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Hi, You have made a good choice with the Zone. Be aware than Dr Sears recommends for adults not to go under the minimum of 11 blocks a day, even thought you requirements work out to less. You will burn your stored fat with 11 blocks. The best way to go about this would be to put together meals only from foods you like from the lists of Zone favorable foods (see Food Block Guide on this site). From the likes and dislikes you posted, it is clear that you will be able to make Zone favorable meals from the foods you like. Once you are in the Zone you will notice your need for water will increase. You will probably actually become thirsty because the fat burning metabolism of the Zone uses a lot of water. 64 oz is not really that much water and represents the minimum requirement. It will not wreak havoc with your digestive system. Many Zoners drink much more(2 or 3 times more depending upon their activity level and he climate in which they live). Good luck! Sue

Welcome, Bug. You've made a serious commitment, which is the hardest step. Seriously. When you go from being a person who says "I can't live without my bagels" to being a person who's gone a whole day without so much as a crouton and lived to tell about it, the rest comes easy. You sound like you're off to a very good start. I don't want to sound condescending, but here's some advice I'm grateful I received when I first joined the tribe: I know what the books say, but don't get too hung up on the numbers at first. LBM, protein prescription, blocks, etc., are important, but in the beginning I think the big thing to work on is what you eat. Pay attention to how you feel after eating, clear-headed or drowsy? You'll feel more alive than you used to after a plate of lasagna. That's the YOU you're supposed to be. Enjoy having her around. You've already identified the favorable foods you like. Put only them in your cart. Remember Sears' advice to avoid the center of the grocery store and to eat before shopping. Don't let unfavorable foods into your home. Don't buy potatoes or corn or bread (save them for when you dine out). You already are off pop, candy, and booze. If you crave chips or pretzels, substitute nuts. The meats you identify as not to your liking are fatty and salty processed foods anyway, so good. So now you might feel that you have a short shopping list. You do. So what? [b:148e9bcbb9]Here's a secret[/b:148e9bcbb9]: Most people buy the exact same things every week at the store. I should re-use my grocery list instead of write a new one each trip. We Zoners can be boring shoppers. I have soy sausage and egg whites every day for breakfast, sometimes oatmeal. My lunches are always turkey or tuna salad on 1/2 a wheat pita with a slice of swiss. Suppers at home are either chicken breast, salmon filet, or the occasional filet mignon. The only fruit I buy are apples. I might go through a grapefruit phase for a few months, and avocados when the price is right. Vegetables in my kitchen means broccoli and romaine lettuce. Lots of almonds. Olive oil by the gallon. And when I eat out I always seem to order the exact same thing. If someone ever accused me of having a boring diet, I'd ask them how many pizza delivery places they can phone up and order "my usual". You're still in that stage of eating two big meals a day. You will need to start eating smaller, more frequent, meals, and, yes, breakfast. It doesn't have to be traditional breakfast food, and it doesn't have to be a full meal. Begin the habit of eating at least a snack when you wake up. In a few more weeks you'll have lost enough to re-figure your data, and then enjoy portioning out measured amounts and blocks and watching the clock. You know the [b:148e9bcbb9]why[/b:148e9bcbb9], you'll have stocked the [b:148e9bcbb9]what[/b:148e9bcbb9]; the [b:148e9bcbb9]when[/b:148e9bcbb9] to eat will take care of itself. And like Sue says, your thirst will grow as your body metabolizes its fat. And stable blood sugar will soon result in the need for less, but more efficient, sleep. This response is longer than I'd planned. I hope I offered a simpler, more encouraging approach to stick with it these first couple months. Good to have you here!

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Hi, [quote="Bugeater93"] A minimum of 11 blocks a day? I must have missed that part. You mean I have to eat [i:a0d82c3366]more[/i:a0d82c3366]? 2+3+1+4+1 or 1+3+2+4+1...too many combinations...now my brain is going through the scene from that movie Clue where they can't figure out how many bullets they've used up. [i:a0d82c3366]Wadsworth: The game's up, Scarlett. There are no more bullets left in that gun. Ms. Scarlet: Oh, c'mon, you don't expect me to fall for that old trick. Wadsworth: It's not a trick! There was one shot at Mr. Body in the study, two for the chandelier, two at the lounge door, and one for the singing telegram. Ms. Scarlet: That's not six. Wadsworth: One plus two plus two plus one. Ms. Scarlet: Uh-uh. There was only one shot that got the chandelier. That's one plus two plus ONE plus one. Wadsworth: Even if you're right, that would be one plus one plus two plus one, not one plus two plus one plus one. Ms. Scarlet: Alright, fine, one plus two plus one...SHUT-UP![/i:a0d82c3366] [quote] I love that movie! Try beginning with 3-3-1-3-1. This is the traditional starting point for and 11 block day. Sue

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So, you're a picky eater who does like to eat bugs? :wink: Adam and Sue had great advice. Eat what you like. You're not going to do it if you hate it, right? Every once and a while, try something new for a change. One taste won't kill you, and you may be surprised at how your new, unclouded palate reacts to foods you once thought were "icky". (God knows I never planned to eat beans--but the Zone changed that for me. I ate chili tonight!!!) Also, different brands of things taste different. Some yogurts are very sour, yet others are more like thick milk (which you say you like.) I've been amazed at how my palate is different--get rid of the grease and starch, and wow! What flavor these vegetables have!!! You mentioned soy oil--this is conventionally known as "vegetable oil", so you've probably had it. I find it a little rank on its own--I prefer canola (which is virtually flavorless) or olive. If you're not a fan of olive, try the "light olive" (just light in flavor, not fat) which is also nearly flavorless. You mentioned the kiwi-pineapple thing. I have this, too (it's an inability to digest the enzyme in these fruits.) Don't push it--it will hurt! Canned pineapple (in juice) does not have the enzyme, as the heat in the canning process kills it. You said you don't like salad dressings--neither does my Dad, but he loves fresh lemon squeezed over salads. It really helps bring out the flavor. Might be worth a try! Anyway, the water thing sounds like a big concern. I am with you on the not wanting to spend tons of time in the WC (I am a music teacher, and can't leave my kids every half hour!) I find that if I don't drink water, I tend to retain it, and don't lose weight. You can substitute some of the water in foods and other drinks (I do indulge in Diet Rite soda, splenda sweetened), but water is important. You don't have to be super-vigilant, but try carrying a water bottle, and just sipping now and then. You'll probably be surprised at how good it makes you feel--I tend to get a headache when I am dehydrated, and have a hard time maintaining energy and mental clarity. I also find that sometimes when I am "hungry", if I drink a cup of water, all of a sudden I am fine! I also stop drinking about an hour or so before bed, and rarely get up. Kidneys are fast! If you have trouble eating in the AM, maybe starting with a smoothie would help? At least there's no chewing involved! :lol: About the blocks, 11 is right, and you should lose weight this way. I am only 3/4 inch taller than you, and started 3 lbs. heavier, but I have been eating 11 and have lost nearly 20 lbs. since late Spring. (I am a slow loser, but a determined one!) I've really found this has changed my life for the better, and my husband is totally on board, too. Adam mentioned using the same grocery list--I've expanded on this. I made a spreadsheet of my "usuals" and put them in the order I go in at our store. I print them out, hang on the fridge, and circle as needed. It's really an easy way to go, and the time savings is well worth the time it took to make it the first time. If you want a copy, email me and I can forward it to you. Best of luck during this holiday time--have a zone Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/Solstice/New Year's Eve! Ronica