My name is Chameleon and I'm a carb addict...

Chameleon · 09-15-2004, 08:42 PM

I've spent about 2 months on this wonderful site just absorbing information and reading all the boards. It's helped me tremendously and so I decided that maybe I should be less voyeuristic and contribute something for a change.

Like many others, my struggle with obesity began many years ago in childhood. I grew up in a very, very strict European home where food was plentiful and bread was a main staple of our daily diet. It wasn't uncommon for me to be given a banana and a big crusty roll with butter as a "snack" between meals.

By the time I was in the 9th grade I weighed 160 lbs on my 5'4" frame. High school is not the easiest place to be overweight and I tried diet after diet with limited success. I began a destructive cycle of secret bingeing coupled with near starvation. Food became my comfort and my enemy.

Two months after my 17th birthday I got married. I weighed 185 lbs and cried when I looked at my wedding pictures. The newfound freedom I had now to go where I wanted and eat everything that struck my fancy led to a weight gain of 100+ pounds over the next 11 years. I dreaded stepping on the scale at my doctor's office for fear of the lecture I was sure to receive.

My weight yo-yo'd higher with each failed diet attempt. I tried the brick&mortar programs, low-fat diets, shakes, pills, starvation and all-juice diets. Nothing worked for long and it left me with nothing but a feeling of profound failure.

It took a toll on my marriage as well. My husband decided that he liked younger, thinner girls and took whatever opportunities he could to indulge himself in that respect.

We finally split late in 1997 and I convinced myself that I would never again be with someone who didn't accept "all of me". Of course, depression and a sedentary lifestyle helped pack on another 25 lbs on my already overtaxed frame.

Last September I met a wonderful man who has become my lover, best friend and strength. He told me from the beginning that I was a beautiful person no matter what my weight. He's never once made me feel like a lesser person because I don't look like a magazine model.

When I told him in May of this year that I wanted to try and lose weight (again), he said "Sweetheart. Please don't do it for me. If you want to lose weight, do it for yourself and your health. You know I love you no matter what, and I'll always be here to support whatever decision you make."

Somehow, knowing that I have the love of this supportive, non-judgemental person is all the motivation I need to hang on when life seems hell-bent on breaking my willpower. His spirit keeps me going on days when I think that I can't possibly carry on.

I began my low-carb WOL on May 15, 2004. To date I have lost a total of 51 pounds. It hasn't been an easy journey. The first few days of "de-toxing" from my carb addiction were hell on both of us. Thankfully, my SO doesn't ever complain about the lack of rice, potatoes or pasta on the dinner plates.

I don't think that my story is all that inspiring, nor is it very unusual at all. But maybe someone out there might benefit from what I've learned about myself....

You can try to change how you feel about yourself on the outside all you like, but the real challenge lies with trying to change how you feel about yourself on the inside. Success lies with finally BELIEVING that YOU are WORTH the EFFORT.

tiffanyandbilly · 09-16-2004, 09:20 AM

Hi I just wanted to tell you that your story is inspiring and you are doing great!!!
51 pounds is alot!!! Congrats!!!

sweetcrimson · 09-16-2004, 12:27 PM

very inspiring.

tiredofoldme · 09-26-2004, 01:20 PM

Your journey has been very inspirational. Thank you. You could change characters with me.... and our stories match perfectly except for finding the true love part. Congratulations on finding a significant other that loves YOU and not what you look like.
You have given me hope.
Thank you.
Mary

TeacartLady · 10-10-2004, 10:38 AM

Good Job! You are on your way. I think it always helps ourselves to share our stories for it encourages all. I wish the best for you and I know that this WOL is great for me too....

Chameleon · 05-29-2005, 08:55 PM

UPDATE

What a difference 9 months can make! When I wrote the original post in September 2004, I was well on my way to losing the weight that had plagued me for so long. Then Christmas arrived. BAM! I couldn't stay motivated to turn down all the sweets that were being constantly paraded around me. A bite here, a "little treat" there and I put back 10 pounds of the 60 I had lost.

By May of this year, I'd become frantic. If I didn't buckle down and stick to a plan, I was going to backslide all the way back to 310 pounds!

With the support of my Significant Other, (who, btw, PROPOSED in February of this year!), I joined Curves and signed up for Dr. Bernstein's Weight Loss Clinic. Two of the best decisions I've ever made.

To date, I've lost 80 pounds total and feel fantastic. Our wedding will be taking place on July 31 of this year and I couldn't be more excited.

For the first time in my life, I can actually see myself achieving my goal.

I wanted to thank everyone here at LC Friends who've helped me, even if they didn't know it. Your experiences and motivating posts give me hope and strength when I need it the most.

Keep posting! Be well! May all your joys be endless and all your pain "champagne"!

Stepzz · 06-03-2005, 10:15 PM

Wow!! Congrats Chameleon. You are doing great.
Congradulations on your wedding. I'm sure you will look great!!

ChristineC68 · 06-05-2005, 06:37 PM

Thank you so much for sharing with us! You are doing marvelous and Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!!!!!!!!!

brilliant100 · 06-08-2005, 12:58 PM

Very sweet and touching story. I am encouraged that you found a better mate when you thought you were most unlovable. I feel like that sometimes, like I will never meet the ideal mate.

Thanks for sharing and welcome home.

daisyblue · 06-11-2005, 05:00 AM

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your story. It was such an inspiration to me! Keep up the good work and congrats on the wedding.

Daisy

USMCmom · 06-13-2005, 09:11 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. What an inspiration you are!

Even though I'm about 10 pounds from goal, I know how hard it is to stick with any weight loss plan. Those cravings hit you hard sometimes, not only if you're PMS'ing, but other times too, and before you know it you've gained again.

Congratulations on the marriage proposal! Sounds like you have a great guy this time. I'm also lucky in that department.

trutay · 07-06-2005, 06:34 AM

I loved your story and thanks for sharing.. I know what it like to fall off the wagon and indulge. Then slowly gain what you have lost. Its so frustrating. I will just keep plugging along and hopefully get down to where I am comfortable...

Keep us updated and have a great wedding this month. We would love to see some pics of the wedding..

Meekness29 · 10-21-2005, 03:24 PM

I love your story. Please, update us on how the wedding was... and please share some pics. I'm sure you looked beautiful

Chameleon · 10-25-2005, 03:51 PM

I want to thank everyone for all the good wishes!

The wedding went beautifully. It was everything we'd hope for and went off without a hitch! Small, intimate and fun. No worries and no RAIN!

As requested, I'm posting a few pics.

Sorry it took so long

... I can't believe it's the middle of October already!!!!

We're doing well... busy, busy, busy! Just bought a house

and are moving in a couple of weeks. I guess that I just didn't know what to do with myself now that there wasn't a wedding to plan!

Anyway, take care everyone and I'll stop back to upadate really soon!!!

oct2667us · 01-04-2006, 06:56 AM

so happy for you !!!!

milaortiz30 · 01-09-2006, 11:54 AM

Chameleon:

That's awesome. I just wanted to post and say that I'm doing the "Your Best Body Now" program which includes low carb principles ala glycemic index and Suzanne Somers type philosophy and excercise.

Anyway, what I wanted to tell you is that I too, have been fortunate enough to find a man that loves me for me and thinks im beautiful fat or thin (not that I've ever been thin). I met him when I weighed 170 (which is actually not a bad weight for me, my stomach is almost flat this weight and I'm 5'3). In any case, several happy years of marraige and since I know he loves me for me and doesn't care about my weight. I ate with no remorse. Now at 216.4 (my highest weight ever), I'm miserable and mopey. Why didn't I take the fact that he lovd me fat or thin and use it as inspiration? Like you did? The funniest part about this...he's a personal trainer (was). He's gained over 50lbs since we met! But it's not the same for guys. Besides since he's a weight lifter he always looks more buff than fat.

Well, I'm doing it now, for me. Thank you for your post, it helps me to stay motivated. Congrats and good luck!

P.S. My beautiful sister has lost almost 100lbs on Atkins!

09-15-2004, 08:42 PM	#1
Chameleon Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, ON - Canada Posts: 7 Gallery: Chameleon Stats: 310/230/130 WOE: South Beach/Atkins/Dr.Bernstein Start Date: May 2004/Sept 2004/May 2005	My name is Chameleon and I'm a carb addict... I've spent about 2 months on this wonderful site just absorbing information and reading all the boards. It's helped me tremendously and so I decided that maybe I should be less voyeuristic and contribute something for a change. Like many others, my struggle with obesity began many years ago in childhood. I grew up in a very, very strict European home where food was plentiful and bread was a main staple of our daily diet. It wasn't uncommon for me to be given a banana and a big crusty roll with butter as a "snack" between meals. By the time I was in the 9th grade I weighed 160 lbs on my 5'4" frame. High school is not the easiest place to be overweight and I tried diet after diet with limited success. I began a destructive cycle of secret bingeing coupled with near starvation. Food became my comfort and my enemy. Two months after my 17th birthday I got married. I weighed 185 lbs and cried when I looked at my wedding pictures. The newfound freedom I had now to go where I wanted and eat everything that struck my fancy led to a weight gain of 100+ pounds over the next 11 years. I dreaded stepping on the scale at my doctor's office for fear of the lecture I was sure to receive. My weight yo-yo'd higher with each failed diet attempt. I tried the brick&mortar programs, low-fat diets, shakes, pills, starvation and all-juice diets. Nothing worked for long and it left me with nothing but a feeling of profound failure. It took a toll on my marriage as well. My husband decided that he liked younger, thinner girls and took whatever opportunities he could to indulge himself in that respect. We finally split late in 1997 and I convinced myself that I would never again be with someone who didn't accept "all of me". Of course, depression and a sedentary lifestyle helped pack on another 25 lbs on my already overtaxed frame. Last September I met a wonderful man who has become my lover, best friend and strength. He told me from the beginning that I was a beautiful person no matter what my weight. He's never once made me feel like a lesser person because I don't look like a magazine model. When I told him in May of this year that I wanted to try and lose weight (again), he said "Sweetheart. Please don't do it for me. If you want to lose weight, do it for yourself and your health. You know I love you no matter what, and I'll always be here to support whatever decision you make." Somehow, knowing that I have the love of this supportive, non-judgemental person is all the motivation I need to hang on when life seems hell-bent on breaking my willpower. His spirit keeps me going on days when I think that I can't possibly carry on. I began my low-carb WOL on May 15, 2004. To date I have lost a total of 51 pounds. It hasn't been an easy journey. The first few days of "de-toxing" from my carb addiction were hell on both of us. Thankfully, my SO doesn't ever complain about the lack of rice, potatoes or pasta on the dinner plates. I don't think that my story is all that inspiring, nor is it very unusual at all. But maybe someone out there might benefit from what I've learned about myself.... You can try to change how you feel about yourself on the outside all you like, but the real challenge lies with trying to change how you feel about yourself on the inside. Success lies with finally BELIEVING that YOU are WORTH the EFFORT. __________________ "All you need is love." - John Lennon

09-26-2004, 01:20 PM	#4
tiredofoldme Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: florida Posts: 61 Gallery: tiredofoldme Stats: 270/247/? Start Date: 1/1/04	GREAT STORY Your journey has been very inspirational. Thank you. You could change characters with me.... and our stories match perfectly except for finding the true love part. Congratulations on finding a significant other that loves YOU and not what you look like. You have given me hope. Thank you. Mary

01-09-2006, 11:54 AM	#16
milaortiz30 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 31 Gallery: milaortiz30 Stats: 216.4/216.4/140 Start Date: 1-09-06 (started AGAIN)	Way to go. Chameleon: That's awesome. I just wanted to post and say that I'm doing the "Your Best Body Now" program which includes low carb principles ala glycemic index and Suzanne Somers type philosophy and excercise. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you is that I too, have been fortunate enough to find a man that loves me for me and thinks im beautiful fat or thin (not that I've ever been thin). I met him when I weighed 170 (which is actually not a bad weight for me, my stomach is almost flat this weight and I'm 5'3). In any case, several happy years of marraige and since I know he loves me for me and doesn't care about my weight. I ate with no remorse. Now at 216.4 (my highest weight ever), I'm miserable and mopey. Why didn't I take the fact that he lovd me fat or thin and use it as inspiration? Like you did? The funniest part about this...he's a personal trainer (was). He's gained over 50lbs since we met! But it's not the same for guys. Besides since he's a weight lifter he always looks more buff than fat. Well, I'm doing it now, for me. Thank you for your post, it helps me to stay motivated. Congrats and good luck! P.S. My beautiful sister has lost almost 100lbs on Atkins!

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09-16-2004, 09:20 AM	#2
tiffanyandbilly Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 49 Gallery: tiffanyandbilly WOE: Atkins Start Date: Sept 10	Hi I just wanted to tell you that your story is inspiring and you are doing great!!! 51 pounds is alot!!! Congrats!!!

09-16-2004, 12:27 PM	#3
sweetcrimson Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: texas Posts: 50 Gallery: sweetcrimson Stats: 248/cw185 :( 165/148 NO MORE BACKSLIDING!! WOE: Atkins Start Date: 1/03	very inspiring.

10-10-2004, 10:38 AM	#5
TeacartLady Guest Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 175 Gallery: TeacartLady Stats: 232/173/135 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 08/01/04	Good Job! You are on your way. I think it always helps ourselves to share our stories for it encourages all. I wish the best for you and I know that this WOL is great for me too....

05-29-2005, 08:55 PM	#6
Chameleon Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, ON - Canada Posts: 7 Gallery: Chameleon Stats: 310/230/130 WOE: South Beach/Atkins/Dr.Bernstein Start Date: May 2004/Sept 2004/May 2005	UPDATE What a difference 9 months can make! When I wrote the original post in September 2004, I was well on my way to losing the weight that had plagued me for so long. Then Christmas arrived. BAM! I couldn't stay motivated to turn down all the sweets that were being constantly paraded around me. A bite here, a "little treat" there and I put back 10 pounds of the 60 I had lost. By May of this year, I'd become frantic. If I didn't buckle down and stick to a plan, I was going to backslide all the way back to 310 pounds! With the support of my Significant Other, (who, btw, PROPOSED in February of this year!), I joined Curves and signed up for Dr. Bernstein's Weight Loss Clinic. Two of the best decisions I've ever made. To date, I've lost 80 pounds total and feel fantastic. Our wedding will be taking place on July 31 of this year and I couldn't be more excited. For the first time in my life, I can actually see myself achieving my goal. I wanted to thank everyone here at LC Friends who've helped me, even if they didn't know it. Your experiences and motivating posts give me hope and strength when I need it the most. Keep posting! Be well! May all your joys be endless and all your pain "champagne"!

06-03-2005, 10:15 PM	#7
Stepzz Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hawaii Posts: 63 Gallery: Stepzz	Wow!! Congrats Chameleon. You are doing great. Congradulations on your wedding. I'm sure you will look great!!

06-05-2005, 06:37 PM	#8
ChristineC68 Guest Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NY, NY Posts: 322 Gallery: ChristineC68 WOE: Atkins	Thank you so much for sharing with us! You are doing marvelous and Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!!!!!!!!!

06-08-2005, 12:58 PM	#9
brilliant100 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western, USA Posts: 2,444 Gallery: brilliant100 Stats: 266/194/169 WOE: Atkins/M&E Feast, Lower fat & Lower calorie Start Date: restarted 6/1/05 M/E, back on the wagon 8-21-07	Very sweet and touching story. I am encouraged that you found a better mate when you thought you were most unlovable. I feel like that sometimes, like I will never meet the ideal mate. Thanks for sharing and welcome home.

06-11-2005, 05:00 AM	#10
daisyblue Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 191 Gallery: daisyblue	I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your story. It was such an inspiration to me! Keep up the good work and congrats on the wedding. Daisy

06-13-2005, 09:11 AM	#11
USMCmom Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 3,122 Gallery: USMCmom Stats: size 14/10/8 WOE: stop eating so much Start Date: 2/2003	Thank you for sharing your story. What an inspiration you are! Even though I'm about 10 pounds from goal, I know how hard it is to stick with any weight loss plan. Those cravings hit you hard sometimes, not only if you're PMS'ing, but other times too, and before you know it you've gained again. Congratulations on the marriage proposal! Sounds like you have a great guy this time. I'm also lucky in that department.

07-06-2005, 06:34 AM	#12
trutay Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 80 Gallery: trutay Stats: 255/247/170 WOE: M/E Start Date: Mar 27, 06	I loved your story and thanks for sharing.. I know what it like to fall off the wagon and indulge. Then slowly gain what you have lost. Its so frustrating. I will just keep plugging along and hopefully get down to where I am comfortable... Keep us updated and have a great wedding this month. We would love to see some pics of the wedding..

10-21-2005, 03:24 PM	#13
Meekness29 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 11,391 Blog Entries: 3 Gallery: Meekness29 Stats: Goal: 145	I love your story. Please, update us on how the wedding was... and please share some pics. I'm sure you looked beautiful

10-25-2005, 03:51 PM	#14
Chameleon Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, ON - Canada Posts: 7 Gallery: Chameleon Stats: 310/230/130 WOE: South Beach/Atkins/Dr.Bernstein Start Date: May 2004/Sept 2004/May 2005	I want to thank everyone for all the good wishes! The wedding went beautifully. It was everything we'd hope for and went off without a hitch! Small, intimate and fun. No worries and no RAIN! As requested, I'm posting a few pics. Sorry it took so long ... I can't believe it's the middle of October already!!!! We're doing well... busy, busy, busy! Just bought a house and are moving in a couple of weeks. I guess that I just didn't know what to do with myself now that there wasn't a wedding to plan! Anyway, take care everyone and I'll stop back to upadate really soon!!!

01-04-2006, 06:56 AM	#15
oct2667us MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maine but I am from louisiana Posts: 1,096 Gallery: oct2667us Stats: 295/285/199 WOE: Atkins Start Date: restarted 4/9/08	so happy for you !!!!