A yet heartbreakingly honest, endearing memoir of incredible weight loss by a young food blogger who battles body image issues and overcomes food addiction to find self-acceptance. All her life, Andie Mitchell had eaten lustily and mindlessly. Food was her babysitter, her best friend, her confidant, and it provided a refuge from her fractured family. But when she stepped on the scale on her … scale on her twentieth birthday and it registered a shocking 268 pounds, she knew she had to change the way she thought about food and herself; that her life was at stake.
It Was Me All Along takes Andie from working class Boston to the romantic streets of Rome, from morbidly obese to half her size, from seeking comfort in anything that came cream-filled and two-to-a-pack to finding balance in exquisite (but modest) bowls of handmade pasta. This story is about much more than a woman who loves food and abhors her body. It is about someone who made changes when her situation seemed too far gone and how she discovered balance in an off-kilter world. More than anything, though, it is the story of her finding beauty in acceptance and learning to love all parts of herself.
more
A diary of an over eater, then of a dieter and her motivation. Not that original or exciting but somewhat interesting.
Read 11.15.2021
I was not intending to read this as quickly as I did, but once I got started on the second day, I just could not stop listening and all of the sudden it was over and I am left wishing there was more, even though this is one of the toughest books I have ever read, in the sense of affecting me personally. I wish I had known I was going to ugly cry through much of this, eating supper and crying said ugly cry is not good for the digestion. Such a powerful book, full of transparency and realism [I never once felt she was being over-dramatic as some reviewers felt – clearly they have never stood in front of a mirror and hated themselves and do not even get me started on how they were miffed that there were no photos. If you want photos, WRITE YOUR OWN DAMN BOOK – her book, her choice. Geesh] and I am grateful I have read it, even though it made me think tough things. Life is often unpretty and it is good to unpack that once in awhile and reassess just where you really are, and not where your head tells you you are.
I bought this book because I was curious to hear the author read her own story. Andie Mitchell was gut-wrenchingly honest and brave to put her story out there in the hopes of healing not just herself, but others. The writing was excellent and the food descriptions sumptuous. It’s a great read/listen for anyone who has spent a lifetime worrying about what they eat, what they weigh, and what that says about who they are. I found a lot to think about in this story.
I listened to this as an audiobook (on Chirp!) because I was curious to hear the author read her own story. Andie Mitchell was gut-wrenchingly honest and brave to put her story out there in the hopes of healing not just herself, but others. The writing was excellent and the food descriptions sumptuous. It’s a great read/listen for anyone who has spent a lifetime worrying about what they eat, what they weigh, and what that says about who they are. I found a lot to think about in this story.
Openly sharing a painful personal story. It was educational reading about one woman’s struggling relationship with food.
I love the reality and honesty with which she wrote. I have a huge weight problem and am going to attempt to incorporate things she used in order to change my way of life. I’m much older but it’s never too late! What an inspiration!
Most who diet or are overweight can easily identify with this story.
I loved everything about this book!!!
I could relate very closely to many aspects of the author’s experiences, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Because of this and how she overcame a lot, I found the book enlightening and inspirational.
The story is heartfelt, it is painful, and is wonderfully, brutally descriptive. It shines a light on the thoughts of those who use food for things other than fuel. It will make you alternately sad, happy, and proud for the author. I salute her courage for sharing her success story and wish her the best in her future pursuit of her dreams. By the end of the book you will too.
Excellent
This book was eye-opening!
Drawn out tale of self discovery. Just didn’t keep my attention in a captivating way
Great book, enjoyed reading about her journey and learned a few things along the way.
Easy to identify with.
I loved the auhor’s honesty of her personal journey and her emotional realizations along the way.
I usually don’t read books that have a “futuristic” theme. But this book was mesmerizing and hard to put down.