First name: Kim

Geographical location: NW Minnesota

Age: 47

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: Son 20; daughter 14

Occupation: Work at home - legal transcription

Pets: 1 full time dog, one "winter" dog (In-laws leave their dog with us when they go to Arizona for the winter; 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading

Height: 5-5

Eye/Hair Color:Blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time? Last week. The first time? Age 20 or so

Starting Weight:235

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My job; I am sitting at the computer 9+ hours a day, at least five days a week; allowed a five minute break each hour.

Following any specific plan: Just trying to eat less and move more for now; going to set up appointment with nutritionist at the clinic

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Just quit smoking; if I can do that, I can do this! Feeling my age more than ever before and need to deal with my weight so I feel better.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Remotely considering WLS; planning on starting doing 5Ks this spring/summer and maybe work my way up to doing a half marathon with my SIL.

First name: Tammy

Geographical location: Central PA

Age: 42

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Son 10; daughter 9

Occupation: Veterinarian

Pets: 1 dog, 5 cats

Hobbies/Interests: baking, cooking, reading, camping, trail running

Height: 5'3"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 2008

Starting Weight:144

Goal Weight: 128-130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Other family members. My young children have my DH's metabolism. I can't do it and stay thin.

Following any specific plan: South Beach Diet. Basically, it's just eating healthy -

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I start picking at what the rest of the family eats, and the weight slowly crept back on.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I need to stop emotional eating! Food never has and never will make it any better (exercise will though!)

First name: You can call me Patti

Geographical location: Australia

Age: Just 50. I don't feel i belong in the over 50s group.

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 0

Occupation: Self employed - making clothes

Pets: one cat, one dog, 6 ducks

Hobbies/Interests: travelling, cycling, progressive interests, singing, art, sewing, photography, gardening, meditation, mental health. Yep lots of stuff. But i'm not doing all right now.

Height: 165cm

Eye/Hair Color:

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3 Jan 2014

Starting Weight: 80.2kg

Goal Weight: 60kg

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Persistence.

Following any specific plan: I've done many diets. I generally go to my own which consists of healthy eating, 3 meals a day and exercise. Losing weight slowly and steadily is my main new thing and periodic one day fasts. And i must avoid buying things like sweets.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Apart from what i've just said, nothing. I want to keep it off forever though this time. So i need to really work on persistence and i would also like to eventually include an ongoing physical activity. One that i won't give up on after a while.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Sometimes i get depression but i don't think that's much of a threat at the moment. But i know a lot about it and mental health. I am thoughtful person and give a lot of thought to stuff. I don't take most stuff that people say around these sorts of topics at face value. I'm more of a skeptic and critical thinker. Not into anything of a very gimmicky nature like diet products and trends. Except i am trying out this fasting thing just to see what that' alike because its no cost and harmless.

First name: Abbi

Geographical location: California

Age:40

Marital Status: Newly Married (1/7/14)

Children/Ages: 21,20,19,14

Occupation: healthcare worker

Pets: 3 pups

Hobbies/Interests: roller derby, NBA, bike riding, reading

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color:blue, blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 12/27/2009

Starting Weight: 237, currently 164 as of 1/2/14 70gone forever!

Goal Weight: 108 (52 to go!)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: emotional eating, boredom eating, loveeeeee cupcakes, love being lazy

Following any specific plan: low carb for years, newly given up wheat, gluten and fast food. Just now adding exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: pure desire. Began dating an athlete 2 yrs ago, he's always on the go.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I will lose 1.24lbs a week for 50weeks this year!

First name: Alisa

Geographical location: Scottsdale, AZ

Age: 49

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: None (though the husband has a 24-yr. old daughter)

Occupation: Technical Writer, Culinary Consultant

Pets: Husband has a cat, but I am allergic.

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, wines, reading. I'd say jogging, but a hobby implies pleasure.

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel/dark auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2, 2014 (this time)

Starting Weight: 159

Goal Weight: 139 (133)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sticking with it.

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers, previously.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Newly married - husband not as supportive as I thought he'd be, making it more difficult to continue.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

First name: Katherine

Geographical location: DC Metro Area

Age: 40

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: Boston Terrier boy (4 years), Boston Terrier/Frenchie boy (6 years), foster Boston boy (2 years)

Occupation: Data analyst

Pets: (see children)

Hobbies/Interests: reading, playing with my pups, dog rescue, genealogy

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: green/mouse brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June 2012

Starting Weight: 198

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: motivation to exercise

Following any specific plan: paleo

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Within the last year I've had surgery to reduce migraines which were destroying my quality of life. I'm nearly migraine free now and am more motivated to get off my fat butt, because I know that exercise now will not set my head off.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

Joining to be an active participant in keeping/getting motivated and hoping to help provide that to others!

First name: K.

Geographical location: New England

Age: 45

Marital Status: M

Children/Ages: girl-5; girl-8

Occupation: teacher

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 5'2"

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: January 2014

Starting Weight: 174.8

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I LOVE FOOD!

Following any specific plan: trying this on my own with exercise and paying attention to my eating

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel that my need to look and feel better is finally stronger than my love of food.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I really want to do this to be healty for my family; I find myself constantly tired and exhausted; I want to feel better about myself and not be really disappointed in the way I look

First name:Buffie

Geographical location: Washington State

Age: 40

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Mike 17, Lyndsey 17,(these two aren't twins...we have 'yours mine and ours' family)and Kyndahl 12

Occupation: Healthcare Admin

Pets: Rhett(choc. Lab) 7, Butch (grand-kitten) baby

Hobbies/Interests: family time, riding motorcycles with hubby

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue/ bottle red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time....9/18/13

Starting Weight: 260

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: stress eating

Following any specific plan: alt ideal protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I broke both arms this summer in a fall down my front steps. Reality check my weight made me unbalanced or too heavy to catch myself on my hands...either way I needed a change. And my hubby is doing it with me!

First name: Dianna

Geographical location: Illinois

Age: 45

Marital Status: M

Children/Ages: girls: 9, 14, 16 all adopted

Occupation: business owner

Hobbies/Interests: motorcycling (my bike is a 2013 HD Switchback), cooking, camping, reading

Eye/Hair: Blue/blonde

Pets: One cat

Height: 5'8"

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: April 2013

Starting Weight: 245

Highest Weight: 275

Goal Weight: 185

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: STRESS eater. Physical handicaps from MVA that involve diet and exercise.

Following any specific plan: ideal protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am ready... not just a fad or pressure from other, but ready to commit for me-- not anyone else.

First name: Bridget

Geographical location: Arkansas

Age: 41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 3/26,19,17 (2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 grandson)

Occupation: Admissions Analyst at Arkansas State University

Pets: 1 dog, 1 cat (who just had 4 kittens 3 weeks ago), 5 hens

Hobbies/Interests: reading, scrapbooking, spending time with hubby, family and friends.

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, Brown hair with blonde highlights

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time my weight loss journey began when I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic January 2014.

Starting Weight: 264ish

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: becoming more active

Following any specific plan: low carb

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I realize that if I do not take it serious this time around it could cause major problems for my health.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm so glad that I found 3fatchicks!!!!

First name: Sherry

Geographical location: Ohio

Age:49

Marital Status: Married 10 yrs

Children/Ages: Girls 27 and 24

Occupation: field operations supervisor

Pets: 4 dogs and 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, cooking, gardening, flowers, nature

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: green, blonde

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: 1998

Starting Weight: 174 (today)

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: I love to cook and bake.

Following any specific plan: Low carb for many years and now I'm an amalgamation of low carb, paleo and crazy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I lost 100 pounds 16 years ago and have managed to keep it off. 180lbs seems to be a weight I can maintain without any effort, but I am bound and determined to get to 150 lbs.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I had cancer 8 years ago, had a hysterectomy and now my metabolism is sloth-like! In order to lose weight, I have to really work at it like never before.

First name: Patty

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 44

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 21,19, 17

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Pets: 3 dogs

Hobbies/Interests: Family, friends, TV

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: Green eyes, brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: April 1, 2014

Starting Weight: 203

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating and sticking to a workout plan

Following any specific plan: Just watching calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have a goal date.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Wish me luck.

First name: Colleen

Geographical location: Ohio

Age: 43

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 26,13,12

Occupation: Librarian

Pets: 1 kitty

Hobbies/Interests: Reading (of course), jogging, family

Height: 5'5"

Eye/Hair Color: blue eyes, blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: this time, April 11, 2014

Starting Weight: 256

Goal Weight: 145

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I tend to get discouraged if I don't lose like I'm on the Biggest Loser and then I figure "Oh well" and go back to old habits.

Following any specific plan: Starting with some slimfast and trying to eat sensibly. Drinking more water.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My official weigh in will be on Friday and my goal is 1 pound per week. Not too stressful but measurable.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Happy to be here. :-)

First name: Anne

Geographical location: NYC

Age:41

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages:boy 12, girl, 9

Occupation: Organizational transformation

Pets: 1 fat yellow lab

Hobbies/Interests: reading, walking, enjoying the city

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: re-booting tomorrow: 5/22/14

Starting Weight: 164

Goal Weight: 134

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: been this weight for 5 years with lots of fits and starts dieting. Need to get serious, and get to at least 142 before next spring

Following any specific plan: Trying WW, which has traditionally not worked for me. realized during this last month, when i have lost and regained 5 lbs on WW. I have to stick with it--tracking extra calories are still extra calories!

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: far more committed--i really don't want to be this weight in my son's bar mitzvah pictures next spring! This is not how i see myself and i would like my internal image and my external image to match. This is how I stayed motivated to quit smoking years ago--I never saw myself as a lifetime smoker.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just read a great book called Habit, and one key item for succecss is forming and participating in community. So I am attending WW meetings, and trying to post here at least every other day.

First name: Maddie

Geographical location: east coast of Canada

Age: 46

Marital Status: still married amazingly enough (23 years and counting)

Children/Ages: dd 8 and dd 11

Occupation: working from home as an alternative health practitioner

Pets: 2 cats and a dog

Hobbies/Interests: gardening...holistic nutrition, essential oils, Vikings!

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/auburn

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: today...May 30/14

Starting Weight:232.6

Goal Weight:165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: not having family support

Following any specific plan: holistic nutrition pyramid...lower carbs

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: gaining 12 pounds in 4 months since staying home...I'm on track to hit 300lbs by the end of the year if it continues

Anything else you would like to share with us: As I work from home, I have a fairly flexible schedule...will be checking in two-three times a day.

Thank you so much for still being here after all this time!