So I'm totally new here. I randomly (or maybe not so randomly) wandered across this site and thought to myself... "Self... not another support forum for the never-ending diet." Then, I started reading! The things I've learned today could fill volumes!! I am so so so so happy to see a Thanksgiving Challenge, as my wedding day is two days after Thanksgiving. I really like the idea of having someone (or perhaps many) to talk to, whine to, complain with, and support through this very exciting and stressful next few months.
At the beginning of 2006, my cousin passed away from weight related illnesses. She was 4 years older than me. I had a very hard time dealing with the fact that so many of "the kids" as Grandma used to call us, had been dealing with weight and heart trouble. I used to be the 4th oldest. I am now the 3rd oldest, and will be second oldest within a year. There used to be 20 grandkids. That's hard to think about.
So we started Adkins. My fiancé, my 15 year old daughter and I started Adkins. We were kind and let the 12 year old have his bread. The daughter did VERY well and lost enough weight that her classmates oo'ed and aw'ed at her. The fiancé lost a LOT of weight and his co-workers commented on it daily. I, however, did not do so well. Apparently, I can put it on quickly, but the taking it back off process is much, much slower for me. Discouraged, I quit after 3 weeks of Induction - I know, I know... 2 weeks of Induction, but since it was working so well for them, I figured why not another week? Since then, I've gained another 5 pounds and can't fit into my brand new hippy jeans! I bought them and have never worn them.
Today, I start anew. This time, though, I will have you to help me, to encourage me, and to understand why I don't feel like going outside in 108 degree weather to take a walk. I came across the Sonoma Diet and it looks and sounds pretty interesting. There seems to be some confusion with it, but all in all, I think that it is a plan and a way of eating that I can stick to and learn to love.
Tomorrow, I will officially weigh in (early in the morning before my first cup of Splenda sweetened coffee) and start this thing off right! Today, I will eat healthy and put my Pilates machine to good use. NO, NOT as a coat rack!

Kyrie! nice to have you join us. Sonoma can indeed be a confusing plan for people, but try not to get hung up on the tiny details, percentages.. etc. What matters more is: Controlling portions, making the best food choices possible and getting lots of good exercise!! And of course,a very BIG thing is - PLANNING!! Plan your meals in advance, plan your exercise just like you would an appointment because You are WORTH taking the time to care for yourself! and don't forget to plan adequate sleep because Lord knows it's hard to eat well and exercise when you are sleep deprived.

I see you live in a very hot state so I can understand how uncomfy you must be. I can promise you that losing weight WILL make managing the heat much better. In fact, plenty of times during the summer, I now get chilled. Fat is a marvelous insulator.

I hope you find this way of eating as beneficial as many of us have. I'll never go back to junk!! Do check out some of the recipes at the top of the recipe forum for ideas of yummy dishes to try.

Kyrie. I really like the Sonoma diet, my weight loss has been slow, but then I don't always follow it to a t, but no tagamints, not stomach problems. It is a good healthy diet. Keep posting!! Vicki

welcome!! It is a great way of life b/c the food that you eat is delicious!

Sometimes it seems slow here but I think most of check in pretty often. So we'll be here to support or nudge you in the right direction.

I joined the Thanksgiving Challenge. Today is my official weigh in and I am happy to see that the scale was kind to me today. I am one whole pound closer to my goal I've set a 20lb goal for Thanksgiving. Perhaps my wedding dress will fit better the following Saturday.

Good girl Kyrie and welcome again! I think you will do here with us on this diet!!

yay!! that wedding dress is gonna need some serious alterations

I know that I shouldn't be weighing daily. I know that it can cause great distress if my numbers aren't moving in a downward direction. I am a morning weigher, though. I get up and do my thing in the bathroom which includes hopping on the scale - usually not happy about what I see. Today, though, was a different story! 240 down 4lbs in 2 full days. I couldn't be happier! That number gave me the motivation I needed to get lunches together for the sweetie and the 12 year old - AND breakfast in us all, as well. This is a happy day



Thanksgiving Challenge

weighing in in wave 1 is ok b/c the numbers move fast! once you move on to wave 2 though, don't do it a lot just 'cuz it's not as exciting, lol.

Great job!!!

Yesterday, I flip flopped between feeling starved and overstuffed. I ate proper portions for breakfast and felt fine. About 30 minutes before lunch, though, I was starving! After I ate, I felt that I was overfull. I know that whole grains will fill you up faster, but I guess I forgot that they also expand in the stomach. Dinner time brought the same trouble - feeling ravenous and then overfull. I was SURE that I'd gained instead of losing, so I HAD to get on the scale first thing this morning. Keeping everything in FitDay is helping. Yesterday I consumed right about 1400 calories and today I am down another pound 239

Thanksgiving Challenge

5lbs down!!! You go girl!

Do you plan your meals in advance? To avoid the starving then stuffed feeling, take a part of your lunch(like a side salad) and eat it early before you get starved then in 30-60 min eat the rest of your lunch. But first, you are eating your snacks though, right?? If not make sure you do.

I did find that it felt like I was always eating and it consumed so much of my day but that wears off too. Keep it up!!

Usi

I am eating my snacks. I think I'll try your suggestion, though - have a small part of my lunch a little early. I do plan meals ahead of time. As a matter of fact, I pack lunches for the family the night before and get up to make breakfast every morning. Meals are planned and shopped for 2 days in advance. That helps me avoid the "What will I eat?" questions. We are sticking to the weekend menu, but I haven't kept up on my exercise, today. I would love to get in the pool, but we were fortunate enough to FINALLY get some of the monsoonal rain. We are in the northern portion of Phoenix, and the rain always misses us. Today, though, the pool looked like a typhoon hit it! Rain "falling" in every direction!! Looks like the Pilates machine is getting all of my exercise time.



Thanksgiving Challenge

you are doing so well Kyrie!!

If you can get a good exercise plan in before wave 2, you will be all set for success. Even if you do only 15 min, it's 15 min more than nothing. You may strangely become addicted to it too. I went from couch to crazy-gym lady, lol

Great job Kyrie!! and batmomm - you are a great motivator with some excellent suggestions!!!I am determined to keep on loosing this time. I felt so good and my clothes felt better and now just feel all bloated!! I agree with the starving and full part though! Planning meals is definately a key ingredient. I did that better when I first started, so just must make th e effort!! Keep up the good work ladies!

What an icky weekend! I spent a lot of it in bed with a summer flu. We have had the most beautiful monsoon evenings. A HUGE tree in our courtyard was blown over - not just blown over, but uprooted! It pulled up two sections of sidewalk with it. VERY cool - cooler that it didn't hit the pool fence or anything else. Unfortunately, I didn't eat or exercise regularly due to the nyquil effects. I am holding steady at 239, today.

Today - I will eat on schedule and work out on schedule.

Thanksgiving Challenge