Hi my name is araceli, but everyone calls me celi. I heard about the zone watching manuel uribe on tlc. And his lost over 400lbs on the zone. He got me motivated, and i said to myself. If he can do it so can i. I don't only want to lose weight, i want to have a long and healthy lifestlye. And to keep the weight off. I think i'm around 415ibs, but i'm not sure...last time i went to the doctors, i was 398(3months ago). I wan't to get started, but i'm not sure how to start. i've done the calculater thing but i'm very lost as to what to do next. Please if anyone can help! thanks

Welcome celi!

You probably got the calculator message about your measurements being outside of the limits of the calculator (it only goes to 300 lbs, last I knew). For people who weigh over 300 lbs, Dr Sears recommends assume the 50% of your total weight is LBM and calculate blocks by hand based on that. In your case, estimate your LBM to be 208 pounds. You should be eating around 21 to 23 blocks a day for now. You can do this by eating 5 4-block meals (that's 4P and 4C and 4F) and 2 or 3 1-block snacks, or 4 5-block meals and 2 or 3 1-block snacks. You can split the 21 to 23 blocks however you like throughout the day as long as you eat equal blocks of P, C and F each time you eat, you don't eat more than 5 of 6 blocks at a time, and you make sure to eat a bedtime snack.

Now that you know your daily block requirement, you can go the Zone Food Block tab in Quick Start Guide (see link at right) and have fun putting meals together!

I'll be glad to help if you have questions!

Thank you soooo much sue, that was a great help. I think i understand now...i'll ask if i get stuck again...thanks so much

You're welome celi!

A tip, don't get too caught up in counting blocks, grams, etc. The hand-eye/plate method works great, too. I lost 100 pounds using only the plate method. If you use the hand-eye method, eat 4 large platefuls plus about 3 or 4 snacks a day for now.

Have fun with it!

Wow, that's so great...Congrats!!!....thanks for the tip,,,,i will deffently do that

Thanks!