[PhysDom]

So, I decided that I don't like so much the eyeball measuring way of eating using the plates and bowls. I **love** the food and the theory/culture of the Sonoma Diet, but I feel like I need a bit more structure.

So I started measuring more carefully and logging everything and am going to keep counting calories while I do this. I noticed that some days I could have selected food that gets my only at 1000 calories -- and that's not enough for me! On the other hand, I could make choices that give me something ridiculous like 45% calories from fat... I'd rather be in a little more control for a while.

So I've made up a huge overall health spreadsheet to track all of my measurements and weight and body fat, my strength training, a cardio log, and a food tracking system. I'm pretty excited about keeping everything written down and in track.

Does anyone else have similar reaction?

[Altari]

I like the overall idea - managing portions not calories. I don't want to live restricted for the rest of my life. This isn't a "diet" this my diet.

My issue with the Sonoma Diet (and the Mediterranean diet) and most other diets is how limited you are in foods you can eat. I'm going to incorporate some of the recipes and ideas from the Sonoma Diet, but I don't think I'm going to follow it.

But...I would be interested in seeing your spreadsheet!

[PhysDom]

*laughs* For some reason or another -- I *love* measuring out all of my ingredients and writing down the weight of all of my veggies... and then adding it to the list. I think I'm a strange one for that.

If you -really- want to see the spreadsheet, please PM me with your email and I'll send you a copy. I just started it yesterday -- and I really wish that I'd been doing it for much longer b/c I'm closer to the end of my weight loss than to the beginning and fitday.com somehow lost all of my weight tracking changes!

[beaner0620]

Hi. I agree with you on the counting thing. I have been on sonoma for over a month now, but I cheat a very littlet bit so I too want to count calories for a while until I get the hang of it all. I too would love to see your spreadsheet. I found a site online for food logging, etc. but am interested in yours. Im only going to do this temporarily and then hopefully I will just know. Thanks

Sabrina

[sf40]

I am the opposite regarding calorie-counting. I did it for about two months and found it very educational and eye-opening. But I became a slave to FitDay and tracking my food took so much time. I like the freedom of "eyeballing" and as long as I don't get bigger, I'm a happy gal. However, I do have a spreadsheet in which I track various body part measurements, my weight, various health measurements, and my energy and mood. Have been tracking this stuff since October and find it motivating to see the changes.

[chocolate kiss]

I wont count calories; but i think i will meassure the food more. (at first)
My eyes tend to tell me "add more" , I am not a good judge at eyeballing.