Today is day 5 for me. Before this I was eating fairly well--no refined foods, low carb and high protein, with only rare sugar binges! I wanted to feel healthier and to lose about 20 lbs. I have a lot of trouble losing weight--was on Atkins last year for 4 months and didn't lose anything--and I have a lot of dietary restrictions (no soy, yeast, dairy, eggs, peanuts). That all said, I've been following the Zone 3 block system and am not feeling very well. I have two main issues: (1) After most meals my neck and shoulders start to ache, which usually signals an allergic reaction and/or too much carbohydrate (usually simple carbos, but that wouldn't be true now). (2) I'm experience [i:2cfa740bc5]a lot [/i:2cfa740bc5]of flatulance. This morning for breakfast I ate 2/3 cup of cooked steel cut oats, 1 cup of frozen raspberries, and about 20 grams of protein powder (from brown rice--the only kind I can tolerate; Dr. Sears has written that rice powder is okay). I also had 9 almonds. Within 15 minutes my neck ached. The same is true for most of my meals. The ones that work best for holding me and avoiding the aching muscles seem to include a lot of vegetables--but that increases the flatulance and I have a lot of trouble getting enough unfaborable carbs without adding salsa or chick peas. Haven't bought black or kidney beans yet. As of this morning, I haven't lost any weight yet, but that's not so surprising. Should I eliminate a carbo block and increase fat? Eliminate all fruit (which makes it REALLY difficult to get enough carbs)? Or what? Thanks in advance.

I don't know about the aching muscles, but are you drinking enough water? I've found that when I am, things are in general better. Also, I've heard of people using beano for the flatulence issue, so that may help you. I eat a lot of broccoli, and find that I don't have trouble when I am drinking my water. But that could be just my chemistry. When I do have a lot of flatulence, it's usually because I ate some processed thing with lots of chemicals (and it's super stinky! :shock: ) I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. Experts, please step in! :) Ronica

[quote:6134dd4d44="andreawk"]Today is day 5 for me. Before this I was eating fairly well--no refined foods, low carb and high protein, with only rare sugar binges! I wanted to feel healthier and to lose about 20 lbs. I have a lot of trouble losing weight--was on Atkins last year for 4 months and didn't lose anything--and I have a lot of dietary restrictions (no soy, yeast, dairy, eggs, peanuts). That all said, I've been following the Zone 3 block system and am not feeling very well. I have two main issues: (1) After most meals my neck and shoulders start to ache, which usually signals an allergic reaction and/or too much carbohydrate (usually simple carbos, but that wouldn't be true now). (2) I'm experience [i:6134dd4d44]a lot [/i:6134dd4d44]of flatulance. This morning for breakfast I ate 2/3 cup of cooked steel cut oats, 1 cup of frozen raspberries, and about 20 grams of protein powder (from brown rice--the only kind I can tolerate; Dr. Sears has written that rice powder is okay). I also had 9 almonds. Within 15 minutes my neck ached. The same is true for most of my meals. The ones that work best for holding me and avoiding the aching muscles seem to include a lot of vegetables--but that increases the flatulance and I have a lot of trouble getting enough unfaborable carbs without adding salsa or chick peas. Haven't bought black or kidney beans yet. As of this morning, I haven't lost any weight yet, but that's not so surprising. Should I eliminate a carbo block and increase fat? Eliminate all fruit (which makes it REALLY difficult to get enough carbs)? Or what? Thanks in advance.[/quote:6134dd4d44] Hi, Five days is barely enough time to lower your insulin into the Zone. Considering your past experience with Atkins, it could take much longer for you to get into the Zone. This is not the time to begin adjusting anything. I would stick to the fully balanced blocks, and eat within the Zone recommendations (of course eliminating the foods you are allergic to). Introduce large amounts of veggies more slowly to let your system accustom itself to them to avoid flatulence. The flatulence will subside once you are used to the veggies. Don't forget you can have up to 25% of carbs in a meal from unfavorable sources. That will also help keep volume down. I'm not sure what you meant about trouble with veggies "without adding salsa and chick peas". It's perfectly fine to use those foods. They are favorable carbs. You may want to try fitting the things you were eating previous to 5 days ago into Zone meals and add favorable veggies one at a time in small amounts in order to determine what you are allergic to. Sue

Even though I proofread my post before submitting, I can now see all the typos! :roll: What that [i:d2b0511df0]should[/i:d2b0511df0] have said was that I have difficulty getting enough [i:d2b0511df0]favorable[/i:d2b0511df0] carbs without using chick peas or salsa. The reason I wrote that was because I feel best (aside from the flatulance) when I'm eating vegetables than when I'm eating other kinds of carbs. The neck aching is important; it's not just a muscle ache but a muscle spasm that is very distracting and I know from long history that it indicates that something is not right with my system. I haven't been drinking enough water. That's always an issue for me and I have to start paying more attention. Thanks for the reminder. I can also add vegies more slowly, but I'm not sure what to do in the meantime. I don't know how to get enough carbs from favorable sources. Even though we're allowed some unfavorable carbs, I don't think that's a good idea for me because I'm so reactive to them. It's also better for me to keep the amount of carbs from fruit to a minimum. (A few days ago I made a smoothie with two blocks of fruit and I thought I was going to have to go home from work because of the neck spasms.) I hadn't thought I was allergic to any of the carb sources, but I suppose that's possible.

Hi, The reason I suggested adding new veggies slowly was because you posted your neck spasm/pain was either an allergic reaction, or a reaction to too many carbs. Adding new foods one at a time is a way to aascertain whether or not you have an allergy or a reaction to a specific food. Your symptom may or may not be an allergic reaction. It could be from many things. It could be related to the initial AA release that gives some new Zoners headaches for the first week in the Zone. It may not even be related to your dietary habits. Since you posted that your diet, previous to beginning the Zone earlier this week, was a healthy one, I think it may benefit you to start by Zone balancing the Zone friendly foods you were eating on you healthy diet, and then add new veggies slowly. If you weren't getting the spasms with your previous diet, then you probably won't get them if you eat those same foods in a P/C/F balance that puts you in the Zone. By introducing the veggies slowly, you will alleviate the flatulence, and at the same time be able to figure out if you have allergic reactions to specific foods. You may also want to phone Zone Labs to see if they can provide you with some suggestions. Keep us posted as to your progress. If you have questions I'll be glad to try to help. Sue

Thanks for your responses. I understand what you mean about adding veggies one at a time and sticking to most of the foods I used to eat. The problem is that I can't eat what I used to eat and still maintain the P/C balance. For example, last night for dinner I ate about 4 oz. of fish (salmon) for protein and tried to eat 1/2 slice of unyeasted bread, a large bag of frozen green beans for carbs, with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of grapes. I don't have the package from the green beans anymore, but that should have totaled 3 blocks of carbs. However, I had to force myself to eat all of the vegetables, and there was no way I could also consume the grapes. Even without the fruit, it just felt like too much food. Now in the past, I wouldn't have eaten so many vegetables. I would have eaten rice or wheat crackers and a salad, but even a very large salad doesn't begin to fill the 3 block requirement. Using salsa/tomato sauce and beans does help to fill up the blocks more easily, but I don't feel as well when I eat them and decided that for now, I'd eliminate the garbanzo beans and hummus. So I'm feeling very frustrated. The neck spasms could be from the AA release. I'm certain it's from something in my diet though because that's the only thing that's changed. The only other cause is usually exposure to some chemical--heavy perfume, cigarette smoke, etc.--and that hasn't happened. I've been avoiding the beans today and am not feeling the spasms, but the flatulance is still a problem. I guess I'll just continue along like this for a few more days and see how I feel. How would I call Zone Labs? Is there a charge for answering questions?

[quote:3b3c35a1cd="andreawk"]Thanks for your responses. I understand what you mean about adding veggies one at a time and sticking to most of the foods I used to eat. The problem is that I can't eat what I used to eat and still maintain the P/C balance. For example, last night for dinner I ate about 4 oz. of fish (salmon) for protein and tried to eat 1/2 slice of unyeasted bread, a large bag of frozen green beans for carbs, with 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of grapes. I don't have the package from the green beans anymore, but that should have totaled 3 blocks of carbs. However, I had to force myself to eat all of the vegetables, and there was no way I could also consume the grapes. Even without the fruit, it just felt like too much food. Now in the past, I wouldn't have eaten so many vegetables. I would have eaten rice or wheat crackers and a salad, but even a very large salad doesn't begin to fill the 3 block requirement. Using salsa/tomato sauce and beans does help to fill up the blocks more easily, but I don't feel as well when I eat them and decided that for now, I'd eliminate the garbanzo beans and hummus. So I'm feeling very frustrated. The neck spasms could be from the AA release. I'm certain it's from something in my diet though because that's the only thing that's changed. The only other cause is usually exposure to some chemical--heavy perfume, cigarette smoke, etc.--and that hasn't happened. I've been avoiding the beans today and am not feeling the spasms, but the flatulance is still a problem. I guess I'll just continue along like this for a few more days and see how I feel. How would I call Zone Labs? Is there a charge for answering questions?[/quote:3b3c35a1cd] Hi, The salmon and green bean meal could use a little tweaking. 4 1/2 oz would give you 3 blocks. I suggest you have at least this amout of P. You didn't mention fat, but you would be best to add some monounsaturated fat to the meal also. As for the veggies, how about 1 1/2 cups beans ( 1 C block) with 1/2 cup tomato sauce (1 C block) and 1/2 cup grapes? If that's still too much food, try less beans, more tomato sauce, or try 1/2 block of beans, 1/2 block of rye crisp or a similar unfavoravble carb, some tomato sauce, and the grapes. Refer to the Food Block Guide in Zone resources on this site for more ideas. To reach Zone Labs, call their phone number on their home page during business hours. They won't charge you to ask questions. To find the page with the phone number and hours click on the Zone Products bar in the left margin of the home page of this site. Sue :D

Sorry--I did have fat in that meal (macademia nuts). I just didn't mention it because I was focusing in that post on the amount of vegetables. I didn't have rye crisp, but I did have 1/2 slice of bread (unfavorable carb)--probably too much--about 1 block. I don't have many options with unyeasted bread. I'll have to experiment with the vegetables. I think that adding more than 1/2 cup of tomato sauce on 1 1/2 cups of green beans would be a bit much for me. :lol: If it were a different kind of fish, I would have put the sauce over that, which I've done with ground meat. Thanks for your suggestions. I'll keep working on it.

hi andrea--you posted your item in october so maybe you have it worked out? when i read your post i wonder if you still do have some allergies to discover? nuts? or some other food? if you go with mostly veggies for your carbs, maybe you will find that some veggies are easier to digest than others (eg maybe asperagus and leeks and mushrooms and zuccini--maybe even snowpeas, fennel, would be easier than broccoli and cauliflower and green beans-you might find that fresh veggies are easier to digest than frozen at least sometimes-also you could try using a teensy bit of low glycemic fruit? 1/2 kiwi or 1 apricot or 1/4 sour apple--also you could try adding some of the herbs or spices that help with digestion--ginger/ cumin/ dill/ carroway/hing(indian spice)/fennel. good luck figuring it out!p

[quote:5642412d6f="mikepaula"]hi andrea--you posted your item in october so maybe you have it worked out? when i read your post i wonder if you still do have some allergies to discover? nuts? or some other food? if you go with mostly veggies for your carbs, maybe you will find that some veggies are easier to digest than others (eg maybe asperagus and leeks and mushrooms and zuccini--maybe even snowpeas, fennel, would be easier than broccoli and cauliflower and green beans-you might find that fresh veggies are easier to digest than frozen at least sometimes-also you could try using a teensy bit of low glycemic fruit? 1/2 kiwi or 1 apricot or 1/4 sour apple--also you could try adding some of the herbs or spices that help with digestion--ginger/ cumin/ dill/ carroway/hing(indian spice)/fennel. good luck figuring it out!p[/quote:5642412d6f] Things are working better now, but the flatulance is still a problem. I just don't have time to prepare fresh veggies, especially because I need to prepare double so I can bring lunch with me the next day. I'm also not sure why they would be easier to digest. I do eat low glycemic fruit, about 1 block's worth. I haven't tried the herbs and spices though. That might help. Thanks. Andrea

if you are interested, here is a cookbook that has alot about using herbs and spices to improve digestion: (it is a vegetarian cookbook but the many of the recipes are great carb dishes) The Ayurvedic Cookbook (by Amadea Morningstar)p

You mention "not having a lot of time to cook veges". i read somewhere that Dr Sears says that frozen veges are OK - maybe even better (because they are snap frozen and therefor fresher) I use them and find them so easy. They also list the carbs on the packet! Pierce the bag and toss it into the microwave for a minute or two (I use auto cook so cant give you the exact timie) but keep it short and remember that they go on cooking after the microwave stops! cheers Top

I [i:aacdfd5531]do[/i:aacdfd5531] use frozen vegetables. I was just responding to the suggestion that fresh ones might be easier to digest! I used to use all fresh veggies before this diet, but there are just too many and I don't have the time to cook them. And as you state, Dr. Sears wrote that frozen may even be preferable. 8) Andrea