User name/name: LaLaurie

Age: 51

Birthday: September 29

MARITAL STATUS: divorced since 2000

Children/ages: 4, all grown and moved away

TOP WEIGHT: 220

CURRENT WEIGHT: 192

GOAL WEIGHT: 150

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: dark brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Reading, sewing, decorating

PETS: a fraidy cat

OCCUPATION: High school English teacher

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: North Louisiana

FAVORITE COLOR: sage green

FAVORITE FOODS: chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate pie, well, you get the picture

FAVORITE EXERCISE: right now I like the treadmill, but I miss my old Jane Fonda VHS tapes

FAVORITE BOOK(S): the Nate Heller series by Max Allan Collins

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): It Happened One Night (ah, Clark Gable!)

FAVORITE MUSIC: Celtic

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: that old sugar addiction and using food as a drug

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I lost the first 28 pounds through Medifast, but it's not a way of life. I did, though, kick that food addiction and am ready to eat healthy foods. Knowing my triggers and having plans in place are vital for me.

User name/name: ChelseaW

Age: 32

Birthday: January 31

MARITAL STATUS: Married for almost 8 years

Children/ages: My son Sawyer will be 5 in May

TOP WEIGHT: 175

CURRENT WEIGHT: See ticker

GOAL WEIGHT: 140

HEIGHT: 5' 5"

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Blonde

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Reading, blogging, music (I play guitar), soapmaking, French cooking, TV (favorite shows: LOST, The Office, Arrested Development)

PETS: Penny, our hound mix rescue dog

OCCUPATION: stay at home mom, small business owner (I make and sell natural soaps)

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: DC Area

FAVORITE COLOR: blue

FAVORITE FOODS: fruits, veggies, chocolate

FAVORITE EXERCISE: hiking, yoga, biking

FAVORITE BOOK(S): The Farming of Bones, A Wrinkle in Time, Bridget Jones' Diary, Pride and Prejudice, A Year in Provence...and many more I can't think of

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Sense and Sensibility, Meet the Parents, Amelie

FAVORITE MUSIC: folk, alternative, rock

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I gained weight after injuring my back in a car accident and having my son. I tend to lose reeeallly slowly so I lose motivation after a while.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I am going to stick to this plan long term - regardless of how much weight I lose (or don't lose) in the first few months. Quick fixes never work, I'm in it for the long haul!

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User name/name: Losinitinco

Age: 23

Birthday: November 4

MARITAL STATUS: Married for 3 years

Children/ages: My son Logan is 2

TOP WEIGHT: 197

CURRENT WEIGHT: 190

GOAL WEIGHT: 145

HEIGHT: 5' 8"

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Brunette

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Swimming, tennis, shopping, cooking, playing with my son

PETS: Chevy, our black lab puppy

OCCUPATION: Federal Governement contractor, working on 2 start up companies

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Beautiful Colorado

FAVORITE COLOR: pink

FAVORITE FOODS: fruit, fudgsicles, pistachios, Crystal Light

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Zumba, swimming, tennis, the Wave by the Firm

FAVORITE BOOK(S): The Plum series by Janet Evanovich

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Sweet Home Alabama, Pretty Woman, Gone with the Wind

FAVORITE MUSIC: country, alternative

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I get discouraged easily, and if I do see results I use them as an excuse to ease up on my program and end up gaining it all back. Plus, I need accountability.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I am looking for a lifestyle change not a diet. I am not doing Day One of a diet ever again. I will lose this weight to be the mom, wife, friend, and daughter that I want to be. There is no going back this time, I want to get off the sidelines and be an active participant in my life.
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User name/name: Neena404

Age: 31

Birthday: June 3

MARITAL STATUS: Divorced

Children/ages: Daughter 8

TOP WEIGHT: 198

CURRENT WEIGHT: 186.8

GOAL WEIGHT: 140

HEIGHT: 5'7

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Vacations, eating

PETS: N/A

OCCUPATION: Day job-Purchasing / On the side- Own clothing line

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Florida

FAVORITE COLOR: Black

FAVORITE FOODS: French fries, pizza, pasta, Chinese, kalbi

FAVORITE EXERCISE: anything that doesn't feel like exercise

FAVORITE BOOK(S): Twilight

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): The Blind Side,

FAVORITE MUSIC: Everything but heavy metal!

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: Always gaining!!! I travel a lot so every time I'm away, I swear I will eat correctly and it never happens. No will power

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I have an amazing best friend that is on the same track and we have a trip to Hawaii in 6 weeks and I have to lose something by then, at least 12 lbs!!

User name/name: tamaraceleste

Age: 35

Birthday: January 31

MARITAL STATUS: Married since November 20, 2009

Children/ages: Girl-4

TOP WEIGHT: 270

CURRENT WEIGHT:242.8

GOAL WEIGHT: 175

HEIGHT: 5' 5

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Dark Brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Cooking, Traveling, Reading, friends and family

PETS: Gato

OCCUPATION: Govt

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: South America

FAVORITE COLOR: Purple

FAVORITE FOODS: Pasta, Chocolate, Donut, Cakes, Pizza

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Elliptical and personal training

FAVORITE BOOK(S): Don't really have one.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Five Heart Beats

FAVORITE MUSIC: R&B, POP

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I have been overweight since I was a little girl.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I have not been this heavy since 2001. I can not fit my clothes and I am miserable.

User name/name: TinaT/Tina

Age: 26

Birthday: October 8th

MARITAL STATUS: Married on October 22, 2006

Children/ages: Girl (Violet) almost 3 years

TOP WEIGHT: 160

CURRENT WEIGHT: 148

GOAL WEIGHT: 130

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

EYE COLOR: Hazel

HAIR COLOR: Naturally light brown, I color it darker

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Ministry in my church, spending time with family, cooking for my family and friends, reading, writing, watching movies, teaching my daughter

PETS: 2 cats (Mouse, 6, and Leia, 3, both mixes) and 1 dog, Lucius, a Rottweiler mix

OCCUPATION: Stay at home momma!

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Nevada

FAVORITE COLOR: Purple

FAVORITE FOODS: Pizza, cereal, chips, you know the junk that's not good for you

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Pilates, Just Dance game for Wii

FAVORITE BOOK(S): The bible, the Twilight series, anything my John Grisham.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Lots!

FAVORITE MUSIC: Christian alternative

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: Can't lose the baby weight, have had it for almost 3 years

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I am tired of not liking what my body looks like, and I want to change it! I have problems with blood pressure too, I need to get in shape in order to lower it. I want to look good for my upcoming trips!

Basic facts

Name (real first name if you feel comfortable): Rhonda

Gender: Female

Age (or general age group): 43

Where you live: small town in northern PA

Where you grew up: same place

Other places you’ve lived: Virginia

Do you have kids? How old? Yes, we have 5. Their ages are 22, 21, 20, 17 and 16

Are you an oldest, youngest, middle, or only child? How many siblings? I am the oldest and have 2 brothers

Languages, beside English, you speak: none

Who do you live with (spouse, kids, parents, grandparents, roommate, pets, alone, etc)? I live with my husband, our youngest son and both daughters

Current job or field of work / studies: I am the assistant county librarian for our library system and am also working on a degree in accounting

Why did you choose South Beach? I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia (my blood sugar drops too low a couple hours after eating) and researched what the best plan of eating would be. SB is similar to WW's Core which I have done before but doesn't seem to be so restrictive long-term for foods that help with the hypoglycemia

What are your ultimate lifestyle change goals? Short term? I want to get the hypoglycemia under control so that I'm not shaking all the time and I also want to lose another 13 pounds or so.

Are you going at this plan by yourself or do you have support (other than us of course)? I'm pretty much on my own.

Beyond the facts

Favorite books: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Favorite kinds of music / bands: 70s music

Favorite movies: not much of a movie watcher

Favorite saying / quote: ?

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Hobbies:Reading, Geocaching, crocheting

Are you a camping and hiking kind of person or do you prefer less sweaty and “roughing it” kinds of activities? I prefer comfort, but do a lot of hiking while geocaching

Do you live somewhere urban, rural, or suburban? We live in town, but it's still very rural compared to a lot of places

The place you’d most like to visit: Iceland

Best thing that ever happened to you: married my high school sweetheart

Tell us something else about yourself that you want to share that not too many people know: I was in an infomercial for Denise Austin a few years ago and am also featured as a success story in her book that was published this year. VERY few people know that believe it or not!

BIRTHDAY: January 10

MARITAL STATUS: Married since 1984

TOP WEIGHT:191.8

SB STARTING WEIGHT: 141

GOAL WEIGHT: 129

HEIGHT: 5'3"

EYE COLOR: Green

HAIR COLOR: Brown

FAVORITE COLOR: orange

FAVORITE FOODS: pizza, salads

FAVORITE EXERCISE: walking, Leslie Sansone walking workouts, yoga

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: having problems fitting my small meals and snacks each day into WW points

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: This time I need to do this for my health. I cannot gain the weight back. And I just plain want to look good!

First name Amie, age 37, height five three. Highest weight, 175 pounds. Current weight, 152, goal weight 130. Why did you choose South Beach, I take meds for bipolar that cause weight gain and hypoglycemia, need to cut simple carbs and get my blood sugar under control. Children, daughter, 13. Relationship status, committed relationship since 2007. Pets, 7, two dogs, five cats. Occupation, jazz vocalist. Favorite book, Portrait of Jennie. Favorite movie, A Place in the Sun. Favorite food, pasta, ice cream. Obstacles to weight loss, never been able to stick to a diet, because I always got hungry and deprived. What's different this time, I'm not doing some fad, SB is realistic and is in line with my health goals. Hobbies, singing, talking on the phone, having coffee, reading. Favorite exercise, stationary bike. Something not too many people know about me, I seriously considered becoming a minister.

User name/name: Lisa

Age: 24

Birthday: January 30

MARITAL STATUS: Single; Boyfriend for 6 months

Children/ages: Not yet

TOP WEIGHT: Unsure, probably 160's

CURRENT WEIGHT: 150

GOAL WEIGHT: 125

HEIGHT: 5' 5"

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: I go to school, am aiming to complete a PharmD/JD dual degree in 6 years; I play piano for stress relief, love to boat in the summer, travel when I have $$, love TV (favorite shows: V, LOST, The Office, Modern Family, Community, 30Rock, Arrested Development)

PETS: Rocco & Chloe (2 tuxedo cats)

OCCUPATION: jobless grad student

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Chicago suburbs

FAVORITE COLOR: purple

FAVORITE FOODS: french bread, manchego cheese, mint chip ice cream (haven't had these for so long ).

FAVORITE EXERCISE: incline walking, strength training, swimming when it's nice out,

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): The Matrix, Resident Evil I and II, Underworld, Star Wars II, III, IV, V, yes I'm a nerd.

FAVORITE MUSIC: indie, screamo, rock

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: Unsure of why it is so hard for me to lose. Have lost no weight on SBD Phase 1, but determined to keep trying and add exercise

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I am miserable and uncomfortable at my current weight, and have been this way for years. Now that I have graduated college, I have no excuses - time to start losing and be able to look at myself in the mirror!
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User name/name: Cyndi0107/Cyndi

Age: 37

Birthday: Jan 7

MARITAL STATUS: Married since 1998

Children/ages: Daughter-11 Daughter-3

TOP WEIGHT: 292

CURRENT WEIGHT: 281

GOAL WEIGHT: 145

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Dark Brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Scrapbooking, papercrafting, computer games

PETS: dog-Onyx

OCCUPATION: unemployeed

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Ohio

FAVORITE COLOR: Purple

FAVORITE FOODS: Mexican

FAVORITE EXERCISE: treadmill

FAVORITE BOOK(S): anything by Dean Koontz

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Coyote Ugly

FAVORITE MUSIC: just about anything

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: This is the first time I have tried to lose weight.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: Since I haven't tried before it is not a different diet, but a different way of eating. I am looking at this as a lifestyle change. I am doing it to be healthy for my kids.

User name/name: Spirit2010/Sheryl

Age: 56

Birthday: 9/22

MARITAL STATUS: Married

Children/ages: None

TOP WEIGHT: 210

CURRENT WEIGHT: 198.5

GOAL WEIGHT: 140

HEIGHT: 5' 4"

EYE COLOR: Brown

HAIR COLOR: Silver

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Reading, watching old movies, new hobby is cooking South Beach-style, photography

PETS: None

OCCUPATION: Sr. Administrative Assistant

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: California

FAVORITE COLOR: Red

FAVORITE FOODS: Chinese

FAVORITE EXERCISE: walking

FAVORITE BOOK(S): I can Make you Thin by Paul McKenna

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

FAVORITE MUSIC: Jazz

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: Commitment to counting - points, calories, carbs, fats, etc.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: This is not another diet, but a lifestyle change. NO COUNTING!!!!

User name/name: Myrith

Age: 58

Birthday: 4/11

MARITAL STATUS: Deliriously divorced -- loving it!

Children/ages: 2 grown sons

TOP WEIGHT: 237

CURRENT WEIGHT: 206

GOAL WEIGHT: 155

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Light Golden Brown -- just ask Clairol

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Reading when I have time, watching movies, sewing/crafty, Toastmasters

PETS: Down to one cat

OCCUPATION: Associate support helpdesk

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Arizona

FAVORITE COLOR: Blue

FAVORITE FOODS: If I could list them, I probably wouldn't have a weight issue

FAVORITE EXERCISE: swimming

FAVORITE BOOK(S): I have favorite authors, not just books -- mostly scifi/fantasy genres

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): another long list -- classics like the Topper movies to Avatar

FAVORITE MUSIC: classic rock, light country, jazz/blues, classical

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: disability in an ankle limiting activity, boredom eating-without-thinking

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I had convinced myself that being post-menopausal with a bum ankle and sedentary job had sentenced me to ending life overweight. South Beach has taught me how wrong I was! While the food is prep-intensive, I find I enjoy the chopping, dicing, blending, stirring, etc. more now that ever before. The food is great tasting, easy on the eyes and very, very satisfying. What's different? EVERYTHING!

User name/name: fcmonroe/Frances

Age: 47

Birthday: March 18

MARITAL STATUS: Married since 1987

Children/ages: Boy-13

TOP WEIGHT: 245

CURRENT WEIGHT: 240

GOAL WEIGHT: 170

HEIGHT: 5' 6"

EYE COLOR: Hazel

HAIR COLOR: Strawberry Blonde

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Cooking, Traveling, Reading, friends and family

PETS: fish

OCCUPATION: Teacher

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Florida

FAVORITE COLOR: Purple

FAVORITE FOODS: Chocolate, cheese

FAVORITE EXERCISE: Walking

FAVORITE BOOK(S): Anything available for Kindle!

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Bladerunner

FAVORITE MUSIC: Not country, not rap, pretty much everything else

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I tend to overeat sweets.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I am looking at this as a life long change. I need to become healthier to be able to do the things I want to do.

User name/name: SBSuz/Suzan

Age: 39

MARITAL STATUS: Married for 11 years

Children/ages: None yet

EYE COLOR: Green

HAIR COLOR: Blonde

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: animal rescue, sewing, running (which I obviously haven't been doing!)

PETS: 1 dog, 2 cats

OCCUPATION: teacher

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Southeast

FAVORITE COLOR: green

FAVORITE FOODS: stuff that's bad for me

FAVORITE EXERCISE: running

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I yo-yo and am tired of it!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SOUTH BEACH? My husband's Dr. recommended it to him for his high cholesterol. We started in April of 08 and I went from 265 to 190.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: I was so disgusted at myself for packing on 30 pounds this winter. I see my father who is overweight and struggling in his senior years and I SO don't want to be like him (I have his large frame and the same sweet tooth).

User name/name: Jarlie/Johnna

Age: 42

MARITAL STATUS: Married for 13.5 years

Children/ages: girl 13, girl 11, boy 8, boy 3.5, boy 20 months

EYE COLOR: faded blue

HAIR COLOR: Brown

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Playing D&D, writing, being a mom

PETS: 1 elderly cat

OCCUPATION: Mother

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Indianapolis, IN

FAVORITE COLOR: blue

FAVORITE FOODS: chocolate, pasta, french fries, whole wheat bread

FAVORITE EXERCISE: walking

FAVORITE BOOK(S): Fantasy or Sci fi / geek culture stuff. Lord of the Rings is at the top of the list, followed by the Narnia books.

FAVORITE MOVIE(S): Star Wars original trilogy. Gotta have Han and Chewie! Lord of the Rings is awesome. Oh and the new Alice in Wonderland movie was awesome too. and most others of a similar ilk.

FAVORITE MUSIC: I like most music. Hip hop and rap excepted.

PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: I'm a huge sugar addict. Also, I'm generally too tired and lazy to exercise. I said "walking" is my favorite exercise but that translates to slow, leisurely stroll with many stops along the way.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SOUTH BEACH? My hubby is VERY obese. He said I could pick the diet since I'd be the one cooking for it. I figured low carb was the way to go, and compared this to adkins. South Beach made more sense to me.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL: Looking in the mirror at the overhang flab is a great incentive. So is thinking how much better off my family will be with a mom who isn't so moody and has the energy to do what she needs to get done!