New Member Intro and Survey

Welcome Tigerlilly! What is your name?

Hi, I am new and a stay at home mom of two kids in school all day.

If I type /snickers in a post it simply means that I am snickering at what ever is being said. I sometimes put / then what ever action I am thinking of.

Instead of I may put /smiles or /hugs for

Welcome to our wonderful team! Enjoy your journey. And just what does "/snickers" mean? Obviously I'm not a gamer! Have a super day!

I played the Sims 2 and 3, but my game of choice was World of Warcraft. I had to choose between WoW and joining the gym. won!

MJ, welcome! So cool that you used to be a gamer...a lot of my family members are, but I am not. The closest I've been is SIMS! LOL

I thought I had already posted this, but I guess not. So here it goes:

Name: Melly (MJ, Melissa I answer to anything)

Location: Texas (Brazos Valley)

Date Joined SP: 7/31/2008 - I have not been active this entire time. I have only been really active these past few months

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: I wanted to be 135. My Dr says 140, but the original goal when I started summer 08 was to be a size 8. I was a 14 to start and I am a 10 now.

Overall Goal: To be fit and fabulous by my 40th birthday, which is approaching quicker than I would like.

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I love my dogs almost as much as my kids, and I used to be a "gamer" so I use a lot of emotes in my typing. I often forget not every one knows what it means when I type "/snickers"

Anything else you want to share: I am looking forward to this journey!

Jan, glad you are with us!!

Name: Jan
Location: Utah (right by the Mountains--love it)
Date Joined SP: 2008
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss
Original: 155
Current: 140
Eventual: 135
Overall Goal: be healthy and fit
2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
Just adopted a cute little Shihtzu named Bandit
Signed up for the "Wasatch Back" Relay that you run 3 times within 24 hours. What was I thinking??
Anything else you want to share:
Have a great DH and 4 wonderful kids with 7 of the cutest grandkids!
**SPOTLIGHTANGEL being named best group leader led me to this group.

Welcome Marie! After all the talking we've done, I'm so excited you are part of the team!

hi everyone!! i'm new to this team but I'm really excited to be part of it and get to know all of you!

Name: Marie
Location: Boston/Worcester, Massachusetts
Date Joined SP: February 9, 2010
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss
- Original: 176
- Current: 130
- Eventual: 120 - weight loss total of 56
Overall Goal: to lose the weight i gained during this past semester, fit into my size 2 jeans again and feel confident about my body (some really toned abs wouldn't hurt either!)
2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
- I am a professional dancer
- I will graduate Magna Cum Laude from college in May!
Anything else you want to share:
- After struggling for the past year and a half with three eating disorders, i want to take control of my life, live binge free without starving myself, and enjoy working out everyday not just some of the time. I want to look in a mirror and be happy with what I see and just be comfortable and confident overall!

Awesome...cool shows. Haven't done any of those...my more recent shows were Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Julia in Wedding Singer, and Charity in Sweet Charity. I am getting ready to audition for Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors here in a few weeks!

I have played violin for lots of musical theatre! love it! King & I, Evita, Jekyll & Hyde, and others!

Zelda, I am performer too! Musical Theater!

Name: Zelda
Location: Staten Island, NY
Date Joined SP: January 2009
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss
- Original: 176
- Current: 158.2
- Eventual: 135 or less!
Overall Goal: to not hate mirrors and other reflective surfaces so much anymore
2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
- I was a performer for most of my life (musical comedy, NY nightclubs) but haven't done it in a few years
- I am working hard to get some of my inventions made & make jobs in the process.
- I also joined after seeing the motivator bit on SPOTLIGHTANGEL. I'm always on the lookout for active teams & challenges.

Welcome Losingitin_2010! I am new here too and found this team the same way. They have already made me feel so welcome and motivated. I think we found a winner here! Have a super day!

Hi, I'm Alice and from the state of Iowa. I teach lst grade in a small town. I have taught for 28 years. I still enjoy teaching the kids.
I started Spark 9/l6/09 at 208 pounds. I am now at 198 and will eventually be at l38. I primarily work out on the treadmill each day and do some dvd's.

I have been married to my husband, Rick, for 25 years. We have 2 childen. A daughter, Jenny, who is 22 and a son, Josh, who is l5.

I found this team when I saw who the leader of the month was and started reading up on the team. Sounds like a great inspiring team to be on.

Edited by: LOSINGITALL4ME at: 2/9/2010 (15:21)

Welcome Terri! Enjoy the SPARK!

Hello. My name is Terri and I joined SparkPeople back in 2008 but didn't stick with it. I have yo-yo'ed with my weight up and down all my life. 150 is typically the highest I get and then I lose it and go back to 120-125. I would like to stop this yo-yo-ing and STAY at a healthy weight. For me...that would be 125. I'm an emotional eater and I sabotage all of my successes. I am really hoping that I can change for LIFE this time. I need support and encouragement and I will give the same!

I'm from the Cleveland area and we are getting a lot of snow today. My hobbies are bead weaving jewelry and singing jazz and rock.

I'm on chapter 3 of The Spark. Such a great read already!

Have a super day, everyone! Let's all get out there and MOVE!

Terri

Virama, thank you! Welcome to the team!

Name: Virama
Location: Miami, FL
Date Joined SP: January 18, 2010
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss
- Original: 180
- Current: 175
- Eventual: 135 - weight loss total of 35
Overall Goal: be healthy and fit
2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
- I love to bake; I love cats
Anything else you want to share:
- SPOTLIGHTANGEL you are an inspiration and being named best group leader led me to this group. My goal is to get rid of this weight and keep it off. I always get rid of weight and it ends up finding me back....this time I will learn to maintain!!!

Thank you so much!

Laurie

Laurie, congrats on your 43 pounds gone! That is GREAT!

Name: Laurie
Location: Waukesha, WI (1/2 way between Milwaukee and Madison)
Date Joined SP: December 3, 2009
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 150ish / 1-2 pounds/wk
Overall Goal: 80 pounds; cardio 5x week; strength 2-3x week
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I will graduate with my Bachelor's degree in Nursing May 9 2010; I am mom of 3 wonderful girls and wife to an amazing guy!
Anything else you want to share: I started my journey June 12, 2009 and have lost 43 pounds since then. I have lost 17 pounds since joining Spark in December.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Welcome Beth--we have a love of cats too! We have 2--but might have to get rid of one because she isn't being a nice kitty lately!

Name: beth
Location: Seattle area
Date Joined SP: 4/2008
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 130/11
Overall Goal: to continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I play the violin
and love cats

Anything else you want to share:just happy to be here!

Sarah--don't be intimidated. We are just a close knit group of people that offer support to each other when it is needed. We are glad you joined and be brutally honest whenever you want!

Ed--Welcome! We are glad to have you...and "pulling your weight" shouldn't be hard. Just stop by as often as you can, let us know how you are doing, offer support to others if they need it, and get support when you need it! It is a great place to be!

Name: Ed
Location: San Jose, CA
Date Joined SP: October 2009
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss
- Original: 220/10
- Current: 205/10
- Eventual: 195 for a total of 35
Overall Goal: be healthy and fit
2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
- I used to play rugby, but I'm in better shape
now then when I played.
- I've been vegetarian since Thanksgiving
Anything else you want to share:
- Congrats to SPOTLIGHTANGEL. The announcement
of you being named the best group leader is what
brought me to this group. I will try to pull
my weight on this team, though I hope that will
get easier over time!

Name: Sarah (but call me anything else if you want)

Location: South Shore of Massachusetts

Date Joined SP: 31 Jan 2010

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: at the moment 200/65 down but then 160.

Overall Goal: Honestly, to be able to sit in a chair and pull my legs up on the seat as well. Also- to regain my grasp on life and reality, I feel like I miss so much these days.

2 Random, Fun Facts about You:
1. I am double jointed in every single one of my fingers, so I can make these weird claws that crack and freak people out.
2. I was studying mathematics in college when one day I decided to change my major to Theatre Art even though I had absolutely no intention of ever doing theatre after graduating. I now (want to) work in the math field.

Anything else you want to share: Right now I'm a jobless bum trying to find work, so I'm going crazy with focus on getting a good basis in healthy living since I have tons of time. I am brutally honest much of the time, which keeps me from posting a lot, but I'm going to try. Also, I was really nervous about joining this group for some reason. The very idea behind it and the smallness of the group made me so intimidated that it took me a week to actually join. Which says a lot about how well I'll be able to bring myself to post often.

Thank you...
I like your name...my middle name is Melissa! :)

Name: Melissa Palmer

Location: North Florida

Date Joined SP: 1/2008

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 120/50

Overall Goal: to be healthier

2 Random, Fun Facts about You:

1) I used to recruit pilots for an airline. 90% of them thought they were Tom Cruise.

2) During labor with my last child, I was relatively quiet and focused until I shouted out just once "Ouch, this hurts!" I then went back to being fairly quiet and focused.

Anything else you want to share: I am a stay-at-home mom with 2 kids, 2 cats, and a husband. I think that makes me a pretty good juggler. Now I just need to find a way to keep my health as a priority in the mix. I re-started with SP just this month and so far am doing well. I just need to stay connected to other like-minded members.

Oh, and CONGRATS to Ashley on making leader of the month!

Rachel--congrats on your upcoming anniversary!

Karen--I like making jewelry too, but I'm not very good at it! I need more practice!

Edited by: SPOTLIGHTANGEL at: 2/8/2010 (17:45)

to all the new members!!

Name: Karen
Location: SE PA
Date Joined SP: 2/1/10
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 125/25lbs
Overall Goal: reduce my cholesterol,and to be healthy and live life to the fullest
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I love lampworking and making jewelry.
Anything else you want to share:will be married 30 yrs this year to a wonderful supportive man, have one son, a cat lover, love to cook, garden, and fish.
So glad I found SP!

Name: Rachel
Location: Hilliard, FL (Jacksonville area)
Date Joined SP: 10/12/2009
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 135/ 100 lbs to lose total
Overall Goal: avoiding weight-related health issues, having energy and confidence to do anything
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I sing. This Saturday I'll celebrate 3 years of marriage to my best friend.. who I met online.
Anything else you want to share: I just started seriously using SP at the beginning of 2010, so far I've lost 13 LBS!

Edited by: MUCHMOREMAMA at: 2/8/2010 (15:16)

Susie, I always thought it would be cool to own a bakery...a healthy bakery, but I'm not a good baker. I can make healthy banana bread!

Pamela, glad your son is home from Iraq. My mother in law just got back from Iraq in December after 2 years.

Shirley, sorry to hear about your elbow!

Melody---I LOVE YOUR NAME! I am singer and I've always loved that name!

Nancy, you might not want to hear this, but my kittens are 2 now and still destructive! :)

Name: Nancy
Location: Manteo, NC an island between NC mainland and the Outer Banks
Date Joined: 5/27/2009, but recommitted in Feb 2010
Goal Weight 150 lbs
Overall Goal: To become fit and healthy. Like another member, I'm at the shorter end of my life and want it to be the best it can be!
Random fun facts: I moved here from Atlanta almost 3 years ago. I have a sweet Bichon named Sherrie and a Calico cat who was bottle-fed when she was a kitten. I'm just waiting for her to mature and become less destructive!

Name: Melody
Location: Chestermere, Alberta, Canada (just outside of Calgary)
Date Joined: I think it was Oct 2007, I have been an on and off again Sparker
Goal Weight 145-150 lbs
Overall Goal: To become the fit and healthy person I know I can be.
2 Random fun facts: I started Taekwondo in January and I am loving it; I have two lovely dogs, Holly a Malmute/Husky mix and Toby a mix of cattle type dogs we think.

Name: Shirley
Location: Near Seattle WA
Date Joined SP: 2/01/2010
Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: to lose 16.5# (lost 10# as of Saturday - woohoo)
Overall Goal: to be able to keep up with my son - a 6 year old dynamo. To feel healthy and fit.
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I broke my elbow in a hang gliding crash landing years ago! That makes me sound like such a daredevil, but I'm soooo NOT!
Anything else you want to share: I'm excited to be a part of this community.

Name: Pamela Mayers

Location: ATL Ga

Date Joined SP: Jan 31 2007

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 100/ lost 1 pound last week

Overall Goal: To be healthy, fit, enjoy the new me

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I love to read,spend time with family(son just got back from Iraq so we are havin a ball!!!)

Anything else you want to share: so happy I found this site 3 years ago, thankful for all my beautiful friends I have made through out the years!!

PS I would love to join in on one of the teams with the new challenge!!

Susie
Connecticut
Start date: January 18, 2010
SW 205
CW 194
GW 150 or so...see when I get there
Age 61

Overall goal is to be a healthy and fit woman. Life is getting a bit shorter and being healthy is more important to me now.

Fun facts:
Former owner/founder of Muffins & More...a wholesale baking company...probably not a good choice for a compulsive overeater! :) My compulsion has changed from food to SparkPeople...a very wise choice indeed.

I'm a nature lover thanks to my father and love knowing and sharing all that he taught me.

Sunshine, I LOVE candles, so we would be a good match!

Kelli, I also love to dance, as does Amalia, my co-leader! :)

Name: CircusKelli (Kelli)

Location: Northern, Illinois

Date Joined SP: April 2009

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 130 have lost 5

Overall Goal: To be healthy and feel good

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I love to dance. I also work full time and take care of my husband and three 'clowns'

Anything else you want to share: Proud to be a member of SparkPeople and to have found this team

Name: Sunshine
Location: Augusta, GA
Date Joined SP: 01-24-2010

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: Short term goal is 200(loss of 35 lbs) long term goal is 135 (loss of 100 lbs)

Overall Goal: To be a fitter, healthier, happier me. To do the things I want but have let my weight keep me from doing.

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: 1) Even at 28 my mom is still my best friend! 2) I love to make handmade candles, incense and air fresheners, it is just a ton of fun!

Anything else you want to share: Just that I'm so glad I found SP. I know I can do it this time!

I live in Albuquerque

Jenn- congrats on your little girl and your marriage anniversary!

Kelly- I also love peanut butter!

Hope= where in Colorado? I feel drawn to Denver and I have never been there. But everything in my life lately has been telling me to go there.

HELEN- Where in NM? I have family in TAOS! I LOVE it there!

Name: Helen

Location: New Mexico

Date Joined SP: Jan 2009

Goal Weight/Goal Weight Loss: 165 have lost 50 pounds so far

Overall Goal: To be healthy and feel good

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I love my yorkie Gus I work full time and take care of my mother

Anything else you want to share: Proud to be a member of SparkPeople and to have found this team

Name: Kelly
Location: Illinois
Date Joined SP: 4/2007
Goal Weight Loss: 100 lbs
Overall Goal: To be Healthy, Hot, Happy, and Trim
2 Random, Fun Facts about You: I once managed a rock band...and I love peanut butter!
Anything else you want to share: I worked in Occupational Heath for 10 years before I had cancer. Currently I am trying to get my health back! I like to write down Fashion Model as my current occupation!

Name: Jennifer

Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Date Joined SP: Signed up Feb 2007 but did not use the site until November 2007.

Goal Weight: Not sure
Goal Weight Loss: Loose my pregnancy weight plus an additional 10, maybe 15 pounds....we will see.

Overall Goal: To get back to where I was before pregnancy and train for my 2010 races.

2 Random, Fun Facts about You: My husband and I moved back to Texas in Feb 09 after living in Siberia for 3 years because of his job. It was an amazing adventure to say the least! I am also a BIG fan of musical theatre.

Anything else you want to share: Just celebrated 10 years of marriage and we are expecting our first baby, a little girl April 8th!!!