First name: Rita

Geographical location: Northern California

Age: 29

Marital Status: in a relationship, dating same boy for 3+ years

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Resident

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: hiking, biking, baking, watching Jersey Shore

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/ strawberry blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 08/22/2010

Starting Weight: 140

Present Weight: 140

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: lack of a stable schedule, call nights, emotional eating, uncertainty with my career and other life choices

Following any specific plan: no

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My schedule is much more difficult to work with. Despite that, I realize that my lifestyle is unhealthy and I know I need to make a change that I can continue no matter what my schedule is, as it is not going to get any easier. I am more motivated from a health standpoint and I understand that in order to have a healthier life and body I have to address all of the personal and professional problems in my life that have been bothering me in the past year.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope!

First name: Strawberry

Geographical location: Denver

Age: CO

Marital Status: Single, but in long term relationship--7 years!

Children/Ages: none

Occupation:currently unemployed

Pets: 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests:beauty and fashion, photography, reading

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Dark Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:September 4, 2010

Starting Weight:245

Present Weight:245

Goal Weight:130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: starting to exercise and to eat MORE, I know I don't eat enough and when I do eat it isn't healthy

Following any specific plan: Not yet, I am researching and open to suggestions

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am at my limit. It just feels different this time. I need to do this, for me.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
__________________

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: North Texas

Age: 23

Marital Status: In a relationship.

Children/Ages: None until marriage.

Occupation: College Student

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Painting, Bowling, Karaoke, FB, School...

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Greenish-Blue/Light Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 08/18/2010

Starting Weight: 322

Present Weight: 315

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My sweet tooth (and portion control)

Following any specific plan: Just started WW

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am hoping to change my lifestyle instead of going on another diet.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have no idea how to get a tracker on my profile.. but I want one!

First name: Jen

Geographical location: Alberta, Canada

Age: 27

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: none, thank goodness

Occupation: grad student

Pets: three cats!

Hobbies/Interests: Knitting, Hiking, Swimming

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 04/26/2010

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 180 this morning!

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Alcohol in social settings, finding time to work out without feeling guilty, emotional eating

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting on ************.com

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I do not need to be perfect, I just need to keep trying.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not particularly!

First name: Lynsey

Geographical location: Houston, TX

Age: 29

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Flight Attendant

Pets: A big spider I'm too chicken to kill, but not fast enough to catch.

Hobbies/Interests: Travel, attempting to learn how to cook, reading.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Strawberry Blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feels like forever. This time around October 2004.

Starting Weight: 194.5

Present Weight: 182.2

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional eating, an unusual schedule, and airport food.

Following any specific plan: Not yet, might go back to WW.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Trying a different approach, getting rid of the negativity towards my body, addressing issues behind why I eat. (A bit New Ageish, but seems to be working)

Anything else you would like to share with us: Happy to be here

Please add your profile, so we can get to know you better. Simply copy the text below and paste it into a reply and add your information


First name: Cherise

Geographical location: Mesa, AZ

Age: 23

Marital Status: married for 4 1/2 years

Children/Ages: zip

Occupation: Graduate student in library science/employed at public library

Pets: 3 kitties--Reese, CatBot, and Madeline

Hobbies/Interests: hiking/camping/backpacking, perfume, music, ceramics

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: green/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/1/2010

Starting Weight: 176

Present Weight: 173

Goal Weight: hard to tell, but right now I'm aiming for 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: history of binge eating

Following any specific plan: I'm a vegetarian working on becoming vegan, but other than that the plan is to stick to my whole-foods diet and start exercising regularly.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I'm in an emotionally stable place and excited for the future (instead of having a sense of impending doom, lol.) I'm ready to dedicate time and effort to myself and my body, and looking forward to all of the changes coming my way. This is also the first time I'm trying to use an internet forum for support.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
__________________

First name: Kimberly

Geographical location: TN

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Research Assistant (prospective medical school student)

Pets: Sadly, none

Hobbies/Interests: Musical Theater, Reading, writing

Height: 5'9

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 8/24/10

Starting Weight: 236

Present Weight: 234.5

Goal Weight: 175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Nighttime binge eating

Following any specific plan: Not really. I'm just trying to eat a sensible number of calories per day and exercise at least 3 times per week. I'm looking to change my lifestyle before entering the new professional/real adult stage of my life.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm fed up.

Anything else you would like to say: Yay for healthy living!

First name: Aaron (Also male, contrary to the sites name)

Geographical location: USA

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Full time student / Part time pizza man!

Pets: 2 y/o Yorkshire Terrier (Evie)

Hobbies/Interests: Astronomy, Politics, Computer Networking/Security

Height: 5'10"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/11/10

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 220

Goal Weight: 165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Avoiding place of employment and eating like typical college student...

Following any specific plan:

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Not getting so caught up in it and expecting fast immediate results, but instead focusing on eating healthier and feeling better.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm a person of few words...
__________________

First name: Paula

Geographical location: Washington

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 1 Daughter, 4

Occupation: Grad student.

Pets: None.

Hobbies/Interests: Crafts! And making drawings and blogging, and learning languages and... I don't know.

Height: 5'4''

Eye/Hair Color: Auburn hair and kind of the same eye color.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: It's been and off and on again thing for a while.

Starting Weight: I'd say last Monday's weight: 198lbs

Present Weight: 195lbs

Goal Weight: 138 (or 132 if possible)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I don't know... I guess I'm too lazy and lack motivation.

Following any specific plan: Just healthy eating and exercising. Eat plenty of lean protein plus veggies, fruit and fiber.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am tired. I'm about to turn 30 and I really want to go back and defeat this monster inside of me. I've tried dieting so many times before my whole life. I think that turning 30 is my big motivator at this point. I want to go back to the weight I was when I turned 20.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I feel like life is passing me by and I'm missing out on many things. I am not fully happy with my looks and in my skin (never been)... I just want to love and enjoy life. That's all.

hey everyone, i'm new here, hope there's room for one more!

First name: Katie

Geographical location: just moved to Mississippi

Age:22

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages:none

Occupation:grad student

Pets:none

Hobbies/Interests: running, blogging, going out to eat, Bible study

Height:5'5

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time around it's 9/5/10

Starting Weight:147.2

Present Weight:147.2

Goal Weight:128 i think, i'd say give or take 5 pounds

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: a love of sugary snacks and desserts, a slight tendency to binge

Following any specific plan:calorie counting, but not trying to hold myself to an exact number each day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i'm learning how to be disciplined in all areas of my life. i'm in a really intense school program right now, and i'm also a christian who loves the Lord. i'm learning to balance mind, body, and soul, and that they really do all go together. this is new for me!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: i'm not sure how regularly i'll be able to post, but i've been a lurker for too long, and i think it's time to start interacting!!

First name: Penelope

Geographical location: South Central Texas

Age: 25

Marital Status: about to be [thank GOD] a divorcee

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Full time student - Psychology [pre-counseling]

Pets: N/A

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, drawing, singing

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Which one? Originally started back in 2007, latest "re-commitment" was 08/16/10

Starting Weight: I'm having issues with this because of a faulty scale, but I believe it was around 255 - 260 lbs.

Present Weight: 249 lbs

Goal Weight: 130 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: emotional eating/binge eating

Following any specific plan: The "Drink water/do yoga/walk everyday" plan

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've made a commitment to my healthy rather than vanity, and I'm enrolled in a three month yoga course.

Anything else you would like to share with us: That's about it

First name: Yvonne

Geographical location: Balkans

Age: 18

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Not yet

Occupation: Student

Pets: A cuttest dog

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Make Up, Philosophy...Hanging with friends, traveling, living life

Height: 5' 9"

Eye/Hair Color: blue-green/ dark blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: (October 2009) 10th September 2010

Starting Weight: (187.4) 173

Present Weight: 172

Goal Weight: 142

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binge eating

Following any specific plan: first being binge-free and eat intuitively, and when I get a grip with that Tom Venuto's TBFS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I will not quit! Be it ups or downs, 3 months or three years, I will keep nutrition journal,weigh-in every week, and just never give up!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Well, just to say I'm looking forward to chatting with you all!

First name: Myriam

Geographical location: NYC

Age: 29

Marital Status: divorcing

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Graduate student

Pets: Cutest dog in the world - Mame Shiba - Named Miki!

Hobbies/Interests: reading/tv/traveling/men/music

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 8/12/2010

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 208

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight-loss: total lack of discipline

Following any specific plan: just eating well and exercising a lot

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't have my husband who wants to go out to eat everyday at different restaurants, and who doesn't put on any weight because he is Japanese! I can make my own choices.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am very happy to see so many motivated people, I really hope all this positive energy will rub off and that I will meet my goals The biggest of which is to become consistent!

First name: Ana

Geographical location: US/UK

Age: 27

Marital Status: single!

Children/Ages: nope!

Occupation: its so complicated!

Pets: i wish, but no. (beagle someday... someday...)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, running, foreign languages

Height: 5'6"/167cm

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 9/12/10

Starting Weight: 217

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i move all over the world and have a hard time settling into a long term fitness routine and cook delicious rich dishes to stay sane.

Following any specific plan: training for a half marathon in norway in june!!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: my parents are losing a lot of weight and now i'm the heaviest one in our family

First name: Samantha

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age: 23

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: RN

Pets: Audrey Hepburn (maltipoo)

Hobbies/Interests: music, scrapbooking

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: green/ brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: September 14

Starting Weight: 200.3

Present Weight: ?

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: type I diabetic

Following any specific plan: low carb/ no processed

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: not in college anymore

Anything else you would like to share with us: