Just want to say hello

[veronica's secret]

Hi all:

Just want to say hello to everyone here who is doing or thinking of trying this diet. I will say it sure does sound like something I could stick with. I too have tried Atkins, South Beach and Weight Watchers. I found Atkins way too restrictive and just can't seem to make it for the 2 week induction period of SB. I like my breakfast cereal too much and bread with peanut butter. I was just about commiting to LA Weight Loss, but think I may give this a try.

Did anyone do the first 10 day period of this yet? Just wondering what their experience was and type of menu and weight loss that came about.

Thanks.

[2BFIT1]

Hi Veronica. I just got the book today so I don't have experience with it yet. I have also done South Beach, which I really like. I will be using many of the SB recipes along with the Sonoma plan, too. I still need to read the book this week and see what I think. No matter what, I am starting an exercise plan and eating healthy this week.

[LindaT]

Nice to have you join us Veronica. Speaking for myself, I've been following the Med way of eating for years and as you can see by my sig have found what works for me. Pick something that you think you can stick with for the rest of your life, is the only advice I have. If you'd like to try this plan, we'd be happy to have you.

Suzanne has posted a few samples recipes and I have posted some of my own in the recipe forum. The book has guideliness of the sort of foods you should eat during each wave so if you are intersted in the plan that would be aoog investment. Someone just posted on another thread theat they got the book for under 14.00! Good deal.

[Totally Neck-ed]

Hey,
It's the new year and I ready to try again! Looks like something interesting to try!

[chocoholic1]

Glad to see a board for the Sonoma Diet. I'm on day three and so far it's going great. I got rid of most of my snack foods so I won't be tempted. I have my WOW chips and diet Coke put away for a later time. I thought I would have a problem with quitting cold turkey on the artificial sugers but not so far. I do have Splenda in my morning coffee along with a little milk but that's my only cheat. Looking forward to hearing how it's working for you all and exchanging ideas. TJ

[Totally Neck-ed]

So does anyone plan a day by day menu? I would love to plan out my week..

[chocoholic1]

I usually plan my meals a day at a time but shopped for several days. I'm not real creative for breakfast. Day 1 was 2 poached eggs with 2 slices light whole wheat toast, day 2 was Kashi Good Friends with lite soy milk, and today it was 1 poached egg, 1 Morningstar Farms patty, and 2 toasts.

Lunch for all three days has been chicken breast and a salad with lots of veggies and low or fat free dressing each day. Dinner is always meat, vegetables, and a carb. I was in that habit with my five years + of doing WeightWatchers. I was so happy to see that I can enjoy bread and not have to count points (and later wine - YES!!). WW has worked well for me and I only have ten pounds to lose. I'm still at goal but have a personal goal that I haven't been able to reach easily. One thing I love about Sonoma is that it gave me incentive to get rid of all the junk.

I would love to hear others menus for each day. Thanks....TJ

[Writersblock]

Hi all!
I just discovered this website thanks to someone else's post on the Sonoma Diet Online message board! I came looking for one of those cute tickers (which I have yet to find...), and discovered this thread!

When I first read about the Sonoma Diet in Ladies Home Journal I got very excited because I had been searching for a "Med" type diet for a long time. I just hadn't been able to find formal guidelines. Now, with Sonoma, I think I have a good start. I also needed to go cold turkey with refined sugar, white flour, potatoes, etc. because I was feeling way too punky way too often.

I had a gift card for Amazon, so I got the book for FREE. However, I just saw it at Costco for $14.00, so there's another place to snag a bargain.

I also signed up for the online service, but as a few other members here have noted, so far I'm not impressed. I may do it for the required 5 weeks and then discontinue it. There are several great people already posting to the message boards, and since this is new to almost all of us, it's nice to have the support.

I'm following Sonoma much like Chocoholic is -- I plan my meals each day and am not following their meal plans. I'll definitely experiment more, because with 50 lbs. to lose I know I'll get bored with the same ol, same ol each day.

I'm happy to be eating cereal, although I got the suggested GoLean (10 gr. fiber) and it really does taste like twigs -- just shows what a little sugar can do. So, while I definitely won't add sugar, I'm going to experiment with other cereals. The emphasis there seems to be on amount of fiber, so if anyone knows of a cereal that has at least 8 gr. of fiber but tastes good, I'd love to know about it!

I apologize for the long post. I saw that some members here have had phenomenol success and I think that's fantastic!! I wish all of you a wonderful, HEALTHY new year!

Laurie

[petra65]

WritersBlock--my perception may be a little skewed. I'm a pretty hard core low carber most of the time but after reading this book, I had a hankering for oatmeal so I bought some steel cut oats. They are a bit "carby" for me and I hadn't had oatmeal in nearly a year. They take longer to cook than regular oatmeal--around 45 minutes but they tasted pretty good. They take too long for me to make them a regular part of my diet but it was a nice treat.

[Totally Neck-ed]

I hate eating breakfast, can't you just skip it? Not a milk drinker or cereal liker at all.

Writersblock-- the tickers are in your USER CP up top, just go to our preferneces and they are there... add to your signature.

[Writersblock]

Sandra, thanks. Found the ticker link! I, too, am not a breakfast eater, but I am going to get up a few minutes early to eat something -- once I get to work, it's too easy to hit the cafeteria (I work at a college) for a donut or something, and that's yet another habit I need to break this year.

Petra, oatmeal sounds good. I'll give it a try.

Laurie

[futurefilmmaker05]

Hello everyone! I hope you achieve your weight loss goals! :) And if you're ever frustrated, know that you're certainly not alone!

The Sonoma diet is great! It sounds like something one could actually stick with! The great thing about this diet is that you have plenty of delicious foods to choose from, so you don't have to feel very restricted. Plus, it's a way to get healthy as you lose weight, as opposed to many other diets that deprive you from much needed nutrients.

They make it easy by giving you a daily meal plan to follow if you'd like. I just started today, and so far so good. I had two scrambled eggs and a piece of whole wheat toast for breakfast. I took the book's advice and ate very slowly, savoring every bite. I also drank a couple glasses of water. I didn't even eat all of my food! That was a big deal for me, because I'm normally a very fast eater and would have three times that amount of food before feeling satisfied. For supper I had a salad with spinach leaves, lettuce, carrot shavings, shredded cheese, diced bell pepper, and chicken. I haven't felt very deprived, because the meals are healthy yet delicious. Although I find myself daydreaming of cookies and candy bars from time to time, I don't have to be disgusted with myself at the end of the day. I feel healthier and more energetic, and that's a much greater feeling than any junk food can give you!

The best advice I can give to anyone else starting this diet is to:
1) throw out all the "bad" foods in your cabinets and refrigerator before you begin the diet to avoid any temptation
2) Drink lots of water throughout the day to help curb your appetite
3) Eat slowly and savor every bite. Make it a pleasurable experience
4) Anytime you're dying for something sugary and sweet, remember how you'll feel after you eat it: bloated, unhappy, and that much farther from looking and feeling great!

Sorry for the long post, and good luck to you all!

[Suzanne 3FC]

I eat breakfast, because so many studies have shown that it helps weight loss. But I don't normally eat traditional breakfasts. I'll have stir fry, veggie chili, soup, sandwich, or whatever sounds good. I did have eggs and toast yesterday and today, as outlined in the book, and I enjoyed it. But I'm sure I will get bored because I'm not a big fan of eggs, and am looking forward to suggestions. I love steel cut oats, and eat those when I want to devote 30 minutes to cooking them, lol.

Laurie, I've not read the labels on the other Kashi brands, but I think they have other types that taste better. Maybe it's the GoLean Crunch that I'm thinking of. It's not my favorite cereal, but you would probably get used to it after a while ;)

[petra65]

It's sounding to me like you guys are needing to start a food journal thread or threads so people can get ideas from what others are trying.

[Totally Neck-ed]

Suzanne - just preodered your new book on amazon! Way to go, can't wait to read it! Congrats.

[Leenie]

Laurie, try the Kashi cereal called 'Good Friends' its much better :D

Gee Suzanne, I'm glad I'm not the only one who eats chili for breakfast lol. Although I do like eggs but not every day. I much rather have a hardy breakfast than a sugary one (donuts do nothing for me at 8 am, ick....before bed's another story).

[Connie52]

Hi Everyone,

I was just reading your posts about Steel Cut Oats taking to long to cook in the morning. Here is a WW recipe that might help some of you;

Crockpot Oatmeal

4 Servings – 2pts ea

1 cup steel cut oats (5pts)
2 T Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
2 tsp Vanilla
1 cup chopped Granny Smith apples (1pt)
4 cups water
1/4 cup skim milk ( ¼ pt) **
1/4 cup ff sour cream (1pt) **


(7.25 pts for the whole pot)

**NOTE the original recipe calls for 1/2 cup half and half. I've found the skim milk/ff sour cream in equal ratio combo to be a good replacement - however, you could also use fat-free 1/2 and 1/2 and count 1 pt per serving (if you're following Core)
Also, you can add a ¼ - ½ cup Splenda if you like.

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients and set to low heat. Cover and let cook for 8 to 9 hours.

Stir and remove to serving bowls. This method works best if started before you go to bed. This way your oatmeal will be finished by morning.


I am on Day 2 of doing the cold turkey no sugar. So far it's not too bad. I purged my office of all the "goodie" presents that I received and I'm keeping my glass filled with water or hot tea and having Wave I veggies for snacks. :carrot:

-Connie

[CherylA]

I've just joined the forum and am thinking of starting Sonoma. I lost on Atkins and liked it but always thought I should have whole grains also. I can't wait to get the book and begin. Being overweight most of my life, and 49 years old, I find I don't lose fast. I figured a good weight loss program I enjoy may keep me on the diet.

[Writersblock]

Thank you for the cereal recommendations. I actually like GoLean Crunch (not as much as Honey Bunches of Oats, Trix, or even Vanilla Special K, but at least it doesn't taste like I'm eating bark!). That oatmeal recipe sounds delicious, thanks Connie! I've been making way too big a deal about this darn cereal issue, but I know that if I start the day feeling deprived it will be that much harder to maintain throughout the rest of the day!

Petra, I think a "brand name" thread or food journal thread is a good idea, and I'll start one, maybe beginning with...oh...CEREAL! :D

Laurie

[flsunbakd]

WritersBlock told me about this site and I couldn't wait to see what's going on here! I started the Sonoma Diet this week and so far, so good. :) I like the idea of mixing the lean meats for lower fat with the whole grains & olive oil while cutting out the evil white carbs.

I'll be 55 in April and really need to get this 35 lbs off. I lost them about 3 years ago with the Suzanne Sommers Diet, but since then, repeat attempts have led to nothing but frustration. :dizzy: My husband and I both like to cook and eat Mediterranean style, so am hoping Sonoma will fit into our lifestye for a lifetime change. :)

[LindaT]

Hello all you new ladies. if you like good food you've come to the right place.

Poke around, ask questions... and get ready to exercise!! :carrot:

[Writersblock]

Hi Linda! Thanks for the welcome. Your ticker is an inspiration -- how proud you must be (and deservedly so!!). My goal is to get this weight off (yet again) and KEEP IT OFF!!

Yes, I'm heading back to the gym tomorrow! And, I'll be walking more often when at work. I work at an arts college, so a quick 15 min. break can turn into a nice walk around the campus.

Hi sweet Jill! I think this site is going to be GREAT!!

Laurie

[flsunbakd]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! And thanks so much, Laurie, for bringing me to this forum. :cp: You're the best Lose the Fat Buddy and now we'll have even more support! :goodvibes:

GOOD NEWS, Friends! I have lost three pounds!!! :carrot: :dance: :carrot: :dance:

Here's the next obstacle: Olive Garden with friends on Friday night. But ~~~ There's Good News! :cp: I went to their menu online and there are four good choices from their Grille that will help me stay on Sonoma. All are basted w/ extra virgin olive oil & spices and served with broccoli!! :woo:

I AM STRONG, GIRLS!! :strong: I WILL NOT EAT THE BREADSTICKS!! :strong:
But I will have that glass of fine red wine :hat: with dinner...even tho I'm still on Wave 1.

[Totally Neck-ed]

Congrats Jill. You are so funny. I think I will enjoy reading your posts.

We eat out ALOT at fancy resturants. It is gonna be a challenge. Hubby is a custom home builder and we eat out a few nights a week. The best part of finer dining is, (most of them anyway) have proper food portions. We are going to a steakhouse tomorrow night.. I think I am having salad and the seafood... sounds boring, but actually it is really good! Can I have creme brulee? :)

[winelover]

Hi everyone! I should be receiving the book this week. I'm really excited about this new "eating plan". I've tried WW and SBD with some success, but keep backsliding. I like low-carb eatiing but miss my bread, so I'm hoping the Sonoma Diet will ease the pain. :)

[LindaT]

Hi everyone! I should be receiving the book this week. I'm really excited about this new "eating plan". I've tried WW and SBD with some success, but keep backsliding. I like low-carb eatiing but miss my bread, so I'm hoping the Sonoma Diet will ease the pain. :)

Welcome Janice. I love this way of eating myself. Been following this style for years and rarely have felt deprived. So many yummy flavors. Please stick around, ask questions and make sure you post on the exercise thread. :D

[Totally Neck-ed]

Well, We went to the steakhouse and I ordered Goat cheese, toasted Melba ( I think) and bruchetts for an appitizer. For main chourse, Scallops and Shrimp and it had a tomato chunky topping and then the sides were roasted mushrooms and green beans.. Skipped the pototoes... and I cheated with desert.. It was a Panna Cotta.. ( Like creme brulee) but it was small and covered in almonds. 1 glass of wine and I was so stuffed!

[Indiacatz]

Hi.. .Isnt GoLean a Kashi cereal??? I believe there are several others in the Kashi family that have nearly the same fiber content, not sure about the sugar though.... Maybe some homemade muffins packed with fiber, like flax, bran ect, or even oats would be good for breakfast....I hope my book comes very soon.. :( Have a great evening... India

[DonnaS]

I eat breakfast, because so many studies have shown that it helps weight loss. But I don't normally eat traditional breakfasts. I'll have stir fry, veggie chili, soup, sandwich, or whatever sounds good. I did have eggs and toast yesterday and today, as outlined in the book, and I enjoyed it. But I'm sure I will get bored because I'm not a big fan of eggs, and am looking forward to suggestions. I love steel cut oats, and eat those when I want to devote 30 minutes to cooking them, lol.

Me too, I've been known to eat leftover dinner for breakfast, it sounds better, and I can only take so many egg or cereal dishes.

[petra65]

I was in the bookstore tonight (which can be a dangerous place for me :D ) and I came across this book Called Low-Fat Lies which appears to be a book about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and includes a bunch of recipes. I'm wondering if Linda or any of the other Med. chicks is familiar with this book already. Interestingly, it is written by two scientists (one physician and one PhD) from Brown. As you may know, a lot of the NWCR research comes out of Brown and the NWCR tends to have a heavy low fat bias. I'm on a crusade to get low carbers to register for the NWCR just to balance out their database.:rofl:

[irishgreengables]

Hi there. I just got the book today and, having done my own plan for 5 months, will begin this plan tomorrow. It really meshes with what I am already doing -- little processed foods, no sweeteners, lots of veggies etc. I WILL miss the fruit, but it is only for 10 days. I am a bit worried about the grains because my breastfeeding daughter is allergic to wheat -- so I can't have any either. I am also a bit confused because it says no yogurt in the first 10 days, but one of Wave 1's recipes contains yogurt. And then I am wondering about the fat. SHe offers 3 servings of added fat per day, but then uses at in the cooking, like oil in the mushrooms omelette. One more confusion, she says to snack on veggies, but then has nuts as a snack in the meus. Help me?

A note on steel cut oats: if you soak them in the same water you will cook them in overnight, they cook up in about 10 minutes. They are delicious mixed with cottage cheese and spices like cinnamon etc.

[LindaT]

I am a bit worried about the grains because my breastfeeding daughter is allergic to wheat -- so I can't have any either. I am also a bit confused because it says no yogurt in the first 10 days, but one of Wave 1's recipes contains yogurt. And then I am wondering about the fat. SHe offers 3 servings of added fat per day, but then uses at in the cooking, like oil in the mushrooms omelette. One more confusion, she says to snack on veggies, but then has nuts as a snack in the meus.

Paula, Glad you could join us. As far as the grains, there are several other grains to try.. quinoa, barley, amaranth, brown rice to name a few. All are yummy, but do check withyour doctor first if he/she thinks they might cause a reaction.

I suspect the reason to she states to avoid yogurt during wave 1 is more due to the fact the yogurt we'd eat as a meal would most likely have sugar/artifical sweetner as well as fruit in it. Also in the recipe, it is 1/2 cup for the entire recipe, which is 2 T a serving and we eat 1/2 -1c when we eat a container of it.

The snack thing is one I think we have to play by ear. What I do, is watch my intake of veggies and fat during the day. If I am going to be too low on fat that day, I'll eat a few nuts. If my meals don't contain enough veggies, veggies for snacks it is. You have to make some judgenment calls I thihk on this plan, because it isn't spelled out with hard fast rules. I know that I for one, couldn't deal with hard fast rules.. I like to have flexibility.


Petra, I've never read that book and actually I've read very few diet boks in my time. I've read a TON of articles on line, but the only two books I actually own are the Sonoma book and Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Loss Solution, which was also instrumental for me in my loss. All I know is I gained my all my weight eating very low fat because I wasn't satisfied eating that way, I stuffed myself silly on white pasta, rice, etc and justified it because it was "fat free" therefore okay. What a dope I was. :dizzy:

[petra65]

You don't even have the Mediterranean diet book? Wow! It's like a nutritional text book!

[LindaT]

Nope.. everything you need to know can really be found online.. I am a big cheapskate. :D

[sf40]

I gained my all my weight eating very low fat because I wasn't satisfied eating that way, I stuffed myself silly on white pasta, rice, etc and justified it because it was "fat free" therefore okay. What a dope I was. :dizzy:
I gained most of my weight eating low-fat then finished it off by eating low-carb. When low-fat was the big thing, I ate all the things you mentioned plus boxes of Snack-Well's. I remember telling my husband, as I gobbled a box, that if the food doesn't have fat, I can't get fat. Of course I was getting fat. OMG, what a dope!

[GinaXOXO]

Hi! You all have a jump start on me. I just started today. I really think it is going to be hard, especially initially. My husband and I are going to really give it our all because this diet is so so healthy.

I had heard about "power foods" but until Dr. Guttersen spelled it out in her book I didn't get it. I realize now what a huge deal eating right is.

sf40: I did the same thing. I lost weight doing the low fat diet and exercising hard. When I started gaining weight back is when I started eating the low-fat foods (like snackwell's). If only I would have kept eating real foods *sigh*.

I am looking forward to learning from you! I have never cooked like this before but we had the flank steak tonight and the flavor was divine. My family loved it. We are having the shrimp tomorrow night.

One last thing our eating habits in my family have really deteriated. I am looking forward to eating healthy again. It is primarily about weight loss for me but having good foods available for my family and the health benefits are inspiring.

[Lpree]

We had the flank steak last night as well and my husband (who isn't following the diet) said it was the best flank steak he'd ever had. Yay!

I'm struggling right, mostly because of PMS issues, but I'm really trying to stay on track. If I can just get through the next day or two, it'll be easier.

[GinaXOXO]

:goodscale Hang in there Lpree. I think you are right that after you get through the hardest couple of days that it will get better--just remember--NO excuses!! :goodscale

[ladyinweighting]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Lynn and I post on the Jorge Cruise board. I began Sonoma on Sunday. I'm pleased with the plan - no cravings - no nighttime breakdowns. I'm looking forward to wave 2.

Lynn

[jules1216]

Dh and I have been eating healthier since the youngest left the nest for college, but I wasn't losing (thankfully not gaining either). I started going to a Slim-n-tone gym(think Curves) Then December with all the Christmas goings on & many family birthdays including mine showed a five pound weight gain (darn cookies!!) I decided to finally get going and do something, I switched out my calorie laden regular Coke for water and have lost nine pounds. I know that my weight loss will eventually even out and stop as usual so I wanted to kick it up a notch. Sonoma sounds good and I have been lurking on this sight. Today is day 1, I went shopping yesterday and got a bunch of good things. Having Golean cereal for breakfast, a salad with a Boca burger for lunch, and a grilled chicken breast with some spinach and wild rice for dinner. I love the plan because my hubby can eat what I am and not feel deprived--he just eats more servings of whatever I make. He may end up losing a little too.

[tearjerker]

I love the plan because my hubby can eat what I am and not feel deprived--he just eats more servings of whatever I make. He may end up losing a little too.

My husband "secretly" loves the plan, although he has announced to me that he can't follow it faithfully like I can. Then I asked him if he wants to loose weight and he said he does, but he's still unwilling to give up some of his old habits. I just feel like he thinks the weight is just going to come off magically and he doesn't have to do any hard work to get it there. He has told me he supports me and plans to eat sonoma with me for our evening meals...both when he fixes dinner and when I fix dinner. He says the servings aren't large enough for him and I told him that is just our super-size culture talking and if he gave his stomach a chance he could get used to the smaller servings as well. When I started I would munch in between meals on almonds and sometimes ww crackers w/ goat cheese (never did the wave 1 veggies though) and now I can go through the day with no snacks whatsoever. Well, maybe things will change once he sees me really loosing the weight and he's not, personally the only reason I would like to see him loose weight is from a health perspective...his whole family, both sides, are diabetic. Looks wise, I can handle him with a six pack or a keg, like he has now :) )

I get to go home early today! My pto waitlist cleared! So, as soon as I'm done with the little dab of training I have to go through I can head to the Y and get a nice long workout done...maybe talk to them about the personal pilates training (how much $ it would set me back) and then go clean my house before getting my girls. It's Rachie's official birthday today and I'd like to spend the day with her, but I also want to take advantage of the time to myself to get the cleaning done that hasn't been. Lots of laundry that needs to be done!