First name: Dawn

Geographical location:Northern Ireland

Age:26

Marital Status:married

Children/Ages:0

Occupation:nursery assistant

Pets:2 fish

Hobbies/Interests:reading,listening to music,going out with friends.

Height:5ft 2in

Eye/Hair Color:blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:9/1/11

Starting Weight:11st 8lbs

Present Weight:11st 8lbs

Goal Weight:9st 8lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:ignoring my cravings for anything sweet.

Following any specific plan:no just cutting down on junk and more exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:am planning to start a family

Anything else you would like to share with us:hope i can do it this time.any advice would be greatly appreciated.

First name:Emma

Geographical location:Cardiff

Age:29

Marital Status:in a relationship

Children/Ages:

Occupation: Student

Pets: 3 naughty cats

Hobbies/Interests: aerobics wii fit just dance

Height:5"2

Eye/Hair Color:Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Late november

Starting Weight:13st 3lbs

Present Weight:13st 0.5lbs

Goal Weight:10st

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: uni and finding time to exercise

Following any specific plan: ww

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Dont want to be fat at 30

Anything else you would like to share with us:
Im a veggie
I have an underactive thyroid and depression

First name: Donna

Geographical location: Colorado

Age: 45

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Mike, 23; Matt, 20 --StepChildren: Sylvia, 28; Brian 28

Occupation: Supervisor of Professional Development for K-12 public school district

Pets: 3 dogs (2 boston terriers & 1 mutt); 1 horse, 10 cats, 1 fish

Hobbies/Interests: Antiques, Camping, Spending Time with family

Height: 5' 6"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: My entire life. This time: 1/10/2011

Starting Weight: 245

Present Weight: 245

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Motivation. I am working a very stressful job that requires that I work 70-80 hours per week plus I am pursuing an online master's degree. I find it very hard to keep motivated when I get stressed out. My biggest weakness is Fountain Pepsi.

Following any specific plan: No. I know that I need to restrict calories and reduce serving size.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am tired of feeling tired all of the time. I know that I am letting myself, my husband, and God down by not getting a handle on this.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need support in this journey and would love to connect to others struggling with the same journey.

First name: Sarah

Geographical location: UK

Age: 38

Marital Status: Living with boyfriend

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Civil servant

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Craft, Hopefully dieting

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, Brown/grey

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10 Jan 2011

Starting Weight: 231 lbs

Present Weight: 231 lbs

Goal Weight: 126 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Me! I love food, work shifts and struggle to have enough time to cook well and exercise. I need it to be a priority

Following any specific plan: South Beach Diet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the heaviest I've ever been. I hate how I look and feel and need to change.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I want to see my 40th birthday in being fitter and slimmer than I left my 30th

First name: Tin

Geographical location: Harrisburg PA

Age: 24

Marital Status: Seeing someone

Children/Ages:None

Occupation:Unemployed

Pets:None

Hobbies/Interestsrawing, singing, writing, listening to music...

Height: 5'10"

Eye/Hair Color: Blond fading to dark red, and blue.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Guh my whole life, seriously.

Starting Weight:380

Present Weight: 253

Goal Weight:175

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:Emotional eating. Yes I admit it, nothing helps take away the blues like pizza bites or a Hershey bar.

Following any specific plan:thinking about 1500 calories a day and two 30 minute chunks of working out during the day. Need to do more research on it though.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm just sick of being heavy, and I have my whole life. I have a really supportive boyfriend who already helped me lose my last 50 pounds last year so I want to lose fifty again this year.

Anything else you would like to share with us:Love dieting buddies. Just...people who understand what I'm going through.

First name: Joy

Geographical location: South East USA

Age: 35

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Professional singer

Pets: 10 kitties

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, sewing, crafts, polymer clay, animals, nature.

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 17th, 2011.

Starting Weight: 207

Present Weight: 207

Goal Weight: 135-140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Motivation to just do it, for working out.

Following any specific plan: Atkins Low Carb w/ Total Gym workout.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Going to be on some big stages with my band.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Thanks for listening, and good luck to ALL of you!

First name: Ronda

Geographical location: Kansas-KC Metro area

Age: 46

Marital Status: Married 27 yrs

Children/Ages: 4- 26, 24,18, 9

Occupation: health insurance industry

Pets: 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 rabbit, 2 hamsters

Hobbies/Interests: love country music

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: green/reddish brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:01/10/11 this time

Starting Weight: 297

Present Weight: 235.2

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am a binge eater. If I don't stay perfectly on plan then I generally just give up and start eating everything in sight.

Following any specific plan: calorie counting, planning on joining WW this week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have some major health issues. This year I had a quintuple bypass and am currently insulin-dependent. I am resolved to get this under control finally. I have a lot to live for.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just that I am scared that I will fail yet again.

First name: Miranda.

Geographical location: South Carolina.

Age: 22.

Marital Status: Married.

Children/Ages: 1 spoiled puppy who acts just like a toddler lol who's name is Pepper.

Occupation: I'm an independent contractor for a local company.

Pets: Pepper & 1 cat named Summer.

Hobbies/Interests: photography, being online, spending time with family & hubby, watching movies, listening to music and playing games.

Height: 5'5".

Eye/Hair Color: dark brown & dark brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 1st, 2011.

Starting Weight: 285 lbs.

Present Weight: 274 lbs.

Goal Weight: 130 lbs.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: giving into temptation.

Following any specific plan: weight watchers {mainly} and just doing what works for me personally.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was "motivated" but not motivated ENOUGH. I've lost 50+ lbs and then turned right back around and let myself get out of my groove.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I hope I can make new friends!

Name: Boniery
Age: 34

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Mental Health Professional

Pets: 0

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, traveling, Site seeing, Going to the movies,

Height: 5’2

Eye/Hair Color: Dark Brown/ Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/4/2011

Starting Weight: 279

Present Weight: 271

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Trying to keep my eating in check and avoiding temptation which is very hard since my family cooks the same. Staying away from bad foods and keeping myself motivated.

Following any specific plan: High protein/ fiber plan not really counting calories but having one lean protein and vegetable every meal and healthy snacks in between. Drinking 100oz of water a day, No; fried foods, white sugar.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I want to start to plan a family and the weight I am at is so unhealthy I don’t know if I will be able to conceive. I will be 35 this year and I would like to begin the process. I also want to look good and feel good about myself and do things I haven’t been able to do for a long time.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Encouragement and motivation is welcomed.

First name:Ashley

Geographical location:California

Age:22

Marital Status:married

Children/Ages: DD 31 months

Occupation:full time student, mom and wife lol

Pets:

Hobbies/Interests:spending time wit hubby and daughter.

Height:5'8"

Eye/Hair Color:green/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:1/10/2011

Starting Weight:298

Present Weight:

Goal Weight:200...for now

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:sticking to it, staying motivated, getting back into exercise after an injury

Following any specific plan:not really just calorie countng @ 1200 cals a day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I am going to do it this time!!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us:
Want to know anything else just ask

First name:Mysti

Geographical location:Louisiana

Age:35

Marital Status:Married for 14 years

Children/Ages:two boys 8,7

Occupation:Part time retail

Pets:does my husband count?

Hobbies/Interests:I like to read, crochet, knit, write watch movies.

Height:6'7

Eye/Hair Color:brown, hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:I guess I haven't really started yet. I poked around on line found some reviews of this site and poked around her. So then maybe todays date?

Starting Weight:183

Present Weight:183

Goal Weight:140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss:I put things off so much. I'll do lit later,. I'll do it in thirty minutes. Not right now.

Following any specific plan:I have been reading about couch to five k. That looks interesting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I want to make the effort. This time I feel I actually want too, not because I have too.

Anything else you would like to share with us:Thank you for having this forum. I am still poking around and reading but This site is so informative.

First name: Carly

Geographical location: Indiana

Age:26

Occupation: Vet Tech

Pets: Cats - "Kitty Joey" "Sparta!" and "Olney"

Hobbies/Interests: Pets, horseback riding.

Height:5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Green, Drk Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 6th

Starting Weight: 243

Present Weight:243

Goal Weight:150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: All the damn yummy food!

Following any specific plan: Pilates, walking, smaller portions, NO SWEETS!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am very motivated due to health concerns.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Let me know if you have any questions!

First name: Dawn

Geographical location: Ontario Canada

Age: 30

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 3 and 6

Occupation: Social Worker

Pets: Dog

Hobbies/Interests: reading, shopping

Height: 5 foot 4

Eye/Hair Color: blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 1, 2011

Starting Weight: 256

Present Weight: 252

Goal Weight: 150lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: 15 years of bad habits

Following any specific plan: Clean eating and weight watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:
My blog http://yearoftheshrinkingmommy.blogspot.com

Anything else you would like to share with us: check out my blog, I update daily. Year of the shrinking mommy also has a facebook page.

First name: Mary

Geographical location: Washington dc

Age:46

Marital Status:Married

Children/Ages:5-1-20, 1-17, 1-15, 1-13, 1-9

Occupation: program manager

Pets: 1 dog

Hobbies/Interests: reading, walking, snuggling my husband

Height: 5'3

Eye/Hair Color: blue/light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: jan 11, 2011

Starting Weight:187

Present Weight:187

Goal Weight:125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: finish a diet and get to maintenance

Following any specific plan:Ideal Protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: health concerns and 2 visits to the emergency room for chest pain

Anything else you would like to share with us:
I need support so i don't decide to give up....i want to finish this and get to maintenance. Been on so many weight loss plans..want to get one done.

First name: Laura

Geographical location: Indianapolis, IN

Age: 29

Marital Status: ALMOST divorced

Children/Ages: Beagle/German Shorthair Pointer mix, age 2 (he's my baby)

Occupation: Jeweler

Pets: See children

Hobbies/Interests: reading, baking

Height: 5'3 1/2"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde, going white. So not fair at my age!

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 01/10/11

Starting Weight: 202

Present Weight: 202

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: CARBS!!

Following any specific plan: Low GI

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I know what I'm up against. PCOS and insulin resistance as difficult to beat when you don't know it's a problem.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm really over all this snow.