First name: Mary Jayne

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 21

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None currently.

Occupation: Just gave my two weeks notice.

Pets: Reesey is our lab/hound pup who's almost a year and a half, but still acts like shes 3 months old. Jack the cat is a year old and needy as can be. Fatty, who's real name is Stanley, is a lazy little 8 month old kitty who loves to eat and sleep. Sometimes you can find him asleep with his head covering the food bowl. According to the vet, he's about 5lbs over weight. Karen is from the same litter as Fatty is a big fluff ball and very prissy.

Hobbies/Interests: Escaping reality with a good book. If someone puts it in my hands, I've got to read it even if it is just the back of the cereal box. Watching movies with the hubby even though I always end up falling asleep. Going to the lake and taking our pup out on walks.

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel and Brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: One week ago

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 236

Goal Weight: 145 to 160.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Putting on those running shoes to go out and exercise. Amazingly the food part is easy, but giving up my full time bum status is not.

Following any specific plan: Avoiding the mass amounts of junk food I've lived off of and exercising.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Its only been a week, but this time unlike each other time in the past I'm keeping a food journal.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hi! My name's Mary Jayne and I'm a shoeaholic.

First name: Gemma

Geographical location: Uk

Age: 25

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: two girls, 5 year old, 8 months old

Occupation: SAHM, formally Care Assisitant

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: my children, walking, films, Desperate Housewives,

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Since July 2001

Starting Weight: about 160

Present Weight: 131

Goal Weight: 119

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Binges

Following any specific plan: Slimming World

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: No more babies, no more post pregnancy weight!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I type to prevent boredom, to prevent eating! Sorry for my rambles in advanced.

First name: Janaki

Geographical location: Oregon

Age: 24

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: office drone

Pets: 1 dog, a whippet named Margot

Hobbies/Interests: Music, running, knitting

Height: 5'5.5"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time 1/20/07

Starting Weight: about 173 (highest weight ever 195 in 2003)

Present Weight: 155

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Social drinking/mindless eating

Following any specific plan: Low(er) carb, exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I exercise on a consistant basis

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am addicted to photos.. just to warn you!

First name (if you want to tell): Torie

Geographical location: Oklahoma

Age: 24

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Administrative Specialist

Pets: Two cats. Vinnie and Phoebe.

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, I love to make my own jewelry, reading, working out, watching tv

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Dark brownish red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time January 2007

Starting Weight: 256

Present Weight: 256

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My weight has always been a protection for me. I also don't eat regularly. So now I am trying to force myself.

Following any specific plan: no... Counting calories and exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am ready for it.

Anything else you would like to share with us: not yet.
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[COLOR="Purple"]First name (if you want to tell): Jeanetta

Geographical location: PA
Age: 26

Marital Status: Married
Children/Ages: one boy, 14 months, Chase Andrew

Occupation: Part time secretary, Full time mommy
Pets: [COLOR="blue"]none
Hobbies/Interests: Baking, Reading, Movies, Music, Surfing the net, Karaoke

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, and auburn reddish

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: one week ago, Apr 16

Starting Weight: 215
Present Weight: 212
Goal Weight: 160-150
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting motivated to exercise every day, and that I love to eat!
Following any specific plan: I've been counting calories, but tommorrow I'm starting WW

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm too fat. Really too fat. And I want to look good for my DH.
Anything else you would like to share with us:I'm an emotional eater, and I'm going to try to overcome this problem.

First name (if you want to tell): Sarah

Geographical location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Age: 20

Marital Status: engaged/living in sin as well :P

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Part-time admin assistant/university student

Pets: Jenga, my 7-month-old kitten

Hobbies/Interests: I'm a pretty boring person, and am currently in the market for new hobbies. However, I collect DVDs and love watching them, I enjoy ice hockey (both playing and watching), and over the past couple of months I've developed a strong appreciation for exercise.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: green/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2, 2007

Starting Weight: 170

Present Weight: 131

Goal Weight: Unsure. I'm pretty happy with where I am now, but since I'm paying so much money for it, I think I'd might as well go a little lower, so maybe 125-128.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My love affair with carbs.

Following any specific plan: LA Weight Loss (blue plan)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm actually trying, and I'm paying money, which is a big motivator. Plus I'm being honest about my weight loss to myself and others, so I have plenty of people to help me out and hold me accountible.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hmm... off the top of my head... it's nice to actually enjoy warm weather for a change! (I've always been a summerophobe, probably because I felt I had to wear sweatshirts in 40 degree Celsius weather in order to cover up my flab!)

First name (if you want to tell): Lissa
Geographical location: Michigan
Age: 25

Marital Status: Married
Children/Ages: DD/3
Occupation: Student
Pets: One Jack Russel Terrior

Hobbies/Interests: hanging with my daughter and husband, dancing, listening to music, laughing, meeting new people

Height:5ft7
Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 2007

Starting Weight:210
Present Weight: 210
Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: It's easy to get into a slump being a SAHM. I needed to stay motivated and active. Hopefully with the warm weather starting that will be easier.

Following any specific plan:Not sure yet. I plan do some sort of eating plan and then do at least 30 min of cardio daily, plus some strength training.
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the heaviest I have ever been. In the past I have lost weight, but then one thing or another happens and it comes back. My husband and I have been trying to get pg for the past year and it seems my extra weight is causing problems with me ovualting regularly. Losing weight will help me achieve our goal off adding to the family.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name (if you want to tell): Jen

Geographical location: Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Age: 23

Marital Status: Married almost 4 years!!

Children/Ages: Anna (4) Jillian (2)

Occupation: Student and teachers assistant

Pets: A hamster named Pedro

Hobbies/Interests: reading, crafting, dancing, bar hopping

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brownish red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Um seems like forever!!

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 213

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i love food, I love to cook and entertain. I live in Japan where the food isn't nearly as healthy as you would think but it is still fantastic, especially the sweets. I guess my biggest hurdle is staying motivated and laying off my love affair with delicious unhealthy foods.

Following any specific plan: Thinking about Weight Watchers, but for now just weight training, cardio and eating right.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Just fed up with being winded by stairs and I wanna finish my BA in Performance Theater when I get back to the states, not alot of roles for 200 pound women out there.

Anything else you would like to share with us: nope

First name (if you want to tell): Angela

Geographical location: New York City

Age: 27

Marital Status: living with Boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: casting assistant

Pets: none. but i do have 2 fish at the office.

Hobbies/Interests: movies, tv, friends, meeting new people

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: i guess this round is 3/26/07

Starting Weight: 215

Present Weight: 204

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Working out. I gained 30 lbs the last year and a half, i was happy at the same weight, around 175ish for the past 10 years. but now i am determined to get it all off. my boyfriend has been really supportive and that's helped.

Following any specific plan: i started on fat smash, but the diet was way too extreme for me, and i have never worked out before, so going to the gym 5x a week for 45 mins is a big change! I am hoping with eating right and working out i will slowly and safely lose the wieght.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: exercise. I never did it before. i thought 10 mins on the treadmill was enough. now i know that its not. I would always go for the quick turnaround; pills and fad diets.

First name: Katherine/Katie

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 23

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Full time hermit

Pets: 7 cats! (really just started with one stray, then she started to multiply! )

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, music, shopping, dancing, movies, graphic art, video editing, web design, opera, ballet, cooking, swimming.. and so on!

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Green eyes, Red hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Haven't totally started yet, but here's hoping for May.

Starting Weight: 235 (highest I've been)

Present Weight: 235

Goal Weight: My ultimate goal is to get down to 130, near it anyway!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Depression/lack of motivation, zero activity, and my passion for the wrong foods.

Following any specific plan: Not at the moment! Just trying to make sure I eat about 3 meals a day, instead of skipping the whole day then binging.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
No current plan, so there's nothing different so far!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been a phobic hermit for about 8 years now. I hope to change things around. I miss living more than ever.

First name (if you want to tell): Lonnie

Geographical location: NY
Age: 24

Marital Status: Living with my Boyfriend of 7 1/2 years

Children/Ages: 2 Children ages 10, and 16 months old

Occupation: CNA

Pets: 1 dog, two fish (I love animals by the way)

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, animals, rainforests, nature, sleeping, rainy days, long pointless drives, autumn.

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/ Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 5/6/07

Starting Weight: 290.2

Present Weight: 290.2

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Going outsied in front of people with no jacket on (I hate that), I have to overcome worrying about what people think or say about me, portion sizes, and eating at night.

Following any specific plan: Little steps

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm now 290lbs.....Thats scarey

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need alot of support and help to do this.

First name (if you want to tell): Denise

Geographical location: New York

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Recent college graduate so jobless at the moment.

Pets: One cat

Hobbies/Interests: Reading novels and comics, recording my podcast, watching films.

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 11/1/06 Stopped in January but I'm back with it since 4/30/07

Starting Weight: 196

Present Weight: 186

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Lack of motivation to exercise. I get pretty bored with just running. But I hope to change my exercise routine in the next few weeks, so hopefully that wouldn't be a problem anymore.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers and exercising at least five times a week for 40 mins.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm ready for a change.

Geographical location: Ontario, Canada

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: kitchen manager

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Music, knitting, writing, reading.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Officially, May 1 2007. But I have been losing consistently since Nov 2006, just not intentionally.

Starting Weight: 233

Present Weight: 210

Goal Weight: 150 for now. I think when I get there I'll want to go a bit lower, but I'll decide how much lower then.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting outside and doing activities.

Following any specific plan: Counting calories, exercising.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Well my goal is still 150, but instead of 30lbs, I have double that to lose! I'm also committed to cardio this time, whereas last time I just calorie counted.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Finding this website was like finding a gold mine.

First name (if you want to tell): Jessica

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 22

Marital Status: not married, but with bf for 4 years.

Children/Ages: one son, 2 years old

Occupation: sales coordinator for international air cargo company

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: basically since having my son, he is my interest. I like to watch American Idol, I like to go tanning. Basically thats it. Also I like to scrap book

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Started LAWL March 28th 2007

Starting Weight: 213

Present Weight: 199

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: just basically needing to stick with it!

Following any specific plan: LAWL

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: well it has costed me a lot more $$ this time, therefore forcing me to stick with it.

First name (if you want to tell): Nicci
Geographical location: barrie ontario canada
Age: 21

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: my baby boy landon 3 months

Occupation: stay at home mommy

Pets:none yet but when I get a house I am getting 2 doggys

Hobbies/Interests: photography, my son, walking, shopping, dancing, socializing

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: green/blond with brown under

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: wow this time..may 7

Starting Weight: 210 :*(

Present Weight: haven't weighed myself this week but I assume 210

Goal Weight:between 120-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i LOVE eating, i eat when I am bored and love fast food. I have always been overweight

Following any specific plan: nope just execise everyday and eat better more veggies, whole grains, lean meats less pop, icecream and fastfood

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have hit "rock bottom" I swore I would never be over 200 and here I am

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