THE ZONE "BASICS"

[BC]

(Moved from the old site)

Topic author: linda lou
Subject: "The Zone " Basics
Posted on: 10 Sep 2002 2:36:12 PM

Message:
I hear this mentioned now and then on the board. What is this plan exactly? I haven't purchased or ordered the book but curious to see what it is all about. Anyone doing this??

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Topic author: BC
Replied on: 10 Sep 2002 3:57:49 PM

Hi Linda
It’s the plan I started my weight loss on and still my WOL. The Zone is not as easy to explain as Atkins, but I'll try to give you a taste of the basics, but not necessarily the rational or science behind it:

1. For most people, the plan consists of eating EACH meal or snack in a ratio that works for you. The ratio Sears suggested is 40% carb, 30% Protein, 30% Fat, but it is adjustable for the individual. There are several methods/levels of Zoning.

2. In the “Block” method, the total amount you eat each day is derived from a calculation of your Lean Body Mass plus activity level. This is the amount necessary to support you and your activities, not your fat.

3. In general, you are encouraged to eat three zone (balanced) meals and two zone snacks a day, although some re-arrangement is fine.

4. Observe certain meal/snack timing guidelines.

5. No foods are specifically forbidden, but you are encouraged to make wise, healthy choices--lean proteins; low glycemic, nutrient-rich veggies; "good" fats.

Linda, as I said in another thread, the Zone is designed as a plan for optimal health, by balancing insulin/glucagon production, and providing the opportunity for good nutrient consumption. Weight loss is a delightful and inevitable side effect.

For a better look than I've just given, you can check out www.zoneperfect.com. Click on Getting Started and/or on Mastering the Zone. I'd be happy to answer any other questions I can.

brenda

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Topic author: belleraine
Replied on: 13 Oct 2002 12:46:03 AM

I've just started Zoning and love it. I was getting bored with Atkins and felt I was eating way too much fat. The Zone is still low carb compared to popular low fat diets. However, it is still a low/moderate fat diet. You cannot eat bacon and pork rinds all the time. Anybody other than me see something wrong with eating bacon and pork rinds -- I do love both. But think about it. If you're low-carbing so that your body will burn fat for fuel, all that fat you're putting in is being burned before your body fat is being burned. Could that be the reason for so many stalls on Atkins? And I do believe that calories do count -- and fat intake. I gained 4-5 pounds over a weekend on a planned cheat. That Monday (this past Monday) I started The Zone diet and have lost all that I gained on the cheat plus two more pounds. I had been stalled on Atkins.

I would love to hear more opinions, both positive and negative on the Zone.
Mark
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Topic author: admin
Replied on: 13 Oct 2002 08:18:48 AM


I'm excited to see a discussion of the Zone on our boards...keep it up. this is an important plan, and for those who don't tolerate the higher fat of Atkins well, it is a great alternative.

I’ve never done the zone, but the one criticism i see constantly of it is that it is "complicated" to follow. Is that true, brenda? or is it just something you quickly get used to?

LCandrea, webmaster

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Topic author: BC
Replied on: 13 Oct 2002 10:24:45 PM

Andrea, I think "complicated" is a relative thing. Initially it takes some calculating, planning, and a change in your way of thinking about eating. I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. My former way of eating just made me fat, sick, and unhappy.

The first week, I made a few mistakes, and meal planning and preparation took longer than normal. I did get frustrated, but I started feeling better. By the second week, I was well on my way, and it's pretty much been second nature for a long time now. When I look at the newbies board, the questions, the "mistakes" I don't find it much different in that regard--the "getting up to speed" in your woe.

On an ongoing basis, what most people would consider "complicated" perhaps is you hear about eating in a ratio in general. I realize that may sound pretty hairy, but the Zone's block method makes it easy to do. I do it in my head, well, actually without thinking much about it at all, unless I'm tracking for some specific reason. If you've ever used Fitday, counted carbs, counted calories, paid attention to portions, etc., to me it's no more complicated than that--it's just "different." There’s also the eyeball method, which is very simple.

Is it for everyone? Probably not. While I think it would be a healthy plan for a lot of people, it does take some initial investment of time and energy to understand and put into practice. It takes the willingness to adjust to giving yourself some limits over the long haul and being, as much of the time as you care to, accountable to yourself for what you put in your mouth. For me, again, this is not a bad thing. The benefits have greatly outweighed the effort I made understanding and implementing the plan in my life.

172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

[CR]

I enjoy re-reading this...it's always a good thing to brush up on the basics!

My take on all this...is balance and portion control. Sometimes with other programs the dieter fails to limit portions...thinking that foods with high fats and little carbohydrates are 'free'...this makes losing difficult as the calories are very high...Our bodies will lose at first with this method, but in the long run adding balance into the mix is essential. Limit your macronutrients with a sensible balance...meaning leaner proteins, favorable carbs and limited fats...the body will respond famously. This is a life plan that works well for me...it does take some learning; but hey, I'm worth it!!

Connie

[kateryna]

Dear Friends:
I would like some feedback from you on how to make this Zone plan easier for people like me, who have been brain-damaged due to a stroke that makes it difficult to focus. I have been following Atkins (and even this is hard for me to figure out) and have had good success with it but feel I would probably do better by following something that endorses less fat. I need to keep things very simple, otherwise I am overwhelmed. I don't mind repetition and variety is not really an issue. Any ideas? Perhaps Caveman Type plans would work better?

kateryna
apr-15-03 226/202/126
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever!

[This message was edited by kateryna on 10-08-03 at 10:13 AM.]

[BC]

Kateryna, their are several ways to do the Zone plan. The easiest is called the "Eyeball" method, where you "eyeball" your amounts of protein and carbohydrate using the size of your hands as guidelines.

Try www.zoneperfect.com. Click on "Getting Started" (one of the squares on the left side of the screen). Then click on "The Eyeball Method" in the table of contents. Read a little and see if that method sounds like something you'd like to try. If so, we'll be glad to help you all we can.



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

[Maggie]

Hi there!

You've found an "Information Only" thread.

These threads are not checked frequently, since we didn't anticipate getting questions here. We just noticed that some people ARE posting questions, so we're closing the thread to new posts.

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Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!