From spaces.live.com, if you search for "Biggest Loser," you can read about the Indianapolis betrothed who are chronicling their efforts to get thin for their wedding; New Hampshire residents determined to put a new spin on "like mother, like daughter;" Texas gal pals slimming to become fitter role models for their kids; and a Las Vegas couple whose site, "No More Excuses," trumpets their determination to be able to keep up with their 3-year-old.

Given the popularity of NBC's "The Biggest Losers," success stories on MSN Health & Fitness and Windows Live search and Joy Fit Club profiles on msnbc's "Today" show site, great inspiration comes from real people telling their tales of the battle of the bulge.

MSN's Million Pound Match-up was designed to do the same.

"I’ve been amazed at the level of participation and the excitement," said Dick Larimer, lead producer for MSN's Health & Fitness channel, recounting the thousands of people who attended sessions of health and fitness experts and former "Biggest Loser" competitors on the Match-Up's kickoff tour in five cities. One determined Indiana couple drove to Chicago for the first session, then a month later trekked to Miami for the last.

"I was struck by how hopeful they were," Larimer said, "that they were really going to be successful this time. Online, we've made more weight loss tools, and I would love MSN Health & Fitness to be the place for them to hook up and have a richer experience."

MSN expected this promotional effort to lead to the creation of about 2,000 new Spaces blogs. The total as of mid-February? About 19,000.

On Spaces, people are posting their photos, videos and ostensible journals, often with a creative weight-loss tracker (palm tree making progress down the beach) and – perhaps most powerful – comments from family and friends, well-wishers and even fellow competitors.

The humor, passion, compassion, determination, weaknesses, temptations and results are seen on these blogs. As example, "Two Fluffy Chicks," also known as Beth and Heather of Virginia, whose blog, "Going for It 2008," have more than 600 friends on their blog, many so impressed with how they've enhanced it that they contribute a comment. Sandy and Bubba, from Georgia, offered their support – and a tip:

"You both have done a tremendous job of journaling your thoughts and actions, which will make all the difference in your success. You both are doing fantastic on your weight loss, keep it up and victory will be yours with a healthy and joyous lifestyle. The way I lost my original 65 pounds, prior to the Million Pound Match-Up, was by journaling everything and writing my thoughts down instead of going to the kitchen. "

For Cassandra, an Alabaman seeking to lose 97 pounds to her husband Michael's 43, has found energy from the Match-Up and both pressure and support from the Match-Up community. "I have a MySpace page, a WordPress blog, I've tried Blogspot shortly. I've finally found my personal favorite! I love Windows Live Spaces – I've found it very easy and it allows me to personalize my page the best."

She named their Spaces blog "Stumbling to Standing," as a symbolic commitment to changing their lifestyle, proudly crafting a proclamation: "We Are Married 'Losers' on our Weigh Down."

Asked about her experience so far, she wrote: "This blog has been such a crucial, much-needed tool because I guarantee if we wouldn't have made our commitment known to the whole world, and wrote our stats, thoughts, struggles weekly, sometimes daily, by now we would have gone back, maybe not intentionally but … we would have gradually stopped writing down our calorie intake or getting on the scale each week, just because life gets so hectic and crazy sometimes.

"We aren't losing our weight at record speed," she admits, acceding instead to making healthy changes in the family's eating and activity habits. But a proud and astounding moment came when she saw the impact of her commitment on her 8-year-old son, a lad overweight by about 7 pounds who cared little for sports.

"He actually came to me and asked if he could play (baseball) – you don't know how shocked I was," Cassandra explained. Her daughter, 6, is also signed up for softball. "I truly know both of my children would not have approached me to play … if it weren't for the “Biggest Loser” Million Pound Match-Up. That just brings tears to my eyes right now because I'm not only seeing changes in my husband and me, but in our children. I'm so grateful."

Another thinning pair, Chicago roommates Betsy and Amy, dish about the merits of the competition on their blog, Oh, You Got a Sandwich Goin'. They agreed to post their insights about how blogging is a major factor in their ongoing success, with the impact far more than just peer pressure and encouragement. Betsy said one reader spurred her nearly to tears by her heartfelt reply to their post.

"She told us that she had lost 30 pounds, gained it all back and has been so discouraged. After visiting our site, we encouraged her to start trying to lose weight again and that, even though she didn't have a partner, she was going to try and keep up with us and pretend that we were her partner. Knowing that we were someone's role models was one of the greatest feelings!"

It's no secret that America has a big fat problem: Federal figures indicate about a third of the population is obese. If more people slide behind the computer instead of yanking on the fridge door or – better yet – work out or even take a walk, the number of obese people would shrink – literally.

But losing weight is not easy for everyone. MSN's Million Pound Match-Up ends March 11, and the major vacation sweepstakes April 15 (though Zunes are awarded daily). But for many of the participants, their efforts will extend much further into the year. For some, it requires a lifestyle change that lasts a lifetime, supplemented by blogging.

"There are some super sexy hot mamas underneath all this chub," writes Megan, a Texas mother who is taking the challenge with her pal Jennifer, "and it's about time we get back to there! I'm ready to unleash the thin, healthy girl in me. … Here's to shrinking dat booty!"

Adds her buddy Jennifer, in her kickoff post last month and several inches ago, "Thanks for joining me on this ride."