This Bio thread is provided so that members of the Chicks up for a Challenge can get to know each other better.

The guideline below is just that, a guideline. If there is any question you don't care to answer, please, feel free to delete it. If there is anything you'd like to add, be our guest!

Welcome to the group!

DATE -

REAL NAME -

AGE -

BIRTHDAY -

WHERE YOU LIVE -

SIGNIFICANT OTHER -

ANNIVERSARY -

KIDS -

PETS -

OCCUPATION -

STARTING WEIGHT –

CURRENT WEIGHT

GOAL WEIGHT

HEIGHT

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING -

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) -

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) -

FAVORITE BOOK(S) -

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) -

FAVORITE SONG(S) -

FAVORITE QUOTE -

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU -

DATE - 9/24/2004

REAL NAME - Donna

AGE - 45

BIRTHDAY - September 3

WHERE YOU LIVE - South Carolina

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Jim

ANNIVERSARY - 10/11/1985

KIDS - Daughter, Elena 9

PETS - Barkley (dog), Tinkerbell (cat), Aladdin (cockatiel), Cody and Coral (hermit crabs

OCCUPATION - SAHM

STARTING WEIGHT – 153.6

CURRENT WEIGHT - 150.5

GOAL WEIGHT - 145

HEIGHT - 5'4"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Weight Watchers Turnaround program

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Walking and Pilates

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - pizza

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Haven't any because reading is not something I do much anymore.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - Patriot, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., Princess Diaries, The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya sisterhood, Lord of the Rings (ALL of them)

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Redeemer, Colour my World many more

FAVORITE QUOTE - "Never forget your sense of humor" (advise to me about having kids)

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - I am a lifetime member of this site.
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DATE - Sept 24, 2004

REAL NAME - Jennifer

AGE - 32

BIRTHDAY - June 17

WHERE YOU LIVE - South Florida - land of the never-ending Hurricane Watch

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Hubby

ANNIVERSARY - January 17

KIDS - do the cats count?

PETS - 4 kitties: Zephyr, Cardigan, Charcoal, and Sable. We're suckers for a sob story & that's how we got the last 2.

OCCUPATION - Assistant/ Loan Processor for a mortgage bank

STARTING WEIGHT – (I'll post this when I'm down 50 pounds)

CURRENT WEIGHT - - 40

GOAL WEIGHT - around 175

HEIGHT - 5' 10"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - modified version of The Zone

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - "my pressscious" exercise bike, WATP

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - bread & pasta- both my downfalls

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - waaaaay too many to name- legal thrillers, fantasy, mystery, intrigue....

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - LOTR trilogy

FAVORITE SONG(S) - again, too many to name. 3000 songs on my MP3 player & counting!

FAVORITE QUOTE - Not all who wander are lost.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU -

I've struggled with my weight for most of my life, and I'm sick & tired of feeling sick & tired. I've ignored wake-up call after wake-up call, and if I don't do this now, I'm looking at a stroke before I'm 40, and compounding any other health problems.

And, I have the very best support network here on 3FC! These chicks rock!

DATE - September 24, 2004

REAL NAME - Kelly

AGE - 29

BIRTHDAY - big 3 0 is fast approaching - October 23

WHERE YOU LIVE - upstate New York

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Sparky (he's an electrician!)

ANNIVERSARY - met him on my b-day 4 yrs ago - 10/23

KIDS - me 1 D (9yr) - BF 1 S (16) 1 D (13)

PETS - None

OCCUPATION - paralegal

STARTING WEIGHT – ugh

CURRENT WEIGHT - ugh

GOAL WEIGHT - 145

HEIGHT 5'7"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - my own plan. Just trying to cut portions and make healthier choices

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - WATP tapes, walking and

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - bbq - ribs, steak, brisket, anything with pasta (i'm 1/2 italian), anything down home stick to your ribs yummy.

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Love to read don't do it too often because when I do I can't put the book down until it's done. Have pulled many all nighters reading!!

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - Heat (for sentimental reasons!!)

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Love Bob Marley, Dave Matthews. Love all kinds of music!!

DATE - Sept 2004

REAL NAME - Robin H

AGE - 46

BIRTHDAY - 6/21/1958

WHERE YOU LIVE - Minnesota - Far western suburbs of Minneapolis

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Scott (paramedic)

ANNIVERSARY - Feb 15

KIDS - Chris (14), Stepkids Kristie (20) and Craig (18) - they live w/their Mom

PETS - Ace - 2 Year old Paint Gelding, Annie, 18 Year Old Dun QH Mare, Chip 3 Year old Beagle, Snoopy 7 Year Old Beagle

OCCUPATION - Accountant

STARTING WEIGHT – 179.5

CURRENT WEIGHT 176

GOAL WEIGHT 150

HEIGHT 5ft 6 In

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - My Own! Portion Control, less snacks, calorie watching, less fat.

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Horseback riding. Walking dogs.

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Chocolate,

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Horse Training/Healthcare info.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - Tear Jerker movies!!

FAVORITE QUOTE - Follow your dreams or they will haunt you forever.

DATE - 09-24-04

REAL NAME -Mary

AGE - Inches from 40

BIRTHDAY -Oct 16

WHERE YOU LIVE - Northern West Virginia

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Pooh Bear (BF)

ANNIVERSARY -Uhhhh we forget

KIDS - Nope

PETS - One cat: Elvis and three turtles: Stinky, Cowboy & Lil' Butt

OCCUPATION - Police Dispatcher

STARTING WEIGHT – Well, long story ... how 'bout 349?

CURRENT WEIGHT- Struggling to get under 200

GOAL WEIGHT-Never been close, I have no idea.

HEIGHT- 5'2 1/2"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Weight Watchers

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) -Walking, biking

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Pizza or anything fried

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Stephen King

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - Horror/comedy/Sci Fi

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Every Barenaked Ladies Song!

FAVORITE QUOTE -Slow and steady wins the race

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - They call me Java Turtle. Sometimes, "The Mad Java Turtle." I'm normally cranky, but friendly (at least respectful) Yes, I had the gastric by-pass, but I'd rather not talk about it. It's a very touchy subject with me and I don't recommend it for anyone. It's not a solution. I've been morbidly obese practically my entire life. I've never been a "normal weight." Goal weight? What's a goal weight? I've got a twisted and dark sense of humor. And I've got piercings. Hmmm that about covers it. Anything else you want to know? Ask me, I'm very open (yes, even about the gastric by-pass).

DATE - 09-24-04

REAL NAME - Samantha Escobar

AGE - 23

BIRTHDAY - 8-18-81

WHERE YOU LIVE - Amarillo, TX

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Javier Escobar (hubby)

ANNIVERSARY - 11-04-02

KIDS - none - that's one of the things I want after I complete my goal.

PETS - My kitty cat's name is Lucky (because he is black and we got him on Friday the 13th with a full moon out.)

OCCUPATION - I take commercial insurance claims over the phone.

STARTING WEIGHT – 280

CURRENT WEIGHT - 265 whoo hoo

GOAL WEIGHT - 150 (maybe lower, not sure till I get there)

HEIGHT - 5 foot, 3 1/2 inches (when you are as short as I am, you count every half inch LOL0

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - No plan, just eating less and excersizing more.

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Gag me. None.

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Pizza, Mexican Food, McDonalds

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - "The Last Victim" by Jason Moss "Dreamcatcher" by Steven King "Not without my Daughter" by Betty Mahmoody (sp?)

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - OMG I have so many...Bad Boys, Bourne Identity, Bringing down the house, Fast & Furious (Vin Diesel is my pretend husband LOL), My Boss's Daughter, Pirates of the Carribean, Pitch Black, Pretty Woman, Barber Shop, XXX

FAVORITE SONG(S) - I never know the names of the songs LOL, I like hip hop mostly, some country (what a mix!!)

FAVORITE QUOTE - There are so many...let me think about it, and I will let you know later.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - I cannot for the life of me figure out how to spell the word excersize. (In case you couldn't tell. )

Sam

DATE - 9-24-04

REAL NAME -Gabrielle Williams

AGE -22

BIRTHDAY -2/20/82

WHERE YOU LIVE -Southern California- for now

SIGNIFICANT OTHER -John

ANNIVERSARY -9-29 (3 years on wed.)

KIDS -1 daughter, Jasmine Brianna

PETS -none

OCCUPATION - SAHM

STARTING WEIGHT –155

CURRENT WEIGHT-153

GOAL WEIGHT-125

HEIGHT-5'2"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - my own, watching what I eat and doing lots of exercises

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) -Taebo and bellydancing

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) -mexican and pizza

FAVORITE BOOK(S) -anything by Iris Johansen and James Patterson

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) -Chicago, Punisher

FAVORITE SONG(S) - mostly anything hiphop

FAVORITE QUOTE -Don't think the ones you love won't hurt you

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - To get away from things I listen to music and draw. Would love to get back into my painting but can't find the inspiration yet although my husband loves what I have done before.

DATE - Friday, September 24, 2004

REAL NAME - Elisha

AGE - 24

BIRTHDAY - May 29, 1980

WHERE YOU LIVE - North-central West Virginia

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - BF Steve

ANNIVERSARY - none as of yet

KIDS - none as of yet, still undecided

PETS - I personally have 1 cat, Camilla, but also in this house (I live with my parents and older brother, Sam) there are 4 dogs, Streaker, Buddy, Archie, and Jughead; 3 other cats, Millie, Jake, and Jewel; a viscious rabbit named Beatrix; 3 disgusting geese; and a bunch of disgusting chickens and ducks. Poultry are gross.

OCCUPATION - Right now I am a Cosmetics Manager at a local department store, and I absolutely love my job. However, the pay is crap. I'm trained as a technical writer, and I just got offered a job with the FBI doing just that (I'm just waiting for my national security clearance to go through, and who knows how long that will take). However, I am only going to use that job to get grad school paid for, then I'm going into the field of post-graduate education, whether as an English/French professor, or as an Education Systems Analyst.

STARTING WEIGHT – Highest weight is about 248, started 3FC at 237

CURRENT WEIGHT - 200

GOAL WEIGHT - 150-170. My dr. says 170, but I'm still seeing more than 30 pounds of fat on my body. The plan is just to get to a point I'm comfortable at and can maintain. Like Mary, I've never been thin, so I don't really have an idea of what I'll weigh when I get to my goal, or even what I'll look like. I guess I'll know it when I see it.

HEIGHT - 5'10"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - My own, sort of. I've got software called DietPower that is absolutely wonderful, and it's been a great help. Mostly I'm just counting calories, trying to eat less and healthier in general, trying to exercise more. I figure I'll start watching fat/carb/protein ratios and so forth at some point, but for now it's just Calories In vs. Calories Out.

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Does typing count? Didn't think so. I'm going to go with StairClimber on this one. (I know, I'm insane.)

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - cheese steak, guacamole, alfredo, cornbread. Anything crunchy or salty. Fried chicken. Deep fried mozzarella cheese sticks (how much fat can you fit into 1 square inch?)

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Oooh... close tie between Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I'll let you know when HP and DT are finished.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - Big Fish, The Princess Bride, Meet Joe Black, the Harry Potter movies, anything Disney, Anime

FAVORITE SONG(S) - The Way It Really Is by Lisa Loeb, Penny On The Floor by the Clarks (Pittsburgh locals), Soaked and Sick of Here and Disappear and pretty much anything by the Argument (a hometown local band that I actually know the members of), Come Rain or Come Shine by Frank Sinatra... I could go on and on...

FAVORITE QUOTE - "If what you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without."

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - I'm pretty open about most things, and some people even say I'm "controversial." I just think I'm straight-forward, and I don't mind if my opinions aren't entirely popular. I'm rather self-centered, and I'm ok with that. If there's anything you're dying to know, just ask, I'll tell you. I've got nothing to hide. Hey, if I can tell you the truth about how much I weight, I can tell you anything.

DATE - Sept. 24, 2004

REAL NAME - Jess

AGE - 22

BIRTHDAY - June 16th, '82

WHERE YOU LIVE - Seattle-ish area (north but around the area)

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - (Jody) Hubby of 1 yr, best friend of nearly 8 now! WOW!

ANNIVERSARY - April 28 (day we started dating), Aug. 9, marriage

KIDS - Nope... lotsa animals!

PETS - 1 crazy yellow lab (Josie), 2 kitties (Tigger & Loki)

OCCUPATION - Sales, I guess... for now.

STARTING WEIGHT – 250ish (in 2002)

CURRENT WEIGHT - 166 (ish)

GOAL WEIGHT - 120 to 150, or whatever fits me into my size 8/9 clothes!

HEIGHT - 5'1"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - The one where I work out and stay healthy!

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Running, ellipitical, situps

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - chocolate (of course) & pasta

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - How 'bout authors? Lawrence Block, Jonathan Kellerman, Catherine Coulter, etc...

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - too many...

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Currently, this is "Won't be home again" - Old 97's. Others include, "At last" Etta James, any song by Marvin Gaye, anything Godsmack, anything REM, and pretty much everything by Bad Company.

FAVORITE QUOTE - Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - ask if ya wanna know I'm a nice person, and I'm always totally open to helping others, talking to others, and just being around when people need me!

DATE - 9/25/04

REAL NAME - Nancy

AGE - 22

BIRTHDAY - March 13

WHERE YOU LIVE - Southern Cali

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - My Hubby

ANNIVERSARY - Jan. 13 (We're going on a cruise in Jan. 2005 for our anniversary!!!)

KIDS - Me. And my hubby.

PETS - No pets, although a little puppy would be so fun to have.

OCCUPATION - Still job hopping... and wanting to go to school for graphic design.

STARTING WEIGHT – 230 (back in 2000, when I got engaged)

CURRENT WEIGHT - 181.2 (as of yesterday's WI at my WW meeting)

GOAL WEIGHT - somewhere between 130 and 145 (don't wanna lose the booty)

HEIGHT - 5'4"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Weight Watchers Flexy Style

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Workout tapes in my living room where no one can see the booty shakin'

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Ooh... cookie dough, mashed potatoes, Reese's peanut butter cups, mac n' cheese, GREEK FOOD (spanakopita, gyros and stuffed grape leaves), romano cheese, cream cheese, gouda cheese, havarti cheese, any kind of cheese! ... those are just a few.

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - My Bible.. although I don't read it enough!

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - The Passion of the Christ, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Spiderman movies, A League of their Own, the Mask of Zorro, Elf, all Christmas movies

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Songs of the late 80's and early 90's.

FAVORITE QUOTE - "if you always do what you always done, you'll always get what you always getted..." or something like that.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - I've been losing weight since March of 2000. I haven't weighed less than I do now since junior high or elementary school when I gained it all to begin with.

DATE -9/25/04

REAL NAME -Julie

AGE - 43 (that looks old in print!!!)

BIRTHDAY - 7/25/61

WHERE YOU LIVE - West Michigan (Muskegon)

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Yes!...Oh, you want a name? Dwayne!

ANNIVERSARY - April 24, 1993

KIDS - One daughter, Kaleigh, 5 years old, adopted from China in 2000

PETS - 2 Siberian Huskies, Tasha & Nikai & one 6-toed kitty, Snickers

OCCUPATION - Occupational Therapy Assistant

STARTING WEIGHT – 181.5 in January, 2004...Highest weight 199 in 1997

CURRENT WEIGHT - 169

GOAL WEIGHT - 130 (I'd take less!)

HEIGHT - 5 ft. 2 inches

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Trying to follow The Zone (modified)

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Walking or Bike Riding...mostly outdoors

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - OMG...Ice Cream, brownies, Mac & Cheese, Pizza, instant mashed potatoes, chocolate...the list is endless!

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - Don't really have one, does the Bible count?...like to read magazines!

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - don't really have one!

FAVORITE SONG(S) - I like a lot of songs!

FAVORITE QUOTE - Hmmmm....Have to think on that!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU - I started this journey because my goal is to hike in the Adirondacks next summer! I'm ahalf way there and haven't met 1/2 my goal, so I need to really get cracking!

REAL NAME – Lisa

AGE – 34 (in less than a month!)

BIRTHDAY – 10-18-70

WHERE I LIVE – North Georgia

SIGNIFICANT OTHER – Brad

ANNIVERSARY – 3/18/1994

KIDS – 3 boys ages 7, 4, and 2

PETS – One sweetie pie doggy named Jett, 6 ducks, and 5 goats (Zelda, Dot, Wendell, Winston, and Blues Clues – my 4 year old named the last goat born! )

OCCUPATION - I am a certified teacher, but for now, I am staying home with the kids

STARTING WEIGHT – 190

CURRENT WEIGHT – 159

GOAL WEIGHT – 140

HEIGHT – 5” 4’

EATING PLAN – WW

FAVORITE EXERCISE – Exercise bike

FAVORITE SPLURGE FOOD – Chocolate and McDonalds

FAVORITE BOOK – I love legal thrillers and light romance. I don’t like anything scary!

FAVORITE MOVIE – Grease! (I’ve memorized it!)

FAVORITE SONG – I absolutely love 80s music!!

FAVORITE QUOTE – What’s in my signature…”In the depth of Winter, I found that there was in me an invincible Summer” . I found this quote in a book I was reading right after my husband had a bad motorcycle accident last summer. I felt like it was meant for me to read it! It just described how I felt at the time…how strong I learned to be for my family.

DATE - 10-1-04

REAL NAME - Bob. Just kidding.

AGE - 26

BIRTHDAY - Halloween

WHERE YOU LIVE - The midwest

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Husband of three years

KIDS - None

PETS - Two dogs, a cat, and a tarantula

OCCUPATION - Student, desparately trying to secure a job for after graduation

STARTING WEIGHT – 180, July 2003

CURRENT WEIGHT - 163.5, October 2004

GOAL WEIGHT - Nine stone nine (135)

HEIGHT - 5'7"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Eat fewer animal products. Add some exercise.

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Exercise and real bike; swimming

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Greasy Thai

DATE - Oct 3

REAL NAME - Joy

AGE - ugh 48

BIRTHDAY - June 1

WHERE YOU LIVE - Greater Vancouver, BC

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - Hubby

ANNIVERSARY - Nov.29, 1975 (almost 29 years)

KIDS - DD - 27 , GS-11, GS-7

PETS - Dogs: Sandy & Ginger
House Cats: Smokey, PussPuss & Cinamon
Barn Cats: Mommacat, Minnie, Willie, QT, Muffin, Rascal (currently lost)

OCCUPATION - Buyer

STARTING WEIGHT –255.2

CURRENT WEIGHT 245.6

GOAL WEIGHT 130 ish

HEIGHT 5-4 1/2"

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - WW

FAVORITE EXERCISE(S) - Walking the dogs, Aquasize, water running, eliptical

FAVORITE “SPLURGE” FOOD(S) - Toss up Anything DairyQueen or Nachos. Actually probably CHEESE. Any kind, hubby calls me a rat.

FAVORITE BOOK(S) - ? Reading Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie McDonald right now.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - My age is showing.... Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing, Roadhouse, Footloose

FAVORITE SONG(S) - Hard to pick, right now I'm into Van Morrison

FAVORITE QUOTE - hmmm.... is that like "always leave home with clean panties, you never know when you could be in an accident" Seriously, "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got"

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU -

Can't really think of anything right now. We have a hobby farm, raise free range turkeys for Thansgiving and Christmas and grow Christmas trees as well as decorative and hedging cedars. Currently taking a course to qualify for promotion at work. I've always thought I was heavy. Chubby kid, voluptuous teen I realize now that in my thirties and younger I actually was not as bad as I though (looking back at it now) . I have always suffered low self esteem and have realized recently that I've been depressed for a very long time. Enough of that..... I'm looking forward to meeting some challenges and need to really look at giving up my excuses for passing exercise. Seems like I though of a lot to say.... (see opening sentence)
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