First name (if you want to tell): Mel

Geographical location: Alberta, Canada

Age: 24

Marital Status: Married for 6 months.

Children/Ages: Not yet

Occupation: Restaurant Manager at a hotel.

Pets: My cat, cowboy.

Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out with my husband, music, tv, cooking, eating (oops), yoga, shopping, going to the spa.

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/This week Dark brown with red highlights (natural, of course!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I joined a gym 1 year ago and after yo-yoing for a year i'm pretty much starting fresh right now

Starting Weight: 141

Present Weight: 141

Goal Weight: 125-130 (i don't care about the number, i just want to get healthy)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food has always been an issue, i work crazy hours at the restaurant so i could go all day without eating a bit and then eat steak and potatoes at 10 pm, oh and access to all-you-can-eat-for-free gourmet desserts is so bad! (i have no willpower!). My other issue is going to the gym where all the trainers are super skinny and all they care about is losing weight and not just getting healthy and being in shape and making better lifestyle choices

Following any specific plan: I'm just trying to motivate myself to excercise on a more regular basis. i'm thinking about buying the kathy smith project you system that i read about on this website.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My husband's support has made a huge difference from when i was single and alone in my efforts. He's in the military where there's a huge focus on excercising and being in shape so he's really big on eating healthy and excercising so he really inspires me to succeed.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I think this website is great (i just joined this week). i'm new to the city i live in so it's hard to meet people and i work all the time so the internet makes it so much easier to connect.
__________________

First name (if you want to tell): John

Geographical location: Oregon

Age: 24

Marital Status: have the most wonderful girlfriend in the world

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Red Lobster Restaurant Manager

Pets: I just got a fish tank. 2 hermit crabs (Lewis and Clark) 1 "cleaner" shrimp (Scampi) and 2 damsel fish (Shaemus and Molly)

Hobbies/Interests: spending time with the lady, a new found interest in walking and working up a sweat, video games (my vice) and just being a typical american guy

Height: 6'0''

Eye/Hair Color: brown and brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Ill go with Feb. 1, 2007

Starting Weight: 339

Present Weight: constantly losing

Goal Weight: 175-185

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: FOOD. Im sure thats everyones answer. I gotta stop making STUPID choices.

Following any specific plan: eat well, exercise more. i want to get an initial 50lbs off then i can start running and not putting too much stress on my knees.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: this website. a godsend.

Anything else you would like to share with us: not now... maybe soon?

First name (if you want to tell): Dawn
Geographical location: Des Moines, IA
Age: 27 (turning 28 next month)
Marital Status: happily married little over 4 yrs
Children/Ages: no kids yet
Occupation: working in a photo lab, but also going to school to be medical billing specialist
Pets: 2 cats, Spooky and Jellybean, 2 parakeets, Chitter and Chatter and 1 black lab, Maggie
Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, movies, taking walks with Maggie
Height: 5'5
Eye/Hair Color: brownish greenish and dark brown hair with bright red highlights
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feb. 11th, 2007
Starting Weight:270
Present Weight:270
Goal Weight:170
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i love food and my pepsi. can't start the day without a soda. i think that maybe my biggest hurdle is the pop.
Following any specific plan: i want to try and excercise more and try to eat lighter and more water definately.
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i have the support of my wonderful hubby

Can somebody help me? I am having a hard time posting a thread

First name (if you want to tell): Amanda

Geographical location: ON, Canada

Age: 20

Marital Status: boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: receptionist right now...going to school for hair stylist

Pets: 2 cats (not by choice)..I want a puppy

Hobbies/Interests: spending time with my bf, doing hair and makeup, exercising, cooking (sometimes), dancing, movies, sports, tattoos

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brunette with some blonde highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: mid September 2006

Starting Weight: in Sept 158..in the summer 160-165

Present Weight: 140 (can't frickin break into the 130s!!! plateau argh)

Goal Weight: 110-115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Italian family making large dinners & sugar

Following any specific plan: calorie counting/limiting carbs/tons of exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am actually losing this time!! Sticking with the gym, paying attention to what I am consuming and realizing that I need to do this.

Anything else you would like to share with us: If I don't lose 20-30 lbs before the summer I will be naked all summer because I threw away all my old "fat" clothes last year and now I have none lol and I refuse to buy them this year in the same old sizes.

First name (if you want to tell): Holly

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age: 26

Marital Status: got a hubby

Children/Ages: Twins, 17 months old

Occupation: Admin Assistant

Pets: Doggy named Joey

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, shopping, shopping

Height: 5'3.5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blond (fake!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This current journey?? Today, Feb. 15th

Starting Weight: 182

Present Weight: 182...ha

Goal Weight: 130 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I LOVE food

Following any specific plan: Eat right and lots of exercise!!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Nothing really...although I did get a little out of breath when I walked up a flight of stairs today!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not at this time, but I'm sure I'll think of something soon!!

First name (if you want to tell): Courtney

Geographical location: Ontario, Canada

Age: 21

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: student

Pets: 3 cats. Bea (a tabby), Alice (black&white), Milly (tortie)

Hobbies/Interests: writing, watching movies, shopping, hanging out with friends and just laughing about everything

Height: 5'6

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: on and off for a while. But I'd say officially, Jan '07

Starting Weight: 245

Present Weight: 232

Goal Weight: 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: binge eating, building enough energy, eating late at night!!!

Following any specific plan: nothing specific. Counting calories daily, as much exercise as I can handle

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was really beginning to just feel sick of being so tired and lazy all the time, and I knew that no one was going to change that except me. My weight just kept gradually going up and I was getting so scared I might end up with a heart-attack or serious diabetes at far too young of an age, and my weight was affecting the way I was living in general. I know i'm in for a tough road, but in the end all of that hard work will lead to three simple things: being happy, confident, and being able to live every single day exactly the way I know I should.

Anything else you would like to share with us: hmmm... maybe a few random things I suppose... I looooove tea!! green tea .. but really I just love it all!.... oh, and I just started a bit of those TurboJam workouts, which right now i'm finding a bit difficult, but it's still a blast!... and also, I find that just for motivation in general, listening to your favorite music is sooooo key!!!!

First name (if you want to tell): Nozi

Geographical location: South Africa

Age: 20

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: student

Pets: 2 dogs (Duke and Caesar)

Hobbies/Interests: writing, reading, shopping, hanging out with friends, going to cafes and watching anime

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I started trying to lose weight last year and lost about 18 pounds. Then i stopped and gained about 9 pounds.So I started again in January this year.

Starting Weight: 260

Present Weight: 246

Goal Weight: 123

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: binge eating, eating when i'm not hungry, emotional eating and not exercising properly

Following any specific plan: Exercise a minimum of 2 hours a day 5 days a week and i'm following a low GI eating plan.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm in my third and final year of college and I really want to look great at my graduation. All my friends are turning 21 and that means there'll be lots of pictures this year. I;m the only one of my friends who is very overweight so i don't want to feel like a black sheep anymore. But mostly, i'm doing this for me because i don't want to die young. So i've seriously stuck to my eating and exercise plan.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm actually turning 20 this May so my goal is to look great for my birthday.

First name (if you want to tell): Jaime
Geographical location: Virginia, but I am a born and bred Jersey girl at heart
Age: 27 (4/16/79)
Marital Status: live in sin with BF of 7 years
Children/Ages: none
Occupation: Research Analyst for Non-Profit institution
Pets: 4 year old Lab/Hound mix, pure pile of doggy love (Linus) and a black tiger kitty who thinks he is a Great Dane dog (Lucas), both rescued.
Hobbies/Interests: volunteering, blogging, grassroots organizations, huge news junkie, politics junkie (I know the rules, I won't go "there" here ), music (BIG Phish phan/jamband music phan ), being outdoors, animals, making my own clothes, cooking, wine, beer, wine, beer, and oh, I REALLY LOVE WINE!
Height: 5'4"
Eye/Hair Color: green-hazel/light brown eys and brownish red hair, natural
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This current journey-January 27, 2007. I started the BIG PLAN on February 8, 2002 and went from 205 to 129 in less than 9 months. I became a gym addict with borderline eating disorders and TONS of head issues, and once I calmed down and got it together I gained back 26 over the next 3 and a half years. I went from an 18 to a 4 back to a 10/12, and I would prefer to be a 6/8 and SANS all of the muscles I had before (Note-yes, weight training is GREAT, but anyone who says "women don't get bulky" has never met me). I am now on my second journey, and I am so happy with the "slow and steady wins the race" attitude. I should have known before that because it came off so fast, it would go back on that fast. Well, we all live and learn, right?
Starting Weight: This time, 155
Present Weight: 146
Goal Weight: 125, perhaps 120. I tend to look very thin in the face and collarbone area, so we will have to see.
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My BF is 5'7" and can eat anything and everything and stays underweight (118). I hate depriving him of pizza 3 nights a week, but he seems to be happy with my cooking. I tweak his plates, and he sometimes gets take out on his own, so we do ok. My biggest problem is drinking. I love wine and dark beer, and I totally admit to drinking too much. What can I say; I am Polish and Irish, I have a high tolerance and I LOVE drinkin'!
Following any specific plan: South Beach Diet and exercise!!
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I did it for my man (we were long distance for a year, he fell in love with me fat and I wanted to make sure he stuck around), my mom, my dad, my friends, my sister, a teacher I was determined to "get back at" and a bunch of other people that weren't ME. Now, I am doing it for me, and I refuse to fail and I refuse to let it get me down. I am embracing a WAY OF LIFE, I am NOT on a diet.
Anything else you would like to share with us: I think men should have to wear speedos all the time. It's not fair that we have to show our inner and outer thighs and they don't.

First name: Katharine

Geographical location: Massachusetts

Age: 23

Marital Status: I live with my wonderful boyfriend of 4 years

Children/Ages: My pug dexter

Occupation: Baker

Pets: See above

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, painting/ drawing, vegetarian cooking

Height: 5'3 1/2

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I don't remember! I'm not looking to lose weight, only to cut out sugar and be healthy

Starting Weight: 108

Present Weight: 106.5

Goal Weight: I'm fine where I am.. My goal is is to clean up my diet.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Sugar in any form.

Following any specific plan: My own version of sugar busters. I am also a vegetarian.

Oops I forgot the second part! hehe
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have only recently discovered how huge of a trigger sugar is, so I am doing my best to go cold turkey and cut it out of my diet! Already I feel better, my skin looks better, and I've lost a pound and a half!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am a huge fantasy/sci fi nerd!!

First name: Nadia

Geographical location: Canada

Age: 25

Marital Status: Separated from husband

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Dispatcher

Pets: Kitties

Hobbies/Interests: Plays, Movies, Concerts, TV, Comedy Shows

Height: 5'5"ish

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: on again off again on again off again. . .
Maybe the last one will be today?? February 25, 2007. Oh, yeah!

Starting Weight: 181.6

Present Weight: 181

Goal Weight: 135 ?

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Procrastination!!

Biggest motivation: Great upbeat music usually gets me going!

Following any specific plan: I have tried plans and I feel when I mess up a little it is over. This time I am going to try "my" plan. More exercise, water, fruits & veggies, less junk food and eating just to eat.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
I sure hope something is different so that I will get there this time. Maybe my age brings me wisdom lol. No, I think the main thing is that I am on my own now, no one to get in my way.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am so glad to have found 3fatchicks. Just to see struggles of others and success stories/pictures is very helpful!

I hope this is the right forum for me to be posting in. Not going to follow any specific plans, so it seemed like the best spot.

First name: Sara

Geographical location: Bay Area California

Age: 26

Marital Status: happily married

Children/Ages: 1 beautiful 4 year old girl

Occupation: administrative assistant

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Movies, Scrapbooking, dieting, shopping

Height: 5'10

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I feel like its been going on for years. Just started la weightloss this month

Starting Weight: 184

Present Weight: 181

Goal Weight: 145( the lowest healthy weight for me says the lawl conselour

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: cookies, biscuits, etc..haha

Biggest motivation: I moved to california last june from idaho.I want to get out in the sun, enjoy the warm weather and look great while doing it

Following any specific plan: LA Weight loss online and i am loving it

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
doing alot of fad diets and not knowing how to continue eating after i was through and gaining it back. With LA i am learning a lifestyle.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Im glad to have found the boards! Its nice to have people to relate to you

Look forward to talking more with all of you

First name (if you want to tell): Krista

Geographical location: New Brunswick, Canada

Age: 20

Marital Status: living in sin with my b/f

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Full time undergrad

Pets: One ******ed black lab named Taylor, and 4 fish

Hobbies/Interests: Playing guitar, reading, playing video games (great stress reliever haha), tubing, driving to nowhere, outings with the girls etc

Height: 5'10''

Eye/Hair Color: greenish gold/copper brown

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: Feb 12, 2007

Starting Weight: 270

Present Weight: 265

Goal Weight: For right now I just want to get under 200 then we will see from there!!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My boyfriend lives off of junk food, so there's always junk in the house to munch on. Cutting out the junk, and sweets will be the hardest since they are always there.

Following any specific plan: Not really, currently just cutting portion sizes and stepping up my activity.

What is different this time in your weight loss effort: This is my first attempt and hopefully it will be the only one.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I look forward to sharing the successes with all of you! Good luck!

First name (if you want to tell): happy2be

Geographical location: Southern CA
Age:38

Marital Status: happyly married to Mike for 11 yrs.
Children/Ages: one son
Occupation: I am a stay at home mom

Pets: We have 2 Yorkies they are brothers fromt the same litter, I really only own one, my best friend has the brother and we live 2 block away from each other, the puppies are always together, they are either at her house or mine, but always together. They are too cute!

Hobbies/Interests: I love to cook. I quilt when I have time it is very time consuming. I have been going to the gym every day, my neighbor calls me the gymrat!

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Dec. 06
Starting Weight: 138.5
Present Weight: 129.5

Goal Weight: I would love to weight 110, but I feel best when I am at 112-114. If I get bellow that I feel very tired and I don't have too much energy

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Stress, I live a very stressful life, my husband and I adopted our wonderful, adorable son when he was less than 2 months old, he is almost 7 and it has been a very difficult journey, he has been diagnosed bipolar. He has severe behavior issues.

Following any specific plan: I am eating a lot of vegetables, I try to make a lot of salads and keep the salad dressing to a minimum. I go to the gym every day and I try to excersise for at least 2 hours, I am learning to enjoy the eliptical, I read while I do it. I also realize the gym is great to let go of some of my stress and anxiety!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The big difference for me is I joined the gym and I am acutally going in every day!!!!