I Did It - And So Can You!
 

I never imagined myself writing a Success Story on this site! It seems like only yesterday that I Googled “Low Carb Diet” and stumbled upon this site. Actually, it was May 29, 2005 – less than 7 months ago.

First, let me tell you my story. Like most people reading this story, I had a weight problem. My problems started in junior high school, after I had started my TOM. I can remember it vividly – in one year I went from a junior’s size 0 jeans to a junior’s size 7 jeans (US sized). IN ONE YEAR! :o And it went up from there. Looking back, I know my parents were worried about me. My mother and father had always struggled with their weight – my dad continues to win the battle while my mother continues to fight the battle. My mother and father didn’t want me to have to worry about my weight for the rest of my life, but as I went through high school it became apparent that I’d have to, or live the rest of my life overweight.

After graduating high school, I started college and working at the shopping mall part time. At the shopping mall I had access to all kinds of fast food, and further I spiraled into an eating pattern destined to lead me to become more and more overweight.

I was around 20 years old, still in college and working at the mall. I had purchased a lovely dress with a jacket that was to be worn over the dress. I can remember purchasing that dress – a size 18. But I felt GOOD in it. I was checking out a woman that looked to be in her lower 30’s. I will NEVER forget what happened:

Customer: “That is such a cute dress!”
Me: “Thank you!”
Customer: “When are you due?”
Me: “Pardon?”
Customer: “Your baby – when it is due?”

Speechless, I squeaked out the words “I am not pregnant”. The look on her face was pure anguish and she quickly (I do mean quickly) walked away. That was THE day that something was going to change.

Before my 21st birthday I had lost about 30 lbs on a low fat/starvation diet. I took every herbal diet pill known to man.

Less than a year after my 21st birthday, I met my now-husband. I had lost down to 160 lbs by this point and was feeling very good about myself. When he and I started dating, we ate out a lot and all of the sudden here came those pounds. So I started the starvation again – the low fat diet.

The next year, he asked me to marry him. What an exciting time. But now, I felt I had to lose weight to get into my wedding dress. So I starved myself more, eating saltine crackers and drinking water for days at a time. I took herbal diet pills, I took laxatives. And I starved myself down to 122 lbs. Before our wedding, I had actually gained about 10 pounds back because the 122 lbs was just too low for me.

So our wedding day comes and goes, and I continue to manage my weight at around 135-140 for two years.

Then, my first miracle. Pregnancy. I had a wonderful pregnancy. I had never felt better. And I ate. And ate. And ate. And before I knew it, I had gained 48 lbs. My first born came into our lives, and I started down the path of low-fat/starvation. But not to the degree that I previously had. By the time my first born was two, I had gained a LOT of weight back. Looking back at pictures of his second birthday, I don’t remember how I got so big. I’d say I was at least 185-190. Desperate, I didn’t know what to do. So I joined Weight Watchers (low fat/points program). On WW, I lost from 187 to 143. I looked great. But I was starving. So after I stopped going to WW, I slowly gained back up to 160.

So fast forward to when my first born is 4 years old. Again, desperate to get the weight under control, I found a ‘quack doctor’ that prescribed me phentermine. And I lost from 160-140 in a matter of 1 1/2 months. But the pills got too expensive, so I quit. And I slowly gained back up to 160.

Then, my second miracle. Pregnancy number two. I had another wonderful pregnancy. And I ate. And ate. And ate. And before I knew it, I was weighing over 220 lbs before delivery. After my second son was born, I found myself weighing 190 lbs and feeling completely out of control.

Just when I thought there was no hope, one weekend a new door was opened for me. My mother and father came to visit. They got out of their car and when I looked at my mother, she had obviously lost a LOT of weight. Alarmed (she is an ovarian cancer survivor) I immediately start asking questions – “What is wrong?” “Are you sick?” Dad, what is wrong with her?” “Tell me the truth, mom!” And with a smile on her face she said “I’ve been doing Atkins and I’ve lost 35 lbs.” “Mom,” I said, “That is not good for you. You can’t eat eggs and bacon and live like that the rest of your life”. And my mother responded “It’s not like that – you need to read the book”. So she arranged to bring me the book the next time I would see them (it was going to be that next weekend). So I get the book and I read it from cover to cover. And I started Induction on 5/25/05.

Looking for more information, I Googled ‘Low Carb Diet’ and found this site. And I am SO thankful that I did.

So now look at me – almost 7 months later and I’ve lost down below my goal weight. I feel better than I have felt in years. And I’m not starving.

So what tips would I give somebody new starting this WOL?

- This is not a diet. If you are planning to eat this way and get to your goal weight, only to return to your old eating habits, you will gain your weight back.
- If you are doing an organized low-carb plan (i.e. Atkins, South Beach) do yourself a favor and read the book. Many people on this site will reference the book and it will help you in the long-run to either buy the book or borrow it from your local library.
- If you are doing Atkins, you need to do a clean induction. That means no cheats, no caffeine, etc. You may feel worse than you’ve ever felt for a week or so. But hang in there because the best is yet to come.
- Don’t cheat. I can count on one hand the number of ‘planned cheats’ I’ve had since starting this WOE. And it’s allowed me to have consistent weight loss.
- Start a journal on this site. My journal has been my saving grace. That is the honest truth. There is something about the accountability of having to post what I’ve eaten in my journal for all to see.
- Visit this site often. I have met so many wonderful people here that I feel truly blessed. You will have a support system here like you won’t believe. But you have to build that support system in order to have it. So come often and post questions, feedback, etc.
- Experiment with your cooking. This site has so many wonderful recipes. You’ll be surprised on what you can find here to replace old favorites. One of my favorite things is the Mock Danish. YUMMY! :yum:
- This is not a no-carb way of eating - It’s a low-carb. So don’t think that you can never have a vegetable or never have fruit. You can!
- If you dedicate yourself to this WOL, you will have people tell you how bad this WOE is for you. And some of these people may be your close family and/or friends. Just prepare yourself for it. Arm yourself with information from this site so you can clearly address their concerns. This WOL goes against the mainstream, so just be prepared.

There are so many other things I could add, but I don’t want to take up 10 pages in my success story.

I can’t say enough how much this website has helped me in obtaining my goals. And I want to thank my friends here for inspiring me every single day to stay on plan. Words can never express how thankful I am for all of you.

Wishing all who read this the best on their weight loss journeys.

Thank you for posting your story, Leslie - you've given me renewed motivation in my own journey. I hope to be posting something similar someday...:)

Just realized you put this is up!! Congratulations! We're all so proud about how well you've done and how you've maintained such a positive and supportive attitude.

I went through my journal and found some things you'd written that demonstrate just a bit of your determination and commitment:






What an amazing story with such a great outcome!

Wow congrats, what an amazing and inspiring story! I have struggled with my weight my whole life and ever since having my baby 10 months ago I have had a really hard time losing my baby weight. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.

I can't believe I didn't see this sooner! I just noticed that you said you wrote it in your journal today! What a GREAT story!!! You are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. I feel like I know you infinitely better now! Very well written, and look at your success!!! Go ahead and bask in the spotlight! You SOOOOO deserve it!

Way to go Leslie!! :thup:

You are a true inspiration!! :agree: Thank you for being you!! :D

Now we get to keep it off!! ;)

Thanks Leslie!
I cannot believe how simular we are in our stories. I didn't start gaining until after I had my last child. I was one of those girls who just couldn't gain weight all my growing up life. By the time I had Annie, I was 30, and after my 5th baby, my body decided it was time for me to hang onto the weight. I have been battleing the buldge for the last 8 years. Like you, when I was tired of having 25 extra pounds on me, I took phentermine, and lost it in less then 3 months. I kept it off for a year, then my DH lost his job, and we were living off of cheap pasta and rice, until 9 months later, we found a great new job. Anyway... I gained back the 25...plus and extra 10!
I have been hovering around 160 now for so long, I was beginning to think of this as my new normal weight. Size 14's and the pudgy goo above the belt... UGH! Anyway... I too stumbled across this site, and I have been good, except for the last few weeks. But I am starting induction again today, and my goal is to be in Ketosis by Wednesday. I will let you know.
Anyway... I cannot wait to be able to post my success story. You really inspired me to hang in there. To keep going. It really gets tought when people start saying how good you look, and then start putting stuff in front of your face to eat... I have a problem with that. I need to find a way to not let my guard down. Any suggestions? OK... got to go. Have a great day!
Susie

i didn't realize we started this in the same week- i (RE)started may 31, the day after the memorial day picnics- it is hard to believe it's been almost 7 months since our atkithday (how's that for a made up word? :lol: )

i also didn't know you did the starvation-deal. wow, that is some seriously scary stuff. THAT'S unhealthy for a body- not our high veggie, high protein 'diet'!! :)

i'm glad atkins 'found' you :)

Leslie, you look so beautiful! I'm so thankful that your mother is doing well and could help you too. You've got wonderful parents who want to have good health for their family and their grandchildren. How cool is THAT!

Way to LC, Girl! You rock!

What she said! You look great. I bet you're proud of your folks for eating well and keeping themselves healthy. Multi-generational low carb!

well, well, LOOK who's got a success story -- and earned every single bit of it!! :) I'm so happy for you Leslie; I can't even really say. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

Talk about true grit...... congratulations and thanks for inspiring others setting out on the same journey. :clap:

Congratulations Leslie. You are such an inspiration to me and many others. You look wonderful!!

Leslie,
You are an inspiration to me!!
I understand your struggle so well and hopefully someday you'll be reading my success story.

It's so great that you are modeling healthy eating for your kids! Way to go on your wonderful journey!
Just wondering if you exercise?
cheers,
goldfish

Hey Leslie~
Now that the holidays are past, I am really getting back into the groove. I adore your story, and I am so incredibly proud of you! LOOK at your pics! What a transformation! You really do inspire me. Those are not just trifle little words. I really truely mean it. I cannot wait to be able to post my after pics, and have you sent it right back at me!!!! :D
I have a pair of size 10 Levi jeans, that I am gaging my success by. I look hot :yum: in them when I am down to my perfect size. Weight is another issue. The last time I was at 145, I was in those size 10 levi's and I looked great. Healthy, not too skinny, but just right for my height and body. So, I guess I can say that 145 is my goal weight. Although I am working out harder then I ever have, and I am building muscle. My muscles are starting to look more defined now then ever before. I am soooo jazzed about that. The greatest thing I am looking forward to....I just want to get to where the stomach goo doesn't hang over the belt. I hate that! I don't really have to worry about my lower bod so much, I have a little butt and long legs, my problem area is my tummy. (Maybe having 5 kids has something to do with it?) :p
Well.... the count is on. I will keep you posted. I weighed in at 164... so I have some serious work to do. Do you think I could lose it within 3 months? I am going to chart my progress on the family calandar in the kitchen. I am really excited! We are having a family reunion this summer, and I want to go, and not be the fat sister-in-law! LOL LOL LOL I want them to all look at me with a newfound awe and respect! :agree:
Well... gotta scoot. Hope you had a great christmas! I know you got so sick. How are you feeling now? Did you ever find out what those pains were associated with? Let me know!
Love ya tons~
Susie