Hi everyone, I've just started the Zone (Sunday, to be precise), and I'm already noticing a big difference in my alertness and hunger levels, et cetera. I think I am the odd one out, here, though -- I don't actually like to eat. In fact, I hate food. I am a recovered (I do eat now, and I'm not super-skinny anymore) anorexic, who still maintains a horrible tendency to undereat, or just not bother at all. I'm afraid I've destroyed my metabolism. I have been trying to lose weight for some time now (or body fat, really) with little or no success. Despite eating "healthy" (I rarely eat junk food -- mostly fruits and veggies and low fat foods, and no processed carbs after lunch, even -- though, I do splurge on occasion), and exercising regularly (martial arts 3-4 x week, fencing 2 x week, weightlifting 4 x week, running 2-3 x week) for the past few years, I still manage to sit at 32% bodyfat. I am frustrated and disheartened at my lack of progress towards a healthy body despite working so hard. I constantly feel like I am overeating, yet when I track my calories religiously, they're usually too low (sometimes below 1000 for a day!). My personal trainer has recommended the Zone as a way to teach me how to eat again (how silly does that sound?). So here I am... zoning it. I'm just wondering, is there anyone else out there like me? I feel like I'm constantly eating on this program, and I feel like I've lost the power to choose what I eat (which I suppose is just as well, since I guess I eat so poorly). Is this really going to work? Can I "restart" my metabolism? I want so badly to lose weight before my wedding this summer , but I feel like I'm going to gain weight eating all of this. (I started working with a personal trainer over a year ago with my wedding in mind, thinking that I wouldn't have any problems! Now I feel like I'm running out of time... :cry: ) I know the science behind it makes sense, and my improved mood and level of alertness is at least partial testament to this, but it's the irrational side of me that is making me fuss. Any words of encouragement would be most welcome! Thanks, everyone....

hi, i can understand where you're coming from. I never really had an eating disorder (like bulimia or anorexia), but moreso an obsession with food. I went through much of college and the year after just barely eating enough. Like I'd have healthy breakfast and have an apple and diet coke for lunch and then a really low-carb, low-fat dinner. I got skinny but never looked like I was anorexic or anything. Anyway my weight has gone up a little over the past couple of years (like 10-15 lbs) and that's fine because I know it's normal, but I still have my obsessions. I eat more now, but I still know I don't eat enough, My body fat is 20.5%, and I know it's normal, but I am not satisfied. I still am terrified of gaining weight. I like the zone because it does give me more energy, etc., but I am supposed to eat 11 blocks a day according to the calculations and I usually eat 8, maybe 9. Like you said, eating so much is hard, especially when I am used to staying thin by being somewhat hungry, never full. I think my metabolism is messed up too because of not eating properly for so long, and I really think if I eat 11 blocks a day I will gain weight. I am maintaining my weight eating 8 or 9. Like you said too, I do splurge occasionally, ususally on weekends when my boyfriend and I go out to dinner, etc., so maybe that's how my weight stays put too. I kind of think of this as making up for most of my days of eating less. I know that's wrong, but it is so hard!

I can kind of relate to both of you. I too only eat 8 blocks a day in the fear I will gain. I sometimes go on binges and go out of the zone. When I do I seem to eat and eat and eat. I feel horrible after and always say I won't do it again but I do. Actually over Christmas I seemed to do it about every other day. That was the first time in a while. I have been good since Monday and of course say I won't do it again but I probably will. Most of the time I keep Balance bars on hand when I have my chocolate cravings so I can at least stay in the zone.

I understand your problems, I had eating disorder (bulimia) for years and I just stopped when I started a diet. I tried a lot of programs but know I think to have found the right one for me. I feel like my life changed! It helps me to be in a diet, to follow a program and have results. If tomorrow I stop the Zone I will become bulimic again, it's why I don't want to give up! We have to se the Zone like a new lifestyle! I'm not skinny at all so I hope to loose weight too!!! :roll:

Thanks for your responses... I'm glad to see there are others like me out there. Sometimes I feel so alone... I know there are plenty of people out there with eating disorders, but I feel like I'm in limbo. I mean, I'm not anorexic anymore, but I still don't really eat. How crazy is it to say that you're overweight because you eat too little?? I used to be really skinny because of my eating problems, now, I figure, people must think I eat all the time. I know it technically all makes sense, but, well, I suppose I'm a little too irrational for my own good!! All I want to lose is about 20 lbs... or 5% off my body fat before my wedding in August. I'm going to stick to this as best I can. After this, I don't think my personal trainer will have any more ideas for me... Please keep me posted how you guys are doing, too!

Hi, I'm Jo and I've been zoning for three years. I haven't binged and purged for three years and I'm maintaining a 30lb wt loss. I need lots of support to stick to my food plan because of my eating disorders. I'm in a great group where we post our food each day and talk about compulsive overeating, bulemia and anorexia. Please join us at www.zonedietforfoodaddicts@yahoogroups.com We have people with long term recovery from eating disorders. We all eat Zonish and use other tools to help us stay on course. Love to have you, JO in SF

I feel for all of you, being the best friend of an anorexic and the family member of an obsessive over-eater. But I have to say, like an alcoholic, you are never "cured." This type of obsession is not something that ever completely goes away. You proved that when you said you still obsess about food. But, you can get help with this. Both my friend and family member have gotten much help from counselling and/or an Anonymous group. Please consider this. There are some in nearly every town--just look in the phone book. Admitting you need help is the first step to recovery. And, you won't be alone. Just because you weigh more now, doesn't mean you aren't an anorexic anymore. You will always have this, but you can learn how to deal with it, and how to change some of the feelings and behaviors. (I also encourage you to email the group that the previous writer suggested.) Also, Sears has said that if you don't eat your blocks that you need, your body will go into starvation mode and you will NOT lose weight, no matter how much you weigh now :!: It is crucial to have the fuel your body needs to function, and if it doesn't get it, yeah, your metabolism will be way out of whack. If you can't choke down all the good carbs, try adding a little unfavorable which has less bulk. For example, 1/2 piece of bread is usually easier to eat than 4 cups of broccoli. Or, try adding a block of honey to fruit. Sears OK's 25% unfavorable carbs, so it's possible to supplement your eating this way. The Zone is not a cure for eating disorders, but it can teach you how to eat again. However, if you don't get some help for the other issues that cause you to feel this way, the Zone may not work for you. Please, seek help. You are worth it. Ronica

It's easy to know what's right; it is just so hard to do it. Like we are all stating that we wre skinny while not eating enough, so that was kind of a "positive" reinforcement for negative patterns. I guess you can survive like that for a while, but then the body will not allow itself to do it anymore.... like in other words you were saying it goes into starvation mode and you won't lose weight. I wonder how many years of not eating enough it takes for that to happen? I wish it would happen from the beginning so we wouldn't fall into these patterns to begin with!