Geographical location: Texas

Age: 26

Marital Status: married since 04/04

Children/Ages: 2 boys 05/05 and 11/06

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: dog

Hobbies/Interests: The Office (US), and I'm interested in making exercise a hobby

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown and dirt brown (you can guess which is which)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I got serious about it October 1, 07 - I'm quite new!

Starting Weight: the highest I ever was is 241 the day my youngest son was born

Present Weight: 208

Goal Weight: normal BMI and happiness... I don't really know what a number correlates to my body after babies, around 140 I guess

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I love sugar and I'm a secret snacker. I can do ok when someone's watching me but as soon as they turn around it's like a vacumm sucks up all the candy..

Following any specific plan: no, not yet. i'm trying podfitness, just started tonight.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is forever - it has to be

Anything else you would like to share with us: not actually

First name (if you want to tell): Ashley

Geographical location: Washington, DC

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: project specialist for research grant office

Pets: one tall cat

Hobbies/Interests: reading, music, gaming, sculptures, jujitsu, swimming, boogie boarding, writing, traveling, and pretty much anything that sounds fun I'll try at least once

Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I've needed to lose weight since I was very young, so I've always vacillated between struggling with my weight and feeling hopeless about it. In college I got it under control for a while, but then got too busy to follow through. My recent start just happened this September.

Starting Weight: 213

Present Weight: 203

Goal Weight: I'm thinking 130 because I plan on building muscle as I lose weight. Once I get to 130 I'll see how I feel about it.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: I get impatient for change and when I hit plateaus I find myself losing motivation to continue. When I lost a large amount of weight before, I didn't really struggle until then.

Following any specific plan: Not really. I'm walking a lot more places, I'm exercising 30 minutes a day 6 days a week, and I'm watching my calories and eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and drinking more water. That's about it.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I think before I let other things distract me from it. Now I am making my health a priority until I am out of the danger zone. My overindulgences in the past have always been because of convenience and just not paying attention to my portion sizes. Now that I am paying attention and making it a point to have healthy stuff in the house so it's just as convenient I'm really not having any issues. I haven't run into any hardcore cravings yet for which I'm grateful.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm looking forward to getting to know you gals.

First name (if you want to tell): Jenn

Geographical location: BC, Canada

Age: 25

Marital Status: Divorced!!!

Children/Ages: Twins Johnathon & Kaylene who are almost 5 and Ashlyn who is 7 months

Occupation: Home support worker

Pets: Basset hound named Norman

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, scrapbooking, playing with my kids, healthcare, walking.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Orgional date is May 1st 2006 but I found out I was pregnant July 10th 2006. Restarted May 1st 2007

Starting Weight: 330

Present Weight: 223

Goal Weight: 145-150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I would have to say temptation. I live with my parents and they don't eat so healthy! But, I can do it!

Following any specific plan: Herbal Magic

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: To me Herbal Magic doesn't seem like a diet, but a lifestyle change. I can still eat the same things as everyone else I just need to watch portion sizes.

First name (if you want to tell): Michelle

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 23

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: retail/student

Pets: Two beautiful boys, my 2 year old buddy, a german shepard/chow mix, and the newest edition Winston a 8 month old yellow lab/golden retreiver mix.

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, going to the movies, reading (find it keeps me out of the fridge), working out, some t.v., hanging out with friends, and hockey games.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Struggling since November '06

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 184!

Goal Weight: right now 175, but my long term is 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Junk Food! I think eating was a hobby of mine, and sometimes when im bored I want to head for the fridge.

Following any specific plan: no... just exercise and try to eat well. .

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am really determined this time. I have finally come to realize that u cant change something a week or a month, u have to make serious life changes.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just that i would like to get a chance to converse with as many of you as possible.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Victoria and I am here to lose the last of my pregnancy weight! I am not new to the game of weight loss about 9 years ago I lost 60 pounds going from a size 18 to a size 4, and now after two kids I find it a little harder to drop the last ugly pounds.

I am here for support while I practice the Making the Cut program by Jillian Michaels. Today is day 1.

Here I go...**deep Breath**

First name (if you want to tell): Sarah

Geographical location: Daytona Beach!

Age: 26

Marital Status: Newlywed!

Children/Ages: none yet

Occupation: Hotel Reservationist, student (still)

Pets: A.O. the cat

Hobbies/Interests: finding free time to spend with a hubby is always a plus! I like to shop, read, watch movies, and recently I have reacquainted myself with jigsaw puzzles (yes, I did ask my husband when we joined the 'boring marrieds club' )

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Let's just say today. I have too many starting days to count

Starting Weight: 185

Present Weight: 185

Goal Weight: 135 (or a size 8)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i like to eat, and i don't like to exercise.

Following any specific plan: name a plan, and i've either tried it, or thought about trying it. i usually go with the Southbeach Diet though because I like the recipes. this time my husband is leading the charge with concepts he learned from Nutrisystem (which are very close the SBD).

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i have the support of a husband!

Anything else you would like to share with us: i tend to give up quickly. this time i want it to be different!

First name : Meisa

Geographical location: Midwest USA

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Full-time Medical Clerical, Full-time student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, shopping, 'net stuff

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This journey began last week so... around 10/8

Starting Weight: 165

Present Weight: 151

Goal Weight: 130s

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Myself. Sweets

Following any specific plan: Nope, just portion control

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My attitude

Age: 25

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: 1 son/1 year

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: Boston Terrier

Hobbies/Interests: way too much TV, reading, natural living/cloth diapers, child/baby stuff, and finding fun activities for my little guy

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/light brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Well, I guess I'll start in a couple of days...10-15-07

Starting Weight: 175-ish

Present Weight: same

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Love food/hate exercise

Following any specific plan: I've done South Beach but am having trouble getting back into it so I'll be opting for something similar but with whole grains...more like Phase 2 than phase 1

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm trying to lose weight so I will be healthy enough to get pregnant again. I'm doing it for the health of not only myself but my child!

First name : Sharon

Geographical location: USA, LA

Age: 22

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: student

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: Karaoke, tennis, swimming

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown/black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 2007

Starting Weight: see ticker

Present Weight: see ticker

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating out with friends

Following any specific plan: Regular dieting and exercising

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Knowing that health is more important because money can't buy it.

Hello, I'm new here and not so sure as to what I need to do. I'm excited there is a place like this on the web. It might just be the encouragement and motivation that I need to get my butt moving and working out and working toward a healthy weight.

First name (if you want to tell): Kait

Geographical location: Bc, Canada

Age: 26

Marital Status: i have a boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: on disability

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: shopping, walking, being in nature, making collages, fasting, reading, going to the gym, playing with my cat, hanging out at tim hortons with friends, church, watching tv, etc

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/dark red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 2 years ago

Starting Weight: 149

Present Weight: 97.4

Goal Weight: 88

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: what others think

Following any specific plan: exercise, calorie restriction, and fasting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: im not binging.

Anything else you would like to share with us: not really
__________________

First name (if you want to tell): Samantha

Geographical location: Pennsylvania

Age: 19 Soon to be 20

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Son born 2/22/07

Occupation: Secretary

Pets: St Bernard, Chihuahua, ShihTzu and two cats

Hobbies/Interests: SHOPPING! Spending time with my family and friends.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journeyhis Journey started the day my son was born~

Starting Weight: 242(Right before I gave birth) Two-Three weeks after I was 220.

Present Weight: 187

Goal Weight: MY ULTIMATE GOAL would be 135, But my main focus is getting to 160 before I have another child.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Food is one of the main things that brings me pure joy!! And when I get stressed or upset I turn to it. They make so many things that look SO good, that I get it. My problem is mainly the sweets, and the urge to have something salty after my sweets, and then something sweet after my salty--it's a never ending chain.

Following any specific plan: My version of a low carb. I quit soda, diet and regular, and artificially sweetened (or reg sweetened) beverages. I DO NOT eat after 5pm.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was at my heaviest weight. My husband and I met, I got pregnant 5 months later.. So he really only got 5 months of the 'better' me. I want him to want me again(not that he doesnt now, but I don't feel like he should)

Anything else you would like to share with us:My mom is also dieting with me, and I hope I can get her to join the community!

First name (if you want to tell): Erin

Geographical location: SF Bay Area

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: nope

Occupation: actress (with many survival jobs on the side )

Pets: a dog and a cat

Hobbies/Interests: theatre, shopping, spending time with my friends and getting loopy, going out

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: forever ago? this specific one began sometime in March

Starting Weight: 165.6

Present Weight: 157.4

Goal Weight: 115, but really anywhere in the 120s would be great, too

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i eat when i'm bored, and i love love love to be social, which seems to always involve food and alcohol

Following any specific plan: as of right now, i'm counting calories and working out 5-7 days/week.... i'm just kinda doing what seems to be working for me.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i haven't given up yet

Anything else you would like to share with us: i like chocolate. that is all.

First name (if you want to tell): Kristy

Geographical location: Calgary, Alberta

Age: 27

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Grade 1/2 teacher

Pets: One dog, but he lives at my parents house.

Hobbies/Interests: Highland Dancing, scrapbooking, running, swimming, biking, working out, photography, gardening

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: oh brother, how about 3 years ago!!!!

Starting Weight: Since I have banned myself from scales, I'm going to say 150 pounds

Present Weight: 137

Goal Weight: 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: To get my eating under control. I am a total emotional eater. It began 6 years ago when I was diagnosed with Anorexia. This turned into bulemia which has now become binge eating. Oh, yes....so fun! Also, when I am on summer vacation I always loose weight and look great come September. Then school starts and it all goes downhill with the stress level increase.

Following any specific plan: Not really. Just try to get daily exercise and eat healthy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I betcha I've tried every little 'plan' out there. However, I can't say I've ever 'blogged' my weightloss. I read about this website in The Oprah Magazine, so I'm hoping the support of you guys will help.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not really, but hope to find some accountability partners close to home!