Basic facts
Name (real first name if you feel comforable):
Jenn
Gender:
Female last time I checked!
Age (or general age group):
32
Where you live:
Alexandria, VA right outside of Washington, DC
Where you grew up:
Born in the Bronx (NY), raised in both Yonkers (NY) and Staten Island (NY) and went to college in central NY
Other places you’ve lived:
Just NY and VA!
Do you have kids? How old?
Only fur kids.
Are you an oldest, youngest, middle, or only child? How many siblings?
I am the oldest. I have two younger siblings (by 3 years and 3 months), a brother and sister. They are twins!
Languages, beside English, you speak:
Very little Spanish. I understand it better than I care to speak it!
Who do you live with (spouse, kids, parents, grandparents, roommate, pets, alone, etc)?
I live with my [non-legal] wife. We've been together for 6 years, married for three (see attached pic below! Which is, incidentally, the weight I want to get back to -10 more pounds). We have three cats: JoJo (8 this year), Aimee (5 this year) and Chloe (2 this year).
Current job or field of work / studies:
I work for a child advocacy organization. I am a policy wonk by trade but after almost 9 months of unemployment last year, I am now working in membership (event planning and learning). I am also getting my master's degree in political management and should have it by August 2011.
Why did you choose South Beach?
I have been seriously dieting on and off for 7 years now. I started South Beach in 2002 and did Ph1 for 4 weeks. I was so afraid of not losing more weight, I went off completely. I've since tried numerous diet plans (all but Atkins basically) and I've not stuck to one. SB makes sense to me and it's not too restrictive but restrictive enough where I feel like I am following a plan. Which is why I think it makes sense for the masses. Not good v. bad carbs but an all around lifestyle change!
What are your ultimate lifestyle change goals? Short term?
Long term, I'd like to make it to 189 pounds, my lowest weight ever, and get tone and all around leaner. Short term, making it back to my wedding weight of 208. I think I can do that in 2010. But, so as not to feel like a failure, my resolution was to end the year healthier and thinner than I started (245#!).
Are you going at this plan by yourself or do you have support (other than us of course)?
My wife is touch and go. She is a binge eater (like her mom) which doesn't help my binge eating. My triggers are anything fried and potato chips (I can do without sweets!). But she eats whatever I make for dinner and since I have my studying at night, she will be cooking for me on Ph 2 most nights so she'll have to cook OP! She's on an exercise kick right now which I hope lasts because it motivates me.
Beyond the facts
Favorite books:
I am a HUGE Jodi Picout, David Sedaris, James Patterson and Dan Brown fan. I like books that help me escape since I do a lot of educational reading for class.
Favorite kinds of music / bands:
I have a hugely ecclectic music collection. From pop to Top 40 to R&B. I don't care for hard core rap, hard core country or hard core, head banging rock.
Favorite movies:
I 
Sandra Bullock! But aside from her movies: Shawshank Redemption, Now & Then, Love Actually, Mr. Holland's Opus, Marley And Me, Definatly Maybe
Favorite saying / quote:
"A woman is like a tea bag: you never know her strength until you drop her in hot water" -Nancy Reagan & "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" - John Lennon, Beautiful BoyFavorite holiday:
Hobbies:
Cooking, FaceBook, Dancing, Reading
Are you a camping and hiking kind of person or do you prefer less sweaty and “roughing it” kinds of activities?
A mix of both. I would like to go hiking, then go back to my cabin and relax in the hot tub!
Do you live somewhere urban, rural, or suburban?
Suburban but work in an urban setting
The place you’d most like to visit:
Greece. We were supposed to go for our honeymoon but couldn't afford to do it right.
Best thing that ever happened to you:
Meeting my wife.
Tell us something else about yourself that you want to share that not too many people know:
I can touch my tongue to my nose AND to my chin! 
I also like The All-American Rejects and I'm a huge fan of Kris Allen, who won American Idol last season.
Infertility.