First name: Karla

Geographical location: Glasgow, Montana

Age: 22

Marital Status: Almost engaged

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Projector at local cinema

Pets: 2 kittens, a female named Mae, and a male named Dow (Destroyer of Worlds)

Hobbies/Interests: Biking, reading, in the process of learning guitar

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blond hair/Green eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April, 2007

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 185

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Mental aspects of eating

Following any specific plan: Low-Glycemic diet from a doctor

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I've done it before and was successful, so I know I can do it again!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I want to look stunning in a dress, particularly a wedding dress

First name: Erin

Geographical location: Charlotte, NC

Age: 27

Marital Status: Committed relationship, not married.

Children/Ages: N/A

Occupation: Sales Manager

Pets: 3 Cats (Yep, I'm a cat lady!)

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, reading.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 6/01/11

Starting Weight: 230

Present Weight: 227

Goal Weight: 160

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Staying Motivated!

Following any specific plan: Working out regularly, eating healthy

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am tired of making excuses for myself. I am naturally a lazy person, so I have to change the way I do things!

Anything else you would like to share with us:
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First name: LM

Geographical location:Chicago Suburbs

Age: 24

Marital Status: In a Relationship for almost 2 years with the most loving man ever!

Children/Ages: Not in this decade!

Occupation: Sales Rep

Pets: None (I'd love a puppy but I don't have time!)

Hobbies/Interests: Rollercoasters/theme parks, watching movies, reading magazines, reading books, scrapbooking

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Been trying to stay on the Horse for a while now, officially started with a big change last June '10. Fell off from December to now, so starting again! I guess I have a thing for June.

Starting Weight: 194

Present Weight: 194

Goal Weight: 144 (50 Lbs lost)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Commitment! I'm a big excuse maker.

Following any specific plan: Can't stick to one, so making it up as I go.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I need to change for my health and because my best friend's wedding is in one year and I'd love to at least be half way by then. At goal would rock my world!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited to get to know some of you better and use the great support I've seen while lurking on here for a while!
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First name: Elizabeth

Geographical location: Phoenix, AZ

Age: 20

Marital Status: Off-and-On Relationship

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student, elementary education degree

Pets: Dog named Charlie, 1.5 years old.

Hobbies/Interests: Singing, dancing, playing piano, hanging out with friends

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 19, 2011

Starting Weight: 155

Present Weight: 151

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Lack of motivation, lack of willpower to eat healthily and exercise.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting and getting my butt moving!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Sister's wedding is in November, and I don't want to be the fat bridesmaid!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope

First name: Nikki

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 23

Marital Status: In a serious relationship

Children/Ages: Nooooo, haha

Occupation: Administrative Assistant @ a car dealership

Pets: 1 hedgehog (Matheson, born in Nov.) & a beta fish I keep at work named Gilbert Grape

Hobbies/Interests: Beach, road trips, concerts, bon fires, reading, learning new stuff!

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel (they change often) & dark, dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 6-22-11 aka today!

Starting Weight: 145

Present Weight: 145

Goal Weight: 125 (once I reach that, I very well may try to go lower)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Waking up EARLY to get to the gym! I have a very hard time getting out of bed.

Following any specific plan: Eating healthy. Drinking lots of water. Exercise. Also using apps such as Calorific and Noom to keep track of my intake and exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is actually my first time trying to lose weight.

1. A hedgehog! THAT IS ADORABLE.
2. Gilbert Grape! I love that movie Well... I hope that's from the movie. Otherwise this is awkward.
3. I think you are my new buddy

First name: Kourtne

Geographical location: Southern Illinois

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No children

Occupation: Teacher

Pets: Shih tzu, named Bella

Hobbies/Interests: TV/Movies, Reading, cooking, dining out

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/ Blonde hi-lites and Brown low-lites

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 2010

Starting Weight: 187

Present Weight: 170

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Overeating, stress eating, compromising exercise for work

Following any specific plan: Low calorie in/high calorie out, consistent exercise, couch potato to 5k running program

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I want to date, but have put it off because I'm afraid I will settle for less than what I deserve because of my confidence which is a result of my weight. I have been waiting so when I make my first impression, I will feel like "me" and I don't feel like "me" in this body.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I gained weight after going to college and being in some unhealthy relationships. The inconsistency of schedules and constantly being out with friends in college put exercise and diet control on the back burner.

First name: Rachel

Geographical location: Michigan

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Student, Pre-Med - Human Bio and Nutritional Sciences, Desk Reception for a Physical Therapy clinic

Pets: Bella, 1, Morkie (Maltese and Yorkie mix! <3), and a betta fish, Trooper! Named because he's such a trooper after going 2 weeks with no food when I left him at home (my parents forgot that I asked them to feed him) It's surprising, really. The pet shop owner said he should have died after the first week.

Hobbies/Interests: Fashion! Clothes, music, dancing, friends, snowboarding, and most recently, running :P

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown eyes, dark brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 3, 2011

Starting Weight: 150.4

Present Weight: 140.2 (getting on the scale on Sunday!)

Goal Weight: 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I just posted about this, but my roommate's lack of support. Also, being in college and going out...right now I'm fine, but I'm afraid for what happens in the fall...

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting, low carb, low sugar, and exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel more confident about this, and I want it more than ever. I feel like being part of a support system will help me immensely!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I can't wait to get to know you guys!

First name: Stephanie

Geographical location: Missouri

Age: 25

Marital Status: engaged

Children/Ages: soon to be step children 11/9

Occupation: visual merchandiser/student

Pets: Dog sammy...who is also overweight.

Hobbies/Interests: School, reading, painting, geocaching, Internet

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/red as of now

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Re-started June 19, 2011

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 235.4

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I HATE vegetables, i literally can't stand the taste, the look, the texture. I have been medically diagnosed as an "overtaster" meaning I have too many tastebuds, so things like lettuce that people think don't have a taste, have a taste to me. This limits what I can eat. And I easily get discouraged and depressed and start eating again...one more thing...I LOVE DR. PEPPER!!!!

Following any specific plan: counting calories, exercising 6 times a week/1 hr a day

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I really want to go to Vegas and get married next year, and I want to look HOT in a sexy red dress....plus I am making a lifestyle change this time, not just a fad diet

Anything else you would like to share with us: I quit smoking at the new year and put on 50 lbs, and I feel like I made myself healthier by quitting, now I just need to get my weight in check so I can be healthy all around!!

First name: Hannah

Geographical location: Lancashire, North West UK

Age: 21

Marital Status: In a relationship, not engaged (yet... )

Children/Ages: None at the moment!

Occupation: Student

Pets: At home, I have a dog named Spike.

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, Theatre, Gaming, Rugby, Ancient British and European History (especially Vikings and Anglo-Saxons!) and body modifications.

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/green/grey and dark reddish brown.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: All my life! This time, since my birthday on May 1st

Starting Weight: Not sure, it's around 240

Present Weight: I've not lost much so far.

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: A few mental health problems, lack of self belief and will power!

Following any specific plan: Not really, trying to cut back on animal products as much as possible, and making sure I exercise!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm starting a new phase of my life- I'm ending my undergraduate degree and moving in with my boyfriend soon. I don't want this weight to plague me any more! Also, I'm tired of getting tattoos in 'fat-friendly' areas I want my sleeve and my chest tattoos, dagnabbit!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm secretly a Viking

Hi

First name: Mona

Geographical location: Croatia

Age: 21

Marital Status: best boyfriend ever

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Student

Pets: cat named Mimi

Hobbies/Interests: books, writing, make up, fashion

Height: 5' 5.7"

Eye/Hair Color: blue eyes ; blond

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 2011.

Starting Weight: 141

Present Weight: 138

Goal Weight: 121

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: food addict

Following any specific plan: not really

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I was always skinny girl but then i got sick and gain weight. Now i decided that is time to stop eating too much and live a healthy life with normal weight and exercise !

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited and happy to get to know some of you better

First name: Lisa

Geographical location: Midwest, USA

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single but seeing someone

Children/Ages: not yet

Occupation: full-time grad student

Pets: 1 cat

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, photography, wine tasting, boating, love water sports

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: B/B

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Yikes... Probably 09/2009 when I finally left my college town for grad school

Starting Weight: I would say my highest was in the high 160's after a study-abroad semester but I don't know for sure... maybe a tight size 10 or a size 12 US

Present Weight: 145

Goal Weight: Secretly 125 but once I get to 135 I'll be quite happy

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Love to go out, cook, drink beer, eat out (live in a young-people kind of city); Kind of hate the gym...

Following any specific plan: Not calorie counting since I'm SO sick of it and it just makes me think of food 24 hrs/day... I guess eating CLEAN and watching portions... trying to control my beer consumption... getting my butt to the gym to A/L do 30mins of cardio and doing strength training at home... trying to walk everywhere and take in the beautiful lakes by where I live (ie: swim/move in them)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm over excuses... It's been almost 2 years since I left college, which was my main excuse and I don't feel like being uncomfortable anymore! Would love to feel happy and healthy for the last half of my 20s!

First name: Liz

Geographical location: North Carolina

Age: 27

Marital Status: Happily Married

Children/Ages: one boy 13 months

Occupation: Grad Student

Pets: Tobi - Bull mastiff (huge)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, cooking, sleep!

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 23, 2011

Starting Weight: 316

Present Weight: 312 (ish)

Goal Weight: 210

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I eat when I am bored/happy/sad/tired/etc and since I have become a stay at home mom, there is nothing keeping me from the kitchen/refridgerator

Following any specific plan: nope, trying to get healthy and cut back on red meats and carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a reason to want to be more healthy now, I want to be able to run around with my son and teach him all of the sports that mommy used to play.

Anything else you would like to share with us:
I've had a few inquiries about my goal of 210, and I am not sure at this point if that is my long term goal, but it is definately a mid-term goal. The last time I remember being happy with my body, I was close to 210, so I figure once I get there, I can decide if I want to keep going lower.

First name: Elaina

Geographical location: Reno, NV

Age: 25

Marital Status: Never married, but have a great boyfriend.

Children/Ages: 0 -- but boyfriend has 2 boys (4 and 6)

Occupation: Area Manager for a property management firm.

Pets: Black Lab named Bodie.

Hobbies/Interests: camping, swimming, snowboarding, motocross, rock crawling

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 21st, 2011

Starting Weight: 197

Present Weight: 193

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: patience

Following any specific plan: Calorie Counting and IFing

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I don't think I ever really committed myself in the past...it was more like a passing thought. I'm serious this time, though. I don't want the world to end in 2012, and me die not knowing what it feels like to rock a nice bikini body.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm sure we'll all be fine in 2012!
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Hello and welcome to the three new members!! I hope you find support and enjoy the boards!!