I attended the Zone Cruise this past year and it was a fabulous experience. My girlfriend and her husband had done a previous cruise to Bermuda the prior year and she asked me to go to the one this year. Dr. Sears and his staff couldn't have treated us all better. They were so informative and supportive. I started eating Zone since the cruise and initially lost about 4 pounds. I am again at a plateau. I ordered the Medwell foods and zone bars, fish oil, and Sea Health. One thing I've doing is having the bars more often. Breakfast will be a zone bar plus either cottage cheese or ff ricotta and salad/bar/extra protein like string cheese with OO for lunch. Dinner usually salmon or chicken plus veggies. I do eat my bedtme snack 1 point and before I work out which is 5:45 AM I have a 1 pt snack before going to the gym. My breakfast holds me till lunch time and my lunch does the same till dinner around 5:30-6 PM. My workouts are 5-6 times per week. Usually do 1 hr. cardio and weights at least 2-3 x's per week. I'm thinking maybe the bars have something to do with not seeing the weight loss. I'm going to eliminate them from one of my meals and see what hapens. Any other suggestions? I'm drinking enough water and usually cheat on either Fri or Sat nights by having 1 treat like a dessert not splurging the entire day. Thanks. Terri

Welcome Terri!

Here are a couple of Dr. Sears' tips for breaking fat loss plateaus.

1. Change all you carbs to veggies (all ofthem all day long). Within less than a week you will usually begin to resume fat loss. Then go back to you usual balance.

OR

2. Drop 1 carb block form each meal, and double fat blocks. Again, within a week or less you will usually resume fat loss, and can then go back to your usual balance.

Keep us updated and good luck!

Theresa, I think you are probably right in that the bars may be the culprit. I would suggest breaking away from the bars for now, and just trying to do this with real food.

Not sure I would recommend dropping the carb, as Sue had suggested. You may be able to fix the problem by just eliminating the bars. And, dropping a carb block is usually for those who are showing more obvious signs of carb sensitivity.

Zone bars don't work for everyone, and they certainly don't work for me (I have commented on this before). But, I have had more weight loss success by just reducing my bar intake and concentrating on getting my meals and snacks from real food choices (unprocessed).

Hope that helps!

Thank you both for your input. I can see you two ladies are well respected on this board. They ran a special on the bars and now I have so many of these. I'm eating these only because I don't want to have them go to waste. I think I will eliminate them for a week and see what happens. I just ate one for lunch so starting tomorrow.
Anothe question I had was in my salad, I add mushrooms, celery, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes. Usually with oo and vinegar dressing and I am not heavy on my dressings. Salad does include the add ins, correct? Not just lettuce?? Thank you.
Terri

Hi Terri,

Here's some more info that may help you. It's a reply by Dr Sears on his other website, drsears.com, about breaking fat loss plateaus:

Hitting a plateau - Relevance: 1003
Q: Dear Dr. Sears: I have been on the Zone diet for about 10 months. At first, I lost weight slowly but steadily, and my body fat dropped from 31 to 25 percent. For the last two months, however, I haven’t lost any more weight. How do I start losing weight/bodyfat again? A: Dear Ann, Fat loss is only possible if you decrease insulin levels. What you are experiencing is a hormonal plateau. To get you started again, try to make sure all your carbohydrates are favorable, choosing low-density vegetables and fruits. Then decrease the number of carbohydrate blocks at each meal by one and add three additional fat blocks at the same meal. What this will do is to keep the calories about the same but alter the insulin levels. Fat has no effect on insulin, but carbohydrate is a powerful stimulator. After your hormonal carburetor has been adjusted and you again begin to lose bodyfat, go back to your correct number of protein, carbohydrate, and fat blocks.
http://www.drsears.com/SearchIndexe...fault.aspx - 8/24/2007 11:32:39 AM

Hi Terri,
I was actually very interested in the cruise. How did you find out about it? Where did it dock out of or I should say leave from? What is the approx cost? Any info would greatly be appreciated. I am thinking about attending the one to Aruba this year, but I can't find any info about it.

I had a stockpile of bars, too! I had decided to "hide" them, so that I would not use them on a regular basis. However, they kept being "found" by other family members, and so my bar supply was depleted. But, I am not going to reorder at this time, will hold off and see how I do without processed foods.

Sue K...
what an interesting info you posted... Thank you!!
I am ready to start loosing weight again.. (as I said in another thread).. it is not that I've hit a plateau exaclty.. it was just that I was using non favorable carbs like icecream (jaja).. but mainly because I wanted to remain steady for a while. I alwasy wanted to ask... how to stop loosing weight ... but remain eating favorable carbs and lean protein? Of course I did it for 3 months now, but I guess I did not use the proper method...
Thank you ! Bernie

Hi Bernie!

The way to stop losing stored fat but still keep eating lean protein and favorable carbs is to increase the amount of monounsaturated fat you add to meals and snacks.

Keep up the good work! Your before and after photos are great! :-)

Christina,
I found out about the cruise from my girlfriend as she and her husband did the one to Bermuda the prior year. It's also advertised on the Zone website. It left out of Florida so we are both from the East Coast. We took a flight out of JFK to FL and the ship sailed to the Eastern Caribbean. It wasn't cheap - I had my airfare at no cost because I had Delta miles/free. I think the cost of the cruise alone was about $1200 which included a stateroom/balcony. You would have to factor in the flight also. It was top shelf and the ship was new & had everything you could ask for. The travel agency did a great job in planning the trip. Their company is called Cruise Holidays out of MA. If you email someone on the Zone website I'm sure they will keep you updated on the Aruba trip--it should also be advertised. Hope it's helpful info.
Terri

Thank you Sue K...
I will do that as soon as I reach my new goal... but it is a shame ice cream does not count on the monounsaturated fats ..
Like one or two blocks will be enough ? of should I do trial and error until I can find my body demand?

Thank you again... and I got inspired by many people in this forums. (you of course). and hope my pics may help people to encourage and try the zone... bye now.

Thank you Terri. I live in NYC, so the flight shouldn't be crazy. But, how many days was it? What activities were there? Was it worth the money? I have only been on a ship from Maine to Nova Scotia, lol.
I just am really interested in what happens on the cruise and wether its worth the $. Any info regarding this would be great?

I would love to go on the Zone cruise! Wouldn't it be neat to do it and meet each other?

Wish I had the money!

Yes CC, that would be great.

Yes Bernie, experiment to find teh best amount for you. Usually doubling or tripling the added fat blocks will be enough.

Sue, thanks for the info about bringing a plateau to a halt. Although I'm eating favorable carbs, as well as favorable proteins and oils, I suspect that I'm using fruit too much and need to increase the veggies. I've started taking the EicoRx and since then have kept gaining and losing the same 2 lbs. I didn't do that on the FO I was taking before. What's up with that? Any connection?

You're welcome Lolly!

Try making up your FO dose both Eico Rx and Omega X (half and half or some other proportion), and see if it makes a difference (could be related to the GLA). Also go with your instincts about less fruit. Also try to get as much Omega 6 as possible out of you diet.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Bernie on 05/28/2009 3:45 PM

it is not that I've hit a plateau exaclty.. it was just that I was using non favorable carbs like icecream (jaja)..

Oh Bernie!!! LOL!!! you crack me up! I just love your posts, they always make me laugh.

ahhh Thank you Jana... I laugh also...

Sue K... thank you... I starting by using almonds... I will add 3 with each meal and snack.. that would mean 5 fat blocks per day... And I will try for a week.

Anyway, my icecream reserve is almost empty... only 1/2 cup left (for tonight !! Haaa).....
and I don;t think I will be going to USA in a couple of months... Best regards...

Hi!

You'll probably need to eat more than 5 extra fat blocks a day to prevent the loss of more fat. Experiment and see how it goes!

Here's how I look at ice cream. If I keep some in the freezer all the time, then it's no longer like a forbidden special treat that calls to me to eat it. Its just ice cream, a food that's always in the freezer. I can make a conscious choice to eat it, or not. If you look at the bigger picture, your long term health, it's not that hard to say no to ice cream nor to keep it to a small spoonful. Here's what I mean. I have a dear friend who has been obese for many years, is diabetic, has been suffering with cancer for about 5 years (multiple myeloma), found out a month ago that she has 3 arteries that are more than 90% blocked, and she had a heart attack a week ago. It's not a difficult choice for me to say no, not at all.

Hi Sue K... I am sorry to hear about your friend... and I guess you should feel like you could have helped her, only if she would ask and wanted to be helped. I feel bad for my extended family.. but this change and desire to have a beter life, should came from inner to out...
going back to ice cream.... I just can help myself. If there is ice cream, I can not keep it to one spoonful.. but I've made improvements. I have been keeping it to 1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup milk, as night snack. Gallon is amost gone, and I will not buy another one (my kids do not like this ice cream).. until I can change my approach to ice cream. I guess there is emotional items related to ice cream that I need to solve. (icecream and cream of wheat too) so I will commit myself to work on that... for now, I will go back to count blocks for a while, so I can keep track of added fats and results.. Thank you for your contunious support... and nice picture you have loaded !!
Best regards... and have a nice afternooooon. Bernie

I know what you mean, Bernie. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink...

I have a mother who is diabetic, and I really tried to work with her to get her to eat in the Zone. But I guess she would rather have her bread and potatoes. My dad is 300+ pounds, and he is a walking time bomb. My sister is also very heavy, and she hears me talk of the Zone so much that she is totally against it. She would do anything totally opposite me! Her hubby is dying from metastatic cancer, and he just feels that since he is going to die anyway, then why should he limit his food choices. So, he is not even following the diabetic diet that he should.

So, it DEFINITELY is something that should come from within.

I hear you about the emotional ties to foods. Mine isn't necessarily ice cream, but I think many of us have emotional issues with food. I truly believe that is how I got to where I was before the Zone.

Besides the emotional ties.....it just tastes good!! I keep telling myself that nothing tastes as good as being thin and healthy feels.....but then someone puts a chocolate brownie in front of me and I sometimes just can't help myself.

Bernie, it is great that you are going to try to use good fats instead of ice cream to stop losing fat as that will be much healthier for you BUT I must say that you must have used some constraint over the past 3 months if you have not gained any of the original weight back!

Hi Jana !! nice to hear you... (read ??).... hha
well.. constraint... hummm nop. I just keep doing the zone as much as possible... have 2 threats a day.. one cookie (or two) and 1/2 ice cream with milk at night... (cookies at mid afternoon).... I did not gain weight back, actually lost 1 kg more, but I do not account it...
Now that I began measuring and counting blocks I realize I was eating 1 extra block in the aftenoon snack (besides the cookies) and eating only 2 blocks dinner..but I guess that is ok...
What I can tell you is that I am not wanting to go back to my previous way of eating... and pain.. you are right. Someone brought me a chocolate.. is now on my desk. But it does not worth the pain in my hip (from inflammation).. that I get if I go OOZ. Well... it is my lunch time now... I should go now or there will be no food left on the cafeteria.. thank you .. thank you and stick to the zone.. (even when may have a brownie bite now and then... )

Hi - I am thinking to start the plan tomorrow. I would appreicate any advice/help you can give me. Thank you - Moosie. 8-)

Welcome Lynda -- Moosie
you have made a good choice to your life... stick to the zone. Eat breakfast.. do not skip your snacks.. on the berry first week or two, count your blocks, measure yuor meals and evaluate your energy levels... be strick by observing the zone rules... once you get to know what beeing in the zone feels like... and how does lunch and snacks should go.. it is easier to follow... a little difficult to adapt on the beginning, but this is because we - humans- are reluctant to change... but once you get to know it... and know your body reactions, you may be more flexibe with food choices... believe, try... give it a chance.... and you will love it .... Welcome aboard.

Hi Bernie,

About my friend, she has started the Zone about 5 years ago, because she wanted to, after seeing how much it had done for me. But she didn't keep doing it for very long. Very recently, just a few weeks before her heart attack of 12 days ago, she started the Zone again, this time practicing very sritct adherence. She lives alone and at the moment is at a rehab facility regaining her strength so she can return home. Unfortunately they are not offering here Zone friendly food choices at the rehab place, nor is she taking fish oil there.

Sue K....I am so sorry about your friend...it is hard to watch someone you love go through so much. Hopefully the rehab will be successful quickly so she can get back to the Zone and lead a much healthier rest of her life.

Bernie...you make good points...once you know the Zone feeling it is much easier to decline the foods that you know are going to take you OOZ. I made some bad choices over the weekend and am still getting back ITZ because of it.....BUT I'm coming back because I love the way I've felt over the past couple of months and I want to feel like that ALL of the time.

Thank you so much, Bernie. I know there is a right plan for me that I can do well, and I believe the Zone is it. I'm so exhausted trying to follow different plans and failing. Me and sugar do not get along at all and I have to make the decision to give it up. I want so much to feel good and lose this weight. Is there a way to count blocks in frozen meal like Healthy Choice if you are in a pinch for time and have to use one? Thanks again so much for your reply, Bernie. - Moosie

Hi - I am new and wondering how you finally solved your emotional eating problems? Today is my first day in the Zone and I want to stop my emotional eating so much - I go for sugar every time and it makes me feel so awful. - Moosie

Lynda, this is not an official answer, as I am not an expert, and I sort of disapprove of frozen meals, but some Healthy Choice meals come pretty close to the zone. You have to read the macronutrients on the package, the protein, carb and fat. It might work. If it gets you over the hump......

Hi Lynda... interesting question... how did I solve my emotional eating?? First is to realize what is the emotion that is moving you to eat. I found that I felt very confortable with a lot of grease arround my waist and butt because no man will turn and look at me. I came from a very painful divorce, and I decided not to marry again.
I wanted no to suffer again, so I didn't allow any men to be close to me.. not even men friends. This happen for years.. then my daugher said I will dye for been not healthy, for being obese. So I had to work on me. I sit down and talked to myself... what do I want to do with my life?? I decided I can still kick men away, but I needed to become healthier... .. I acepted the problem, I accepted myself with the problem and I decided to overcome the problem.
I have another emotional problem.. when I feel unprotected... I eat cream of wheat !! I need to work on that. But Ice cream... I still do not know why I eat Ice cream... it should be releated to an especific emotion..
But anyhow... starting on the zone.. may be difficult.. changes, as all changes do, generate reluctance to change.. you suffer a change... but once you are in the zone.. emotional eating is easier to control.. since you will have more clarity of mind, less cravings.. and most of the time will feel satisfyed... (my spelling is awful)
STart the zone.. stick to it... and you will receive benefits very sooonnn.... believe. regards

Hi Bernie, if it's not too personal would you care to share how much weight you lost and how long it took you? your before / after pictures are very encouraging!

Thank you Deborah...
actually I was thinking on taking those pictures away... but I've received many compliments that encourage me back !!!
I've lost 20 kgs... it took me a little more than 8 months.. plus 3 I've been steady ... I will celebrate 1 year in the zone on July 3.... (my daugther b-day jijijii).... since I can not remember the exact date.
Believe on the zone... you life entirely will change... a better quality of life... trust. regards

Bernie, please keep the photos here for a while! They are such an inspiration to everyone! If you don't want to be alone, I'll put my before and after photos back up here. I don't know if you remember them; me wearing the black sweaters. You can see them in the photo album in my signature. Should I put them back here as my avatar for a while?

Ohh that's ok.. I will keep it... for now. But I appreciate your support.

Great! Thanks! :-)

Hello Everyone - I'm just starting the zone diet and had a question. I'm sure the first of many Is the only place I can get the zone bars is by odering them here or are they available in local stores?

Welcome Rhonda!

Yes, here. They're not available in stores.

Hi Sue - I've order some things from the web site and am exicted to start. Are the products sold anywhere or must they be ordered? Thanks for yours and CranberryCat's feedback and I hope so much it will be different this time for me. I am Zoning my kitchen tonight. - Moosie

Bernie - Thanks so much for your post - it helps a lot. I have ordered some things and am Zoning my kitchen tonight. I know I can do this, I just have to get control of things. I have some of those same issues - wanting to keep most people at a safe distance. But I don't want to be like this anymore and I believe in Dr. Sears. Have you heard anything on Manuel Uribe lately? I think it is wonderful he has accomplished what he has. Ice cream is a BIG downfall for me - any sweets are, too. Sugar does a terrible job on me and I just have to accept I am different, not like folks who can eat that stuff. My father died of brittle diabetes and lost both legs and had numerous health problems before he did. My sister-in-law (who is like my own sister that I never had) has serious diabetes and many health problems and won't stop eating junk/sweets. She won't even check her sugar like she should. I think her body is just finally breaking down. I don't want to be like that, I want to be active an wear pretty clothes and most of all, feel good - not have joint pain and be tired all the time. Can I write you for support from time to time? Thanks again - Moosie

Any time Moosie... It is my pleasure to help and support.. and I get support back from you...
We have more or less same weakness.. but when you enter the zone.. they will start vanishing.
I am sory to hear about your father.. but at the same time, it a courage for you.. to overcome diabetes.. you can do it.. you can have your genetics controled and avoid this disease...
Keep posting your achivements... you have taken so far a great big one.. decided to start and got the courage to clean and zone your kitchen... that makes things easier... You can also post you meals ...
Be brave !!! and here come an applause to you!!! congratulations for starting.. Believe -- you won't regret doing this for you. REmember we are more than body... we are soul and energy.. work on loving you. Remember to tell you good and positive thinking.. accept yourself... and that willl help to melt pounds away... (happen to me)

Hi Bernie - Can I ask what you usually have to eat in a day's time? I'm a grab and go person in the morning, as I have 3 "four-legged kids" to take care of. Lunch I usually have time for, but I don't get home until late because I go to the gym after 5, so we end up eating at 8 p.m. or so. There's not much time to cook unless it's on weekends. Any ideas you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks - Moosie

Hello Moosie...
4 legged kids... that means dogs?? sorry...to ask..
my day starts at 6:30, prepare kids to school and day care and breakfast. We eat together at 7 am. I usually eat cooked breakfast - 2 eggs (1 yolk) - 1 cup zuchinni, 1/2 cup asparagus, 1/2 cup onios and pepper. 1/2 fres tomato as side.. and 3 slices of avocado.... and a cup o coffee.
But also smoothie is good -- 1 cup milk, 1 scoope protein powder, 1 cup frozen strawberry and almonds on a side.. that easy, fast to prepare.
Lunch at noon.. I use to eat at the factory cafeteria, protein (what ever is preared meat, chicken, fish) and the rest of plate with salad and veggies... and some fruit as dessert.
5pm snack time.. 1/2 cup straberrys, 1/4 cup cottage cheese and sliced almonds...
8pm dinner at home... never know.. ja !! and snack before bed 11 pm.. is yogurt "heladito"..
Try with smoothies.. there are several nice recipies.. even for "green smoothies" you should try.. there is a threat "ACCOUNTABILITY.... " has a long name.. but there --Jana --- posted the green recipies from Meri (the Finnish girl" ... and I will try them this week... I also challenge you to give them a try !!