Search
Create an Account - | Customer Service | Healthcare Professionals | My Zone |INTERNATIONAL 
Subject: Cranberry

You are not authorized to post a reply.   

Page 1 of 71234567 > >>
Author Messages
Jeffrey User is Offline
Posts:237
Zoner
Zoner

01/24/2008 4:02 AM
hi Cranberry, this is the new thread to see if we can't jump start your zone process.

first off, i have no idea what your stats are or what your goals are, so if you could post some information here, i'd appreciate it.

for example, how much have you lost? how long did it take? you've plateaued for a year, but how much weight do you want to lose now? do you have the zone feeling? has your strength gone up over the past year (same weight plus extra strength may mean muscle gain has masked fat loss).

i've hard that the body gets used to something and you have to keep it "confused" to get maximum results when it comes to weight lifting. even though the guy who told me that is *huge*, i'm not sure i buy it. i want to see studies showing it to be true. they might exist. or not. i don't know.

it seems curves takes the same approach. i'd expect them to be able to point to some credible evidence that what they say is true. adding calories and elevating insulin, which is what increasing from 1200+ calories to 1600+ calories to 2000+ calories will do, doesn't seem like a rational way to lose weight.

starting from what we know, your diet seems to be pretty balanced now. that is, you haven't gained or lost weight in about a year. our job is to tweak things a bit so you start losing some weight.

here are some suggestions off the top of my head:

1. measure your added fat carefully - it is easy to add extra fat if you are just pouring it in instead of measuring it. if you add too much fat, your body will urn less of your own fat.

2. try dropping a block every other day. the reality is the lbm calculation is an estimate and your body type might be throwing it off. in my case it was off by about 14 lbs (and this only became obvious as i lost fat and gained muscle).

3. you'll get better insulin control if you eat smaller meals more often. have you tied eating five 2 block meals and one 1 block snack spread out evenly throughout the day? perhaps your genetics penalizes you for eating more than a bare minimum of calories and/or carbs.

4. one of the benefits of additional fat is to slow down the rate of carb absorption. you can try to do that via low gi carbs and add less fat. if this doesn't spike hunger, the fat left out should be burned from your body. don't eliminate it of course, just reduce it a bit to see what happens.

5. fit in some 2 a day cardio workouts. i've been stuck at 160 lbs for about a month, but i can think of several reasons why (reduced exercise, slightly increased food intake, fruit bigger than "average" so carbs may be high, not measuring fats precisely, drinking beer with friends). i will buckle down and try to lose the last 8 pounds or so until i have the washboard abs i want.

however, if my diet work doesn't accomplish the goal given my current exercise routine, i'm ready and prepared to do cardio every day and 2 a days on weekends. i'd do them during the week, too, but i work.

6. if you feel you want to try "shocking" your system with different food intake, i'd probably try dropping a block for one week and adding a block for another week. that way you end up the same overall and you get a little "shock" value. again, this may well be urban myth territory.

this is totally anecdotal and unscientific, but my weight loss seemed to do its best when i ate one nonfat yoplait yogurt for breakfast and balanced it with extra protein and fat. when i went to eating more steel cut oats, my weight loss stopped. then again, that was about the time i cut my cardio due to a foot injury and my oatmeal centered breakfasts are larger than the yogurt centered breakfasts (more calories).

7. i'm not sure how curves works, but you may want to add sprint type work 3 days per week. get on the elliptical and work like mad for 45 seconds and then slow down and rest for a minute and then pedal like mad again. keep at it to stress your system. this kind of approach compliments the more steady type cardio workouts.

8. get plenty of sleep, meditate and make sure you do all you can to reduce stress and the resulting cortisol release which will tend to maintain body fat.

good luck and let us know what you try. i will keep hacking away at the last 8 pounds i need to lose and see what happens. my goal for this saturday is to be at least 159.5 lbs. i hit 157.5 in december. the following week's goal is 158.5 lbs.
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 9:04 AM
Jeffrey,

I really appreciate the time and effort you are taking to help out. Because, as well as I understand it and can explain it to others, sometimes the obvious isn't as clear when it is ME.

First of all, a bit of history for you. I started at 170 in 2004 (that is my high weight after pregnancy; that is, I had my last child in 2003 and then probably lost to 160 and had slowly gained over that year to 170. I am 5'1". I began the Zone in 2004, and had lost a total of 30 pounds, mostly over the first 2 years. In 2006, I basically began to really feel the struggle of the plateau, but was still showing some signs of slow progress. Then, in 2007, I basically stopped progressing altogether. I still want to lose another 20 pounds, but really the number is not as important as how I look and feel.

I feel that I am in the Zone when I eat. However, the foods that make me "feel" in the zone are not the foods that are the lowest as far as the glycemic index and glycemic load. For instance, I had a zone-balanced salad the other day, with tons of veggies added (shrimp and a vinegar/olive oil dressing). I was so full, I thought that this was a great meal. However, 2 hours later, I was hungry again. On the other hand, if I eat something a bit more moderate in carb density, like a bowl of oats with protein powder and peanut butter, I feel much more satisfied and do not experience early hunger. So, basically, most of my meals are mixed density-I try to get the veggies in, but must mix them with something higher density, like beans, in order to get meal satiety.

I had worked extensively with Sue on this. With her help, I got myself adjusted to meal ratios of 3P-2C-5F. This combination seems to work really well (I can definitely tell the difference if I don't go all the way with the fat!). However, even with this ratio, I still can't tolerate meals with all low density veggies, because I get hungry.

I should mention, my hunger is "early hunger", which occurs prior to 4 hours after eating the meal. With the salad that I described above, it hit at 2 hours. Mostly, my early hunger would be around 3 hours.

Anyway, this is how I eat to keep myself from feeling hunger. I don't experience any of the other symptoms, I generally have good energy. The only time that I don't have energy is when I don't eat in the zone, and then I can definitely feel the effects of the unfavorable carbs (or an overabundance).

I will try to address your points in the order that you mentioned them:

1. I already measure my fat pretty well. I like to err on the side of too much, though, because too little will take me out of the zone. However, I have a nice little set of measuring spoons that gives me a 2 tsp measure and a 2/3 tsp measure, so I can get pretty accurate with that.

2. I have never experimented with altering my blocks. The only time I have ever entertained that idea is when I started to learn about the Curves diet and the theory of BMR. However, I have always wondered if I would do better eating an extra block each day, even though the calculator would not suggest it?

3. I have tried breaking my meals up into 2 block meals spread over the day. In theory, it is easy to do, but in reality, not as easy for me. I was eating 2 block meals every 3 hours, and I did not have any result from it. And, my work schedule does not always allow me to do that (I am a nurse).

4. Not sure if I understand what you are saying in your #4. But, I might have already explained what happens to me with low GI carbs. I struggle to stay in the zone if I decrease my fat.

5. Fitting in the additional exercise has always been a struggle for me, that is why I joined Curves. I plan on doing that for 30-40 min 4 times per week. I bowl on Tuesdays, and don't get any extra time for working out. On the weekends, I have more time, and just need to get my butt in gear! I hope to do some x-country skiing this weekend.

6. Since I only eat 11 blocks per day, I would not drop any further than that. I might entertain the idea of adding a block, though. And, I am going to track my calories as well as blocks, so that I can see exactly how many calories I am getting.

7. Curves is kind of like that, you work hard on a machine for 30 seconds, then you go to a recovery board for 30 seconds and do something more gentle, then you go to another machine and work hard again. Supposed to build LBM. I have had some very mild increases in LBM, but not very much.

8. Stress might be one of the factors, and I have continuously worked on reducing it.

Thanks for your ideas, gives me something to think about, and it also will help you to get perspective on my situation. :)

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 10:00 AM
Jeffrey (and Cranberrycat), some helpful info...

The most recent stats for Cranberrycat (more than several mos old, but Cranberrycat wrote in the other thread they are appropriate now) would place her current daily block requirement at the threshold of 12 blocks, taking into consideration her recent addition of the Curves exercise plan. This calculation depends upon the intensity of her Curves workouts. Noting that Cranberrycat posted here that she has recently made modest gains in LBM, the stats I have would be out dated, and her current block requirement might very well be 12 blocks. It's my opinion that it's necessary to recalcuate her block requirement using her current stats and activity level info, prior to trying more adjustments to her 11 block plan.

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 10:09 AM
Sue,

I calculated my block requirements. Per the calculator, it would still be at 11 blocks. In order to jump into more blocks, I would have to increase my activity more than what I have done. The workout is more intense than a brisk walk, but I don't believe that it is THAT intense.

However, I would be more comfortable to increase my blocks to 12 (I have ALWAYS felt that way!). That extra block would go a long way to fill in the gaps in my day, and I would be less likely to run into hunger. As you know, if my morning starts early, then I am forced to take an early lunch or else have a snack. If I use my snack, then the span is still too tight between lunch and dinner without having a snack again. If I have 2 snacks, then I have to cut my dinner to 2 blocks in order to save another block for bedtime. Not impossible, but sometimes, it just feels better to have a full 3 block dinner!

An extra block would definitely be a welcome addition, and I may consider that.

Besides, I am not always convinced that the calculator is accurate for everyone, as Jeffrey has pointed out!

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 10:34 AM
The stats I have for you must indeed be outdated if you have gained LBM and your current stats still place you at 11 blocks.

Here are a couple of other points to consider. Historically, your Zone difficulties have been exacerbated by factors other than meal balance and timing. Your height, build, and other stats do not place you into a category of individuals for which the calc results would possibly be skewed.

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
cheril User is Offline
Posts:181
Zoner
Zoner

01/24/2008 6:34 PM
Hi C'cat,
Another thought before you change things up is to hit caloriecount.com and put in the variables for calories burned daily and recommended calorie intake for weight loss over a certain period of time and see how that compares with calories you currently eat in the Zone. That may help you decide if the Curves calorie increase sounds reasonable to you. Are you eating 11 blocks to meet the minimum or do you actually calculate to 11? If you round up to 11, maybe playing around a little lower and higher would work. My guess is your job keeps you more active than many. It seems that nurses are never still for a moment:-)

I'm surprised at 5'2" that you're often hungry at 11 blocks. I'm just under 5' and it's just too much for me. My best weight loss was after I read ETZ maybe ten years ago. I was eating 8 blocks/day or some days an additional block or two. I still have the food journal that I've kept as proof it worked. I will admit that low level of blocks was why I initially got away from the Zone. Of course, I gained it all back.

Oh, on the last thread you mentioned you had never seen the medi zone tv commercials. He's a local dr here in FL named Jay Garcia. I cringe everytime I hear/see the commercials... medicate, diet, exercise. I guess the "new" doctors seem to be about weight loss centers and plastic surgery. He is Dr. Sears approved according to his website and commericals. Interesting...

If you have a lot of stress, have you ever tried acupuncture? It's very strangely relaxing. I have just started it. Yoga is also supposed to be good.
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 8:36 PM
[quote]Posted By Sue on 01/24/2008 10:34 AM

The stats I have for you must indeed be outdated if you have gained LBM and your current stats still place you at 11 blocks. [/quote]


Sue,
I looked up my last set of stats from the last time I submitted stats to you, and adjusted the "modest" change in abdomen. I don't know what calculator you are using, but the calculator on www.drsears.com continues to indicate that I would have to have an adjusted activity level of "very active" in order to "earn" more blocks. With that in mind, my current level of activity is probably moderate or active. More like moderate, since my "goal" is daily activity, but realistically I will do at least 3 times per week.

Let me know what calculator you are using to determine this.

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 8:46 PM
Cheril,
I will check out caloriecount.com. I am going to continue to keep track of blocks as well as calories, no matter what I choose to do. There are a lot of variables that can affect the caloric content of a 3 block meal! Generally, if you go by the numbers, the caloric value should be right around 270-300. But, my breakfast this morning actually was 360 calories! That is due to the extra grams of protein in the oats and the extra protein and carbs in the peanut butter. If I continue to eat meals like that, I will most certainly push the caloric value way up, while maintaining the correct number of blocks.

I have never calculated my blocks by hand. I could try that, as I do have a copy of ETZ. So, I eat 11 blocks because I assume that 11 is the minimum (according to more recent zone books). I feel that the reason for my hunger is the carb sensitivity. I am 43, and I had gestational diabetes for all 3 of my kids, and so I am assuming that I have been sensitive to carbs for a long time!

So, those commercials may be local commercials? I will have to check out his website, and see how "bad" it is! LOL!

Again, thanks for the thoughts. Even us veterans need a little help along the way! LOL!

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Jeffrey User is Offline
Posts:237
Zoner
Zoner

01/24/2008 8:48 PM
Cranberry, thanks for the response - it does help me understand a bit more.

first off, congrats on keeping the lost weight off. while this might seem like a trivial point, i guarantee there are many times more folks gained the wieght back than kept it off for 3 years. while your story isn't a perfect linear zone story, it still is good.

are you taking a minimum of 2 grams of fish oil? if not, i'd look into it. supposedly fish oil helps with satiety and it may be the only way you can reduce your fat blocks (maybe 4, counting the fish oil, instead of 5?) and start burning your own fat. do you find any particular fats more satiating than others? do you consume toasted sesame oil?

it sounds like you are gaining strength and endurance - so that would indicate your protein requirement is at least close to good.

it sounds like you are in or near the zone based on how you feel. the low gi hunger is a bit puzzling. a call to zone central or a live chat might be in order to explain that.

assuming your protein requirement is good, adding blocks wouldn't seem to help you lose weight unless it reduced your cortisol output. a carb deprived diet like phase 1 of atkins will eventually put cortisol production in over drive. so will stress. cortisol, iirc, turns fat cells into fat magnets.

i know your job is stressful. i don't think i could do it because i tend to let my empathy creep over into my emotions and when i feel sad for others, i feel sad. having said that, it is kind of egocentric of me to think others don't suffer just because i'm not helping them. i don't have any suggestions, but try and find ways to smile and focus on the many positives in your life. it may well result in lowered stress, cortisol and body fat.

also remember that you know enough to add or remove 1/2 blocks.

also remember that you aren't going through this exercise just for yourself. others will hit similar plateaus and will eventually be able to learn from everythign you've learned. while the lessons may be difficult, the payoff down the road, to yourself and to others, will be big.

stay positive, keep at it and don't be afraid to call the zone phone number or try out the live zone chat. i think if you keep tweeking here and there, you will eventually figure it out. the key thing is to try new small things for a week or two and evaluate your results. i bet something small, or several small things, is what breaks this impasse.

good luck. be sure to share your tests and results and we'll be sure to chime in with our thoughts.
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/24/2008 9:14 PM
Jeffrey, thanks for the quick response and your insights!

I do take the fish oil. I take 2 tsp of EicoRx. Prior to this new fish oil, I was not able to tolerate 2 tsp, but have been able to tolerate the new formulation. I don't consume toasted sesame oil, nor any other supplements. I had tried a vitamin supplement with Mg, Ca and Zinc, but have not been doing that on a regular basis lately. Probably wouldn't hurt!

I would agree that I am gaining the endurance, as it seems as if I have to work harder to get my pulse rate up (compared with when I first started the workout).

I can't explain the problem with the lower GI foods, either. Theoretically, to me it doesn't make sense, and perhaps if there was a good explanation for that, and a way to change that, it might be of great value to me to find out! But, so far, I have not unraveled that mystery!

I had mentioned that I am a nurse, but should also state that I don't work a hard shift on the floor. I am in more of a managerial position. But, I try not to spend my day at my desk, either! Still, can be stressful with the issues that I deal with; also the stress of being a mother of 3 while working full time! So, this is definitely an area to work on.

I have often thought about what you said, that I hope that whatever I learn from this whole ordeal will be something that I can use to help others later! One big reason why I am here on this forum is that I really enjoy being a resource for those who need it. And, the information that can be gained here is invaluable!

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 7:51 AM
[quote]Posted By Cranberrycat on 01/24/2008 8:36 PM
Sue,
I looked up my last set of stats from the last time I submitted stats to you, and adjusted the "modest" change in abdomen. I don't know what calculator you are using, but the calculator on www.drsears.com continues to indicate that I would have to have an adjusted activity level of "very active" in order to "earn" more blocks. With that in mind, my current level of activity is probably moderate or active. More like moderate, since my "goal" is daily activity, but realistically I will do at least 3 times per week.

Let me know what calculator you are using to determine this.
[/quote]

We're using the same calc.(the one on DrSears.com) but obviously we're using different stats. Here's the result I get with "Active" (I've left out your measurements and fat % since you haven't posted that info here):

Lean Body Mass (lbs): 100.80
Daily Protein Requirement (g): 80.64
or # of Blocks of Protein: 12
# of Blocks of Carbohydrate: 12
# of Blocks of Fat: 12

Considering this result is not taking into account the modest LBM increase you posted about nor the abd/waist change you mentioned (which I'd assume you meant is smaller, since you said you have a slight LBM increase), the actual P grams you require would be slightly increased from this result.

My conclusion is we are not using the same stats. If you'd like to post more concise info I'll be gald to take look.

In addition to the excellent info Jeffrey posted, in your case, the next things I'd try are:

1. Switch to mostly low density veggies in your meals and snacks plus a touch of unfav C along with them (1/2 a block), and use fat blocks to help gain the you have difficulty acheiving with low density veggies. Most likely some veggies will work better for you than others. Keeping a detailed diary as you do this will be of immense help. If you need to, review the info in MTZ that explains how to use a food diary to keep tweak meals. It'll take a little patience, but is well worth the effort.

2. Rely less on tomatoes.

3. Add a stress releasing activityon a daily basis (like those already mentioned; some form of meditation or yoga). I believe this would be very helpful for you right now.

4. Try to incorporate as many as you can, on a daily basis, of the AA inhibiting and anti-inflammatory foods and supplements (found on Pages 88 to 97 of "The Anti-Inflammation Zone"). For those readers here who don't have that book here's the list: fish oil, sesame oil, turmeric, alcohol (if you desire), extra virgin olive oil, fresh ginger, aloe vera, and CO Q 10 plus Vit E taken together with your fish oil.


sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 9:24 AM
Remember the "challenge"? I am using the last stats that I emailed to you on September 5th. I don't see any other stats beyond that date. Since then, there has been very little fluctuation in wt (up a little, down a little, but basically stable. My abs/waist has basically changed by just a fraction, and did not make a difference on the calculator.

Using an activity factor of "active", this is what I came up with in the calculator:
Lean Body Mass (lbs): 99.25
Daily Protein Requirement (g): 79.40
or # of Blocks of Protein: 11
# of Blocks of Carbohydrate: 11
# of Blocks of Fat: 11

Using the stats from Sept 5, I also see that there is a difference between the values in the spreadsheet, and the values that calculate in the bodyfat calculator.

And, not that we are discussing it, but here is a good case in point to show how a small number can affect the results in the bodyfat calculator, which results in an incorrect number of blocks calculated.

Let me know what the date of your last set of stats are, and I will check them out in the calculator. I can then see if the minor change has resulted in more blocks.


Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 9:30 AM
The info you just posted, 79.4 g protein, supports you giving 12 blocks a try.

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 9:34 AM
[quote]Posted By Sue on 01/25/2008 7:51 AM
In addition to the excellent info Jeffrey posted, in your case, the next things I'd try are:

1. Switch to mostly low density veggies in your meals and snacks plus a touch of unfav C along with them (1/2 a block), and use fat blocks to help gain the you have difficulty acheiving with low density veggies. Most likely some veggies will work better for you than others. Keeping a detailed diary as you do this will be of immense help. If you need to, review the info in MTZ that explains how to use a food diary to keep tweak meals. It'll take a little patience, but is well worth the effort.

2. Rely less on tomatoes.

3. Add a stress releasing activityon a daily basis (like those already mentioned; some form of meditation or yoga). I believe this would be very helpful for you right now.

4. Try to incorporate as many as you can, on a daily basis, of the AA inhibiting and anti-inflammatory foods and supplements (found on Pages 88 to 97 of "The Anti-Inflammation Zone"). For those readers here who don't have that book here's the list: fish oil, sesame oil, turmeric, alcohol (if you desire), extra virgin olive oil, fresh ginger, aloe vera, and CO Q 10 plus Vit E taken together with your fish oil.

[/quote]

I forgot to address your other points in your post, but probably easier to read if I just make it a different post.

1. I eat the way that I eat, because if I eat too many low density veggies in one meal, the result is hunger. I have already increased fat to the 5-6 block range, and unless you think I should increase by more, I am uncomfortable in doing that. I do best with meals made up of one block low density and one block of moderate density. I already do keep daily diaries. I know which meals work and which ones don't.

2. Tomatoes? What is that all about? I enjoy tomatoes for flavor, and tomatoes are packed with vitamins.

3. I already do things like that to decrease stress.

4. I do take many of those things that you mentioned from AIZ. I include 2 tsp of fish oil daily, I cook with ginger, turmeric, and I add EVOO to meals on a daily basis. I don't do those extra supplements.


Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 9:42 AM
Hi Cranberry,

Achieving improved satiety and better results will most likely not happen without some more experimentation and trial and error on your part. The body changes, and one of the best parts of the Zone is that it affords us lots of possibilbity to adjust to meet our needs at any given time.

Since we've already had email exchanges about tomatoes in regard to your particular circumstances, I'll reserve further comment on that until which time you choose to share your circumstances here.

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 10:04 AM
Well, experimentation, trial and error? LOL! That is what I have been doing all year long!

I have tried on numerous occasions to go for a full week or two of all veggies for my carbs, with an adequate amount of fat. I have not had good results with that approach. Good results means more hunger between meals and no significant changes in my stats.

Have you looked at the stats yet?

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Sue K User is Offline
Posts:8674
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 10:45 AM
[quote]Posted By Cranberrycat on 01/25/2008 10:04 AM
Have you looked at the stats yet? [/quote]

Yes.

I respectfully decline to further discuss your past stats in these forums, since they have not been posted here.

The most appropriate way to determine your P requirement would be to use your current stats.

sue

Lost 100 lbs 14 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil!


To view my before/after pics and meal photos scroll over this picture and click when the link appears.

Zone Dinner Party (link)
Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 11:06 AM
Well, since we are definitely using the same statistics, then it baffles me that you and I are coming up with different calculations using the bodyfat calculator. I used the same figures and opened up a Zone book (OmegaRx was sitting right here, and has a calculation table in the back), and I came up wiht exactly the same bodyfat% that the calculator gave me.

I will not be contacting you privately. I would prefer to keep the discussion in the forum. Perhaps there can be something that others can gain from this struggle. Also, I really appreciate the input I am getting from other members on it, as well.


Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 11:19 AM
I found the error!

You are using an incorrect height. I am not 62 inches.

You posted previously that the stats that I posted supports 12 blocks. So, why would the calculator only suggest 11 blocks?

My goal is to increase LBM, not just to support the LBM that I have. So, with the increase in activity, and my goal in mind, I will begin eating 12 blocks per day, despite what the calculator says. If I am that close to the margin, there can also be major errors in calculation depending on who is measuring and how accurate it is. As I explained previously, the additional block will make a huge difference in my meal planning and timing, and it will definitely keep me from getting into that situation where lunch or dinner gets later than I had anticipated.

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


Cranberrycat User is Offline
Posts:5313
Zone Expert
Zone Expert

01/25/2008 3:58 PM
Jeffrey,

You mentioned in a previous post something about the live chat. Do you have any idea on how that works? Are there specific hours when this chat is available? I think I will also post this question on another thread.

Cranberrycat

We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.


You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 1 of 71234567 > >>




ActiveForums 3.6
Enter your email address:
Learn More
Facebook
Sm New
Helpful Tools
Popular Links

Dr. Barry Sears, PhD.Dr. Barry Sears is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the past 30 years to the study of lipids. He holds 13 U.S. Patents in the areas of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

A turning point in his research occurred in 1982. That year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for discoveries of the role that specialized hormones, known as eicosanoids, play in the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and cancer. Since eicosanoids are only generated from dietary fat, Dr. Sears reasoned that one could apply intravenous drug delivery principles to nutrition in order to control these exceptionally powerful hormonal responses with laser-like precision. In essence, his approach treats food as if it were a drug.

This area of his research led to various patents in the area of hormonal control by essentially using food as an oral drug delivery system to modulate eicosanoids especially for cardiovascular, diabetic, and neurological patients.

The impact of Dr. Sears’ revolutionary work in the dietary control of hormonal response began with the publication of his landmark book, The Zone. Since its publication in June 1995, The Zone has sold more than 2,000,000 hardcover copies, and became a #1 best seller on the New York Times book list. In addition, The Zone has been translated into 22 languages indicating a worldwide response to Dr. Sears’ research. His second book, Mastering the Zone, published in 1997, also became a New York Times bestseller with hardcover sales in excess of 500,000 copies to date. His third book, Zone Perfect Meals in Minutes, published in 1997, quickly became one of the best-selling cookbooks of 1997 and an another New York Times bestseller. The Anti-Aging Zone was published in 1999 and provides the molecular insights into how the Zone Diet can reverse the aging process. The Omega Rx Zone, published in 2002, explores the molecular foundation of chronic disease and how high-dose fish oil can dramatically reverse it. His latest book The Anti-Inflammation Zone discusses how to combat silent inflammation in order to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and many other inflammatory conditions—and how to reverse these conditions if they are already present. To date more than 5 million hardcover copies of his Zone books have been sold in the United States.

His research has elevated food from more than simply a source of calories to being recognized as an exceptionally powerful drug. Because of his revolutionary research, Dr. Sears has been a frequent guest on many national programs such as 20/20, Today, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, CNN, and MSNBC.

Dr. Sears continues his ongoing research as President of Zone Labs, a biotechnology company in Danvers, MA as well as the President of the non-profit Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, MA. In addition to continuing research on the hormonal effects of food, Dr. Sears has expanded his research in developing innovative dietary approaches to treating cancer and neurological conditions, as well as his on-going work in treating cardiovascular diease and type 2 diabetes.

I have been taking the Fish Oil for over 3 years now. I am 44 playing hockey and working out. The Fish oil helps with the pain that I get from playing hockey. It greatly enhances my performance on the ice and while working out. I have noticed a big difference in my energy, attentiveness and memory. If I miss a day for whatever reason, I notice a huge difference and it feels like something is missing. Anyway that is my short little story and it comes from the heart.

– Carter B.

 

I am a nutritionist and Ph.D. doctor of health and nutrition. For Dr. Sears to figure out balancing fat, carbs and protein, is really beyond brilliant. It is a milestone in diet history. I go over people's diet/emotional journals. Mostly all the time, we discover that the fatigue, irritability, unstable emotions were due to the imbalance in their diet. Using the Zone to balance them out, helps control weight, roller coaster emotions and gives them energy. Dr. Sears is so right when he says food is medicine. He has figured out the most powerful drug combination going, called The Zone.
Best and healthy wishes,

– Elaine W., Ph.D., N.C., M.A.

 

I have a very exhausting job as a flight attendant. I read the "Omega Rx Zone" about 4 years ago and started taking the fish oil. I am 47 and have been flying for 22 years. I am very active, I run and lift weights. But combining lack of regular sleep, a physically demanding job, and irregular eating patterns this job takes a toll on the body. Since taking the fish oil, I have noticed that I do not get exhausted. I get tired, but not exhausted. I stopped taking it for a couple of months and then started taking another company's fish oil. I started getting exhausted again. I came back to Zone Labs and will continue with the fish oil for the rest of my life. I believe in the product and it makes a huge difference in my life. It makes a difference with my running as well. I also bring the bars and shakes with me on the road. It is almost impossible to eat the way I should at work. I haven't found the right secret. At least I have my Zone fish oil, bars, and shakes.

– Kathryn S.

 

I have been in the Zone, for about 1 month now. I wanted to share with you how wonderful I think this program is. I have been a personal trainer for almost 10 years and actively compete in numerous athletic activities. The Zone program has helped me to achieve a better awareness of my nutritional needs and the results I have seen are amazing! I have lost nearly 13 lbs since I have been in the Zone. I feel more mentally alert, more focused at work, have greater intensity during my training, have made significant strength gains, and just feel better over all. With that said, I would like to thank you for helping me in my quest for "super-health"!
Thank you!

– Rob Y.

 

I read 'The Zone' and as exactly as I could followed the advice for diet. I noted weight loss progress. Over six months, I lost 33 pounds. One year has passed since then. I have maintained the new weight, guided always by Zone concepts. The Zone is powerful - I have found it fantastic and I am very grateful to Dr Sears.

– Lyn S.

 

Before I stumbled across the Zone I was weighing close to two hundred pounds and I was depressed. I used to be a gymnast as a young man. I would think, "look at me now," when I looked in a mirror. The day I found 'The Zone' book, I was intrigued and as I read it the science made sense and so, I began to follow the "treatment". I began to lose weight and I was feeling way more energetic. I am forty two years old, I am very active and my weight is down to 162 lbs, 38 pounds lost on the Zone. I cycle, walk, jog, swim and I can now perform some of the more simple gymnastic skills I did twenty years ago...I literally feel like I have turned back the clock.
Thank you!

– Jack J.

 

I have been on the Zone diet for 7 years. I did not go on the diet to lose weight necessarily; but fairly quickly I lost 25 pounds, going from 190 to 165; from a 36-inch waist to a 32-inch waist. I primarily did the Zone to live healthier. My health is excellent now. I just turned 62 years old. My Zone is my eating lifestyle now; I seldom stray; and I do not miss anything. It is The Good Life.

– Curtis Y.

 

My wife's doctor told her to read "Enter the Zone" and to do the diet, so I told her I would do it with her. After only one week on the plan we went on a strenuous hike (the first of the year), and when we stopped at our favorite coffee shop on the way home I was able to get out of the car and stand upright and walk into the place without pain or stiffness. The Zone had eliminated all the inflammation that had always forced me to stumble all humped over into the coffee shop any time we skied or hiked all day.
Thank you, Doctor Sears.

– Larry C.

 

I used to have a lot of knee pain when I walked or ran. I have been taking Omega Rx for almost a year now, and rarely have any pain. I believe it is the anti-inflammation action of the oil. I feel smarter as well. Thanks for developing such a superior oil!

– Joe W.

 

Prior to following the Zone Diet, my body fat was around 15% and my weight around 153 pounds. No matter what I did, my weight and body fat did not change much. I regularly cycled 20-30 hours per week logging well over 400 miles. That had little impact on body fat or weight. Diet also seemed to have little impact on body fat or weight. Within a couple of months of following the zone diet, my weight dropped rather quickly to 142 pounds and body fat to about 8%. I still regularly cycle up to 20 hours per week (during the summer). I have also started strength training. I eat about 16 blocks per day. I take 3.6 grams of fish oil per day, along with Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, and B & C vitamins. I also take GLA, which in my opinion, has significantly reduced fatigue and improved recovery times after exercise.

– Jeremy S.

All polyphenols have antioxidant properties than can be measured by their Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC), but not all polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties. The polyphenols in Dr. Sears’ Zone Polyphenol Plus have been carefully chosen to have both.

Polyphenols are the phytochemicals that not only give fruits and vegetables their color, but also help regulate inflammation. In addition, polyphenols also activate the key enzyme (AMP kinase) that helps restore cellular ATP levels. Polyphenols also help regulate the activation of inducible inflammatory proteins (such as COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines).

There are more than 4,000 known polyphenols, and the richest sources are fruits and vegetables. In general, the more color a fruit or vegetable has, the richer the polyphenol content.

Why OmegaRx From Zone Labs?

Certified Purity and Proven Potency

Zone Labs’ Ultra Refined Omega-3 Concentrates are three times fresher and contain less than 1/10th the mercury than what is allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard

Zone Labs adheres to the International Fish Oil Standard (IFOS), an independent third party validated laboratory quality standard that is more rigid than any other global standard for purity.

  • No company in the worlds runs more tests with IFOS than Zone Labs
  • Zone Labs receives a 5 out of 5 star IFOS rating for every batch it tests
Standard IFOS Standard for a 5-Star Ranking Council for Responsible Nutrition European Pharmacopeia Norwegian Medicinal Standards
Peroxide < 3.75 meg/kg 5 meg/kg 10 meg/kg 10 meg/kg
Totox Levels < 20 meg/kg 26 meg/kg NA NA
Lead < 10 ppb 10 ppb 100 ppb 100 ppb
Mercury < 10 ppb 10 ppb 100 ppb 100 ppb
Dioxans and Furans < 1 ppt 2 ppt 2 ppt 2 ppt
PCBs < 45 ppb 90 ppb NA NA

 

 

 

 

 

"IFOS – THE TOP GLOBAL PURITY STANDARD FOR OMEGA-3 FROM FISH"

Zone Labs products show no detectable lead or mercury when tested down to 10ppb, which is 10 times below the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits.

Zone Labs products are three times fresher than the minimum allowed by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and European Pharmacopoeia Standards (based on average peroxide values).

 

Zone Labs starts with only wild, small fish from pristine Chilean waters and ends with proprietary validation and testing processes to achieve an IFOS certified 5 star rating.

8-Step Manufacturing Process - Quality Assured

Testing to specification all raw materials, bulk products, packaging material and finished products – always using stringent internal standards and in-process testing.

  1. Extraction of fish oil
  2. Winterization – remove limited amounts of saturated fats
  3. Absorption – remove heavy metals
  4. Preliminary Molecular Distillation – refining “touch up” to reduce contaminants
  5. Oil conversion to ethyl esters
  6. Ethyl ester thermal fractionation – remove additional saturated fats
  7. True Molecular Distillation – final refining to remove pcb’s and long-chain monoenes
  8. Rigid Processes – proprietary validation, inspection and encapsulation methods. Independent lab verification of IFOS requirements and certified 5 star rating

 

Clean Sources

No farmed fish. No large fish. Pristine waters.

Zone Labs starts with wild sardines & anchovies fished from cold, pristine waters off of South America where there are less environmental impurities.

 

A recommended serving of Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Concentrates delivers 8 times more omega-3’s than a typical retail fish oil supplement.

Most fish oil supplements have 30% or less of the healthy omega-3s EPA and DHA, with the remaining 70% of the capsule containing unbeneficial, lesser refined fatty acids that contribute to their bad taste and gastric side effects.

 

Getting a clinically valid dose of omega-3’s is easy with Zone Labs’ Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates.

Typical Retail Dose = 300mg omega-3

Standard Zone Dose = 2400mg omega-3

 

A serving of canned tuna has 12 times less omega-3’s than
Zone Labs Ultra-Refined Omega-3 Concentrates

Commonly consumed fish and shellfish in the United States

Mercury Source: Food and Drug Administration, FDA 1900-2004, “National Marine Fisheries Service Survey of Trace Elements in the Fishery Resource". Omega-3 Level Source: American Heart Association Website.

  Mercury level
in parts per million (ppm)
Omega-3 fatty acids
(milligrams per 3-oz. serving)
Zone Omega-3 Products < 0.01 2400 (standard 4 capsule serving
Salmon (fresh, frozen) 0.014 1200
Flounder or sole 0.050 480
Pollock 0.041 450
Crab 0.060 400
Scallops 0.050 290
Shrimp ND* 290
Catfish 0.050 270
Clams ND* 250
Cod 0.095 210
Canned Tuna (light) 0.120 200
* ND: Mercury concentration below detection limit.

 

OmegaRx®

Zone Labs’ leading product. OmegaRx delivers all of the benefits of Zone Labs’ ultra-refined omega-3 concentrates.

Advantages

  • Delivers clinically proven health benefits from the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA*
  • Promotes a healthy heart, healthy brain, healthy immune system, healthy circulatory system, healthy joints, healthy moods, healthy triglyceride levels and a healthy pregnancy*
  • Combats silent inflammation

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

 

 

A great way to stay In The Zone!
Start getting Zone recipes, tips, articles and exclusive promotions sent right to your inbox!

After you provide your email address we’ll send you a confirmation email. You can “opt-out” of this program at anytime by following the simple instructions provided at the end of every email we send you. We will never send too many emails (spam) and we’ll never sell of rent your email to another company.

If you are already registerd with ZoneDiet.com and are receiving emails from Dr. Sears Zone then you do not need to provide your email address to us at this time.

To assure your Zone emails reach your inbox, be sure to add our email address,
reply@zoneliving.com, to your address book.


Copyright 2007 by Zone Labs Inc        Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use | About Zone Labs | Contact Us | Affiliates | Press Room | Careers | Site Map