Weight Loss Questionnaire

I'm doing graphic design at university and my current project is titled "A journey of 1cm" so naturally I'm doing weight loss. I need to gather some first hand research so I've put together a questionnaire I would like as many people to answer as possible.

All questions are optional but please try to answer as many as possible. If you do not want to give an answer, or a question is irrelevant, please put N/A as the answer instead of leaving the question blank.

Note: Some questions are quite personal, however all questionnaires will be kept anonymous. If you do not want other people to see your answers feel free to message them to me instead of replying on here.

• Gender: Female
• Age: 24

• Starting weight: 342
• Current weight: (not sure)
• Goal weight: 272

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which) I want to lose weight to get healthy and look great!


• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?) Definately begun at childhood, my grandparents raised me for a while and pretty much gave me whatever I wanted. I wouldn't say I've been unhappy about my weight but I haven't neccessarily been happy either. I pretty much felt as though I was just as beautiful as a not so overweight person.


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder? I guess I could be classified as having a disorder considering I am obesed


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered) No


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate) I don't feel pressured but I do think that the media is good motivation.


• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration? Antione "Toya" Wright


• Why do you want to look that way? So my wardrobe can be as big as hers


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…) I am drinking Only Water, giving exercise some of my time, & Cutting out the Junk Food!


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over? Thighs, Arms, and a lil bottom gut


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated) Definately motivated more than I ever been, hence me responded to this questionnaire


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online) Not yet, Only Me & God


• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public) Check back with me, my journey is only beginning :happy:


• What motivates you? Me, Getting healthy, & fashion hehe...:laugh:


• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset) I haven't reached that point yet but I'm sure that I am going to keep giving it my all!


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible) Right now Im motivated, I really want to challenge myself to do this


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal? Proud!


• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next? Be "The Little Engine that Could"


• What is your biggest worry? Not having enough patience with my body.


• What have you learnt on your journey so far? Transforming my mind will make all the difference.


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote? "I Think I Can, I Think I Can, O Yes I Can!" :happy:

• Gender: Female
• Age: 53

• Starting weight: 232
• Current weight: 193
• Goal weight: 160

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which) To look better, be healthier


• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?) I was a thin teen, had my child young-never got rid of baby weight and just continued to gain


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder? I binge eat


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered) nothing that was ever defined


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate) It is very hard to look at any type of media and not feel bad about yourself. No matter what you look at the people are skinny and beautiful.


• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration? Can't say that I really have one


• Why do you want to look that way? n/a


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…) I am counting calories, being more aware of what I am eating and taking a supplement called ACE


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over? Waist and legs - I need to whittle the waist down and tone my leggs


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated) kind o so-so, even though I have lost about 37lbs, I don't see that when I look in the mirro


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online) The people on MFP are my support


• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public) Not really


• What motivates you? we are taking a trip this fall and I don't want to go to the beach looking like a whale


• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset) I am upset with myself for not having more control


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible) Not sure it is obtainable


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal? I can't answer that, I don't know what the future holds


• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next? Look at the reasons I am not happy with what I thought I wanted


• What is your biggest worry? That I won't make it to my goal, yet again


• What have you learnt on your journey so far? You can eat whatever you want but you have to use moderation and you have to get up off the couch


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote? Can't say that I have one.

Gender: F
• Age: 24

• Starting weight: 185
• Current weight: 160
• Goal weight: 150

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)
unhappy with my body. i want a flat stomach

• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?) i didn't have to worry about weight or watching what i ate in high school when i played sports year round. when i went to college i stopped working out and ate more and gained. i made a half-hearted attempt at weight loss for three years and then finally go in gear


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?
no


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered)
no


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)
yes. everything is photoshopped. we're searching for bodies that are literally unattainable. and no matter what, in the media's eyes, it's always better to be too skinny than too fat.

• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?
don't really think i have one


• Why do you want to look that way?
n/a


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)
eating at a calorie deficit and working out about 6 days/week

• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?
midsection is the worst.

• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)
i feel a lot better about myself now. i'm trying to lose 10 more pounds and some days i feel really depressed that i can't seem to shake them. i've been stalled at weight loss since november.

• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)
yes, friends on here and my husband

• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public)
i don't think so, besides family members telling me that i'm really skinny

• What motivates you?
fitness goals like running and cycling, and a flat stomach.

• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)
usually i feel pretty depressed for awhile and then get back to it.

• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)
i just want to get there. i'm so close and i just want to reach it.

• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?
probably still unhappy with my body.

• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?
if i don't and am actually happy with myself that'd be great. i hope to possibly do a bulk/cut cycle at some point to try to get my BF% feel.

• What is your biggest worry?
developing an ED

• What have you learnt on your journey so far?
don't buy in to the fad diets. nothing replaces hard work.

• What is your favourite (relevant) quote?
nothing tastes as good as HAPPY feels

• Gender: F
• Age: 23

• Starting weight: 260lbs
• Current weight: 207lbs
• Goal weight: 135lbs

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)

I want to lose weight so I can be healthy again.

• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)

The answer to this is in my blog. It's my first blog post.


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?

No

• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered)

No

• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)

Nope.

• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?

My old self. Pictures in blog.

• Why do you want to look that way?

Because I was healthy and felt good about myself. I loved the way I looked.

• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)

This is also in my blog. 2nd and 3rd posts.

• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?

Trying to change all over.

• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)

Great.

• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)

My husband.

• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public)

Nope.

• What motivates you?

Pictures of how I used to look. My son, because I want him to grow up knowing how to eat healthy.

• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)

motivated to do better

• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)

It's still pretty far off, but I'm sure I can get there.

• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?

Excited.

• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?

I don't know. I'll evaluate this if and when the time comes.

• What have you learnt on your journey so far?

That you shouldn't let people tell you what you can and can't achieve.

• Gender: Female
• Age: 36

• Starting weight: 227
• Current weight: 188
• Goal weight: 135-150 unsure. I want to be a healthy body fat %

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)
I am losing weight because I don't like the way I look or feel.


• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)
I was chubby as a toddler and I have broad shoulders, wide set hips so I am generally bigger looking than other girls even at a low weight. In grade school (age 8-9) I learned I was "fat" from the boys in my class and my parents made some remarks about how much I ate at meals. I am not sure in hindsight if I was over sensitive to comments abut eating. My 9th birthday my family took me out to a hibachi restaurant and as it was my birthday I was encouraged to order whatever I wanted. I ate my dinner until I was stuffed and then ate the cupcake presented to me with the birthday song. I felt too full... I excused myself to the restroom as I was sweaty and felt just bad. I splashed my face with water and went to a stall to sit down and undo my tights to relieve the pressure on my stomach. I went to burp and it tasted a bit like vomit...this gave me an idea. I stood, flipped the seat up and with hardly any effort I tossed my cupcake and hibachi and felt so much better. Looking back, I wasn't even fat at age 8 or 9. Kids can be so cruel. I had started throwing up ..never forcing it or putting anything down my throat, mind you, but just eating a little too much or too fast or something that just didn't agree with me. I was proud of my new weightloss discovery but never told anyone what I was doing. I looked great. My father even said to my mother he was glad I lost the baby weight as he was going to have t talk to me about how heavy I was getting.They seemed pretty proud, I got new clothes too! In addition to the barfing I tried to stay active and exercised almost every day , bike rides, swimming etc I hadn't never been an inactive kid to begin with. This was how I existed through to elementary school. I started dieting at 11 Nutri points was first , then some weird eat 3 slices of dense bread instead of your meals diet my mother's friend lost weight on, slimfast started when I was 13 and then I joined my first gym. So crash diets, impressive binges, regular barfing and some cardio is how I continued through to my 20's. I had learned about eating disorders but as I wasn't bony I knew I didn't have anorexia and because I would never gag myself to vomit I knew I didn't have bulimia. By high school I had worked out all the foods that would make me ill and so I would eat those pretty often and if my weight started to creep up I would take up some new fad diet and be back to my fighting weight in no time 115-135. In my late 20s getting back to 125 had become impossible I started needing antacids at least 2x a week. My new low weight was 140 I was okay with 140 and would buy clothes for that size. Age 30 150 was my floor I couldn't get below it no matter how hard I tried. Age 31 I started needing antacids 1-4 times a day and stopped eating things that would make me ill because it started to really hurt to be sick I started getting a new birth control shot and would get the craziest cravings. Age 32 diagnosed with Gerd or Acid Reflux and prescribed a daily medication my floor weight was 170. I quit smoking to alleviate some of the reflux symptoms and finally ended up weighing 200-220. For a while I was mad that my new medication made it nearly impossible to fall back on my barfing habit because I really hated that I was fat. I joined a gym and started kickboxing 3 days a week. I was only able to get down to 190 with tons of work! I had even taken up trying to run and done a juice fast but nothing was budging. Age 36 I did some soul searching. I questioned some beliefs, revisited my weight issues realized what I had put my body through and that it might not be able to bounce back. I stopped the birth control injections because the cravings were too much and for a while I just waited and listened to my body. I tried to feel full and hungry again, I had lost the ability to process these feelings and I started my road to recovery.

• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder? I am okay for now, but I have to be careful.


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered) I am recovering. I have urges to take drastic shortcuts in my weight loss but I am trying to see the disorder as what it is.


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)
I don't know. Sometimes I will be watching a show and see a woman who looks really fit and or has great hair or perfectly applied make up or a sunkissed tan and think to myself if I would just put in the effort I could achieve that.

• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration? I have had my ideal body. Age 21-26 I had no idea at the time but I looked great. Love the photos from that time period. I wish I loved that time period and my body more when I was in it.


• Why do you want to look that way? I want to look that way because it is esthetically pleasing. I want my husband to introduce me with pride. I want people to treat me nicely as the did when I was thinner. I want to stop being invisible. I want to stop making a first impression of sloppy and lazy.


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)
I am planning ahead my meals each day and packing a breakfast and lunch for work. I am using MFP as a calorie counter and outlet for weight rants and food talk. I found a group here doing In Place of A Roadmap and they focus on the math of calorie counting and fitness taking into account your BMR, TDEE and other factors to get a truly personalized guide to what it takes for you to lose weight. This appeals to me because I don't want a severely restricted calorie amount, I can't sustain that and I want to increase my physical fitness which requires..eating and exercise at reasonable levels. My best friend and I are keeping journals and every day we get a star for each of the following 1)not going over on calories 2) drinking 8 or more glasses of water 3) completing our exercises 4) not drinking alcohol. 50 stars collected wins a prize of a day without restrictions, but we still have to log the foods we eat on this earned "cheat day". Also we set up some rules and demerits to keep us on track. For instance I have no control when it comes to potato chips or corn chips or whatever pringles are. I am not sure whan I will reintroduce this :food" into my diet but for now eating chips is a demerit. 3 demerits within a 30 day period wipes out all accumulated stars.


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over? I am happy with my loss in all areas. I am sure there will be a time when everything is looking better except my stomach which seems to be a big stumbling for women losing 50lbs or more. I want to think I am prepared but I will cross that bridge when I get there.


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated) I feel very good about my progress to date.


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online) Absolutely! I couldn't do this without my best friend! My husband has seen a few too many of my health kicks/diets to get fully on board but he is coming around and I have found amazing support and friendships on MFP.

• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public) No. I keep to myself mostly and I am not telling people outside my very closest that I am watching my calories or exercising.

• What motivates you?
Pride, Love, Happiness.

• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)
In the past I have been thrown completely off by a bad day or even a slice of pie. I can't diet anymore. I have made a change for the rest of my life. I can't avoid Thanksgiving and pie feasibly until I die so I have made room for splurges and failures and I have a new friend on MFP who actually created a spreadsheet that allows you t see you calories and exercise laid out for the month and it has helped me t see that the peaks and valleys tend to even out as long as I keep my eye on long term goals. This has made it easier to not panic or throw in the towel if one day adds up too high.


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible) I feel like I have already met my goal. I want to shed some more weight but I know that with a positive mindset and dedication I will get there without a doubt. It seems far away at times (like when trying on swimsuits) but other times it seems very near. It feels entirely possible and that matters most.


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal? The same only lighter. I will have to continue exercising regularly and eating with nutrition in mind as well as preplanning to avoid pitfalls for life.


• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next? If getting into healthy body fat % range does not make me feel more attractive and healthy then I will have to take personal stock of what is most important to me and work towards attaining that.


• What is your biggest worry? That I will find and take a quick easy route to weight loss and or start to obsess over weight and ruin all the healthy groundwork I have laid.


• What have you learnt on your journey so far? That I can live without potato chips and that going out to dinner is fun and easy while counting calories if you plan ahead and just relax.


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote? "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."

• Gender: F
• Age: 36

• Starting weight: 224
• Current weight: 200
• Goal weight: 170

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)
To feel healthier, have more stamina, and look better to myself.

• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)
I used to always be the thin one, until I got comfortable in a long term relationship. We didn't eat healthy and I became much less active.

• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?
No.

• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered)
No.

• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)
I feel a little pressure, especially because when I weighed less, people used to ask if I was a model. It was very flattering.

• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?
I have a picture of when I was 20, which is my inspiration. So, I'd say I have my ideal body.

• Why do you want to look that way?
Because I felt so much healthier and attractive at that time.

• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)
I am watching calories, fat, sugars and such as well as getting off my butt more often. Hiking most weekends and walking more.

• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?
I would love to have slimmer thighs and firmer arms.

• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)
I feel awesome about it! I have never lasted this long on a weight loss plan and haven't had this much success since giving up soda and fast food about 5 years ago.

• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)
I have many people supporting me. My two sisters and my mom, a brother in law, and a couple of friends are on here as well as people I've added online. My sisters and mom are the ones I go hiking and walking with each week.

• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public)
Not much, other than some people who have been looking to lose weight are asking me how I've done it.

• What motivates you?
Each time I walk or lose weight, I feel better about myself. Also, my husband is proud of me and encourages me.

• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)
A couple of times when I went over my calories, I was a little disappointed, but I made sure to make up for it the next day.

• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)
I'm excited to be getting closer each week. I'm about a third of the way there, so I'm hoping to reach it at least by the end of the year, or my anniversary in September. That would be great!

• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?
I will be ecstatic! I thik I'll go have a spa day.

• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?
I'm sure I will, bit if not, I'll find another goal.

• What is your biggest worry?
Gaining weight during the summer if I don't have a job to get me out of the house.

• What have you learned on your journey so far?
It takes focus, determination, and willpower to keep going. Also, you don't have to "give up" certain foods, just moderate.

• What is your favourite (relevant) quote?
"I focus on the destination so much that I miss the journey there and back." Poets of the Fall

Gender: female
Age: 20
Starting weight: 217
Current weight: between 205-207
Goal weight: 130-135

What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)
I want to lose weight to feel better about myself, fit in skinny clothes again, to look fantastic on my wedding day, and just to be healthier in general. I want to live a long life and once I have kids I want them to look up to me and I want to be able to run around and be the best mom possible. I know I can't do that unless I'm healthy.

Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)
From about age 5, I was chubby. As I got older, I did grow into my weight and was only about 15-20lbs overweight. I've ALWAYS been self-conscious about my weight. I had a pretty bad/hard childhood where I was around lots of things I shouldn't have been around, unstable living situations, and I was forced to take care of myself early on so that may have attributed to many of my problems but I can't say for sure.

Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?
Not really. When I eat unhealthy, I do tend to eat more then I should but I don't think it qualifies as binging. Its never been that extreme.

Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered)
No. I did have one time at age 13-14 where I attempted to starve myself but it only lasted 2-3 days so it was more of a fast, I guess.

Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)
At one point, I did. I thought guys would only like you if you looked like a barbie but as I got older, I learned about all the different surgeries, treatments, and photoshop that makes celebrities appear to be perfect and I realized it was impossible. Once I grew into my weight more & started taking time to do my hair, makeup, etc. the compliments came pouring in and I gained a fair amount of confidence. I no longer feel pressure from the media to look super tan, skinny, and flawless but I do believe they put pressure on people that if you don't look a certain way then you aren't beautiful.

Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?
I haven't put much thought into this but right off the top of my head probably someone like Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears. Not too slim, not fat either.

Why do you want to look that way?
I prefer some meat on my bones. I don't think I'd look good too skinny nor would I be happy that way. As far as genetics go, all the women in my family are curvy naturally and I find that to be ideal.

What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)
Currently I'm eating primal which basically means to eat like people from the paleolithic time period but I also allow myself to have dairy. I don't eat grains, anything with gluten, sugar other then natural occuring sugars, or anything processed/artificial. I do allow a cheat every once & a while but I try to keep them somewhat healthy and I don't go overboard. I'm currently doing a program called Insanity which consists of very intense circuit training using nothing more then your body. Other then that, I do lots of yardwork/gardening, walking my dog, and bicycling.

Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?
I'm trying to change all over but most of my weight is concentrated in my stomach/hip/thigh area.


How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)
I'm highly motivated and feel very positive about my success thus far and look forward to future losses.

Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)
I have wonderful people on Myfitnesspal as well as my fiance whom is also doing the same workout/dietary plan as me.

Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public)
I think so. When I explain primal eating, I don't feel like I get taken seriously and they treat me like I'm crazy but it doesn't bother me.

What motivates you?
Old pictures of myself, refusing to get married fat, getting back into a bikini, looking good for my fiance, and just wanting to not feel like crap all the time.

If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)
I've had a few cheats but I don't consider that as falling off the wagon. I did try losing weight a few years ago and I slowly drifted back into my old lifestyle. I didn't notice it until I was a full-blown junkaholic again and at that point, I was disappointed in myself but wasn't motivated enough to make better choices until way later.


How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)
At times it feels impossible and like it will take forever but then when I do the math, I realize it shouldn't be THAT far away. I try to remind myself there are people who've lost 2-3x as much as me so I have it pretty easy.

How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?
Words cannot describe the happiness I will feel. I expect to be even more energetic, confident, etc.


What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?
There is no doubt in my mind that I will feel much better then what I do now.


What is your biggest worry?
Failure. I'm motivated to no end but the thought still lingers in my mind & scares me. I'm also terrified that I won't have a really nice butt.


What have you learnt on your journey so far?
That I have way more self-control and willpower then I ever thought possible. That's probably the biggest thing.


What is your favourite (relevant) quote?
If you're not fainting, puking, or dying then keep going. - Jillian Michaels

• Gender: female
• Age: 29

• Starting weight: 450 plus
• Current weight: 347
• Goal weight: 200

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? to be healthier than i have ever been in my life...i want to look and feel better about myself and what i do...


• Tell me a bit about your past…I have not always been unhappy with my weight..up until a few years ago i thought i didnt have a problem and led a very outgoing life..then i saw a picture of myself and thought oh my goodness...wth have i been doing...

• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder? emotional/overeating disorder yes...


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered) nope.


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate) not really..


• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration? i really havent gave this much thought...
• Why do you want to look that way?

• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…) i had the sleeve done in nov of 2012...im watching what i eat; mostly high protein..and joined a gym


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over? all over...i would like to be a lil more toned and more loss in my abdomen and legs...


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated) i feel positive about it..103 lbs since the middle of september...although im losing motivation ..


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online) yes...MFP friends are amazing...i have a few in person who help me...


• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public) not really..


• What motivates you? my family....and my desire for a bigger family..


• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset) upset...but i try to get back on the wagon the next day


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible) its so far away but im taking it day by day...feeling excited so far


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal? amazing!!! ectastic....


• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next? hard work until i get where i wanna be..


• What is your biggest worry? that ill get there and not be happy or get where i wanna be and not like how i look

• What have you learnt on your journey so far? that nothing is impossible..


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote? nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission

• Gender: Female
• Age: 33

• Starting weight: 230
• Current weight: 214
• Goal weight: 160

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which)
I want to lose weight to be healthy, first and foremost! Of course, I'd love to feel better about my appearance as well. I want to be able to keep up with my kids. I also want to be able to shop in "normal" clothing stores, not "Plus-sized" stores, and not be the "fat girl".

• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)
I've always been overweight (with the exception of a couple of years in my mid-20's when I dropped 80lbs). I didn't want to be outside in the heat. I loved to read and watch t.v. My mom struggled with her weight as long as I can remember. I used to do Jane Fonda workout cassette tapes with her when I was 5 or 6. I remember getting a "Get in Shape Girl" kit for Christmas when I was 8 or 9 and having hurt feelings. Friday night was always "go out to eat" night, and I can remember looking forward to it all week--from age 5-14.


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?
I overeat because I like food. I really enjoy it! But, I'm also an emotional eater, and have been since childhood. Food was a reward, and our family celebrations always revolve around HUGE meals and delicious food.

• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered) n/a


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)
Looking at magazines, and watching T.V. we all are presented with an idea of beauty. I will never fit into THAT box. My shoulders are too broad, my hips too narrow, my butt too flat, my middle too thick.


• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?
Gabrielle Reece has an AMAZING body


• Why do you want to look that way?
She looks healthy, beautiful, and strong.


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)
I've just joined MFP and am logging my calories and following my food plan carefully. I'm also doing Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred, and trying to be more active. Did my first 10K today!


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?
I carry most of my weight in my middle. My legs are always thin, even at my heaviest. My upper arms are a tab bit flabby. My torso is like a barrel.


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)
I'm very motivated at the moment. I'm about 3 weeks in to this lifestyle change, and I'm still dropping weight pretty quickly. I still have a positive outlook, and hope that I will be healthy at my goal weight next year at this time.


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)
My friends and family are very supportive, and many of them are on their own fitness journies. MFP provides me with a great support group. My husband is VERY supportive, and encouraging, and even agreed today to join MFP!


• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public)
I haven't seen it this time around. 10 years ago when I lost 80lbs. I noticed how differently I was treated as a "skinny" person. The cashier at the grocery store is nicer. Vendors at work were much more friendly. I was invited to do more with co-workers. Even family members that I grew up with said things like, "You look so much better!!! I didn't even recognize you."


• What motivates you?
My 3 sons, and an intrinsic desire to be better.


• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset)
I just know I have to work harder to "pay for it" and get through the set backs.


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)
I made a short term goal on MFP. When I reach it, i'll readjust so that I never feel despair.


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?
I'll be happy and relieved that I made it. Then, I'll beging the next step; maintenance.

• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?
I can't worry about how I might feel. I have to take one day at a time.


• What is your biggest worry?
I'm scared of the plateaus, because I know they are coming.


• What have you learnt on your journey so far?
Never give up. I can be motivational to others, as well.


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote?
"The only easy day was yesterday"

• Gender:Male
• Age:36

• Starting weight:215lbs
• Current weight:199lbs
• Goal weight:190lbs

• What are your reasons for wanting to lose/gain weight? (Please state which) Lose belly fat and tone up. Then pack on some muscle.


• Tell me a bit about your past… (Were you always unhappy with your weight? Did it begin in childhood? Did a specific event trigger unnatural eating habits?)I used to be a bean pole when i was younger but as i got older got lazy and drank and ate too much junk.


• Would you consider yourself as having an eating disorder?No


• Have you ever had an eating disorder in the past? (If you are now recovered)No


• Do you feel pressure from the media to look a certain way? (If so please elaborate)No


• Who has your ideal body/Who is your body inspiration?Tom Hardy


• Why do you want to look that way?He looks like a beast!


• What are you doing to change your weight? Please give as much info as possible (Specific diet/workout plan/taking supplements/surgery…)Healthy eating, as clean as possible with occasional fasting.


• Do you have ‘problem areas’ (please specify) or are you trying to change all over?Problem area is always tummy.


• How do you feel about your weight loss/gain? (Positive/negative/motivated)Pretty positive. I just need to leave the chocolate alone.


• Have you got people who support you? (In real life/Online)Lots of people on MFP


• Has dieting changed how people see/treat you now? (Friends/family/public) Yes. I get told i'm losing too much weight and that my eating habits are weird.


• What motivates you?People around me that have a lot more weight to shift. There are people on MFP that have a starting weight of say 300lbs and work off half if not more. Pretty inspirational stuff.


• If/when you ‘fall off the wagon’ how do you feel? (Like giving up/motivated to do better/like punishing yourself/upset) Pretty bad. If i get the munchies i get it bad and also find it hard to get motivated sometimes. Makes me feel like ive wasted my time getting fit to then just put the weight back on again.


• How do you feel about reaching your goal? (Is it close/far away/does it seem impossible)Is very close. Just need to stick to my regime.


• How do you think you will feel when you reach your goal?It's a great feeling. It's hard work to so it's great when it finally pays off.


• What if you don’t feel that way? What will you do next?I'm positive it wont happen.


• What is your biggest worry?Injury! I had a wrist injury for months. Made me very depressed


• What have you learnt on your journey so far?If you don't put in the time and work hard you will get nothing out of it. When you do it's the best feeling in the world.


• What is your favourite (relevant) quote? Rome wasn't built in a day , neither was your body.