Hi everyone!
First of all, I realize that there are a lot of you who feel stuck like I do, but I really wanted to share even if it might be the same old story...
I have been trying out the zone for two weeks now, but I haven't lost anything. I am a dietitian (not too familiar with the zone since it doesn't agree with the recommendations) so I now a lot about food and nutrition. I have access to a diet programme where I have been doing meal plans according to 13 blocks (3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 snack, 3 dinner, 2 snack) been weighing everything that I eat, which makes around 1300 kcals per day, around 1000 kcals less than I would eat before. I am also doing crossfit 4-5 times per week.

Now to the problem..
I really enjoy the zone, but now I just feel like eating a loaf of bread and feel a bit sorry for myself (not a good strategy I know). I am eating lots of veggies (esp broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes) but I find it difficult to eat enough carbs from only veggies, the volume is too big, so I usually eat some potatoes also, but only about 50-70 grams.
Often I only eat one 2 block snack, since I find it difficult to fit the other in.
It's so frustrating when I know from the diet programme that I have the right amount of macros, but nothing happens! It should be a walk in the park! Maybe I'm eating the wrong stuff (even if the numbers are right)...


And I must confess that I have been cheating on friday and saturday evenings. On those evenings I have red wine but still try to measure visually.
I also find it a bit difficult with the recepies that you can find online and in books since I live in Sweden and we use the metric system. But I guess that it's mostly because I want to be as exact as possible.


I guess that my entry is kind of negative, it's just frustration coming out.. I really enjoy eating according to the zone, by only looking at the plate you know it's healthy.

//Liv

Sounds like you have a great start, though! The best thing about your post is that you are here and you are reaching out for some advice.

It almost sounds as if you know the answer to your problem, but perhaps not sure how to go about it. Yes, it may be the food selections. Many people comment about how difficult it is to sit down and eat all of those veggies. But we really don't have to do that. Add in some other carb-friendly options, such as beans (only 1/4 cup per block), tomato sauce (1/2 cup per block generally), and those kinds of things really shrink up your meal size. Saute some onion, and it shrinks down quite a bit, and also adds good flavor to the other veggies. You can add some fruit to your carbs, but I wouldn't recommend eating tons of fruit. But, a 1/2 cup of blueberries for "dessert" certainly does help to shrink up your meal size and adds that sweet taste that sometimes is hard to satisfy.

Try not to skip your snacks. Sometimes hard to eat them all, but maybe one of those blocks could be a glass of milk, which would satisfy the block requirement without making you feel like you had to eat something to do it.

I would recommend avoiding the unfavorable carbs for now, or at the very least, keep them to a minimum-condiment portions.

Of course, since you have been only zoning for 2 weeks, it might not be enough time to see results yet, so certainly give that some thought, as well. Speaking for myself, I tend to get impatient when I think there should be results. Another thought, and you have probably counseled some of your clients on this, but don't use the scale as your measuring stick. Take some other body measurements and then track how your body is changing and how your clothes are feeling. Also, and perhaps most important, go by how you feel!

Hope this helps!

Liv, don't give up!! I have been following the Zone for 7 days now and I feel great. Down 7lbs and can't believe it with all the food I have been eating. I pretty much stick to the lists in the book and eat 3 blocks 3 times a day and 2 1 block snacks. I do write everything down because this helps me plan each days meals. Keep it up, you can do it!!

Cranberrycat, you are so informative, I have read your advice on a few other posts and love everything you say. I know who to ask when I have questions. Thanks you!!!

Also Liv, the first two weeks your body goes through a type of adjustment, some toxic fat being released. Some people complain of headaches or other symptoms. Normal. I know the Zone appears like it goes against what we've all been fed from SAD (Standard American Diet), which is truly sad.
As CranCat suggested, potatoes are not favorable. Look through the recipes, I do a cauliflower mashed potatoes, that really tastes like the real thing, and I hate the taste of regular cooked cauliflower. Mind you, my wife and I split the whole head, and at 1/2 head of cauliflower, each, its only a few grams of carbs. But, as a cruciferous vegetable, very good for us nutritionally. Keep at it, you will see results, but don't get hung up on the scale. Since your exercising and cross-fit, at that, you'll be converting fat to muscle. And muscle is more dense than fat, so you'll find that though the scale might not reflect right away, your clothes will fit looser. Also, if you're doing cross-fit 4-5 times a week, then I'd also recheck your number of blocks per day with a Very Active as the parameter. You might find you need more blocks. If that's the case, then too few blocks, and your body thinks you're in starvation mode and will hold onto every calorie and store. The idea is to burn Fat for energy and not glucose (sugars, broken down from Carbs). Our bodies actually only need very little sugars each day. Hence one 0f the reasons for Low Glycemic Carbs to stay in the Zone. The other is not to spike insulin.
But as a nutritionalist, you probably already know that.
Keep at it, and we're here to help.

Thanks for the really nice compliment--I really appreciate it!

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement! You zoners are very helpful when doubt enters the brain...
I must agree with Eileen regarding Cranberrycat, your comments are always so insightful and caring. Thank you!

I will stick to it, make some adjustments and succeed!

It makes this all worthwhile to hear the appreciation. I'm a nurse by trade, its in my blood to reach out and help when I can. And wellness is my Passion. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with everyone here.

HI Liv,

I was in the same situation that you were in and was doing crossfit 4 days a week. I realized for my body type that i needed to incorporate cardio into my routine. So i decided to take a month off of cardio and started taking cardio kickboxing and walking/jogging 3miles 2-3 times per week and lost 3lbs in my first week. As much as i love crossfit i decided that i really needed to take a break and focus on doing more cardio that will help get rid of the layer of fat that is still sitting on top of my muscle i have built over the past 6 months on crossfit.

If you have a desk job like me sitting all day cardio really helped me :-)

I also take fish oil (1000mg) in the morning and one with dinner. And i also take green superfood with my lunch and dinner to ensure i am getting in enough greens since you do have to eat alot of veggies on this program.

Hope this helps.
Darla