First name: amber

Geographical location: new braunfels tx

Age: 22

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: None yet.

Occupation: administrative assistant

Pets: 2 cats (Mya and 8ball

Hobbies/Interests: reading, photography, painting, cooking & cleaning (i have severe OCD)

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: april 13

Starting Weight: 254/256

Present Weight: 250

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i cant really pinpoint anything

Following any specific plan: not really..just watching portion/low sugars and carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: never tried..just was thin-but the PCOS made me gain a lot of weight.

Anything else you would like to share with us: hmm..i dunno.

First name: Kali

Geographical location: Elkhorn, Nebraska

Age: 27

Marital Status: Live with my boyfriend

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Claims Specialist

Pets:3-- Husky(Hercules),2 poodles(Belle and Rusty)

Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out with my boyfriend -We like to go walking 2 miles every other day. I enjoy going to church on Sundays and Sunday nights having family night at moms. I LOVE playing with my niece and nephews too

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I've yo-yo'd my whole life, but I'm hoping this time I lose it, it stays off.... So... Today

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 250

Goal Weight: 180

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: i like food a lot, especially in social situations (like to go out to dinner, etc). Just have to curtail that a little bit. Also, I can eat most foods in moderation except for ice cream... i love it soo much! Pizza is also gonna be a hard thing to cut WAY back on.

Following any specific plan: My plan is to exercise and eat well. I just want to be healthy and happy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I want to lose it and KEEP it off. I want to start a family soon and for me to be able to do that, I have to lose a lot of weight. My MAIN goal is to get down to 150, but I'm taking one goal at a time.

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: Northern Virginia

Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Children/Ages: None yet

Occupation: RN

Pets: Dog

Hobbies/Interests: I love the outdoors and warm weather. My weakness is a good glass of wine. I would eat sushi every day if it was possible. My dog is my baby and I am married to a wonderful man (who is sometimes jealous of the dog...lol).
Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Feb 2009

Starting Weight: 125lbs

Present Weight: 122lbs

Goal Weight: 120lbs (more worried about the "inches" than the pounds)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Cravings and wine

Following any specific plan: Low GI, low cal

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel like I am getting closer to 30 and things are changing. I need to be more aware of what I am doing to my body. I once felt very sexy in a bikini and find now I have areas that have been very neglected. My motivation is to be as toned and healthy as I was when I met my husband for our upcoming 1 year wedding anniversary.
Anything else you would like to share with us: Would love to chat with others for motivation.

I just realized I posted in the old thread, so disregard.

First name: Sara

Geographical location: Colorado Springs

Age: 22

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Security Administrator

Pets: Kitty, Bunny, and 4 chinchillas

Hobbies/Interests: Fitness, cooking, reading, writing, movies, and learning new things

Height: 5'5

Eye/Hair Color: Brown hair and blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/1/09

Starting Weight: 140ish

Present Weight: Last weighed was 137

Goal Weight: 125

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I started a new job and it is a desk job. I work with a lot of overweight people and they bring unhealthy things to snack on...and thats where I gained 10lbs. Luckily I caught myself gaining and decided to change. I'm maintaining what I gained ok, but am having trouble finding the motivation to work out.

Following any specific plan: Nothing specific. I am trying to eat better and am researching counting calories and healthier foods. I also discovered Jillian Michaels DVDs.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I actually need to try harder. My previous jobs required my physical activity, so it was easier to keep weight off. Now I sit all day, and have to find the motivation to cook healthy dinners, bring healthy lunches, and workout sometime during the day.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am soo happy I found this site. I've never been overweight, but I have experienced more weight gain in the last year since I've started this job. Your stories and suppot inspire me to change myself for my lifetime. I used to think "Hey I'm young, I can eat what I want and gain a few pounds and then work it off when I want..." But I've realized thats not true. My decisions now effect the rest of my life.

First name: Jeanie

Geographical location: Outside of Louisville, KY

Age: 27

Marital Status: Happily married

Children/Ages: 3 girls and a boy, ages 7, 4, 2, 1

Occupation: Office manager, nursing student.

Pets: none

Hobbies/Interests: rading, video games, painting, movies, bowling, amusement parks

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: blonde hair (naturally, sometimes I get red lowlights), blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: My very first start was in July of 02, this current time was yesterday, 4-22-09

Starting Weight: 225

Present Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 130-140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Actually taking the time to do something good for myself for a change, planning a routine so I don't sabatoge myself by eating bad foods or missing workouts

Following any specific plan:. LAWL (but I modified it using store bought stuff to replace the bars and drinks)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I won't be getting pregnant again, which means that I will have the emotional eating under control for the most part.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nothing I can think of!

First name: Kimmie

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 22

Marital Status: Happily married

Children/Ages: 1.5

Occupation: Photographer.

Pets: 2 Obese Hamsters

Hobbies/Interests: Mommy-ing, taking pictures, reading, etc.

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark blonde/blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Technically today, though I blew it already

Starting Weight: 255

Present Weight: 255

Goal Weight: 145 and then re-evaluate

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: EATING. I have no problem exercising, but the eating is what kills me.

Following any specific plan:. Nope, just smaller portions and healthier choices!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm going to do this!!!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Nope

First name: Kati

Geographical location: North Florida

Age: 25 (turning 26 in June)

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: Only the furry kind for now.

Occupation: Student

Pets: 2 Dogs, both Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Tesla/F/3.5 years old/Red headed Tri and Gizmo/M/7mths olds/Red and White

Hobbies/Interests: Ooo. This could be a long list. The condensed version: Music, Literature, Video Games, Cooking, Anything Crafty, Road Trips, Geek Toys, and Furry Animals.

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Green / Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time? Beginning of Feb 09.

Starting Weight: 240

Present Weight: 225

Goal Weight: 150 and below

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My procrastination. I know that I need to go to the gym, but I always find reasons to either skip or shorten my workout.

Following any specific plan: No. Diets never work for me. Once I am told what I can't have, that is the only thing that I want to have. This time I am reading labels, following portion sizes, and amping up the fruits/veggies/water! I'm terming this a 'lifestyle change' and not a diet.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am doing it for my health and not for my weight. I had a health scare in Feb and I suddenly realized that I am getting older and with age comes health problems. I do not want any future health problems that I may have to be because I am not healthy!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not at the moment.

First name: Ariel

Geographical location: Baltimore, MD / Ocean City, MD

Age: 19

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Full Time Acting Student

Pets: 1 Dog, 2 Cats, 1 Bird

Hobbies/Interests: Acting, Knitting, Graphic Design

Height: 5'7''

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: March 7th (Started Medifast)

Starting Weight: 166

Present Weight: 143

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional Eating

Following any specific plan: Currently on medifast, this is my last week on it.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Commitment and determination. Found a good, valid reason for wanting the weight off.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Hi. <3

First name: Carrie

Geographical location: Baton Rouge, LA

Age: 25

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: NONE

Occupation: Full-time dispatcher and student

Pets: 3 yorkies

Hobbies/Interests: hanging out with friends, going tubing, drinking, sewing

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color:red hair green eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 4/01/09

Starting Weight: 217

Present Weight: 209

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Finding time to work out

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am doing it for myself... not someone else

First name: Jennierose

Geographical location: Beltsville, MD

Age: 27

Marital Status: Single w/ 4 male roommates (aka my children)

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Data Manager/Protocol Monitor (I audit medical records for NIH cancer trials)

Pets: 1 - black cat, Spindle.

Hobbies/Interests: reading, painting, knitting, movies, hiking, just being outside in general

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Dark Brown/brown-green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Forever? I joined WW@work about 6 weeks ago and due to a nasty bout of sinusitis that lasted two weeks, I've been kind of yo-yoing, but am down 5 lbs.

Starting Weight: 220

Present Weight: 215

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I really like food. I like to cook, I like to feed people...most recently I was described as a food pusher. I like exercise, but I have issues with motivation and accountability. I can suffer from very low self esteem, and that just puts me into a vicious circle.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm taking steps to make myself accountable. At my last physical, my doctor told me some of my blood tests were on the high end of normal, some a little over the line, so I generally want to be healthy. My long term goal is 150 lbs, but I'm going to start with getting below 200.

First name: Diamond

Geographical location: Burlington, NC

Age: 20

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Lol

Occupation: Cna

Pets: 2 Dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Dancing, playing drums, talking, clubbing, making friends, eatining lol

Height: 5'1

Eye/Hair Color: hazel / brownish black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: april 1, 2009

Starting Weight: 339

Present Weight: 329

Goal Weight: 179

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: to take the weight losing proecess slowly,

Following any specific plan: healthy eating and plenty of exercise

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: i am actually serious and i realize that i have to do this

Anything else you would like to share with us: i am also terrified of having loose skin!

First name: Megan

Geographical location: London

Age: 24

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: hospitality worker

Pets: frank and biscuit (australian silky terriers)

Hobbies/Interests: music, books,

Height: 168 cm (5"6')

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 24th april, 2009

Starting Weight: 97kg (214lb)

Present Weight: 94kg (207lb)

Goal Weight: 65kg (143lb)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I smoke and I'm lazy. I've got to get some new habits.

Following any specific plan: fitday.com! counting calories and trying to get off the couch more

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm mentally prepared and have specific goals

First name: Dee

Geographical location: Dirrty South (Georgia that is)

Age: 23

Marital Status: Yep

Children/Ages: 16 months (just the one)

Occupation: Military maintainer/loader of explosives

Pets: Newt, and a housplant

Hobbies/Interests: making hemp jewelry, singing, dancing, video games, reading, drinking booze then attempting to play DDR.

Height: 5' 7" and a half... the half is important!

Eye/Hair Color: browny-green/brown (until I dye it!)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 1st, 2008

Starting Weight: 230ish

Present Weight: 160

Goal Weight: 140-145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Lack of time... I work twelve hour shifts more often than not, and I really, really hate spending time in the gym when I would rather see my son.

Following any specific plan: Calorie counting, getting back into the gym after allowing myself a 6 week break of maintenance after my deployment (got back mid March!)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am the sole wage earner in my family... my life depends on this. I've never had more than 10-15 pounds to lose before, so this is new to me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am having issues with those last few pounds that stand between me and an Excellent PT score (90+). I am not looking so much at weight, just at improving my running speed and pushups/situps... but the weight loss will be awesome too!