casablanca, Goonies, Devils Advocate, too many to list
Favourite books: Birth House, Helen of Troy, Birth of Venus
Favourite Music: Whatever sounds good . . . could be anything, right now its tragically Hip
Favourite People: The ones I love and love me back
Least Favourite people: hypocritical, self righteous ones
Places you’ve been: all across Canada and the west coast of the US (Fun road trip)
Place I want to Visit: Greece, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, London . . . so many places
Things I worry about: Not being a good example to my son and not being able to provide the best for him

Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? Shenanigans
02. What is your least favorite word? begins with a C and is a nasty thing to call some one, specially a woman. Hate that word.
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Contradiction, weird I know.
04. What turns you off? mundane and average
05. What is your favorite curse word? Sh*t
06. What sound or noise do you love? my son when he laughs and his father when he laughs with him.
07. What sound or noise do you hate? my neighbours upstairs
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Paramedic - going to school for it when Im healthier
09. What profession would you not like to do? Chef . . . I dont know why but I think I'd hate it
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Come on in . . ."

First name (if you want to tell): jennifer
Meaning of user name:
Geographical location: bethlehem pa
Age: 33
Marital Status: single
Children/Ages:
Occupation: microbiologist
Pets: freshwater fish
Hobbies/Interests: painting, fiberarts, cooking/baking, camping/hiking
Height: 5'3"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 209/209/145ish
Problem: binge and portion control. most recently i was eating a huge amount once a day.
Start of weight problems: as long as i can remember. alot of steriod meds as a kid, and just blossomed from there
Eating Plan: drastically reduce sugars and salt. eating about 4 times a day, smaller portions of low-fat whole foods. clea eating in general
Favourite exercise: walking/hiking
Favourite Movies: na
Favourite books: lots of NF
Favourite Music: bluegrass, reggae, swing, classic rock
Favourite Quote: not all who wander are lost.
Least Favourite people:ignorant people.. regardless of bent.
Places you’ve been: all over the US and Canada, Alaska
Place I want to Visit: India, Chile, Antarctica
Things I worry about: being healthy, staying conscious while eating
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? abracadabra
02. What is your least favorite word? no
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? artistic persuits
04. What turns you off? ignorance
05. What is your favorite curse word? all of the above
06. What sound or noise do you love? kitchen sounds
07. What sound or noise do you hate? high frequency and loud things in general, very sensative to noise
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? librarian
09. What profession would you not like to do? lawyer

First name (if you want to tell): Jen
Meaning of user name: It's what I am
Geographical location: Ohio USA
Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Children/Ages: two daughters, 5.5 and 4
Occupation: See #2
Pets: Kitty (Moxie)
Hobbies/Interests: knitting/sewing, gardening, baking & cooking <-- and eating, unfortunately
Height: 5'5"
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 205/205/145ish
Problem: binge and portion control.
Start of weight problems: College
Eating Plan: drastically reduce sugars and coffee. Eliminate recreational eating and late-night binges.
Favourite exercise: walking/hiking, kayaking, biking
Favourite Movies: Too many choices!
Favourite books: Too many choices!!
Favourite Music: Jazz, lounge/funk, classic rock, classical
Favourite Quote: Expect the worst, hope for the best.
Least Favourite people: Pessimists and know-it-alls.
Places you’ve been: all over the US, Italy, Switzerland
Place I want to Visit: Alaska, more of Europe, Asia, pretty much anywhere.
Things I worry about: Mostly everything.
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? Apparently and insipid, among many others
02. What is your least favorite word? Would have to think about that for a while.
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Coffee.
04. What turns you off? Lots of noise, crowded places.
05. What is your favorite curse word? Too many choices.
06. What sound or noise do you love? Wind sounds
07. What sound or noise do you hate? Anything loud, repetitive, screechy or otherwise not soothing. I do not like noise.
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Chef
09. What profession would you not like to do? Sales (in person or telephone)

First name (if you want to tell): Ranna
Meaning of user name: dragogon is in my last name
Geographical location: Pennsylvania
Age: 24
Marital Status: single
Children/Ages: definitely NONE!
Occupation: Elementary school teacher
Pets: none- I want a dog
Hobbies/Interests: languages, traveling, yoga, coffee
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Eye/Hair Color: hazel/brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: about 10 years ago. this particular one- hmm can't be sure..
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 170/170/140
Problem: overeating, bingeing, the usual...
Plan/Way: accepting this is going to take awhile- eating right, exercising, being honest, writing, etc.
Favorite exercise: yoga, running, strengh training
Favorite movies: sooo many
Favorite books/plays: the red tent, jemima j, harry poter
Favorite Quote(s): " I don't know who it's by- "Losing weight is hard, Being Fat is Hard, Pick Your Hard"
Favorite People (dead and living): my best friend, my parents, my Uncle, Ellen Degeneres, Hillary Clinton, John Krasinski
People I can’t stand: people who abuse children and animals
Places you’ve been: Germany, Italy, Enlgand, France, Holland, Switzerland, Spain, Canada
Places you want to visit: Asia

Pivot’s questions
01. What is your favorite word? verantwortlichkeit
02. What is your least favorite word? panties
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? movies
04. What turns you off? awkwardness
05. What is your favorite curse word? not sure
06. What sound or noise do you love? the sound of getting an email
07. What sound or noise do you hate? alarm clocks
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? country singer
09. What profession would you not like to do? waitress
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? good job.

First name (if you want to tell): Kate

Meaning of user name: Sometime, I want to walk in somewhere and have someone turn their head and say "wow - that girl is gorgeous"

Geographical location: Ocean Beach, California

Age: 26

Marital Status: Attached

Children/Ages: Not Until I'm Healthy

Occupation: I'm a nurse and I am going to grad school in the fall to become a nurse practitioner.

Pets: 3 kitties, their names are Cat, Yellowface and Watermelon and I'm getting a german shepherd puppy!

Hobbies/Interests: swing dancing, ASL, I love music, traveling, photography, learning how to be healthy... I'm a movie junkie too.

Height: 5'6''

Eye/Hair Color: painfully pale and irish.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: July 2009

Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 236/225/26/138

Problem: EDNOS, largely very problematic bulimia with a lot of anorexic features.

Plan/Way of Eating: Calorie Counting, Eating healthy, Working out, monitoring nutritional content (low sodium, low saturated fats)

Favorite exercise: Dancing & Biking But I'm learning to like the elliptical and am thinking of taking kick boxing classes, but I'm very self conscious about going into that type of environment soooo overweight.

Favorite movies: Way too many to name. I like a lot of dark comedies, thrillers, horror movies...

Favorite books/plays: The God Delusion, The Selfish Gene, God is Not Great, Pretty much anything by Chuck Palahniuk, lots of non-fiction stuff.

Music: Right now Al Green is playing, before that it was Tom Waits and before that it was Beyonce... I guess I don't really have a "type".

Favorite Quote(s):

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others; even the dull and ignorant - they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann


Favorite People (dead and living): My family and friends.

People I can’t stand: too political for people i don't know and don't want to offend anyone! I try to meet most people with any open mind.

Places you’ve been: All over the states, all over canada, mexico, iceland

Places you want to visit: France, Italy, Japan, Africa, deep in south america, Alaska, Galapagos Islands...

Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)

01. What is your favorite word? Soap

02. What is your least favorite word? The "C" word

03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? drive

04. What turns you off? willful ignorance

05. What is your favorite curse word? "F" word.

06. What sound or noise do you love? The ocean at night

07. What sound or noise do you hate? Alarm Clock!!

08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Bartending... or professional resort tester! ... or a personal trainer! .... or a LION TAMER!

09. What profession would you not like to do? computer programmer

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? I respect that you chose to use the logic I gave you and am not offended by that, you did good deeds, treated people well and lived a good life. Come on in and have a drink!

Any other tidbits you would like to share: Nope

First name (if you want to tell): April
Meaning of user name: Because I'm still cute, just a little chunky, lol!
Geographical location: Eden, N.C.
Age: 43
Marital Status: Divorced but in relationship
Children/Ages: 22 and 23 - sons
Occupation: Walmart cashier
Pets: None anymore
Hobbies/Interests: Ghost-hunting (I have a team), writing, fishing, target-shooting, yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops
Height: 5'3"
Eye/Hair Jade green/dark brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Dec. 17th, 2009
Starting Weight/Present/Goal Weight: 280/250/199
Problem: Binge-eating/compulsive over-eating/emotional over-eating
Plan/Way of Eating: Weight Watchers points system, common-sense
Favorite exercise Walking, low-impact aerobics
Favorite movies: The Notebook, Where The Heart Is, The Color Purple, Twilight, The Last of the Dogmen, any John Wayne western
Favorite books/plays: Anything by Nicholas Sparks
Music: Shinedown, Theory of a Deadman, Puddle of Mudd, Nickelback, Korn, NIN, Nirvana
Favorite Quote(s): "The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it." -Mack R. Douglas
Favorite People (dead and living): Diane Lane, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Depp, Jason Staitham, Rachael McAdams
People I can’t stand: Paris Hilton, Lil Wayne, Tom Cruise, Kanye West, Lady Gaga
Places you’ve been: Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina
Places you want to visit: Ireland, Italy, Scotland
Pivot’s questions (don’t think too long, answer as fast as you can)
01. What is your favorite word? Actually
02. What is your least favorite word? That's easy - "pwned"...I don't even know what it's supposed to mean, but it annoys the **** outta me.
03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? honesty
04. What turns you off? arrogance
05. What is your favorite curse word? mofo
06. What sound or noise do you love? ocean waves
07. What sound or noise do you hate? alarm clock
08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? 911 dispatch
09. What profession would you not like to do? Paralegal - I worked for one and they work like dogs
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Heaven does exist, and I hope God says he's proud of me for talking to others about Him
Any other tidbits you would like to share: I love my family and my boyfriend very very much!!

~April~ - a dragonfly for every 5 lbs I lose!!!!