I was actually opposite, skinny as a rail as a kid. In fact, I was frequently nicknamed "Skinny butt" or "Toothpick" growing up. I also grew up vegetarian and was fairly active. I was always sent outside to play with my brother while my mom cooked. I probably spent an average of 2-3 hours running around outside for a good 10 years of my life. When I went to high school, I kept the vegetarian lifestyle and participated in a lot of sports like volleyball, track, and such.

College was when things really changed. The stress of school work coupled with having no real time for relaxation was the catalyst for me gaining weight. However, the biggest culprit was when my brother died in 2005. He was my best friend and the only real person who "got me". After being diagnosed with situational clinical depression and taking several antidepressants, I gained a whopping 70 pounds in about a year. I know now that while I thought at the time that my world was falling apart, I can and will take charge of my health.

I originally started MFP in 2011, joined a gym, and was good for about 2 months. Then I stopped doing anything while paying for a gym membership wasn't using. In 2014 I came back and managed to lose 40 pounds before sinking into depression around the 10 year anniversary of my brother's death. Today, I am back with even greater determination because I know I can do it in the first place but I also need as much support as I can get. I didn't think I needed MFP but the past couple of months I've done a lot of soul-searching that has now made me realize more than ever that we can all help each other during good and bad times. In fact, it's those bad times that I think we really need others the most. Unfortunately, I had to take a hiatus from MFP to realize that but thank goodness the band wagon is still there ready to let you back on!!

My highest weight was 240, I lost a little over 40 pounds last year and actually saw 196.8 on the scale. However, over the holiday, I gain about 10 pounds. I was a size 18 all the way until hitting ONEderland and barely tip-toed into a size 16 before gaining weight. I managed to not just try on but wear a pair of pants I haven't worn for about a decade! I know if I did it once, I can do it again!

Thanks for starting this group, I look forward to this journey again!

Hi! I'm a 42 year old overeater who has maintained my weight in the upper levels of the normal range most of my life through being active (I've been a 15+ mile a week jogger for twenty years) and mostly eating very healthy (lots of veggies) with the overindulgence being on top of that. As I've gotten older, it has been harder and harder to stay in the normal weight range, and over the last few months I've gained ten pounds which pushed me into the overweight range. I decided this is the year I'm fixing the overeating thing and losing the extra weight. I'm 5'5" and hit 151 on Christmas, and started a lifestyle change the day after. I'm counting calories via MFP (target of <1600 calories a day) and maintaining my exercise, plus adding a little more weight lifting. I've lost 5 pounds (probably like 3 of water weight) in the last week and a half. My short-term goal is to hit 140 by end of January, and longer term to hit 20% body fat by July (I anticipate I'll be at around 125 lbs.) More importantly, I want to get in control of my compulsive overeating (eating regularly past the point of fullness/when not hungry even when it's no longer pleasurable).

Age: 42
Height: 5'5"
CW: 146
Short Term GW: 140
Long Term GW: 125

Lyssa, here

2nd year of really trying to get in shape.

4 years ago, I went from working the sales floor at Kohl's to doing tech support for a school district, which lead to a drastic drop in activity. Over these 4 years, I gained about 15 pounds, putting me at 140 lbs on a 5' tall gal.

In that time, I also realized I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, which explained a lot of my energy issues in the winter. Once I realized this, I was able to look into how to manage it. It's been a slow process - and harder because there's really only 2-3 months where I can test a new strategy each year - but I'm getting there. Almost had it under control this year, so I have hope for next year

Over 2013-14, I managed to maintain my weight, rather than gain 5 pounds over winter.

Last year, I participated in a biggest loser competition with my colleagues, and lost nearly 25 pounds from January 2015 - June 2015.

Took a maintenance break, did a lot of shopping (it's amazing how much clothing I just couldn't wear anymore...) and now I'm back to try to lose a bit more. No idea what "a bit" is, and I'm trying to do more with strength training this time around.

Kinda wanna see if I can get to 110 and be happy, but if I find that's too tough, I'll just do a slow gain back to where I am now.

Much more interested in lifting things and tightening up all around so I can feel confident in the new swimsuit I plan to buy

~Lyssa

forgot to include goals.
short term weight loss goal is to loose 10 pounds by the end of the eight week challenge. So that is getting down to 220 by March 2

next goal would be to weight in at 199 pounds by my 50th birthday 06-29

Hi everyone
I lost 17kgs through being on shakes for a year and was very happy with my weight however bad habits returned and I have regained 14kgs back.
I would like to lose the weight without going back on the shakes and giving up beer completely. I wiuld like to commit to the gym three times a week doing body pump.
I would like to lose 10kgs to sit at a weight that is more realisticly achievable to maintain.
I look forward to losing weight with you all.

@robingmurphy I use an OMRON Body Fat Analyzer that I got on amazon and I think it only cost like $30 or so, it's not 100% accurate, but it shows your trends and can give you a general idea of how you are doing until you can get into a trainer and/or physician who can do a more accurate reading with the calipers. I've also heard some scales they sell now can do a similar thing, but haven't tried one of those.

Along the same lines of Body Fat analysis I've read that the most accurate readings are the ones done underwater, but I understand that those are VERY expensive and living on an island in S.E. Alaska we don't even have access to one like that, at least that I am aware of.

Hi everyone! My background: I was fairly thin growing up, then I hit college and got to the border of overweight according to the BMI scale, then I went to grad school, bought a house, and got married in the past 3 years and that pushed me over to my heaviest weight of 160. I'm 5'5'' so it was overweight but not by a ton. My bigger concern is that most of the women in my family have Type 2 diabetes. They're overweight, in pain, and have tons of limits on what they can eat and when. I don't want this to be my future but if I kept gaining, that's where I was headed.

Around June of last year I became more committed to losing weight and keeping it off. I also started running. At first, it was awful. I did couch to 5k (a wonderful program) and struggled! But I kept going, kept pushing, and after months and months of work (along with plenty of setbacks and lessons learned via mistakes) I can now run for 5 miles straight! I'm signed up for some longer races this year and am hoping to continue to see improvements in my running.

Is it to late to join? If not:
I am Becky. I have been heavy my whole life. I never really lasted long on any diet. 1-2 days max as I had NO willpower. Last January (2014) I decided enough was enough and did something about it. I chose a low carb route while still counting calories. I cut out almost all sugar and carbs from processed foods. I ate all fruits and vegetables except corn and potatoes. I lost 70 pounds as of November. But then the holidays came and I allowed myself to make excuses. Oops! I gained 10 pounds back. That is too many when I worked so hard to lose them. Well I am DONE with that nonsense. But I am still having problems saying no to my cravings.
My goals for the next 8 weeks:
1. Lose 10 pounds
2. Increase my exercise. (I was walking 2.5-3 miles daily 3-4 times a week up until November)
3. Drink more water. At least 64 ounces a day
4. Say no to unhealthy cravings.