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Screen Name: thugzneedhugz

Age/Age Range: 27

Family Life: disfunctional/party lifestyle

Occupation: manager/retail

Hobbies and Interests: reading/writing/concerts/mooovies/facebooking

Favorite Music: punkrock/alt.

Favorite Color(s): bllack/pink/red/white

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: weights/cardio *sometimes*

What are your fitness/health goals? lose 13 pounds and go from there, one step at a time.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? i don't think my bf is attracted to me as much anymore and i LOVE clothes and hate myself in everything i put on.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? added calories from drinking. staying motivated to workout on a reg. basis.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? alcohol intake, regular gym visits, knowing that it will take time to see results.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : myself 1 year ago.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? normal t-shirts without feeling like my gut is hanging out!

Screen Name: WisdomFlower

Age/Age Range: 23 years old

Family Life: Living with my boyfriend in Brooklyn. Just moved out of South Jersey.

Occupation:Environmental Activist

Hobbies and Interests: Painting, Writing, Shows, Movies, Cuddling, spending time outdoors

Favorite Music: Bob Dylan, Fiona Apple, The Decembrist, The New Pornographers, The Velvet Underground

Favorite Color(s): Green

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking, Yoga, Romance

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to have a firm tummy, and weigh 123.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? : Nothing fits right anymore. I am around a lot of talented people a lot, people are always filming or taking pictures. I want to feel confident in those situations, im sick of looking away.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?: I just feel like there is no good reason for me to be over weight. I feel like im really hard on myself about it.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?:
1.) I need to exercise more, and make a point to do it every day.
2.) I need to lay off dairy
3.) I need to not give in to temptations, or eat when im bored

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Myself 2 years ago. i was down to 130 and looked beautiful. i wanna beat that.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?: I have a pair of jeans that are all torn up and adorable, and not even buttonable. I want to put them on and for them to be loose on me, with a nice t shirt. I just wanna look like i dont care about my appearance, and actually not.
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Screen Name: 86tolose

Age/Age Range: 32

Family Life: married with 1 dd

Occupation: student, going for RN

Hobbies and Interests: besides studying? Not much...lol.

Favorite Music: Top 40, dance

Favorite Color(s): pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: exercise bike or treadmill

What are your fitness/health goals? to become healthier

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? my hips and behind became so big I was running into things around the house....lol.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I love fatty and sugary foods which are around me all the time.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Will power, better choices, working out more.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : any of my dh's stupid ex- girlfriends...lol.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?_ a skirt that is higher than my knees._________________

Screen Name:Babybluess

Age/Age Range:31

Family Life: Me and Husband (Working on healthy weight before trying for kids)

Occupation: Physical Therapist (Yeah! love my job)

Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy friends, sewing (although I don't have much patience), reading, meeting people and hanging out with my husband.

Favorite Music: Hmmm... most everything.

Favorite Color(s): It’s a tossup between blue and orange. I love the color blue to wear, but I like how vibrant orange is in objects around me.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking has to be my favorite because you can do it anyplace and enjoy it with others or alone when you need time to think. (same thing for running...but I'm not physically at that point)

What are your fitness/health goals? I want to have my cholesterol in the normal range. I want to be able to do anything physically that I would ask a patient to do.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? After gaining 100lbs in less than a years time do to medication, I tried losing a few times with some success. My big trigger that really made me change was getting my lab results showing that I had high cholesterol. I had my last high fat meal 5/20/09.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Occasional cravings for fatty foods (cheese and fatty meats). I also struggle with fitting my healthy eating to everyday life when you can't control what is available or what people want you to eat.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Getting my exercise still is the hardest thing. Even with my profession it isn't easy......or even somewhat easy.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than?: You know...there really isn't anyone that I want to look better than. If I look damn good and they look damn good then we can look great together.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? This may sound kind of funny but I can't wait to wear my Calvin Klein belt that I used to wear with my designer jeans. All my belts now are kind of cheap and tend to break after a while. This belt is one of the only things I have kept from being a size 12 because it is such a great belt. When I can wear that again I will feel like I've made it.

Screen Name: mamabekki06

Age/Age Range: 27

Family Life: Wonderful husband, beautiful son.

Occupation: Hone Daycare Provider

Hobbies and Interests: Spending time with my family.

Favorite Music: Love Love Music, anything from Buddy Holly, Coheed and Cambria, Miley Cyrus, Ben Gibbard, Tiger Army...

Favorite Color(s): Currently Love, Purple

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking.

What are your fitness/health goals? Lose the 60lbs I never lost after I had my son.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I said "enough is enough!" My husband loves me, but I need to love myself too.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Staying motivated. I love to bake cakes, cookies brownies...

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? I get really bored exercising, so putting a time limit on it is hard.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : I want to look better than I do now!

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I have a pair of jean in my closet that I love. I wore them for a month before I got pregnant. I'd love to fit back into those.
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Screen Name: OUMusicTeacher

Age/Age Range: 24

Family Life: Between lifestyles - College into the real world! In steady committed and supportive relationship :-)

Occupation: Full time student, soon to be Music Educator

Hobbies and Interests: Music (piano, bass, singing, just about anything really!), naps, video games (Final Fantasy), kitties

Favorite Music: Almost everything! Especially Billy Joel on the popular music side and Beethoven or Elgar on the "classical" music side.

Favorite Color(s): Emerald Green

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: DDR! Haha. Walking with my boyfriend, Slimin6, Hip Hop Abs.

What are your fitness/health goals? Lose my 40 lbs. of weight gained since being in college

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? When I officially branched into plus sizes, and when my scale went over 180 lbs. Basically when I started to feel self-conscious

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I LOVE CHEESE. Ha. So that, and the busy college/student teaching lifestyle doesn't always allow easy healthy choices.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Definitely more consistency, less cheating, and less drinking.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : My little sister. She has a smaller waist than me (and a bigger cup size) and I'm constantly comparing myself to her.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? I'm in a college marching band, and a lot of the girls go to practice in athletic shorts and sports bras. I don't feel anywhere near comfortable enough for that...and I would like to. :-) That and it would be incredible to be able to fit into my HS prom dresses again!

Screen Name: TXNana

Age/Age Range: 53

Family Life: married for 27+ years, four children all grown, 5 grandkids

Occupation: currently a truck driver and am an ex-children’s pastor

Hobbies and Interests: Reading, Writing and playing with my Grandkids

Favorite Music: anything except heavy metal and opera

Favorite Color(s): red

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: swimming

What are your fitness/health goals? To become healthy and look good

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? This is such a difficult question for me. It wasn’t just one thing it was a process. I made a decision to like myself no matter what anyone else thought. I decided to do whatever I needed to so my life was joy filled and thus I needed to change a number of things in my life. I decided to stop putting everyone else’s needs before my own. I decided.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? discouragement

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Exercise more

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : my current self.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A little black dress and heels.

Screen Name: Tina24

Age/Age Range: 20

Occupation: student

Hobbies and Interests: camping, running, cooking, spending time with friends and family

Favorite Color(s): yellow

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: running, biking

What are your fitness/health goals? loose about 40 lbs, develop a super consistent fitness routine, finally feel 100% secure in my body

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
Realizing I didn't enjoy this summer nearly as much as I could have.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Staying away from sweets and stress eating.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Not stress eating, staying away from sweets, and being consistent with exercise.

(Evil motivation) Who do you want to look better than? : The other women at my work.

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

Screen Name:
One2ResqU

Age/Age Range:
20

Family Life:
Live with my fiance

Occupation:
Dispatcher, Part of my problem!!!!

Hobbies and Interests:
Fire and Rescue. Im an Emt-B in Va. i want to be a flight medic

Favorite Music:
Country

Favorite Color(s):
PINK!

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:
I LOVE the elliptical!!!! And ab excercises with weighted balls. Incline sit ups are awesome!

What are your fitness/health goals?
I just want to be happy about myself again. i dont want to look in the mirror anymore because ive gained 50lbs in 1 YEAR!!!!

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
My mother has lost so much weight!!! She looks AMAZING! Shes like a size 12/13 now and was at my weight!!! Also I cant even fit into my "fat" jeans anymore. Last winter I was a size 14 and I gained 50lbs. I have put my size 18s in a trash bag and was going to give them to someone in need. Now I cant even fit into those!!!!

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
Im a night shift worker! So my eating schedules and sleep is all over the place. Im a dispatcher so all i do is sit at work. Most dispatcher do gain weight but I want to be ME again

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
My water intake. I have cut all sodas from my diet
Sticking to my calorie intake during holidays. thats what got me last time I was on a diet. the holidays came around and i was like oh a few here and there wont hurt and then it was everyday and eventually i didnt do it anymore!
Fruits and Veggies. I have a sweet tooth and im need to reduce my sugar or make smarter chioces of my sugar

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? :
My Best friend!!! we were the same size

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size?
My size 14s from last winter. I loved the way i looked then. I was very photogenic and now i hate taking pictures of myself

Screen Name:
Hydra

Age/Age Range:
44

Family Life:
Live with boyfriend, son and my cat

Occupation:
mental health field, asst dir

Hobbies and Interests:
reading, writing, jewelry making, painting

Favorite Music:
all types of rock

Favorite Color(s):
black, purple and pink

Favorite Exercise/Workouts:
swimming and walking and yogo

What are your fitness/health goals?
to be a size 18 or smaller, lower my triglycerides and sugar, feel better about my body's health

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit?
when i went over 250 pounds

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
i take medications for a health condition and they increase your appetite and slow down your metabolism

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
portion control, exercise regularly, stay away from fast food

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? :
i dont know

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

Screen Name: Fat in Hong Kong

Age/Age Range: 46

Family Life: Married with Son 20, Daughter 17

Occupation: Teaching Assistant

Hobbies and Interests: Cooking, Reading

Favorite Music: Pretty much anything, but enjoy 70's/80's/90/s music which reminds me of my youth!

Favorite Color(s): Green & Red

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Pass But if I have to choose I'll go with swimming/walking

What are your fitness/health goals? To get to a healthy weight range and stay there.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Not one thing in particular ... just getting older and knowing that I'm unhealthy and things are only going downhill from here unless I do something about it.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Portion control, social occassions, being able to say 'No'.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? Only three? Do more exercise ... actually, I'll re-phrase that ... Do SOME exercise. Make better choices. Portion Control.

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Myself as I am now ... and preferably all of my skinny friends

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? Jeans with a neat little t-shirt instead of the big baggy ones I wear right now to try to hide my fat arse!

Screen Name: Symmetry

Age/Age Range: mid 20s

Family Life: Single

Occupation: -

Hobbies and Interests: -

Favorite Music: Pop

Favorite Color(s): Pink, Beige

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Walking & Calisthenics

What are your fitness/health goals? Get to 110 and staying fit and healthy there.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? I always knew that I have to, but a personal thing made me.. so angry I started to exercise. Then I decided why not go all the way? It's about time.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? Staying on the wagon.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve? 1) Discipline 2)Stamina 3)Patience

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : ... an ex' ex.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? High heeled shoes and slippers.

Screen Name: simba1

Age/Age Range: 39

Family Life: Fiance and 2 children

Occupation: Website owner

Hobbies and Interests: Interior decorating, reading, making jewelry

Favorite Music: R&B, Soul, Hip Hop

Favorite Color(s): Black, Pink, Browns

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Cardio esp. Elliptical

What are your fitness/health goals? Reduce body fat and get healthy

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Looking at a picture of myself at my highest weight

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
Exercise & junk foods

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1)Intensity in exercise
2)Patience
3)Accepting body features that I can not change

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than?:
Myself overweight

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

Screen Name: emilydreaming

Age/Age Range: 22 (23 in a few weeks)

Family Life: Married, kids to come sometime...a little later

Occupation: Freelance writer/Accidental housewife

Hobbies and Interests: Writing, reading, traveling, tattoos, bad television, good movies, languages

Favorite Music: Lilith Fair era solo acts, Josh Joplin, Coathangers, She & Him, Coconut Records

Favorite Color(s): Pink, Gray

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: Swimming

What are your fitness/health goals? Be able to swim well again (distance and speed) and become the best version of me.

What was the "trigger" or incident that made you decide it was time to lose weight and become more fit? Finally being happier with my life after a year of feeling like a failure and realizing, I have the time now and the energy - there's no more excuses.

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health?
Sticking with it. That and french fries.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1)Learning to like running
2)Cooking more at home
3)Not beating myself up if over small setbacks

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than?: My favorite picture of me ever - from my sophomore year of high school. That, and I'd like to look as good as Mia Tyler.

What can you not wait to wear when you are at goal weight or size? A pair of jeans from the Gap.

Screen Name: tenthousandnights

Age/Age Range: Early 20s.

Family Life: Single.

Occupation: Student, CSR at a Finacial Institution.

Hobbies and Interests: Music, Reading.

Favorite Music: Almost anything and everything, with the exception being rap.

Favorite Color(s): Pink, Black, Green.

Favorite Exercise/Workouts: I love stationary bicycling, and dancing

What are your fitness/health goals? I'd love to be able to take a Advanced Yoga class and be able to run without feeling like I'm going to die. Weight wise, I'd like to be 170. Dream goal is 150.

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

What do you struggle with the most on this journey to health? I can say no to food, I have a hard time saying no to being lazy.

What are three things in the area of diet/exercise you need to improve?
1. I need to watch and count what goes into my mouth.
2. Water intake.
3. Exercise is something that needs to be done daily, not monthly :P

(Evil motivation ) Who do you want to look better than? : Hm....this is hard...I think I'd just like to be the "hot one" for once when out with friends.

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