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will 
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 02/09/2009 5:29 PM |
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Hi, I'm new here. I used the food block calculator and it said I should be eating 23 blocks/day! So I went to the block list and calculated the quantity of food I'd have to eat to get that far. I don't see how it's possible to eat that much food unless I invite my neighbors over. :-)
For example, one block of broccoli = 3 cups cooked. So for lunch today I ate @5oz hamburger, 3+ cups cooked broccoli, 1 huge tomato, one huge apple and 4 tbsp of avocado. I could barely finish that meal. If that's an example of a @4 block meal, how am I supposed to get 23 blocks/day? I'd have to eat nearly 6 full meals like that every day. I know my body and my appetite pretty well and know that I can't possibly eat that much food. What am I missing here?
Suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
will
P.S. I exercise 3 -5/days per week alternating between intense CrossfFit exercises and running.
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sue
Posts:263
Zoner
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| 02/09/2009 6:12 PM |
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| Will - since I don't know you measurements, i'm first going to suggest that you go back and do your measurements again, make sure they are accurate. Then double check your intensity level of exercise. Try dropping it down one level. I don't know which one you picked, but it may have been a bit high. See what happens when you do it again. Are you very tall? Hope this helps some. |
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sue
I don't know about the future, but I know who holds the future.... |
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/09/2009 6:41 PM |
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Hi will
You dont have to eat all that food. CC suggested on one of her threads was to choose the blocks that didnt have the bulk if you are having trouble eating so much food. Like salsa or black beans.
I had around a cup of cabbage with small amount of carrot with lunch yesterday - there was no way I could have eaten the recommended 5 cups of cabbage! Not sure about the huge apple - maybe try a medium sized one.
There is a big variety of veggies - just stick to the ones that are manageable. I am a very slow eater - I can take 45 minutes to eat a meal so you can imagine I would be there for hours trying to digest all those veggies that are more than one cup!
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Karen
Posts:868
Zoner
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| 02/09/2009 6:56 PM |
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| Margaret, I had a funny thought reading your post. You'd probably just be finishing that meal when you should be starting your next meal! LOL! |
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Happy Zoning!
Karen |
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/09/2009 9:07 PM |
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Hi Karen
Well that is nearly true!!! Actually sometimes I can be sitting there for one hour!! When someone has the advice for people to chew their food slowly ... I groan ....
When my daughter lived at home she used to sit with me whilst I finished dinner - was nice - we would watch TV and talk. But now!! My husband has his meal sometimes has a little bit more - eats a piece of fruit - maybe a yoghurt and I am still eating my dinner!!! He will then go into the loungeroom so I just watch TV and keep eating .... I dont mind .. is funny!! My friends always joke and say if we go to lunch I should go there 30 mins before - order and start eating!! |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:5878
Zone Expert
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| 02/09/2009 9:53 PM |
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Yes, Margaret put my thoughts down in her post. Just use smaller volume carbohydrates for your carb blocks.
Another idea is to incorporate a glass of milk or soymilk into your meal plan. That is how I feed meals to my husband. I prepare 3 block meals, and his 4th block for that meal is a glass of milk. |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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will
Posts:4
Newbie
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| 02/10/2009 12:47 PM |
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Thank you all for the suggestions!
I reviewed the block chart and think that I'll add the black beans and cabbage to my short list. Also, I enjoy rutabega's -- while they have a high gi their glycemic load is extremely low. But I can't seem to find any info on these tasty beggars. Also, yes, I'm tall -- 6' 4". So I "dumbed down" the exercise element of the calculator. I went from 23 blocks to 19, which is a tad better. When I put the calc way down to no exercise I still got 17 blocks. Maybe if I put all that food on a bigger plate it won't seem so "full", eh ? :-) |
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Jacqueline
Posts:2
Newbie
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| 02/10/2009 5:36 PM |
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Hello Sue,
I'm new here and have looked at your recipe for Brownie Batter Smoothie and notice you mention you have 3P 2C and 5F. Is this for your main meals and what do you do for snacks? I work in a supermarket where work is often hectic and I don't get on with the snacks as they are because I am hungry immediately afterwards. Can I have carbohydrate only ie crackers etc.? |
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sue
Posts:263
Zoner
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| 02/11/2009 6:34 AM |
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Will - Why don't you aim for between 19 and 23 blocks. Maybe start with the 19 for a day or so and see how you feel and then gradually up it using the suggestions above. You are tall, so I'm sure that is coming into play here. GL figuring it all out. That's half the fun. Tell you what, I'll trade you plates, I need a small one. LOL Might really help though.
Jacqueline - I'm hoping the other Sue will chime in, as that is her recipe. Check another thread where she posts. She has the Capital S by her name, mine's the small s. Not sure about Sue's Brownie Batter Smoothie, never had it. As for snacks, you have to make sure it has protein and fat. If there isn't enough of either of those, you will feel hungry. I have found some bars that work for me and are about as close to the right ratios as you might find w/o ordering Dr. Sear's bars. They are South Beach Bars. Now I know some others might chime in about whats in them that isn't a preferred carb, but the work in a pinch. You could put in your pocket to eat on the job. They really do work for me. Now that doesn't mean they would work for you, but might be able to find them being sold individually and you could try one that way to see. Everyone reacts differently to different bars, so it's really trial an error. Also for me, I find if I have fruit for my snack w/my protein and fat, I don't do as well. Berries work best, but veggies are better and a more complex non-preferred carb works the best for me. Everyone is different, try experimenting a bit. |
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sue
I don't know about the future, but I know who holds the future.... |
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Sue K 
Posts:9543
Zone Expert
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| 02/11/2009 12:40 PM |
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Hi Jacqueline!
Yes, I adjust for hunger by dropping 1 C block from every meal, according to Zone fine-tuning principles. I also need a block or two extra fat for the same reason, depending on the meal. With that smoothie, I need the tiny bit of extra fat or I get hungry (note that in the first post of my recipe thread, I mentioned to adjust amounts as needed to suit your personal meal balance.) For snacks I eat either 1P, 1C, 1F or a similar balance to my meals (a little less C and little more F).
To stay in the Zone you would need to eat balanced amounts P, C, and F every time you eat, for both snacks and meals.
You could check out the Zone snack suggestions for ideas to help out with yoursnacks.
I'll be happy to help if you have more questions. I'm away this week, so please understand if it takes me a little longer to reply. :-)
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sue
Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast is the best!
To view my before/after pics and meal photos click on this picture
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/11/2009 7:20 PM |
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Hi sue
Isnt tweaking the carbs fun!!! For breakfast today I thought I would try something different other than a smoothie. I made a Mastering the Zone omlette recipe (followed it to the letter). I was hungry 2 hours afterwards! I will make it again and drop the bread and see what happens. If I dont last longer with that I will replace the grapes. I just wanted to see if by having the egg whites and cheese would I do better than the smoothie - as in eating solids instead of liquid.
When I did the Zone before I had no trouble at all but now with menopause it is such a struggle. I want to be in the Zone all the time!! ha ha
Congratulations on becoming a "Zoner" |
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sue
Posts:263
Zoner
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| 02/11/2009 8:26 PM |
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Hi Margaret - thanks of for the congrats. Yep, meno really changes you body. It's fun starting over. YEAH RIGHT. Just when you think you've figured out what you need to do, wham, meno changes it on you again. I don't know about you, but sometimes it can be a day to day thing. That does get annoying. Egg whites never do it for me. I need complex carb with them and lots of fat. I do better with a whole egg, I know.. wrong fat. So I don't do them often. I do better with yogurt or oatmeal.
I found if I eat plain yogurt, add some blueberries and some smart fiber cereal (1/2 block) and a touch of vanilla, I can last all morning, for two+ blocks. I can eat a 4 block breakfast with egg whites and be hungry in 2 hours just like you were. Weird, I know.
We will figure it out, oh and then we will finish meno and be back to square one. LOL |
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sue
I don't know about the future, but I know who holds the future.... |
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/11/2009 9:29 PM |
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Hi sue
I think I might be on the home run with menopause - can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My hot flushes have nearly gone - my terrible mood swings have gone - my poor husband said the other day - yeah - you seem really good in that area now!! I used to cry at the drop of a hat - even silly things like TV commercials if it was something sad ...
Oatmeal fills me up as well. If I have a breakfast with whole eggs that will fill me up also. I was thinking of you the other day as I remember one post you wrote how you said you had the occasional bread. I had a wholegrain sandwich the other day - just wanted something different. The Zone cereal with either yoghurt or milk fills me up for at least 4 hours. It is expensive here but I figure if it keeps me from being hungry then I will have it from time to time.
So true about the day to day thing. Woke up feeling good on Monday morning - did a weights class on Monday night. Woke up on Tuesday morning and felt like a train had hit me!!! I could hardly walk ... my back muscles were in pain - all better on Wednesday morning! Yes it is fun ....
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sue
Posts:263
Zoner
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| 02/12/2009 6:04 AM |
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Margaret - i forgot to mention that I eat a hard cooked egg with that yogurt breakfast and the yogurt is made from whole milk. i add a dash of cinnamon too.
I'm glad to hear you are on the tail end. Not sure when that will be for me. I hit it head on when I had a complete Hyster last Nov of 07 at 45. I'm guessing I may have issues for a few more years yet, until my body thinks it should be going through it. I take a product called Estroven that seems to help. It's herbs and vitamins. Tried the bioidentical hormones, but that just made the hot flashes worse. So I go the natural root.
The day to day thing is what makes me crazy. Monday and Tues was really bad, I was in tears or close to most of the day, then yesterday was fantastic. I have to get back to the gym though, I'm feeling flabby all over. I hope I can get there today after work. I think it should be an easy day and I'll have the extra time.
Hang in there, we will get through this together. |
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sue
I don't know about the future, but I know who holds the future.... |
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/12/2009 6:28 AM |
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Hi sue
I was thinking that the yoghurt may not keep me full but with an egg added then that would be better.
I turned 55 last October. Menopause can go on for many years - I honestly didnt think I would see the end of it. I can relate to your tears. When we were overseas in 2007 there was one day when I didnt come out of the bedroom - I cried all day - I couldnt stop. I said to my husband I know what it is and I will be fine in 24 hours. Next day - woke up bright as a button and was the complete opposite to the day before ..... Even though you had a hyster your body will still do the hormonal thing. Sort of wish I had taken something for the flushes but just put up with them.
I actually miss the gym when my daughter and I dont go. She is the one who pushes me. She is learning to be a gym instructor. She said I will be here guinea pig! Great ....
I put psyllium in my strawberry smoothie for breakfast tomorrow so that will be interesting to see if it keeps me from being hungry. Added lots of almonds and some olive oil.
Its nice to talk to others who are going through the same things at this time of life. My mum is in her 80's and has trouble remembering how she got through it!!
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sue
Posts:263
Zoner
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| 02/12/2009 6:36 AM |
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Margaret - My hormonal thing is a bit different with my hyster as they took both ovaries too. Smack, hormones gone. My body has had to learn to readjust and it's taking time. I'll be 47 in March, so I'm closing the gap a bit. LOL I think we've talked about my DS and his being a trainer. I'm hoping when he gets done in May he'll have time to get me onto a good program. He's applying to Grad schools and talking to the Hockey coach about the possibility to staying put where he is for some experience. He'd love to be the Strength and Conditioning coach for a D-1 college team. The school he goes to is D-1, but you don't hear of their players making it to the NHL. He'd love to be at a school where the players do. In any case, most likely he won't be close to home.
The Estroven doesn't completely kill the hot flashes, but it does help with the mood swings. I tried w/o it and look out. I was flushing every 5 min and I was so depressed, it scared me.
off to work |
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sue
I don't know about the future, but I know who holds the future.... |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:5878
Zone Expert
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| 02/12/2009 8:06 AM |
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Margaret,
I know I am a bit late here, but just a suggestion with the omelet...I enjoy omelets frequently, and I would often struggle with them, too.
When you make omelets, there is a certain amount of fat that you use in the pan, and much of that fat is likely left in the pan after the omelet is removed. So, what I usually do is cook them in minimal fat, and then I add fat in the form of nuts. Or, maybe I will use more fat when sauteeing the veggie mixture. I think the fat sticks to the veggies better than to the egg!
Anyway, guess that is just another factor to consider when we carb sensitive people are preparing omelets! |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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candice
Posts:14
Aspiring
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| 02/12/2009 9:14 AM |
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will, My husband and i are both crossfitters, and he is only at 17 blcks. have you checked out how much the crossfit site says you should eat?
he definatly loves his black beans with eggs for breakfast (plus vegis and fruit)
he also gets prunes for snacks easy and you only get 2 for one block
but unless you are doing cross fit and some endurance training i would agree with eveyone else that you are a little too high w/blocks.
I am still nursing ~ doing cross fit and running /cycling 5-6 days a week and i've found 15 blocks is perfect for me. As a sports nutritionist ( who is very critical of all things different about nutrition) i love the energy i have. the body fat i've lost and would recommend this program to anyone. If you need menu ideas let me know!! im at home cooking and planning all day
go crossfit! (ps i just dropped my fran time by two minutes since starting the zone.) |
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Cranberrycat
Posts:5878
Zone Expert
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| 02/12/2009 8:06 PM |
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Candace! congrats on dropping your ftan time! (not that I know what that is, but it sounds like a really great goal for you!)
Also, I am really impressed that you are a nutritionist and a Zone follower. I hope that you can share some ideas, and your expertise! |
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Cranberrycat
We don't own the earth; we borrow it from our children.
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Margaret
Posts:409
Zoner
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| 02/12/2009 9:40 PM |
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Hi sue
My smoothie kept me a lot happier today. That psyllium worked a treat! I wasnt hungry for about 4 hours.
My son works for elite athletes but next Monday with a new supervisor coming he is unsure if he will have a job or not. I hope they decide to keep him on. He is not permanent - he is on contract. The bosses above him want to keep him but it depends on what the supervisor says. He might think he can handle all the athletes himself. I am hoping they keep him as it is a specialised field and probably nowhere else to use it. |
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