Does anybody have their kids following along? I've been doing low fat for over a 1 & 1/2 years and it has worked well for me except I have a big belly left. Kind of strange for only weighing 123 Lbs. but what are you gonna a do, I'll stop and thank my parents for my fat storage genetics this afternoon!! Anyway besides my belly we are having a bigger issue, my 9 year old now out weighs my 12 year old. I really stood back and took an outside view on the situation and he is getting dangerously over weight for a kid. I was chubby as a kid and I was in denial and said he was too, but I really think it's a problem that needs to be addressed ASAP. We all weighed in this morning, we are going to try the Sonoma diet tomorrow as a family. I think everybody's portions are way out of control here! I hope everybody likes it enough to make it work!

My whole family, including hubby, 19 yr old son, 14 yr old daughter, 11 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter, all eat Sonoma foods and love it. They don't follow it exactly but just making changes such as cooking with olive oil, fruits, veggies and nuts for snacks, wholegrain breakfast cereals instead of sugary junk, switching to low fat milk and cheese, subbing mustard or low fat mayo for regular mayo and using brown bread instead of white for their sandwhiches is a big step in the right direction. I refuse to make 2 meals so while they may do their own thing for breakfast and lunch (which I still somewhat control as I do the shopping, hehe), they are assured of a healthy Sonoma-styled dinner. And I've never had any complaints because they all love the recipes.

Portion sizes were always my biggest problem as I cooked to feed an army so there were always more than enough for large servings and seconds and even thirds, sometimes. Now, I cook just enough and I also dish everyone's food up, so I can watch portion sizes.

I think it's wonderful that you are planning to teach your son a healthy eating style. Is he getting enough exercise, too?

Plenty of exercise, the kids can pretty much run as they please were we live. I just kicked them out about an hour ago! The sun is shinning and they are calling for rain later so no need to be inside. But football is starting next week so he will be getting some extra for the next 3 months (which is the best thing for him) My mom was just over and looked at my book, I think she may be on board too. She is really starting to have problems with her one knee and bending over! This could wind up being alot of fun, I hope!

Lori, you have the best attitude!! My dh did SBd with me and actually followed the plan, now with Sonoma he doesn't really follow but is reaping the benfits of the meals I cook. He loves them all. My 2 yr old loves them too but my 6 yr old is a very basic aka picky eater so it's way too tasty for him, lol.

I think Mummy's got the right idea though. Even if they don't measure their plates and all, with better food choices in the house and cooking with healthier fats, better carbs, etc can't be bad for anyone. I think you're gonna really like it.

As for your belly, crunches, crunches, crunches...the diet and cardio will work on the excess but at 123 you probably really just need to tighten it all up. Have you seen this...


5lbs muscle vs 5lbs fat-you turn that yellow mush into red hard muscle and your belly will be soooo much smaller

This may not fit entirely but I saw an episode of Arthur the other day where Arthur had gained a bit of weight and was having trouble fitting into an outfit for a school play. When they went to get him something that fit they ended up in the "husky" section. He refused to wear them and had to lose weight. His teacher, friends, and little sister all pitched in to help him stay away from snacking wrong and not getting enough excercise. The characters are about your son's age, though he may think it's a sissy show or something, it may help point out ways to help him get started.

I have a four year old who's starting to bulge herself, but wants to! She wants to be "big and fat like Mommy" so I'm trying to show her, by losing, that it's not good to be fat like me. She's interested in the Jenny Craig food I started bringing home so maybe I'll get the cookbook too so she can 'eat like Mommy' too.
Good luck!

Teaching a 4 year old to eat healthily is a great idea, Artgirl but be careful it's not portrayed as "a diet". That could be detrimental to her psychologically, in the long run. I'd rather teach my child to eat real, whole foods than packaged diet foods. I think I'm saying this badly and I don't mean to offend because I think it's great that you are trying to set a good example for her.*sigh* Did you mean the Sonoma cookbook or a Jenny Craig cookbook?

I meant the Jenny Craig cookbook. In fact, I was talking about it to my fiance at lunch today. I asked him if he wanted me to make meatloaf or hamburger helper for them tonight with the meat I left out and he said he feels they are getting the wrong end of the deal. That my food looks better than theirs. I offered to get the cookbook so that I can make the same for them. My little one knows Mommy wants to lose weight but I just told her that I'm eating better and exercising more. Taking her on walks with me is fun, but hard when she doesn't want to go. So to make up for the days without I decided to start biking too. I rode my bike to and from work today. I hope to do it again every day this week, unless it rains. And if I like it keep going through next week, and the next, lol. You get my point.

I know what you mean though. I can hardly remember a time when my mom wasn't on a 'diet' though she never stuck to hers like I plan on with mine. I have one thing my mom never had (besides more weight), determination. I don't want my little one to think of anything I do as a failure. I succeed at everything I do because I want to. I want her to do the same. I'm doing this as much for her as for myself.

I want to give you all an update, we are on day five and the family swears we are starving!!! Kids and DH are a hoot! They all like the food but the portions are much lower than we are used to. I never realized how much the kids snacked at night. DH-lost 5 lbs and so did youngest son. Oldest son lost 4, so everybody is excited and only complaining about 1/2 as much. The little guy is going to make his football weight in 2 weeks and he is very happy that he can button some of his jean shorts again. Ya know it's a shame we get in such bad habbits when we work full time. Anyway I've decided to take some time on Sunday and slice and dice for next week. The hardest part we are all having is missing the sweet stuff in our coffee. All in all it's going pretty quick and the little guy is having sucesses so the rest of us shedding a few pounds and slicing and dicing is paying off! He's pleased and motivated, so it's well worth the extra effort!