I thought I would start this thread for a couple of reasons.

First, it seems that some of us have made some poor food choices, or have gained a couple of pounds, or whatever, and it might be good to focus on things other than what the scale says (besides, scales tell only part of the story!)

Second, I had a NSV today that I want to share. I had lunch with a (very thin) friend (who can eat whatever she wants) that I haven't seen in a couple of months. The first words out of her mouth were: "You've lost a lot of weight!" I was so happy to hear that!

So let's hear about the good things such as compliments, clothes fitting better, more energy, better mood, etc.; you know, the important things!

I went down a size in jeans and my arms look more toned. I also have lost most of my second chin.

I can do yoga moves I've never done before.

I have a muscle at the top of my shoulders

I've walked 10 miles and lived to tell the tale.

I can wear clothes I've not worn for 2 years.

My post Christmas new jeans (UK size 14/ US10?) are a bit big around the hips.

And here was I thinking that I'd not lost any weight!

Long live the NSVs- congratulations on all of yours.

I've been reading this forum (& loving it!) since I started Sonoma in mid January and just had to share this once I saw this new thread.

We have health screenings at my workplace every 6 months, and my results were so exciting (due to my new diet ) that I had to post them. I have lost weight, but the important thing to me was the health benefits that I hoped to achieve.

My cholesterol went down by 11 points, my good cholesterol went up to almost perfect, my blood pressure down, and, a less quantifiable benefit is better skin. I have had some extreme skin issues that are about 80% cleared up now, and nothing I've tried for the last ten years has had any effect at all on them. I don't think that is a coincidence!

Even though I've never posted before, all of you who post here have been inspiring and have helped me a lot with learning about, and sticking to, the Sonoma Diet. So . . . thanks!

Great thread. I'm a firm believer in not weighing (as I get obsessed with numbers which turns out to be counterproductive) but looking at other gains (no pun intended )

For me - being able to fit back into my size 6 (stretch) jeans - they're not loose and they've been stretched out for a while, but at least I can wear them around and not feel like I'm choking.

Also - I've passed two major hurdles i knew I would ahve to deal with on this diet: I'm a big coffe and cake person and love to finish my meal with that - since starting SD a week ago, I've stopped having coffee in the evening and moved to one cup of decaf green tea with a dolop of honey (no more than 1/3 tsp, I'd say) and some xylitol and I think that's gotten me off of the dire need for dessert. I've had yogurt and fruit one night, fruit salad one night, and that's it. I'm really trying to be conscious of what I'm eating at night and ask myself if I really want that dessert. If I do, I have it. But so far this week, mostly I've felt I just didn't feel like it, as the tea was enough. So I've skipped it. Major major deal for me.

Tam

I just started Sonoma a week ago, but I've already overcme a few HUGE hurdles - I haven't had after dinner dessert in a week, I haven't been snacking at all, and I've been eating normal people portions. I think I've been waiting for this diet my whole life. Last night was a big (odd) event for me, I felt hungry around 4:30 pm so I started making dinner, usually just by smelling things I stop feeling so hungry. I finally finished making dinner at 6:30, and realized I wasn't even a little bit hungry. I ended up eating my steamed broccoli and a little turkey, and put the rest in the fridge for lunch today. Very odd for me, but I LIKE it!

Wanted to share another NSV, even better than the one I posted at the top of this thread. Went to the doctor today and my blood pressure is well within the normal range, down from prehypertension six months ago. Exercise and a good diet makes a difference! Am having blood drawn tomorrow to check cholesterol, among other things, and hope to have similar results.

I've had another one!

I picked up a lovely skirt in a sale today (£5) It was the size I was wearing when I started (after Christmas) and I thought it would be a bit too big.

It is a long flowing skirt that sits on the hips- except it doesn't sit on mine- it FALLS TO THE FLOOR!

I'm thinking the sizes may be a bit more generous, but whatever....