I joined Peertrainer in February 2006 because I had hit a plateau with my weight loss, at about 10 pounds above my "healthy range". I was able to overcome that plateau, and now I'm only 2 pounds over my "healthy range", thanks to my Peertrainer Pals.

The accountability that I get on Peertrainer is probably the thing that got my weight moving - I log in every day and know that my group and team members are reading and evaluating everything I enter in. If I have a day where I don't make smart eating choices, someone on Peertrainer is bound to ask me about it and offer suggestions for doing better next time. Sometimes there are days when I don't feel like working out, and I can count on my Peertrainer pals to say something along the lines of "I'll go to my gym after work if you'll go to yours".

I don't know what I'd do without the friends I've made on Peertrainer!

I joined Peertrainer in June 2005, weighing 198lbs and feeling somewhat hopeless, helpless, embarrassed and alone in my obesity predicament. Since joining I've lost 33lbs, added regular exercise into my life, and most importantly learnt new strategies, new recipes and new ways to cope with a whole range of life's challenges, not just the weight-related ones. The diversity of the community on Peertrainer, and the ample opportunities to interact and seek advice or share problems/stories/ideas/experiences is one of its major strengths. I feel like I have a whole new support system in my life. My world is richer for learning about others' weightloss journeys and commiserating or congratulating them and just cheering each other on in our groups and teams. It feels very inclusive.
The format is extremely easy to use and adaptable to how you wish to use it. You can be as anonymous or as open as you wish, as private or as public as you like, and interact with as many or as few people as you desire.
Best of all, Peertrainer customer service listens to feedback and is always updating its features. For instance, a while ago some of us suggested being able to print out our entire log record at a click of a button, and sure enough within a month the new functionality was there!

I've never had a problem with knowing what to do to lose weight. The problem has always been motivation, and PEERtrainer has been the solution. My groups keep me accountable and motivated. I've lost 18 pounds so far, and for the first time I truly believe I will get to my goal weight.

This series of articles by Pat Salber MD is a must read not only for people who are conscious about their weight, but by anybody who has an interest in the confusing field of diet and health. Practically every day we are bombarded by articles in the popular press about what is 'good for us' and what is 'bad for you'. Frequently, this advice is contradictory, and even worse-dead wrong. Dr Salber's blog on the PeerTrainer website is breath of fresh air. It is concise, authoritative and clear. There is none of the double talk and equivocation so common in the field (on the one hand...but on the other hand... so in conclusion time will tell...). Some of the subjects are truly complex, like the hormonal regulation of appetite. Yet there is no dumbing down the information. I highly recommend the blog to anybody interested in how to eat well,lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I've been using PT since Nov 05 and have lost 30 lbs. But even better, I have met friends of a like mind all over the country... world even. You can join a small group (or create your own) of like minded people - limited to a maximum of 4 people. There are also teams so more can join, if 4 are too few for you. There is also a community area where you can ask everyone questions or give your opinions. The idea of the site is to have accountability - you should log your food and exercise every day. There is also a comment area where your group members can cheer each other on. The staff of PT monitor it to make sure it stays decent and kind. Sometimes when I log in, the theme music of the TV program "Cheers" come to mind... it is a nice place to be.