Screen Name: none

Age/Age Range: 16

Family Life: I live with my momma) my brother is a Marine, and he lives away from home. I go to my dad's house ever other weekend.

Occupation:Sadly, nothing at the moment. I quit my last job back in January.


Hobbies and Interests: Playing rugby, singing, dancing, piano, being with friends, driving, traveling, astronomy, READING, music.

Favorite Music: I can honestly say everything.

Favorite Color(s): I love aqua blue and orange.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Rugby practice!

What are your fitness/health goals? Run 3 miles nonstop.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? It's kind of been a gradual downward slope, and I've realized I need to get back to the top.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Eating balanced meals. However, yesterday while fooling around online, I discovered mypyramid.org, and it's from the Department of Agriculture. It lets you know the certain amounts of different foods you should be eating each day, and there is a meal planner on there as well. As soon as I get back to my mom's tonight, I'll be grocery shopping, and I'll use some of the planned menu for inspiration.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. No binging
2. Little extra things that add up and hinder my weight loss (like one extra piece of cake a week. sometimes, if you do it often enough, it's HORRIBLE.)

Who do you want to look better than? : To be honest, I really don't know.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A bikini, navel piercing, and a really cute babydoll dress (without looking pregnant, of course)

Screen Name: Maddie89

Age/Age Range: 20

Family Life: at the moment my family life is pretty spaced out. I see my family once a month because I'm living away for college. When I go home I see my mum, dad, 4 sister and 2 nephews. Also on occasion I'll visit my grandmother in her nursing home. I adore my nephews. They are such wonderful children and some days all I can do is live for them.

Occupation:student

Hobbies and Interests: Art, photography, family, friends, singing, dancing, college...that list can go on and on.

Favorite Music: I like almost anything. But I'm a fan of indie music and my favourite band is the killers.

Favorite Color(s): Red, green, teal.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: GYM! I'm a gym freak! Also BL power sculpt.

What are your fitness/health goals? I'm dying for the day that I can go for runs. thats my biggest fitness goal.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? it wasn't a sudden realisation I ALWAYS new I needed to lose weight but this time it was more a gradual realisation of what had gone wrong in the past, why I am really doing this and believing in myself that I can do it.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I suppose just DOING it. Some days it seems impossible to motivate myself to even get out of bed. My routine takes a lot of pre-planning and some days it's hard to find the energy.
Also learning not to beat myself up about things I do or don't do. Like today I slept in and missed the gym but I have to tell myself you had a terrible nights sleep and you can make up for it during the week and to not lose track of what I need to do for me today. ie stay on calorie intake and to PS!

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. Believeing in myself unconditionally.
2. getting in the exercise, it seems to me that I often have just focused on food which is ridiculous, I KNOW I need to get exercise in every day.

Who do you want to look better than? : Thats so evil but I love it! Definitely my sister. she's the one I've always compared myself to. But I'm not proud of that I wish I didn't feel I have to "live up to her standards"

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? short sleeved things, short shorts backless things and bikinis!!

Screen Name: stina1022

Age/Age Range: 29

Family Life: I have a 3 year old daughter. My husband and I are thinking about having another baby. One reason why I want to loose some weight and get healthy.

Occupation:colections investigator

Hobbies and Interests: Family and friends

Favorite Music: I like almost anything.

Favorite Color(s): Green

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Gym. For the 1st time in my life I actually love going to the gym

What are your fitness/health goals? I just want to be at a weight that I am comfertable with.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I have always been on a diet of some kind. I know it is all about calories in vs. calories out. Its time to just do it.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I am a emotional eater. I need to learn to control that. If I am having a bad day food always would make me feel better. At least for a while.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. Emotional Eating
2. Emotional Eating
2. Keeping track of what I am eating

Who do you want to look better than? : I just want to be able to go to a store and find things that fit.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Shorts, I hate my legs.

Screen Name: Shyanara

Age/Age Range: a solid 29

Family Life: getting married in August, have two lovely furballs

Occupation: Anthropologist working in hotel accounting, looking for a more challenging job in a smaller hotel and a different country

Hobbies and Interests:
I used to play World of Warcraft a lot, but these days there's hardly any time for it;
I love to read fantasy and sci-fi;
I miss live action role playing and should get back into it;
Travelling is my life's essence

Favorite Music: Inkubus Sukkubus, Sisters of Mercy, New Model Army, Fiddler's Green, Runrig, VNV Nation... so it's a mix of goth, rock, electro and folk...

Favorite Color(s): dark purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I love PowerPlate, and I would give a lot to play rugby again, but well, wrong country

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to be able to run up to the boss' office and not be out of breath.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
I've always felt I had to lose weight, but everything else always had higher priority. In February, after I finished the last exams of my most recent course (and are not planning on new ones soon) I decided that everything's calming down and I will make my body my priority this year.
Plus, I want to enjoy my wedding photographs and our honeymoon on the beach.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
It takes so bloody long. I want it all, and I want it NOW!
It would be great if you could take out a loan on losing weight: look, I lose all the weight RIGHT NOW, and I'll stick with eating healthily and working out for years, I promise!
I'm the most impatient person in the world.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
I need to actually go to my limit when working out and not be so comfy.
I need to learn that enjoying food does not mean I have to eat loads of it.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? everyone else

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?
Flowing summer dresses in soft materials

Hello everybody!
I am just a yang girl and the true is that i don't have problem with weight, because i like myself exactly how i look. But the forum is great, the problem who you talking about are absolutely real. So if i can help you i will do it.
Let introduce myself:
My name is Victoria, and I am 23. I am not married yet, and i working in administration. I love to travel and i love heavy metal! I like sport but i am not in my best form. But i want to tell you something, if you feel good don't changed. But if you think that you my feel better, take care yourself.

Good luck and remember. Every day is great , all is inside of you.

Screen Name: Lancesmama

Age/Age Range: 28

Family Life: I have been married for 5 years and we have a 3 year old son. Starting to think about having another one after some more pounds are gone.

Occupation: stay at home mom

Hobbies and Interests: Family and friends, working out, and baking

Favorite Music: I like almost anything.

Favorite Color(s): Blue

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Going to the gym. I can't believe I love it!

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to be healthy.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I ballooned up to my all time high and said that is enough! I couldn't play with my 3 year old without feeling like I was going to die.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I am an emotional eater.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. Emotional Eating
2. Portion size
2. Eating better things

Who do you want to look better than? : I just want to be healthy and feel good.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? EVERYTHING!

Screen Name: WhitePicketFences

Age/Age Range: 27

Family Life: Husband of 6 years. 2 cats. Planning on children in a couple years.

Occupation: Writer/reporter

Hobbies and Interests: I love cooking, I love wine. I like Agatha Christie books and other mysteries. I love boating and used to be into waterskiing, but I don't live near the coast anymore (and I'm fat! But losing weight).

Favorite Music: Rock, jazz. Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Ella Fitzgerald.

Favorite Color(s): I'm into warm colors. Yellow. Red and pink.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I recently bought a Schwinn Series 10 Upright excercise bike. I also do grueling floor exercises, but I don't love those (pushups, squats, crunches, etc). I love dancing as a workout but the house we rent is an uneven, multi-family place where every little step can be felt, so that's out.

What are your fitness/health goals? To lose a total of 115+ pounds, to tone up, to eat a healthier diet, to boost cardiac capacity and endurance, to keep to a high-concentration flouride routine for teeth, to cut back and eventually eliminate cigarettes.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Last summer's trip to FL, when I felt so fat in the hot sun and heavy air, and remembered that I would've been thin by then, if only I had kept to my vow the last time.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Gah, good question. Patience. Remembering that it's all the little decisions I make every hour that add up to a new me.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
There are lots of marginal things, such as sodium intake, etc. But the only real concern I have right now is caloric intake. I'm worried I'm too low and thinking of adding some now that I'm exercising so heavily. But I'm excercising to lose an extra pound a week. Sigh. (I've only been eating 930-1100 cals per day the last 7 months, and I only added exercise in the last 2 weeks).

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Um, my whole extended family of origin. Nobody in particular, not even women in particular. I just kind of hate them for acting like jerks about my gaining weight.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?

Hello Everyone
I have been on and off for years
but dont think I have ever officially introduced myself in Calorie counters.
I am USAlady or bsbuntin on youtube.com
I am 37 soon to be 38 (May 29)
I am married almost 8 years
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse
I am a calorie counter!
I use an ellyptical machine at home.

So Hi
and thankyou for all of your inspirational posts! I feel like I am not alone in my battle to become the person I know I am on the inside .

Screen Name: Farina

Age / Age Range: 17

Family Life: My Dad and me.

Occupation: Student

Hobbies and Interests: Photography

Favorite Music: Pop

Favorite Color (s): White

Favorite Exercise / Workouts: Gymnastics

What are your fitness / health goals? Losing weight to practice gimasía

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? My Dreams

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Fresh food.

What are three things in the area of diet / exercise you need to improve?
Water and exercise.
(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? : I want to look good

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Explore Gymnastics

Screen Name: Kitana5580

Age/Age Range: will be 29 on May 5

Family Life: husband of 12 years and 3 kids ages 10,9, and 4

Occupation:full time college student to become a teacher

Hobbies and Interests: computer gaming, reading, swimming, playing with the kids

Favorite Music:almost anything but rap and anti God songs

Favorite Color(s):blue and purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:swimming or walking a mile a day

What are your fitness/health goals? to lose weight for myself and for my family

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I had thought about it alot but climbing on the scale and looking at it say 206 then my hubby said he loved me but if I kept gaining he was afraid it would kill me due to my diabetes and already sketchy health.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Daily exercise and the time to devote to it.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Motivation to do the exercise and keep it up.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : lol probably my ex best friend Amanda

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A sexy swimsuit and a new dress.

Screen Name: teddygirrl

Age/Age Range: I'm 25yrs old

Family Life: My husband is a Police Officer.I'm a mother of 3 children.

Occupation: Mama

Hobbies and Interests: My family

Favorite Music: eeh

Favorite Color(s):

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: really??

What are your fitness/health goals? To drop 15 or so pounds and get toned. and eat healthier.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I had a baby and I'm looking to get back what I had even after two babies

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? food, ,and currently working out w/ the kids is impossible.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? diet, exercise and diet.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : the one in the mirror.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? my jeans from previous weight. my old clothing before I was pregnant.

Hi! I am new to this area of 3FC!

Screen Name: Beachbabe8406

Age/Age Range: 24

Family Life: Married, no kids

Occupation: Public Accountant

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, walking, swimming, golfing

Favorite Music: Anything... most days I am in a mood for dancey toons.

Favorite Color(s): PINK!

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Swimming but I don't have access to a pool so I do a lot fo walking and running. I really like trying new videos too.

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to lose the 20 pounds that I have gained since college and then maybe another 10 that I have always wanted to lose. I just want to look hot in a bikini... I love the beach and never go because I am so self-conscious.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? When all of my fat clothes were getting tight and someone commented that they couldn't believe I had eaten a whole meal at a Mexican restaurant.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Temptations from my friends to party more with them. Alcohol has so many calories but I enjoy it a lot!

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I need to find more types of exercise that I enjoy and can easily do everyday, I need to fit in more types of fruits and vegetables, and I need to continue preparing healthy meals so my husband can catch on.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : My college roommate who always ate crap... she has always been smug that she is naturally skinny.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A bikini that actually looks good on me!

Age/Age Range: 34

Family Life: Married with a 3-year old girl, 2-year old boy, 2 cats, and 2 dogs.

Occupation: Research and evaluation specialist for a school district.

Hobbies and Interests: Loom knitting in front of shows I've TiVo'd.

Favorite Music: Folksy stuff, pop music, and a little bit of everything else.

Favorite Color(s): Pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Workout DVDs and FitTV shows, Ellen Barrett is awesome and TurboJam is pretty good. I have a Gazelle Edge, which is an awesome cheap substitute for an elliptical (which I would LOVE to own), and I'm trying to do a lot more toning/sculpting stuff because I love the results. And I'm trying to get into walking.

What are your fitness/health goals? To stop dreading exercise. I'm getting there!

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Gosh, you mean this time around? Back in February my fat pants were too tight. I actually got to work and started bawling about it. I left work that day, went shopping (for pants that fit) and picked up the Flat Belly Diet. I have been following that off on and on since February, but I really fell off the wagon in March. Then DH decided he needed to really lose weight too, and that evolved into a challenge. By the beginning of September, whoever loses the largest percent of weight wins. I get a Kindle 2 if I win! I will not discuss the consequences if I lose because 1) They're grim and 2) I won't lose!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Hmm, I think feeling entitled to having treats after a stressful day. I actually gained so much weight after my second kid was born. That's not supposed to happen! And it's because after work, and after putting the kids to bed, I "deserve" wine, and chocolate, and whatever else I want. I'm now of the belief that I actually deserve to be healthy and to like how I look. I am trying to stop the emotional eating habit.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? See above! Honestly, I just need to stop feeling entitled to treats whenever and then thinking there won't be consequences. And I need to be more active, but I'm working on that. I felt GIDDY after my workout over the weekend. That has been a great motivator all week. But I also want to just be more active and get out more with my family.

Who do you want to look better than? : Me, now.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Clothes that fit. I have always been overweight but I lost a lot of weight in 2001 and for the first time, I felt comfortable in my own skin. I was about 150 and technically still "overweight." I can't wait to maybe wear some clothes from that time, but I have a lot of other clothes waiting between my size then and my size now. I can't wait to work my way back down through the sizes.

If you want me to be more specific than that, there were a couple pairs of jeans I absolutely loved at my lowest weight. I would love to be back in those. And I think it would be nice to wear sleeveless shirts over the summer. I was never comfortable wearing sleeveless stuff, even at my lowest adult weight, but I've decided I just won't care anymore when I lose weight this time.

Screen Name: mom of four

Age/Age Range: 32

Family Life: Married 13 years, Children: Kaitlynn -12(the pre-teen), Chappell-9 (my sweetheart with Down syndrome), Will-6(the he-man woman hater lol), and Mary Caroline-6 (the spit-fire)

Occupation: Office Manager

Hobbies and Interests: Keeping up with the kids!

Favorite Music: a little of everything

Favorite Color(s): pink and brown

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: not a big exercise fan-but know it's important on this journey-I guess walking

What are your fitness/health goals? Become more healthy and be able to keep up with four active children

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? My little man (6 year old son) has begun to call me "Big Mama", and I've noticed at the ton of sporting events, etc. I go to I have become the "Big mom"-not fun!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? (1) Accepting the fact that I really am this big (lol) (2) Exercise (3) Night Eating Syndrome

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
Making myself eat enough so my body won't think it's starving, thus storing everything as fat....and Exercise!!!

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? All those other "soccer moms"

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? My size 8 jeans that made my booty look so cute

Screen Name: Satisfaction

Age/Age Range: 20

Family Life: I live by myself in an apartment. No Kids or husband yet, soon hehe.

Occupation: I work for an alarm company

Hobbies and Interests: Knitting & Crocheting, Cooking, Biking and Camping

Favorite Music: Classical music, Christian hymns

Favorite Color(s): Pink and Purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I really like that machine thats like a treadmill / climbing stairs

What are your fitness/health goals? To have a healthy blood pressure level, good condition with my heart and be at a healthy weight thats good for me.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Realising im not getting any younger and my dad has alot of heart problems and I dont want to have heart disease or heart attacks.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Saltttty snacks like chips, popcorn!!! You name it... sweets errrgh too. Also getting my butt down to the gym

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Eating more small meals through out day, exercising MORE, Eating less carbs... way to much bread, pasta potatoes...etc.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Who I was before? Lol

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I dont know... a nice looking dress maybe? lol