First name: Carly

Geographical location: Tennessee, USA

Age:47 (ouch. I mean...39)

Marital Status: Happily Divorced almost 8 years

Children/Ages:One boy, age 13 (heaven help me. A middle schooler)

Occupation: Technical geeky stuff

Pets: Not at this time

Hobbies/Interests:Writing, hiking, swimming, photography

Height: 5' 10"

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel / Brunette with a hint 'o gray

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I have been on this journey all my life.

Starting Weight: 320

Present Weight: 277

Goal Weight: 185

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My own mind.

Following any specific plan: Nope, but using myfitnesspal to track.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am not doing "all or nothing" thinking. If I fall, I get right back up THAT DAY (not waiting until Monday). I no longer expect perfection and I don't beat myself up.

Anything else you would like to share with us: There is no do-over button. Live full today no matter where you are with your goals. You don't know if tomorrow is coming and what if this is as good as it gets? Make it count.

First name: Jenifer

Geographical location: Virginia, USA

Age: 32 biologically, 12 at heart!

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: 1 daughter, Caileigh, 15 years

Occupation: Registered Nurse (Don't worry, I don't know much so I won't be giving medical advice on here!!! hehe)

Pets: Nope

Hobbies/Interests: basketball, basketball, basketball, sleeping!!

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue, Blonde (Currently dyed brown)

Starting Date of Weight loss Journey: 1/13/13

Starting Weight: 247

Present Weight:247

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Massive sugar addiction, laziness, boredom, ZERO will-power!

Following any specific plan: Weight Watchers Online (Hey, if that OTHER Jennifer can do it, so can I!)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Um.. spending my OWN money on plan/food, joined a gym AND got personal training! Ain't nobody got TIME to be fat anymore!

Anything else you would like to share with us: Extremely shy at first, but warm up quickly. Don't take ANYTHING I say seriously... I"m all jokes!!

First name:Kerri-Lee

Geographical location: Ny

Age: 32

Marital Status: Long term relationship/ hypothetically engaged

Children/Ages: Only my fur babies

Occupation: Vet tech

Pets: Jd apbt 5 years, Maya apbt 4 years

Hobbies/Interests: Music, reading, video games etc.

Height: 5' 2"

Eye/Hair Color: brown, black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Forever...officially 1/18/2013

Starting Weight: 252

Present Weight: 252

Goal Weight: 135, or healthy whichever comes first.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Emotional eating.

Following any specific plan: Eat better and get off my lazy butt.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Doing it for my health and not just self image.

First name: Jessica

Geographical location:Michigan

Age:26

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: No kids

Occupation: n/a

Pets: 3 one cat and two dogs that are spoiled rotten

Hobbies/Interests: Music, crochet, photography, and the treadmil

Height:6 foot 2 (you read that right)

Eye/Hair Color:hazle/green (eyes) Brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:1-1-13

Starting Weight: 324

Present Weight: 318

Goal Weight: 180-200

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Me myself and I. Basically I need to get into new habits after trying most ways to get healthy.

Following any specific plan: Carb counting (i'm a diabetic)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Actually trying not giving up after three days.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have a learning dissability also.

First name: Jane

Geographical location: S FL.

Age: 29

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: ages 10 and 6

Occupation: Bank representative

Pets: a yorkie.

Hobbies/Interests: Music, Reading, Shopping

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Blk

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1993 (i was in 3rd grade)

Starting Weight: 243

Present Weight: 240

Goal Weight: 135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Finding time to plan healty meals, getting hubby on board with healty eating habits (I work 50 hrs a wk & hubby is Italian. Loves his Pasta).

Following any specific plan: More protiens, veggies, fruits and lots of water.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm just tired of being the heavy one out of all my GF's. I dont want to get on a plane and barely be able to buckle my seat belt. I am 29 but i feel like im alot older (hence the name). I dont eat and when I do, I shouldnt eat that. I am just tired of being tired all of the time. I want to be around to see my kids grow up and have their own kids.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am 29 and have absolutly no sex drive which has put a huge strain on my marriage. This has become a very stressful topic at home. And even thought I try to explain to my husband that this has nothing to do with how I feel about him, he doesnt understand. I know its a metal issue but i cant help but feel gross at the thought of getting nakid. This is basically my final attempt at me getting better before my marriage falls apart.

First name: Jay

Geographical location: Central California (native to Southern Cali)

Age: 31 going on 13

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None.

Occupation: College Student, AS in Communication Studies and a minor in Creative Writing.

Pets: A Bearded Dragon named Falcore.

Hobbies/Interests: Drawing, reading, my lizard.

Height: 5'8

Eye/Hair Color: Hazel eyes and Dark Brown hair.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/13/13

Starting Weight: 266 big ones.

Present Weight: 255 slightly smaller ones.

Goal Weight: 165 really tiny ones.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Not going "EFF IT" and consuming ALL THE THINGS.

Following any specific plan: Nah, just calorie counting.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: My motivation is not because I want people to be attracted to me. I have recently discovered that in addition to, or as a result of being an artist I love clothes quite a bit. It hurts that I can not fit into any of the stuff I admire when i window-shop online. I am losing weight not because I want to lick-face but because I want paint myself in fabric and feel like I look good (as apposed to looking like a sac of vegetables).

Anything else you would like to share with us: I hope i can stick with it. I often go a few months then fall off the wagon. 266 is an all time high for me and I am just really sick of it. 165 will be the smallest i will have ever been in my life and according to the thingy at the DRs office would put me at a healthy weight.
Often times when journeys are spoken of, they are said to last- no are required to last a year and a day. You need that single day to understand the journey you have set out upon. It's about understanding, not completing. Weigh loss is no different, a change of habits, of life styles, its all about learning and not repeating. Anyone who happens to read this, don;t forget that even when your journey is over to take that extra day.

First name: Michael

Geographical location: Virginia, USA

Age: 22

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages:0

Occupation: Full time student (Chemistry major, Education minor)

Pets: 0

Hobbies/Interests: Video Games, Reading, Anime.

Height: 6' 0"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue-eyes, light brown hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/23/2013

Starting Weight: 297lbs

Present Weight: 292.4lbs

Goal Weight: 200lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Chronic Procrastination, Arthritis in left foot/ankle.

Following any specific plan: Count calories, trying to get up to walking at least 10,000 steps a day. Will go from there

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I'm trying to get support in weight loss efforts. I'm also setting actually numeric goals for the first time. I'm also deciding on rewards to give myself at certain milestones.

Anything else you would like to share with us: My weight loss goals have nothing to do with appearance. I'm actually quit happy with how I look right now, but physical activities I found fun a couple years ago, I struggle with now. I feel ashamed of how easily I become out of breath. Also, I have people in my extended family who have had issues with diabetes and heart disease. So, this is a purely health thing for me. I know if I don't go ahead and start getting healthier now, I probably never will.

First name:Rebecca

Geographical location:Charlotte NC

Age:33

Marital Status:Hitched!

Children/Ages:Boy aged 10

Occupation:SAHM

Pets:1 big mut 3 lhasa Apsos 2 cats!

Hobbies/Interests:Crocheting, socializing, sewing, cooking, interneting, movies and TV

Height:5'3"

Eye/Hair Color:Brunette Grey/Blue eyes

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: June of 2003

Starting Weight:285

Present Weight:245

Goal Weight:130-50

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Loving my self enough to say no to food. *sigh*

Following any specific plan:Calorie Restriction

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I'm more realistic now about what I can achieve and how fast I can achieve it.

Anything else you would like to share with us:I sing and play trombone!

First name: Theresa

Geographical location: Vancouver, Canada

Age: 32

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none (tubal ligation by choice)

Occupation: unemployed right now

Pets: tiny dog named Dice

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time, January 21, 2013

Starting Weight: 250

Present Weight: 245

Goal Weight: Between 140 and 115

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: emotional eating

Following any specific plan: Atkins

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am at my highest weight EVER and my knees and back are hurting bad. Also I am unemployed, which is bad, but I will be able to focus so much more on weight loss.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have lost 150 lbs in the past 3 years, 50lbs each year but GAINED THEM BACK ACK!

First name: Theresa

Geographical location: Pennsylvania, USA

Age: 30

Marital Status: Never married, but live with a lovely boyfriend

Children/Ages: None yet

Occupation: Nurse

Pets: A fat, spoiled tuxedo cat

Hobbies/Interests: Writing, hiking, Bingo and music

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Blue/blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: The current iteration started on January 13, 2013. Really the journey goes back as far as Summer of 2002

Starting Weight: 248 :-C

Present Weight: 239

Goal Weight: 125, 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: My own expectations of my progress, since a 30-year-old can't lose weight the way a 16-year-old can. My fiance and I also had a long, honest discussion about how we've sabotaged each other's efforts in the past due to our own petty jealousies, and we've promised to support and help each other. Even if it means times come up where he weighs a couple pounds less than me since men lose more easily, and even if he starts to be afraid other men are giving me the eyes.

Following any specific plan: Old fashioned calorie counting. It's the only thing that ever truly worked for me.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have shunned all gimmicks, products and schemes. I used to use all sorts of products and plans, and that was easy because when I failed I could say it was Dr. Atkins's fault or it was the Hydroxycut company's fault. Now it's down to just me and my cravings, and I can't fail because I won't let it be my own fault.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I love heavy metal, industrial and Neue Deutsche Hart music. I also love bright pink bubble gum pop music, and techno, and arena rock. If Bohemian Rhapsody comes on the radio, I have to stop what I'm doing and just revel in the music until the song is over.

First name: Tamara

Geographical location:Canada

Age: 34

Marital Status: widowed

Children/Ages:Daughter, 3 years old

Occupation: student and mom

Pets: no pets right now

Hobbies/Interests: Horses, martial arts, aboriginal studies, law, criminology, anthropology

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color:blue/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey:Feb 4, 2013

Starting Weight:265ish

Present Weight:265ish

Goal Weight:165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: pain in my back and neck, busy schedule

Following any specific plan: whats worked before, diet, and exercise.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I am hoping that with the added support and accountability of this website will help

First name: Jessica

Geographical location: Upstate, SC

Age:28

Marital Status: Never Married

Children/Ages: Two boys, 5 And 8

Occupation: Mommy

Pets: a boyfriend lol

Hobbies/Interests: Reading mostly, fashion

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Blonde/Blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Jan 20ish 2013

Starting Weight:255

Present Weight:250ish

Goal Weight:125ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Soda, physical problems

Following any specific plan: calorie counting

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have never really tried in the past

Anything else you would like to share with us: Failure is not an option

First name: Amanda

Geographical location: Washington State

Age: 27

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: student

Pets: 2 cats

Hobbies/Interests: reading, gaming, movies, anything outdoors, prof. football (go Hawks!) & soccer (go Sounders!)

Height: 5'8''

Eye/Hair Color: hazel/drk brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Overall Jan. 2012, Started Ideal Protein - Nov. 2012

Starting Weight: 326

Present Weight: 236

Goal Weight: 175ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Crazy Thyroid & myself giving up

Following any specific plan: I originally lost 30 lbs doing calorie counting. I am losing the rest of my weight through the Ideal Protein diet plan.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This time I am committed 100% and I will not stop until I reach my goal.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have never lost more than 40 lbs before so this is all uncharted territory for me!

So I am trying again. I am already overwhelmed. I need to do this for my health, and I am having knee issues that are interfering with my life. I hope to get some encouragement to keep this up. It is hard.

First name: Carol

Geographical location: SC

Age:

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Son/7

Occupation: SAHM

Pets: 1 big goofy Lab (and my mom's chihuahua I'm babysitting and getting really attached to)

Hobbies/Interests: Designing children's clothing, sewing, writing

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Starting over 2-17-2013

Starting Weight: High - 300 (2 years ago), Currently 280

Present Weight: 277

Goal Weight: 145-160...It's more about how I feel instead of a number.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Late night snacking! Exercise

Following any specific plan: Not really, just eating cleaner, cutting out junk food and overly processed stuff. Currently using Naturade Soy meal replacement for 1 or 2 meals a day because I rarely eat breakfast or lunch and this is helping get my calories in at the right times.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I finally put my foot down with my husband and son. They need to eat better even though they do not have weight issues. I just let them know I am not a short order cook and I was not serving them junk while I ate healthy...it isn't fair to anyone. Only healthy meals on my table from here on out.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm looking forward to the journey!