Hi there! I'm Michele and I'm 24 from the good ol' state of PA. Not for long though because we're moving to MD soon! I've been up and down the scale since I was 6 years old, with my longest healthy spree during college. I walked EVERYWHERE those days. Last month I found myself up to 205 lbs. and obese. I've not been happy since I started gaining 2 years ago. I do have a wonderful husband, which is somewhat odd for someone my age, well at least in my friends circle. He married me at my heaviest and now is cheering for me as I descend! Together we have our lovely cat River who is spoiled beyond all measure! We haven't decided when exactly to try for children, but we accept that if I can have them, awesome, if I can't, well I'll be heartbroken but we'll just devote our lives to travel! I'm looking to get down to 155 lbs and am currently at 194.6 lbs.

Fun Fact: I visited Italy for a little over a month when I was in college to take part in a media program. Ever since then I'm in love with wine.

Hello everyone! I am from Vancouver, BC and 27 years old.

I joined MFP in Nov of 2010 and really started my weight loss January 2011. By May I had lost 23lbs and felt amazing! I wasn't at my goal weight yet, but I was the closest I had been in years. Then in June I broke my toe and couldn't put on my running shoes and go to the gym which wasn't too big of a problem... it was summer and there was lots of bike rides and swimming so I wasn't too concerned.
September 2011 came and I figured it was time to get back to the gym! I was going to start on Monday, but until then I was going to eat my favourite foods, after about 1 year of "I'll start on Monday" I've gained all the weight I loss plus 10lbs. For the last few months I've been a lot better at watching what I eat and working out, but not to the level I need to be able to lose the weight.

I have every reason to be 100% motivated as I'm marrying to the most amazing man ever in Sept 2013. and must loose between 30 & 35lbs by then! So happy to be in this group!

Best of luck everyone! Feel free to add me!

Sally

My name is David and I'm from Zumbrota Minnesota. I have been on MFP since late July, not quite five months. I have been overweight most of my adult life and obese for at least the last ten years. I have lost double digits in weight a few times, including losing more than 60 in 1988.

I am a retired Postmaster and I went back to work at the Mayo Clinic in their mailroom. I am 58 years old, married with four adult kids, and one grandchild and another on the way.

I got my lifestyle change kick started with my annual physical. The doctor didn't sugarcoat the dire straits my health was in, and walked me through the future if I didn't immediately lose weight. He mentioned bariatric surgery and that was enough for me. I have pretty steadily lost weight and I have kept the calories low, while kicking up the exercise. While there was urgency for me to lose a lot of weight, I don't feel the urgency now--my health has improved markedly--but I have incorporated several good habits in my current lifestyle and have continued to lose weight since reaching my (medically necessary IMHO) intermediate goal of 60 pounds lost.

I am quite the sports fan, especially baseball and especially the local Minnesota Twins, and I am an avid golfer. I hope this group with similar goals will be fun. It looks like the females outnumber the males, but I like that!

Prettttty sure no one is going to read this but what the hell!

I'm Kelsey, 21 years old. Live in Texas with my Fiance who i've been with for 7 years.

When I met him I weighed 130 lbs, but got down to 118 for a while. I felt great then. Recently I put on weight and am now up to almost 140.

my wedding dress is sitting in my mother's closet, and I no longer fit into it, so it's definitely time to make a change!

Hola everyone! Meaghan here , 22 years old and a senior in college majoring in Elem Ed w/ a minor in Spanish! I have much more than 30 lbs to lose but I think this will be a great great jumpstart for me on this lifelong journey! Graduating in May and I want to get this weight off! With the support of you guys I think it is possible! Thanks for allowing me to join this group!

I believe in everyone here that we can beat this battle of bulge!!!
Feel free to add me!

I'm Kassie...I'm 37, I have two grown children (21 & 18) I met an amazing man a few years ago.. we spent every date eating... we both gained weight... then we got married and had a baby.

I've been slowly losing my baby weight this last year and a half but when I say slowly what I mean is sloooooooooooooooowly.

Baby girl had a lot of health problems and trying to get back into the swing of life after a baby and working full time is a hard balance. I NEED to start incorporating exercise into my life again. This group may be the motivation I need. Thanks so much for starting it!

Hi, I am Kathy and I live in Australia. I have a lot to loose and need a lot of help to do it. Every day I start again and fail. This time I am not going to let that happen and I need your help. I don't work in pounds but kilos but I have my conversion table handy so I can keep on the same page as you all! It is very inspiring to read the progress of other people and to share their struggles.

Hi everyone! I'm Danie, I'm 28 and I live in Wisconsin. My goal right now is to lose 30-40 pounds, aiming for 5-10 a week.

I work as an editor, so most of the work day I'm sitting. I have always been very active and maintained a healthy weight. In college I gained the "freshman 15" (plus a "little" extra...!) and at my heaviest I was 216 pounds. I was very successful on Weight Watchers for a few years, dropping 56 pounds and maintaining. I walk almost every day, bike, do yoga, pilates, and zumba as well as attend a bi-weekly dance class.

About a year ago I went to the doctor complaining of an unexplainable weight gain. I hadn't changed the way I was eating, had actually increased my activity, but was seeing both the scale and my pants sizes going up! My doctor determined I have an autoimmune disorder that affects my thyroid and causes weight gain, and now I am on a medication to control it that has weight gain as a side effect!

At first I gave up completely, figuring it was the medication and there was nothing I could do about it. But then I decided I couldn't just give up - I have to fight this! I've been down to my goal weight before and I know I can do it again!

In addition to the medical problem, I've identified another potential risk to my weight and health: my boyfriend! We've been together for going on 4 years, but he is the kind of person who can eat and eat and lose 5 pounds! He is also very active, goes to the gym every week night, runs, and is blessed with a high metabolism! (What a jerk!! :] ) Often when we eat together, he wants to throw in a frozen pizza or go out for fast food. I try to make "better" choices when we do, but I know the frequency is hurting me more than I can help. So this is something we're working on!! :]

I know this website is full of people with similar goals as me, so I'm glad to be a part of this group! Looking forward to sharing stories, tips, tricks and experiences with you all!

Hi! I'm Karen. I'm so glad to be a part of this group, y'all! Originally from Texas, now living in California. I generally have always been healthy, but after my second pregnancy I've been struggling with extra weight and have been making poor diet choices. I've started the journey back to a healthier me, am making better food choices, have cut back on sugar, but still need to improve. I eat way too much sugar and not enough vegetables! And I also want my two boys to go in the right direction. My husband is really healthy and encouraging so that is a plus.

Lately I've been having a hard time exercising because I hate the cold. I need more ways to exercise indoors!

I am 5'5"
pre-baby weight was 128
after-baby weight was 168
starting on MFP at 164
currently 157
short term goal is 145 by March
ultimate goal is 135-ish by summer