Miss Noodles (Newbie)

[MisNoodles]

Some of you have read my Journal that I started last week already and so you already know this story. To the rest of you (who care) This is my story.

The first meal I ever learned to cook was Kraft dinner followed very closely by Ramen noodles when I was about 9. When asked what my favourite food was at any age, I would have replied "Spaghetti".

When I was 10 I spent 4 months eating ramen noodles with kraft cheese melted on top (ewwwwww) for breakfast every day. By the fifth month I was eating it as a snack when I got home from school too. Why my parents let me eat this disgusting amount of crap I'll never know but suffice it to say I've been a carb-junkie ever since.

I have disturbing memories of making myself midnight snacks of spaghetti (about 3/4 of a package) absolutely loaded with margarine and cheddar cheese. This was after a full days worth of normal meals!!! I'd sneak downstairs into the kitchen in the dark and make my secret treat, then head into the basement to gorge and watch Television. I think I was 11 when I started this ritual.

I was 13 the first time I starved myself into losing weight. I went from 260 down to 145 in 6 short months.

By the time I was 18 I had gallstones and an absolutely atrocious metabolism.

By twenty I was 220 pounds despite rarely eating and my periods were sporadic at best because of how poorly I was eating. My partner and I had been trying to get pregnant but because of my poor eating, it wasn't happening. I had all but given up when I found out I was actually 2 months along.

I immediately went from starving myself to gorging on food. It was easy to Justify to myself.
"the baby needs food"
"if I try to eat less, ill starve myself, so it's best to just eat whatever I want"

throughout the pregnancy I gained a whopping 180 pounds!! I was at my absolute highest weight ever, 408 pounds.

I absolutely believe my weight was the reason I could not breastfeed without major problems which was absolutely devastating to me. I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding and I would sob every time I tried to feed my child and couldn't. She was labeled "failure to thrive" because I wasn't producing enough milk for her to gain any weight. I was heartbroken and felt like I was a failure to my daughter.

My Back would be thrown out at least once a month and I rarely had anyone to help with the baby, I knew this had to change or I'd have to give my daughter to someone better able to care for her!

I was determined to do this in a healthy way, no starvation, no fad diets!

I started off with small changes, I cut soda pop and juice out of my diet except as a rare treat. I would only purchase whole wheat products. I limited my portions to filling me instead of stuffing myself and binge eating. I forced myself to walk a little bit every day, honestly at that size it does not take much to lose weight.

The more weight I lost, the more difficult it became to lose more. I always swore I'd never do a low carb diet, me the pasta queen, lover of all that is noodle, on Atkins? hah!

about 9 months ago I got down to 250 and stalled! I decided to take a bit of a break from dieting, and wanted to just maintain where I was at for a bit.

Every time I'd try to start my diet again I'd get down to 240 then something would come up and I'd go back up to 250 and stall.

Recently my mother was diagnosed with Brain cancer and I used this as an excuse to stop caring about my weight loss, I went back up to 260.

Enough is Enough! I want to lose this last 130 pounds and I want to do it with help. your help if you'd be so kind as to offer it.

I'm married to an amazing man who is incredibly supportive and fantastically enough, a dietitian which is incredibly helpful, however he is the sort who can eat a box of donuts twice a day for a month and not gain much weight, so he is useless for truly understanding what I am going through.

I love carbs but they have destroyed my body and I am willing to give this low carb lifestyle a very serious go! For my wonderful husband, for my beautiful daughter and most importantly, for myself!

I lost 10 pounds in my first five days on Atkins. As you might imagine I'm fairly impressed already.

Here's to being continually impressed with myself!

Ashley, aka MisNoodles

[Sallie]

Hi Ashley :wave:

http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/404/404561opecvskxl3.gif (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)

I, too, am a pasta addict. I love ramen noodles...err....lovED them. lol
This WOL is so amazing to me. I actually don't want pasta, noodles, rice, taters, breads, or any other high carb crap anymore. It has 'clicked' for me this time (and believe me, there have been many times)! And it will for you too.

You have done so well in the past...you will do it now. The TDCers are great for support and motivation.

Good luck on your journey,
Sallie :rose:

[MisNoodles]

Hi Ashley :wave:

http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/404/404561opecvskxl3.gif (http://www.glitter-graphics.com)

I, too, am a pasta addict. I love ramen noodles...err....lovED them. lol
This WOL is so amazing to me. I actually don't want pasta, noodles, rice, taters, breads, or any other high carb crap anymore. It has 'clicked' for me this time (and believe me, there have been many times)! And it will for you too.

You have done so well in the past...you will do it now. The TDCers are great for support and motivation.

Good luck on your journey,
Sallie :rose:


Hey Sallie
Thanks for the support!

I always tried to diet by myself in the past because I didn't think there was anyone out there who would understand what it was like to lose weight when you are 400 pounds.
Well meaning people would give me useless cliche advice like "just get out there and exercise" which is nice and all, but how exactly is a 400 pound girl supposed to "just get out there and exercise" I could barely walk my daughter to the front stoop to catch her bus in the morning.

I realize that support is an integral part of losing weight and I'm really excited to give and get help and advice from people who know what's it's like to need to lose more than fifteen pounds!

No offense to anyone who only needs to lose 15 pounds but you have absolutely no idea what it feels like to know you have an entire person left, to llose! Some days it's enough to make me wanna throw in the towel- and that's where the support comes in!!

-Ashley

[knightfree]

Welcome Ashley,

You've already accomplished so much, congratulations!

I'm a carb addict, but honestly always went for the sweet stuff. Unfortunately, that was modeled to me at a young age and during an emotional time frame in life. It set me on a path that has made my weight and food an issue for my entire life.

I just joined the TDC and this is the first time I've stayed on LC as faithfully as I have. I figured this is the place where people would understand the physical and emotional struggles and success of someone with more than 100lbs. to lose, and everyone is so nice.

Best Wishes on your continued success.

[MisNoodles]

Welcome Ashley,

You've already accomplished so much, congratulations!

I'm a carb addict, but honestly always went for the sweet stuff. Unfortunately, that was modeled to me at a young age and during an emotional time frame in life. It set me on a path that has made my weight and food an issue for my entire life.

I just joined the TDC and this is the first time I've stayed on LC as faithfully as I have. I figured this is the place where people would understand the physical and emotional struggles and success of someone with more than 100lbs. to lose, and everyone is so nice.

Best Wishes on your continued success.

Thank you so much! :)

I'm really excited to see where I can go with this. I have never tried low carb before as I said and it's a little scary, but I just know it will work for me if I can work for it (That sounds like some lame TV diet clishe rofl) because I know I am sooooo addicted.

[dearmommy]

Welcome Ashley.

We are about the same weight and distance travelled along this journey.

Linda

[MisNoodles]

Welcome Ashley.

We are about the same weight and distance travelled along this journey.

Linda


Did you Notice we are both in Vancouver too?

[mone]

Hi Ashley!
Feel yourself heartily welcomed to this forum! Congratulations on deciding to loose the rest of your excess weight, and in doing so you have definitely already accomplished more than most overweight people!! It seems that you're in the right state of mind to succeed, and I wish you all the best! There are many people here to help you on your way, just keep in mind that it is possible!

Good luck!

[MisNoodles]

Hi Ashley!
Feel yourself heartily welcomed to this forum! Congratulations on deciding to loose the rest of your excess weight, and in doing so you have definitely already accomplished more than most overweight people!! It seems that you're in the right state of mind to succeed, and I wish you all the best! There are many people here to help you on your way, just keep in mind that it is possible!

Good luck!


Thanks Mone, you are so sweet to send such supportive messages my way!

[diemde]

Hi Ashley, Welcome to the TDC! :wave: You did a phenomenal job on losing initially without going low carb. I know that must have been hard to stick with so, good for you!

You mentioned having a messed up metabolism. Do you think that is still a problem? One of the main benefits of lc'ing from my perspective is the amount of protein we eat which reduces catbolism of the muscles.

Good luck on your journey!

[sherbear]

Welcome, and congrats on the great loss so far!
Sherry

[MisNoodles]

Hi Ashley, Welcome to the TDC! :wave: You did a phenomenal job on losing initially without going low carb. I know that must have been hard to stick with so, good for you!

You mentioned having a messed up metabolism. Do you think that is still a problem? One of the main benefits of lc'ing from my perspective is the amount of protein we eat which reduces catbolism of the muscles.

Good luck on your journey!

Hi Diemde!

Thanks for stopping by to comment, I know we didn't get off on the right foot on the other board so it is really nice to see your support.

You know I'm honestly not sure about my metabolism, I am hoping it has at the very least Improved.. but the reason I'm starting Lowcarb is because a "Normal healthy balanced meal plan" was doing diddly-squat for me.

I remember people kept asking me how I lost weight and I'd say "believe it or not, by forcing myself to eat every day, all day" .

[MisNoodles]

Welcome, and congrats on the great loss so far!
Sherry


Thanks sherbear!

[MNLisa B]

I was intrigued by your screen name, it may as well have been mine. Fave carb of choice would be starchy versus sweet, I could eat until I would fall asleep, pretty scary. :agree: I nearly fell asleep at the wheel several times after a huge pasta meal.

Lots of good ideas and info, you will learn lots about yourself on this journey, not really such a bad thing. It's kind of fun when you finally get it right and figure out what works best for you.

Best wishes, don't ever give up!! If you do fall off the wagon, dust yourself off, don't beat yourself up and hop right back on. As Scarlett said, "Tomorrow's another day."

[ndurance1]

When I started I absolutely *LOVED* Pasta, Bread, and other Verboten stuff so much I was wondering how I could do without them. I have really enjoyed eating good food all my life, all the way up to probably about ~410lbs or so. I was worried about how much I would miss all those delicious foods and all and if I could hang on this way of eating long term. Well - so far, so good!

I do miss the pastas and hot dishes and breads in a way, but not really at a visceral can hardly stand it way (if that makes sense). I am very satisfied with the foods I am eating and do not spend much time craving things off the plan. I think it is because of how much better I feel on the plan, and how used to ordering low carb food now. I think it also helps to learn about lots of alternatives so that you have choices. I am able to eat on plan just about everywhere I go, and do not feel like I am suffering or missing out at all.

Now I sit with my family as they eat pasta, hot rolls and soft steamy breads smothered in butter, ice cream and other treats, and deserts, and I simply have been bullet-proof. Whoda thunk it? I was sure it would be this enourmous battle of the will to maintain. But as long as I am eating on the plan I am prefectly content to eat what I can.

And I have found some low carb treats too, to eat along the way. Not all the time, but once in a while. Low carb ice cream made with Splenda is the BOMB (Bryers Carb Smart Ice Cream and Ice Cream Bars). Low carb snacks satisfy the cravings too! Nuts and beef jerky and cheese are really great snacks!

Good luck! You can do this! It is not as hard as you might think or worry about. Once you get things cooking and learn about your choices and options you can have alot of fun and eat really satisfying foods and you won't miss anything at all!

[Calianna]

It's a funny thing about those carb cravings - if you stay on this WOE long enough (a couple years, at least), then try a bite of pasta/bread/potatoes/whatever again, you'll be absolutely amazed at how little flavor it all has.

We get to eat the foods that have all the flavor. We can have wonderful savory sauces, butter, meats and cheeses, as well as the spices and seasonings, and a plethora of wonderful veggies. Those are the very things you put on the breads, potatoes, and pastas to give them some flavor, because on their own, the carbage tastes like nothing.

But such is carb addiction. Once that addiction is truly broken, you'll wonder what you ever saw in them to begin with. The fragrances and sight of the carby choices may be tempting, but a taste of unadorned carbs is very disappointing to me, and simply not worth bothering with any more.

[Scented1]

Ashley thank you for sharing your story and for being here with us!

Welcome.

Rach

[MisNoodles]

It's a funny thing about those carb cravings - if you stay on this WOE long enough (a couple years, at least), then try a bite of pasta/bread/potatoes/whatever again, you'll be absolutely amazed at how little flavor it all has.

We get to eat the foods that have all the flavor. We can have wonderful savory sauces, butter, meats and cheeses, as well as the spices and seasonings, and a plethora of wonderful veggies. Those are the very things you put on the breads, potatoes, and pastas to give them some flavor, because on their own, the carbage tastes like nothing.

But such is carb addiction. Once that addiction is truly broken, you'll wonder what you ever saw in them to begin with. The fragrances and sight of the carby choices may be tempting, but a taste of unadorned carbs is very disappointing to me, and simply not worth bothering with any more.


Ya know I actually find this to be absolutely true even now! I totally recognize carbs (well perhaps not candy) to be very plain and boring, my addiction to it stems mostly from the fact that it is a comfort to me, and I can binge on it (Like, giant plates).

Ah well!

It's my whole outlook on food as a cure for something that I need to change.. I ought to get into therapy of some sort in conjunction with Atkins.

-Ashley

[MisNoodles]

Ashley thank you for sharing your story and for being here with us!

Welcome.

Rach

So incredibly sweet :)

Thank you!

-Ashley

[katwoman]

Ashley, I'm not sure how I missed your intro earlier but welcome to the TDC. You've done an amazing job so far, and I believe you'll find the LC lifestyle easy to do with the old carb addictions broken.

I'm looking forward to watching you succeed, reach your goals and be healthy.

Pam

[MisNoodles]

Ashley, I'm not sure how I missed your intro earlier but welcome to the TDC. You've done an amazing job so far, and I believe you'll find the LC lifestyle easy to do with the old carb addictions broken.

I'm looking forward to watching you succeed, reach your goals and be healthy.

Pam


Thank you katwoman!

[dearmommy]

Hi,

Just checking in with you. I live in Victoria. Thanks for dropping by the journal. I barely write there simply because on days that I am feeling low I am too depressed to write and after a day or two I get over it and then get this feeling that it wasn't worth putting down on paper and then just go on from there. I should write more but sometimes I just end up depressing myself even more.

[MisNoodles]

Hi,

Just checking in with you. I live in Victoria. Thanks for dropping by the journal. I barely write there simply because on days that I am feeling low I am too depressed to write and after a day or two I get over it and then get this feeling that it wasn't worth putting down on paper and then just go on from there. I should write more but sometimes I just end up depressing myself even more.

I like to write when I'm feeling down. It tends to give me a new perspective, and so I write that down as well and it usually lifts me a bit. Playing happy music and cleaning help too, although it sure is difficult finding the motivation to clean when you're down.

[pennink]

Wow, what a great story. Congrats!!!! :thup:

155 down... hholyyy crapppp!!!!!!

You'll have to start your own website and charge money for advice when you're done ;) ;) :D

(ya, saw your other post.... heeeheeee!!!!)

Seriously, you've chosen a great way to get to goal. Yummy, 'portable' and easy.

I lost 133 a few years ago (before a whole boat load of crap hit me), so I'm ready to do it again.

Great to have you here!

[MizKitty]

Hi MissNoodles, welcome!
If you follow the plan truly, you won't "miss noodles" for long! the cravings really do go away.
I have had an interesting perspective coming to low carb with goals beyond losing weight. As a very bad diabetic with metabolic syndrome (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar), who tests those things frequently, I have seen that this WOE really will heal a "sick" metabolism, in ways no other diet is capable of.

Curious, you said your husband is a dietician. What is his opinion of Low Carb?

Good luck to you! This is a fab place for support and knowledge.

[~Bri~]

Hi Ashley,
I'm fairly new to this group, but I have to say, there are some extremely thoughtfull and knowledgable folks on here! I have already found a sense of accountability in this group on the forum. There are some who come by my journal on a regular basis and and give great encouragement or a swift kick in the rear if I need it. LOL

I'm actually starting Induction tomorrow as I have just been making small changes along the way since the new year. But I'm ready to truly commit to this WOE. It is either this or surgery and I've gotta believe in myself enough to do it for real!

You're going to do awesome! You already have and like I said there's lots of support here! Welcome aboard!

[Kisal]

A warm welcome to you, Ashley! It's very nice to meet you! :)

Many congratulations on the wonderful success you've had so far! :cheer: :cheer:

[deborah c]

Ashley - saw you on another thread and noted that you were in the 400's at one time then checked your pictures out - your little girl is beautiful by the way. How impressive, I was so burdened by weight at 265 - you are indeed - in control now! I am a food addict, first thing I think of when I wake up and also the last. Realised yesterday that I hadn't had pasta in over 10 months, thats a HARD one, love those noodles. Also no pop, bread, rice - have indulged in one piece of carrott cake and one piece of cheescake - no ones perfect :) Oh potatoes can't forget those, they are also no longer an option for me. I believe for TODAY I will not slip and it's people like you, that have overcome harder odds then I have that keep me going. Thank you for your posts! One last thing, hard boiled eggs are my personal savior, closest texture to noodles I have found and they fill 'the void'.