I saw a picture in a post from a guest [me again] from Cancun of Dr. Sears. The poster implied that Dr. Sears did not look good in the image due to the Zone diet. I blew up the posted picture 400% to take a closer look. I was wondering what he saw in the picture that I didn't. The picture was low resolution and full of JPEG artifacts that made Dr. Sear's face look splotchy. Well that convinced me right then and there to switch to Atkins. I don't want my photography to be low resolution and filled with JPEG artifacts. I only want high resolution TIFF images from now on. I never realized that the Zone diet was going to turn me into a bad photographer until this poster showed me the light! How can I express my gratitude? I am trading in my vegetarian Zone ways for a Big Mac (hold the bun) with pork rinds on the side. Let's drink a toast of warm lard to my new found lifestyle! :lol:

you had me going for a minute... "what is he talking about???" But seriously, I think Dr. Sears (as well as Ornish and Atkins) could represent his information a little more favorably by being a bit leaner. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's author's appearace, but the fact is that a lot of people will do so anyway so you may as well look the part.

He's a long way from overfat, and I'm sure his doctor is happy, but he doesn't really 'stand out' as someone who has achieved super-health. He looks like an average guy in his 50's who isn't fat and unhealthy (which I suppose is pretty good, relatively speaking). Then again, he's human - just because he has great information doens't mean he doens't enjoy ordering pizza now and then. So you're right, you can't judge

Also, he says he has crummy genes and comes from a family with men dying in their 50's of heart trouble. So if he looks normal, that might actually be pretty good.

I am a newbie here. I am checking in because I tried Dr. Sears´ Fish oil and grape seed extract this week and I feel mentally more alert. And I wanna know more. But after 20 years of trying different health food combinations, the one thing I can say positively is that dairy products are no good for anybody. I was mildly surprised to see yogurt on the zone menu. Linda

I think that statement may be true for some, and not true for others. Genetically speaking, there are some who tolerate dairy better due to their ancient ancestry.

Dr. Sears readily admits in some of his books and on some blurbs he writes on the diet site that he is "somewhat" overweight, and needs to exercise more. I've seen this in more than one place. I agree, he should look the part for what he is such a proponent of (not to mention, his receipts from the books, products, website, etc.). :? Cheryl Lost 28 lbs, BF=21%, BMI=20.5

[quote:901e7dfa72="built4hurricanes"]Dr. Sears readily admits in some of his books and on some blurbs he writes on the diet site that he is "somewhat" overweight.......[/quote:901e7dfa72] [color=darkred:901e7dfa72]I'm curious. Can you provide quotes specifying book name(s) and page numbers?[/color:901e7dfa72]

Hi Sue, It is nice to "meet" you, I have heard many good things about you from a member here. I joined in Sept. 2004, then somehow forgot all about these boards, by getting so involved in the diet site, and never posted here. I had to re-register with a slightly different username to get in! :oops: As far as your question, please give me a bit of time. I don't remember off-hand, and I will have to glance through all my Zone books, and possibly the archives on the Diet Advantage website. Sorry, but I just don't remember right now. I remember it well, though, because it struck me as a bit odd. It had something to do with his explaining about calculating body fat. I'll look ASAP and get back to you. :) Thanks for being willing to wait, Cheryl

[color=darkred:98a869f9c0]Thanks.[/color:98a869f9c0]

I've seen Barry Sears on TV. He looks to be taller and bigger than the average man, although it's hard to tell. His face is long and lean. I thought he looked quite good actually, especially considering his bad genes. Alexy

[quote:84508b0104="alexyagain2"]I've seen Barry Sears on TV. He looks to be taller and bigger than the average man, although it's hard to tell.[/quote:84508b0104] [color=darkred:84508b0104]Very good observation Alexy. You're correct. [/color:84508b0104]

[quote:bc341188cf="alexyagain2"]I've seen Barry Sears on TV. He looks to be taller and bigger than the average man, although it's hard to tell. His face is long and lean. I thought he looked quite good actually, especially considering his bad genes. Alexy[/quote:bc341188cf] Well, i just had seen Dr. Sears here in Mexico a few months ago and he looks a little overweight. But i don't think this is because his lack of exercise, instead i beleave the somehow high amount of carbs the Zone Diet recommneds for a long term for everybody. It is to said, passing the first year if one is not cared about reducing accordingly the general number of carb blocks and increasing the intake a mono/saturated fats, one tend to overweight, even eating the favorable ones because the highly customization of our body metabolism. Because if someone keeps himself in a calorie restriction way of dieting, he keeps lean despite his sedentarism. I had been zoned by almost two years, but im lean because i only eat 5-6 carb blocks daily. I do follow ma mix between the Paleo diet (Weston Price) and Zone diet.

Not sure how old Barry is, but he *did* say that as one gets older (over 60 or 70? I can't remember which) it is best to have a "reserve" of extra fat - something about being able to draw on it if one gets ill? As one could waste away easily when one is in one's 60s (or was it 70s?) Also people in their 60s and 70s have different needs than people in their 40s. It's kinda like teenagers versus those in their 40s -- teenagers have different needs than the older group. There was also another medical explanation he gave for the need for the extra weight but I can't quite remember what it is at present. Does anyone else remember? Another expert, Dr. Wells, does the same thing. Alexy

[quote:68155bcc25="alexyagain2"]Not sure how old Barry is, but he *did* say that as one gets older (over 60 or 70? I can't remember which) it is best to have a "reserve" of extra fat - something about being able to draw on it if one gets ill? Alexy[/quote:68155bcc25] Alexy, i really do not know all this for sure. But i supposed all depends on your metabolism. Because if you overeat you tired your metabolism and it is sure a difficulty for your body "about being able to draw on it if one gets ill" despite, i think so, your age. Without metabolic stress because of our overeating, our natural organic procceses keep young and healthy even at the old age.

[quote:93540ecf0b="alexyagain2"]Not sure how old Barry is, but he *did* say that as one gets older (over 60 or 70? I can't remember which) it is best to have a "reserve" of extra fat - something about being able to draw on it if one gets ill? As one could waste away easily when one is in one's 60s (or was it 70s?) Also people in their 60s and 70s have different needs than people in their 40s. It's kinda like teenagers versus those in their 40s -- teenagers have different needs than the older group. There was also another medical explanation he gave for the need for the extra weight but I can't quite remember what it is at present. Does anyone else remember? Another expert, Dr. Wells, does the same thing. Alexy[/quote:93540ecf0b] I believe that this information is in "The Anti-Aging Zone". I don't have my copy handy, but I believe Dr. Sears addresses it in his book. However, it may be that he said that extra weight extends years of life as we get older--but it does not necessarily mean that the extra years of life will be healthy and quality years. If you have access to this book, see if you can find it in there. I have a copy of the book, but I don't have access to it now.

i'd rather have a slightly chubby guy who gets it right for me than adonis who has all their information wrong when it comes to the average person.

i also appreciate that dr. sears spends a lot of time, well, researching. that's time he can't spend in the gym. ;-)

yes, he does lotsa the zone business and sales stuff, too - and that has to keep him busy as well.

he has me feeling wonderful and the fat is melting, the lean body mass is padding and the energy and cardio are doing fantastic.

that's all that matters to *me*.

Hello! I just joined, and what I am thinking is that Barry Sears is not a model or a movie star, nor is he an elite athlete or 28 yrs old!!! Get over it, people! Stop attacking his appearance....what an appearance crazed society! I have heard this about so many diet gurus and I think it is ridiculous. Dr. Weil has had to answer for his stocky body type and he says, "I love my body. Genetic inheritance has dictated that I am shaped this way." or some such, not direct quote. If you take care of your body, you don't have to answer to fashion demands.

I just read The Zone, Dr. Sears' bestseller which he wrote in the 90's I think. Measuring by the timeline he describes in his book, his early research was in the 70's and 80's when it seems he was in his 30's, so I get the impression he may be in his late 60's or even close to 70. I'm sure someone knows exactly. So many people do get that "wasted" look in their elder years, and perhaps he's right about needing to keep a reserve of body fat for protection and recovery from illness. By the way, he mentions in his book that all his adult male family members (father, and uncles) had died of heart disease in their very early 50's, so I'd guess he's found an answer to health in The Zone lifestyle. I'm very appreciative of his research, and am already (day 3 for me) feeling positive results, as well as weight loss. Mainly, as someone entering her 60's soon, my goal is to just be really healthy for the rest of my life!

Hi Joyce!

Barry Sears turned 62 last month. We have the same birthday (I'm 57)!

This thread is interesting and old too. I haven't finished reading Toxic Fat yet, but from what I've gotten so far, you can have a little "extra padding" and be totally healthy, and not inflamed. The problem is when the extra padding becomes "Toxic Fat" because of bad eating and lack of fish oil. But I'm sure Dr. Sears knows how to keep his inflamation in check.

He looks better than me, lol! You cannot judge a thing by a picture. People are always looking for ways to prove their "diet" is the best and commenting on Dr. Sears appearance is pretty desperate. Everybody has to go by what works for them. I don't see how anybody can knock a well rounded balanced diet like the zone. Its the only one I've found that is easy to follow and doesn't involve eating too much of one thing and not enough of anything else. How can it be anything but healthy. Even if every single claim about the effectiveness of the diet was overstated or untrue its still a hell of a lot healthier than eating all carbs or all protein. Balance is always best.