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Heather 
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 03/31/2008 7:30 PM |
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I'm an on again/off again zoner. I wish I was always on but always seem to find myself giving into the "bad food" temptation. One thing that keeps my hands off the snickers is eating macadamia nuts and almonds. The problem is, I eat them by themselves (w/o protein or carbs) and probably a handful or two at a time (much more than a few blocks). It seems like the other option would be to eat more complete blocks but I'm trying not to do that (I'm already at 14). I am active and at a healthy weight but would like to increase my athletic performance.
I'm wondering what the effects of eating a lot of fats by themselves would be. Dr. Sears says that fats don't have an effect on hormones. Are they basically just calories? Is it ok to eat nuts alone or should I just eat a few extra snacks?
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 03/31/2008 8:21 PM |
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I think there are basically 2 things that I will comment on.
First of all, you are correct in saying that the nuts are basically more calories, they add calories, and can contribute to additional bodyfat if eaten in extreme. But, there is not much hormonal effect. There is some protein and carb in a large amount of nuts, but I think the high fat would keep from getting much hormonal effect.
The more important point to consider, is that there must be something that is going on which is causing you go get the munchies, go off the zone, etc. Have you kept a food journal? It might be very useful for you to journal your food, your hunger level (especially 4 hours after the meal) and perhaps also how you are feeling emotionally at the time.
Also, at your activity level, have you checked your stats to make sure you are getting enough blocks? According to your post, you probably have, but just another thought to consider.
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Heather
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 03/31/2008 8:37 PM |
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Hi Cranberrycat,
Thanks for the response :)
I'm definitely leading a stressful life right now with 10-16 hour work days and away from home at least one night a week. I've realized in the past two years that I am an emotional eater and stress has the strongest effect. I love my job so I can't complain too much but the best way for me to combat the stress is to stay fit and workout a lot. I still, however, find myself stress eating at least once a week. Its a whole 'nother issue really... but recently I've found that a semi-ok substitute for candy, brownies, etc. has been eating the nuts. It gives me the crunchy, needy satisfaction of eating something, and keeps away the hunger pangs (which are REALLY hard to tolerate under stress).
I'm not too worried about the extra calories. I would like to be leaner but I also want to give myself a little wiggle room while my life is this stressful. Things will ease up in June and then I'll be able to really weigh and measure. Until then, though, I'm wondering if eating a couple of handfuls of nuts a couple of times a day (on top of 14 blocks) will have an adverse affect on my zoning goals - better athletic performance. I'd hate to be trying so hard with my blocks and find out that I'm ruining it all with my nut splurges.
As far as my block prescription, 14 seems to be the number for an athletic, well muscled female. I don't know if I'm completely in the category of well muscled but I'm close, and 14 seems to work much better for me than 12 or 13 which I've tried and found the hunger to be out of control. |
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 04/01/2008 7:48 AM |
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Heather, your description of things makes me wonder if you need a carb adjustment. Judge whether you are feeling mentally focused or unfocused with the hunger and adjust carb accordingly.
Also, what type(s) of exercise do you perform and how much time do you spend doing each weekly? That will determine your activity level for the protein requirementcalculation.
I'll be glad to help you figure out whether you need to adjust your number of daily blocks and/or your activity level.
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 04/01/2008 11:03 PM |
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Heather,
Just to try to answer your original question a bit better, you should not really push yourself out of the Zone by eating a little extra fat. As you implied, fat is not something that will affect your insulin levels. However, if your goal is to lose weight, then the extra calories will not help you. Nuts are very concentrated in calories.
You mention stress, and that could be the root cause of your struggle. Stress causes cortisol levels to increase, and that could be putting you out of the Zone. So, if you are under a lot of stress, maybe you can find some time for stress reduction activities, like meditation. Also, try to make an effort to get adequate sleep (that could be a struggle with a 16 hour workday!). |
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Heather
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 04/01/2008 11:48 PM |
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I usually feel mentally focused when I have the uncontrollable cravings. Does that mean I need to increase my carbs? I lose weight fairly easily when I am weighing and measuring so that makes me think that I might be able to tolerate more carbs in my meals.
My activity level is fairly high. I crossfit about 4-5 times per week. Lately I have been training for a half marathon so I am crossfitting about 4 times/week and running twice (one short, 3-4 mile run and one long, 8-12 mile run) with one day of rest. I am 5'6" and 130 lbs. I don't know my accurate lbm.
Stress is most likely the root of the cause and adequate sleep isn't always easy. Knowing that some level of stress will continue until June, I am most interested to know if I should continue "cheating" with nuts or if it would be a better idea to increase my total blocks to 15 or 16. As far as I've researched, that seems unheard of for women.
Thank you for your help :) |
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Outi
Posts:60
Aspiring
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| 04/02/2008 1:20 PM |
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I'm so happy to hear that someone else has these nutcravings too!! Although for me it's normally a lot more than just one or two handfuls! Luckily my solution has been (and I've learned just recently, about one month ago) increasing total blocks from 11 to 12, because I do sports about 1- 1½ hours a day (cyckling, running and gym). Anyway, if eating these nuts (I'm just amazed how in the world do you afford to eat macadamia nuts?!!I doubt they're cheeper in USA than here in Scandinavia --> 70 euros/kg.. (30e/kg for cashew nuts, but the prices vary a lot)) doesn't get out of hand (like it happened for me) I think it's OK. Plus, if you're active. :)
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Sue K
Posts:10512
Zone Expert
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| 04/02/2008 1:24 PM |
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| If you can post your LBM, or measurements for your ab at level of belly button, and your hips, we can better answer your qns about blocks and/or additional fat. I wouldn't continue haphazardly eating handfuls of nuts for now. On the other hand, depending upon your protein requirement and activity level, extra fat may also be helpful in your case. We'd really need to know your LBM to determine protein requirement. |
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Heather
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 04/02/2008 4:43 PM |
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Thanks Sue!
I'm working overnight tonight and I won't have internet access but I will try to get that info posted tomorrow. I don't think I'm at an lbm level where I should be eating extra fat. I'll let you know. |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:6019
Zone Expert
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| 04/03/2008 10:26 PM |
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Hi again, Heather!
I would not recommend continuing to eat the nuts.
What I would do is this: find a solution to relieve some of the stress, something that you can work into your daily routine. Meditation does not take long, and you can easily work it into your routine. Also, work on getting adequate sleep (from one who also struggles to get enough). Really, just aim for 1/2 hour earlier to bed, and you will be surprised at how well you will feel in the morning. And, a 1/2 hour earlier to bed is easy to do if you turn off the computer, turn off the tv, etc. (and don't look at the time of the evening that I posted this!)
Instead of eating handfuls of nuts, just try increasing the fat in each meal by 2-3 blocks. I bet the cravings for the nuts will disappear. |
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