Hi Ruthy, sounds like you have a great support system with family, friends, and social network friends. Congrats on the newest addition to your family. My name is Isabella and I was dxed about 3 weks ago with 276 cholesterol and prehypertension. I was shocked as my BMI is 23 and I have not even hit 40. I am scared as heart disease runs in the family (although always has been a male thing before). Anyway, I joined this site and DietBet to try to get my BMI to 20 in hopes it will help me avoid meds. I have a 6yr old and a wonderful hubby to stick around for, so I must do this. Flame me if you see I ate anything bad, lol... I love cheese and chips to the point of obsession.

Hello everyone!! My name is Brenda and I've been on a weight loss journey since 2007. I was always a little on the heavier side growing up. I was picked on and teased a lot on the bus rides to school or by a boy who lived down the street from me. I danced for a bit part of my life (tap and jazz). I always was one of the girls getting the biggest size costume. As I got older and I stopped being so active the weight easily came on. I went to college, started working at McDonald's and slowly put on weight. I do not blame McDonald's for my weight at all because I was constantly on my feet when I was there. Sure I ate there on my breaks but it was the sitting around the rest of the day or long nights working on projects. I am sure it contributed a little but I don't think it contributed that much. I was a size 20 by the time I left McDonald's for my internship. After I graduated I continued to work as an intern and then got my first real job. I would literally do nothing after work. I would go to work, go home and take a nap till dinner was done, eat, lay down again, get up to watch some shows, and go to sleep by 10. I went back to school for my graduate degree and it just got worse. I put on more weight and got up to a 22. Finally I needed to change something

I ordered one of the Paula Abdul dance fitness videos and started doing it in the basement. I had a little collection and I would do it every day after school. I lost about 30 pounds in 5 months. I decided to join a gym near by. It was women's only. I lost about another 30 pounds before school got crazy and I had to take some time off. But I kept that weight off and when I went back I was able to lose about 20 more.

When I moved out on my own, was when I stopped losing weight. I still went to the gym often. Three years ago, we moved 1.5 hours away from my hometown and I kept my job in my hometown. So it is lots of travel back and forth, but I do stay with my parent's often so I don't have to travel as much. I started losing weight slowly again and then I needed foot surgery. I put on a few pounds and until the beginning of this year, I hadn't lost anything. I gained about 12 pounds back that whole time. I've taken about 10 of them off this year! I am feeling great and ready to do more. I really plan on buckling down with this diet bet! I have to lose about 8 pounds. It will be a challenge but I know I can do it.

Hi, everyone. My name is also Brenda. I'm 49 years old. I can't believe I will be turning 50 this year!!! I feel way too young for what I picture as 50 I have two children, ages 10 and 12. I live in a small town and travel to different areas for work, usually within an hour's drive. I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life, but am at the heaviest I've ever been. In July 2009, my stepson was in an automobile accident and did not survive. I had raised him since he was six and he chose to live with me rather than his parents, so his loss was devastating to all of us. Two years ago, I joined a gym and entered a biggest loser contest, which I won. It was a very strict program and afterwards, the first place I went was Dunkin Donuts! Needless to say, I gained the weight back. I also quit smoking a year ago, which added a few pounds. Six days ago, I learned from a cardiologist, after having numerous tests, that I had in the past year had a heart attack and had scar tissue damage to my heart. Thankfully, I don't need surgery. I was told I had to lose weight, exercise regularly, and eat "heart healthy". Since I have a lot to live for and my kids are way too young to lose their mom, I immediately changed my lifestyle. It's not a diet for me - I will be doing this the rest of my life (which I hope is a long one). I am adding Dietbet as another incentive for me to stay on track. I will do all I can to motivate anyone who wants it. We are all in this together!

Congrats everyone!! I was just checking out all the pounds lost in this group. Nice numbers!! Inspires me!!

This is awesome! Thank you for starting this group!

Sounds like many of us share the same story! I was a slightly chubby kid (looking back - I was healthy!). Knowing I was bigger than my friends made me self-conscious. Slightly bigger than my high school friends. Slightly bigger than my college roommates.

I am an emotional/stress eater BIG TIME. Not much of a binge-eater, just a Snack-arella!

Got married in January 2010 at age 31. I have two awesome stepsons who live with their mom in a different state. Had my son 16 months ago. I stay home with him and work part time from home.

After being a perpetual dieter (not many fads, mostly just trying to eat healthy and exercise) for my entire adult life, and having some success with Weight Watchers (joined 5 times), I found MFP last summer and it has changed my dieting world completely. I lost 20 lbs from July - September. Then life happened and holidays happened and cold weather stuck around, and I gained about 5 lbs back. I was given a BodyMedia Armband at the end of January, and I LOVE it. In the first 2 weeks, I lost the 5 lbs of holiday weight. Then had a minor nervous breakdown and gained it back.

As I continue to learn to deal with my stress in healthy ways (i.e. go for a walk instead of visiting the pantry), I feel very positive about my future, and I'm excited to meet new friends through our Dietbet.

Also - HUGE fan of Biggest Loser!!!

Hi, I'm Kim. I'm 46 and have had a weight problem for over 25 years. In 2010 I lost 48 lbs and felt great. I worked about about 2 hours a day. I injured my shoulder and kept working out until the pain was unbearable. I finally took the doctor's advice and stopped the workouts. Well, instead of slowing down, I stopped everything. All exercise and eating right. Needless to say, all the weight is back, plus a few pounds.

I travel with my work and actually live in a hotel room. I am home about 6 nights a month. I've used that for an excuse for way too long. No more excuses! I'm ready to do this.

Hi, I'm Jennifer. I just turned 25 in January, and I'm so excited for this challenge! My husband and I live in a small apartment with two cats. I'm a full-time student looking for part-time work, and my husband works full-time and does night school. He's agreed to join along with me in this challenge, even though he didn't sign up through dietbet.

Hi everyone - my name is Lori. I've recently retired from a job working as a industrial nurse at a coal mine. We have also moved to a small village near my husbands family. I have no children and very little family contact. I also have very few friends so it is really great to find this group.

I have always been uncomfortable with my body and has issues with abuse at the hands of a Bishop when I was around 7. I tried to hide myself I think. Around 30 I had bilateral mastectomies for cancer as well as a hysterectomyy for cancer. My body changed with every round of chemo and radiation. I flucuated between skeleton and blimp for steroids.

I need to lose about 25 lbs and learn to eat like a normal person. I really need to learn to treat myself well and exercise my body and enjoy life. My husband never sees my scars and I need to learn not to see them as well,

I look forward to walking this road with each of you and having some fun along the way.

Hi Everyone! I'm Katie, this is my first diet bet! I have struggled with it my whole life and am looking to make a permanent change! Please add me for support !