1) Jen
2) Upstate New York (not the city)
3) Sticking to a 1200 calorie diet

I have lost 19 lbs and wish to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight (my youngest is 8 years old). I have about 13 lbs. to go. I have no problem with sticking to a workout plan, but I do have a problem with controlling my food intake. I am happy that I've gone from a 8-10 to a size 4-6. Almost there, then I focus on maintaining.

My driving force is being a healthy example for our 4 kids. I also want to live a long, healthy life with my husband who is in great shape. With the changes I've already made, I notice I have a lot more energy and patience. I also notice other things have improved and become more fun

1) Steve
2) West of Cleveland, Ohio
3) Continued activity and fitness - I'm basically lazy, and need structured workouts or I won't do them.

I'm actually maintaining now. Since starting this journey in September, I've lost 40 pounds, and since June 1 haven't fluctuated from 150 by more than 1.5 pounds. (Just got back from two weeks in the Seattle area, eating wonderful food, and returned weighing only a bit more than when I left home.) I've completely changed my eating habits, reducing portion size, eating much more fresh veggies and fruits, and am much more active.

In January, I got the Withings scale, Pulse, and BP monitor, so those all keep me on track. I go to cardiac rehab 3-times a week, I started riding my bicycle a lot more, we walk more, and we bought two kayaks earlier this summer. I'm out in the garden more and in front of the computer less.

So my biggest hurdle is going to be sticking with the workouts, and keeping active over the winter.

1: Amanda
2: Maine
3: Biggest obstacle to overcome? The mental aspect of losing weight/getting healthy.

I started my journey on here last year at the end of March and lost 37 pounds in the 3 1/2 months I was on here. As life likes to do I was thrown a couple of curve balls that topped my priority list and MFP and exercising fell second. However I managed to maintain during the time I was gone! I'm quite proud I didn't gain a pound back!! I've been back for 28 days and I'm ecstatic to be continuing on with this lifestyle change.

My family is one of the biggest things I have to give me the drive to continue on with my journey. My father and his side of the family are all tall, large people. Most of them obese or morbidly obese. I need to break the cycle. As I approach 30 (next year) I realize that NOW is the time because it isn't going to get any easier the older I get.

I look forward to having a healthy, long life for myself fist & foremost. Not to mention if I happen to get married again and perhaps have a family, I'll be in the best health for them as well.

1) Christa
2) Michigan
3) My biggest obstacle is consistency.

I lost 45 pounds in 2012 and got down to a size 4. I was in the best shape of my life at the age of 40! I managed to keep most of the weight off, just fluctuated slightly from time to time. This year has really been rough with losing my dad to cancer in June. I am one to "eat my feelings" and boy did I!!! Before I knew it, I had put 20 pounds back on. I've been back on track for a little over a month now, but I'm getting frustrated because the scale isn't doing what I think it should. I'm getting married on June 13, 2015, so I am really determined to get at least 15 pounds off of me by then!