I'll admit, I'm a little nervous at trying another diet. I've tried several other diets with no lasting success. I am optimistic after reading reviews, comments and the book that the Sonoma may fit more into my lifestyle. I could really use support. Any tips, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated. I see the biggest challenge as quitting soda. I drink Pepsi all day long. I've tried diet, switched for a while but always come back.
I am motivated to lose weight as my children become more active, I want to be able to keep up. Again, I'm glad for this format to seek out additional support.
Thanks.

Hey MomnMo!
What part of MO are you from? I grew up in St. Louis, but moved away as a young adult. Good luck on the Sonoma. You know what? If you drop the Pepsi's and drink lots of water and eat moderately this first week, I bet you will do amazing well. If you changed nothing but dropping the soft drinks and drinking water, I'd bet you'd still lose! You know, I restarted a diet several weeks ago. I am addicted to diet coke. I stopped the diet coke, drink 1 or 2 iced teas and LOTS of water. I ate moderately, but didn't starve by any means. I lost 9 lbs. the first week!!!! I'm guessing I was retaining lots of water because of all the soft drinks, even though they were diet. Try it and see! Let me know how it goes!

Tomorrow I start Sonoma and say goodbye to my best pal... Mountain Dew. Yes I know how seductive he can be but I've run out of excuses and when people are asking my due date (I'm not pregnant) then it must be time to do something. I'm going to make small changes and eat sensibly. And log on here for support.

Welcome Mom and Kimmie and best of luck on this plan

Mom, as far as any tips, try approaching this from a good health standpoint rather than from a weight loss standpoint. You aren't very overweight at all and maybe the fact that it isn't serious yet keeps you from getting to where you want to be. I focus on the health aspect of this plan first and foremost. Everything I get now, I think, "Is this choice healthy" rather than " Is this choice going to make me gain weight" This way of eating is going to be great for your whole family because your kids don't need pepsi etc every day either!

Kimmie, Mountain Dew sure packs a punch doesn't it? Same advice as I gave Mom that might make it a bit less painful to give up. Imagine what all that sugar and empty calories are doing to your body? Not a pleasant thought is it?

katie is right . You could very well expect a big whoosh during the first week, but if that doesn't happen do not give up. This is for your health!

Both of you, don't forget to join the exercise sticky at the top of the page.

Thanks Linda & Katiesmom for the advice. Day 1 has started and so far so good. I do see the sonoma as a lifestyle change versus a weight loss plan. I work in the health field and see the result of an unhealthy lifestyle on a daily basis. But it took my kids to really open my eyes.
Right now is the best time for me to start. I live in the country and my garden is really producing this year. Fresh veggies will make this transition easier for me.

Katiesmom - I currently live on the St. Louis side of the state but I'm from the KC side. I like the St. Louis side.

Kimmie - I can so relate. My mom is a soda drinker and I think I picked it up from her. I crave Pepsi. I hate that something has that tight of control on me.

I'll keep posting and THANKS again for the great support!

Hello everyone, I am a newbie. Actually I am just beginning today. I am going to buy the book today and am just going by the valuable information I have obtained from this website to start today. I need some guidance in what to eat for lunch, but will check on one of the other threads in case it is before I get the book. I am looking forward to the support I will get on the site and getting to know you.

Over52 - I am only on day 2 so I'm not the best person to give ideas for lunch. I am excited about the lunch I fixed for today. I'm having a Sonoma Express Wrap. The concept is basic and you can find it in the book. Basically, it's a WG tortilla with a spread of your choice (I'm using a sundried tomato spread), lean meat (grilled chicken), & veggies (peppers & tomotoes for me.)
Glad you joined and I wish you much success.

Thanks Momnmo! I am taking my two grandsons to lunch and the movies. I go back to work tomorrow and it will be easier. I figured I will just order a salad or I hadn't htought about a wrap. I don't know about the salad dressings though. I ate a piece of WG toast and the causal omlette off the Allrecipes site for breakfast. So far, I am off to a good start and it always helps to have help : ) VIcki

Hi and good luck! I just finished Wave 1, and am starting to get serious about 2 after eating way too much fruit this weekend. Remember when you cut out pop cold turkey that you're also cutting out a lot of caffeine. Might want to have an extra cup of coffee, maybe iced, or some iced tea to help wean yourself off, or you'll get a doozy of a headache. Crystal Light is really sweet, it helped with the cravings if I didn't overdo.

I found that 3 lbs have mysteriously disappeared from my butt while I slept. Yesterday was kinda bittersweet and sad. I went to my favorite lunch place and they said, the usual and I said. Nope. Give me the california salad, decaf ice tea.. they looked at me like I was insane. Gimme strength. LOL

Kimmie- That is funny. I did loose an lb last night when I was sleeping too. I hope it was from my butt. Knowing my luck it'll of gone from my ear lobe or something less noticeable!

Over52- Did you get your book. It's a great read. The receipes are really good. I made the mushroom soup, it was sooo tastey. Looked kinda of funny as I put it in the blender. Sorta like a bowl of mud. But I loved it!

Good Luck.
Gina

Kimmie & Gina congrats on your weight loss. Its good to see new faces joining us. So to all of you who are new welcome It'll take me a while to learn who is saying what and your names.

I post menu's over on the Summer Challenge board. Go to the recipe sticky and you'll find a lot of good stuff there. Check out on Allrecipes.com that Sonoma Online has posted. Click on the recipe sticky on this site and you'll get all the info. Lots of luck and keep up the good work

Kimmie -congrats on the weight loss. I think we started wave 1 around the same time. I hope for similiar results. I haven't approached the scale yet. I want to get a few more good days in before submitting myself to that.

meloregon - thanks for the suggestions. I've tried to quit caffeine before cold turkey and it's not a pretty sight. I have had 1 diet soda per day which is a HUGE success for me. I suffered headaches all day yesterday but today is much better.

Momnmo-
I'd say cut yourself a little slack. Wave 1 is hard enough without trying to wean yourself from caffeine too. Just make sure you're drinking enough water instead of pop, and eventually you'll be drinking less caffeine anyway. Maybe focus on the idea that Wave 1 is to cut out sugar, and over the next month or so plan on drinking less caffeine. I seem to remember somewhere in the book where she says pretty much the same thing--caffeine's not great for you, but if you need your coffee, you need your coffee.

I am having a hard time getting my weight tracker. Anyway, I am on my third day and all is going well. I just had a delicous lunch.
ww flour tortilla, tuna, onion, red pepper and I put cottage cheese on it to act as a dressing. Added garlic and heated it up. Delicous!! Why not, you put cottage cheese in lasagna. I am trying to get cheese out of my life and creamy ff salad dressings are horrible!! Paul Newman's raspberry vinagrette with walnuts is supreme, but runny for a wrap. My friend goes to LA weight loss and they recomend that.
Dinner will be chicken and a salad. Good luck everyone!