Natalie, the weigh in was great! Actually lost more after the P than any other week since I have been on the diet. I was pretty psyched. Do you have any recipes you recommend? As I said in another post, the protein has been my hardest part. I know you work full time, as do I, so I would love to know how you set up your meals etc. during your hectic schedule.

Cherilyn, I can understand where you are coming from, and when I started I had a lot of concerns. But my body and the diet have hit a stride and I feel so lucky to have found Medizone. I don't remember a time in my life that I have felt this healthy. Knowing myself, I would have never done the Zone diet successfully without MediZone. I would have picked up a Dr. Sears book, like any other diet book, and tried it for a day or two and then failed when it got a little tough. But with the regular visits to the office, the vitamin regimen, and the appetite suppressants, I have yet to hit a rough patch that was fail-worthy. For me, this is some of the best money I have ever spent. It sounds like you have been successful on your version of the zone, so I whole-heartedly congratulate you. I am just curious, what is different about what you eat on the zone to what you ate when you were doing Medizone? I ask because honestly, I don't do any counting or measuring on this diet. I know I am suppose to but my excuses are #1, I don't want to ;) and #2 I never make the time. When I eat, my mantra is water, veggies, protein, fruit, in that order. If I can hit up all four, I am a happy camper. I guess its not exactly as regimented as any diet would like me to be, but its working, and that is a first for me.

Sue, what is LBM?

Hi Molly!

LBM stands for Lean Body Mass (everything in your body that is not body fat). As you lose weight you want to see the body fat % (pounds of fat) go down and the pounds of LBM either stay the same or increase. A decrease in LBM means you've lost some muscle mass, which means you are not eating enough protein.

It's important to measure muscle mass (LBM) for the Zone, because the amount of food you require daily is based on the amount of protein you need to maintain your current LBM at your current activity (exercise) level.

Thanks Sue!

My pleasure Molly!

An easy way to track your LBM and body fat % is with the Zone Block & Body Fat Calculator (link at right).

[quote]Posted By Molly on 09/26/2008 8:15 PM

I am having a heck of a time downing protein. Even soy substitutes. Are there protein shakes that I can substitute for my protein intake? I don't want to buy anything until I know that it is Zone approved. I know the Zone sells a protein shake and I am wondering if that is a fair substitute.[quote]

Molly,

Dr. Sears Zone Protein Powder is an excellent sounce od protein. It's great in smoothies, with oatmeal, etc.

Any low fat protein is fine (see the Zone Food Blocks in Quick Start Guide; link at right). There's no special food required. If you're looking for easy and convenient products try Dr. Sears Zone bars, or shakes, or cereal. They're all Zone balanced products and can be eaten as meals or snacks.

Hey again! Cherilyn, this diet is not for everyone, as evidenced by you and many others, but it is working very well for me and the people I know who have been off the diet for some time. Out of 4 people, some off over a year and some less, not one has gained any weight back--except one lady, who admits, it's her own fault for caving back into old-habits. I am not concerned with this, as I am eating healthy and the only controversal issue with this diet is the appetite suppresants. But, keep in mind, EVERY medication/pill/vitamin/foreign additive has side effects for somebody. And, I am not suprised the Doc said you were starving yourself--if you read my prior posts, I was too---but, when I increased my intake, I am losing fine now.
Actually, just weighed in today at 152.8! Total of 54.7 lbs since June 2nd. It's about 2.5 lbs a week--which is very close to the normal/healthy 1-2 lbs week. And, the only reason it's high, is because I am not all the way down yet---it keeps lowering my average each week, since I am nearing the end.

Molly, they sell Dr. Sears Protein Powder at the office--I never bought it or tried it---plus, I hate protien powder with a passion! I too don't measure or count numbers. I find it all to be to frustrating and actually conter-productive, because I fall back into "weight watcher" mode of thinking about my food intake 24/7 and end up gaining weight!!! :(
I try my hardest to get breakfast, but I am not the best... I normally just eat some raspberries, blueberries, grapes or egg. It helps me to "pre-pack" my lunch and keep the fridge at work filled with food I can nibble on at all times. I keep the following at work and home: cut up celery (by it already cut---I have no time in my schedule for anything), package of turkey oscar meyer hotdogs (0.5 grams of fat and like 40 cals, i think) , frozen grapes, frozen edamame (my favvvv), tons of fruit (canned, no sugar added) and veggies (also canned, no salt added). I do treat myself to "Slim-A-Bear" Bars (English Toffee and Vanilla) ONLY if I am dying for chocolate!! Just to clarify--I don't eat a lot of the canned stuff an a day---or week. I try to limit to 1-2 a week, since it's never really great for you. I read labels like an eagle eye/hawk!!
Normally my lunch is left-overs from dinner. We normally grill, bake, saute anything and everything.
Only recipe I could share, was my inventive No-Pasta Lasagna I made the other night--it was awesome! I just sub'd the noodles for eggplant. And I used turkey sausage and ground chix for the meat. You can email me for the whole recipe (xmush1620x@yahoo.com) -- hope I am allowed to put that on here. I'll find out! :) Good luck this week!!

Sue, I just did that calculator (didn't see a link, but searched it on the website)---I have no idea what I am looking at..... what's this all mean?

Body Fat %: 31.67
Body Fat Weight (lbs): 49.09
Lean Body Mass (lbs): 105.91
Daily Protein Requirement (g): 77.00
or # of Blocks of Protein: 11
# of Blocks of Carbohydrate: 11
# of Blocks of Fat: 11

Natalie, Sue, you guys rock! Thanks! Cherilyn, I take it back, the reason this diet works for me is the regular office visits, the vitamin regimin, the appetite suppressants AND Natalie and Sue! Its funny that you both suggest the zone protein powder because I asked about it at the Medizone office and the med asst. said that it wasn't for me but for when I am doing maintainence or something. But its come down to a matter of no protein or a protein-substitute. I am not even exaggerating, this weekend I smelled a pea soup brewing, it didn't even have meat in it, but it smelled like it did and I got horribly nauseous. I've never been pregnant but this aversion to meat sounds like some of the stories I have heard from pregnant women. I haven't bought the powder yet but someone gave me some zoic to try. I mixed it with some mixed berries, and its amazing. Like one gram of sugar and maybe one gram of carbs and then 21 grams of protein. Its pretty great. Does anyone have any experience with Zoic? Its nice to have found something I like but I don't want to be ruining any progress so if anyone has any comments about this drink, please share.
Also, I know medizone wants us to get at least 10-16 servings of protein. Does anyone know how many GRAMS of protein (like what you see on the product label) equals a serving of protein on the zone diet?
As always, THANK YOU!

Hi Molly!

Thanks for the compliments! I'm not familiar with Zoic. Protein servings in the one area called blocks. One Zone Protein conatins 7 grams of protein. The Zone Food Blocks tab in Quick Start Guide (link at right) shows block sizes for many common foods. You can determine your daily block requirement with the Zone Block and Body Fat Calculator (link at right).

Good luck!

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Natalie on 10/06/2008 8:11 PM

Sue, I just did that calculator (didn't see a link, but searched it on the website)---I have no idea what I am looking at..... what's this all mean?

Body Fat %: 31.67
Body Fat Weight (lbs): 49.09
Lean Body Mass (lbs): 105.91
Daily Protein Requirement (g): 77.00
or # of Blocks of Protein: 11
# of Blocks of Carbohydrate: 11
# of Blocks of Fat: 11

</div>

Hi Natalie!

The first few numbers are a breakdown of your total weight. You have 49 pounds of fat which represents 31.67 % of your total weight. The remaining approximately 106 pounds of your total weight is the weight of everything else in your body (bones, muscles, etc.).

It shows you need to eat 77 grams of protein each day, which is 11 Zone protein blocks (1 Zone protein block contains 7 grams of protein). For each protein block you eat, you also eat 1 carbohydrate block and 1 fat block.

Your blocks can be split through the day to suit your needs, as long as you follow the Basic Zone Rules in Quick Start Guide (link at right). The typical 11 block day looks like this:

Breakfast: 3 P blocks, plus 3 C blocks, plus 3 F blocks

Lunch: 3 P blocks, plus 3 C blocks, plus 3 F blocks

Afternoon Snack: 1 P block, plus 1 C block, plus 1 F block

Dinner: 3 P blocks, plus 3 C blocks, plus 3 F blocks

Bedtime Snack: 1 P block, plus 1 C block, plus 1 F block

Look at the Woman's 7 Day Meal Planner (link at right) to see samples of real means and snacks for an 11 block day.

Have fun with it! It works great. I've been eating this way for over 13 years!

Once the diet pills end (phendimetrazine) and the very low calorie diet (mostly protein, with limits, very very low carb and no fat) most people begin to gain weight. The diet messes up the metabolism so once any normal food intake begins people gain all the weight right back. I've also heard that the pills mess with cortisol levels which stresses the adrenals (the source was my personal trainer) and makes you more likely to gain weight. Who knows. What I can say is that for the amount of money one spends on Medizone RX and supplements (to counter a poor diet) a personal trainer and healthy REAL Zone diet would create wellness and weight loss. If one balances out blood sugar the cravings go away. This program seems exactly the oposite of the Anti-Inflamation Zone diet.

I have been on and off the Zone for better than ten years. I got frustrated that I was plateauing for so long that I gave up on the Zone in June and tried MediZone. I spent almost $600 to drop less than 5 pounds in a month... I felt sick and tired despite the drugs. My first week back on the Zone I gained the weight back. If I stuck with that and spent more money and lost more weight to gain it back...

I wish you well whatever you decide. There is a vast difference between MediZone and the Dr. Sears Zone Diet.

Well, all I can say is to each there own. What works well for one, doesn't for another and vice versa. Not sure how you spent so much, as I am only spending $75 week. The first visit was more expensive, yes, but I have never paid that amount again. $75 a week--I get my vitamins else where---same thing, but saves money.

I could spend hours talking about this subject, but I too had a personal trainer and nutritionist helping me a couple years ago. It worked--no doubt about it, but I plateu'd and got discouraged and quit. I started at 232 and got down to 207. I kept it all off for those years, until I started Medizone--then I lost the rest I wanted to lose. I'll be the first person to tell you there is no easy way to lose weight and if you think you are taking the easy path, your only making the road ahead harder, for yourself. Excercise and diet works. Period. I just need Structure. This gives me that structure. Good luck!

Molly, how are you doing?

Sue, I should be transitioning soon to the Zone Diet, so all this information is VERY helpful and a bit overwhelming. But, I have the material, so I just need to familiarize myself with it all. I'm at 152 lbs and am finally in my goal size 6/8. But, I just booked my first cruise on Nov 8, so I might stay on the program and transition after the vacation, to ease the stress of learning something new...

Congratulations Natalie! You've done an outstanding job! You can be very proud of yourself.

I know how it feels to lose a significant amount of weight. I remember that at first I kept noticing how I was feeling so light, like my body was just there but not dragging me down. Hard to explain unless you've exeprienced it, but I'll bet you might have an idea of what I mean.

The transition to the zoen diet will probably be much easier than you think. The info in Quick Start Guide will be very helpful for you (link at right). The plate method and block method can be used interchangably from meal to meal if you like. Once you understand the basic concepts it's pretty easy, and there's plenty of help here in the forums! There's a lot of flexibility to the Zone diet and you can easily adapt it to any kind of eating situation (vacations, parties at work etc.). You've made a great choice with the Zone.

Have a geat time next month on the criuse!

Hi !

I'm 44 years old. I just started the Medi/Zone diet yesterday, Saturday, (after going to the Tampa Garcia office on Friday). It's after 6 a.m. and I haven't slept all night! Had insomnia from the pills...

In Dec. 2007, I had lap band surgery. I was 232. I did great for three months and lost about 32 lbs., (my weight fluctuates between 193 and 200 now), but then I quit losing. After a few months of not losing, I kind of gave up and because it was easy to eat liquids (I choke on solids, especially meats!), I started drinking a lot of milk shakes and ice cream. I can't usually eat any solids until after 4 p.m., when the band seems like it loosens. After 11 months, I decided to go on the Medi/Zone because my stepdaughter (age 24) had great results. She lost 60 lbs. in 3 1/2 months. She then lost her job in early September and could no longer afford the plan, but has only gained 15 lbs of it back. I figure, if I lose about 85 lbs, and I only gained 15 lbs back, I'd be very happy. The only problem she had was that she had severe hair loss. I was told that I could take Biotin to avoid that. I have very long hair and don't want it to fall out!

It's only Day 1 and already I'm having a problem. Since I can eat seafood better than hamburger, chicken or pork, I bought some canned tuna, shrimp and crab. My lap band keeps me from eating early in the day. I did try to eat about one ounce of canned shrimp and started choking, so I drank water throughout the day and kind of forgot about eating. Of course, then I had a headache and remembered they told me I'd get headaches/dizziness if I didn't eat. Later on, I tried some fat free cheese. (I bought a bunch of stuff last night at grocery store.) YUCK! It's awful! I managed to eat three slices but I didn't like it one bit. I then tried to eat some turkey, thinly sliced, but for some reason, I couldn't keep it down. (You're not supposed to throw up with a lap band, but sometimes I can't help it.)

So it hasn't been a very successful first day. I was interested in the protein powder discussions. (Yes, I read the entire four pages of threads.) I have some whey protein powder from a few months ago. Is that fat free? Will it work for this Medi/Zone diet? I suspect I may have to buy baby food meats or something if I can't eat the solid seafood/meat. Does the baby food meat have too much salt for this diet?

I'm interested in how the posters are doing now and if you've gained any weight back after completing the transitional stage. That's my biggest concern...I'll lose 85 lbs and gain it all back (after spending an enormous amount of money!)

I'm not from Sarasota, or Englewood; I'm from Los Angeles, but I saw this posting and wanted to join in the discussions. I just started the MediZone today, too. I visited the office in Beverly Hills, and had a two hour consultation. I opted out of the appetite suppresants cause they scared me a little, but got the multi-v, and the one that burns the fat (I can't remember its name). I'm 29yrs old, 5'8 and weigh 150. I've gained 20 lbs in the last 9 months from a combination of medicines that I've been on to fight a rare brain disorder called Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. Basically, I feel like I live on a boat all day long. One of the meds is Paxil, and it is known for making people gain weight, and that's what its done. I'm hoping to only lose the 20 lbs I gained; I really love being at 130 lbs.
I was really scared of getting the shots. Does anyone REALLY know if everything in it is natural? The last thing I need right now is to see my overall health take a dive cause of some injections. Has anyone had any side effects from the injections?
Well, I'll post as I go along. Here's to getting back in my size 6 jeans!!!

Kelly: don't worry, had the exact same worries you do about gaining it back after spending all this $ but trust me, after the 2nd or 3rd week, eating your old foods doesn't even appeal to you and eating the Zone way starts to get really easy. And if you do try an old carb like a bagel, you are just left tired and guilty. Your body has been so happy eating so well for the time you have been on the diet that once you introduce those old foods back, it tells you right away that it doesn't like the old habits. As for the powder drink, I had the exact same concern and no Zoner could really think of a drink but then I found the drink ZOIC. its amazing. Its in your grocery store, just ask for it. Its got a lot of protein and NO sugar. Mix it with frozen berries (like a bag of organic mixed berries). That is THE only drink I know of out there that works for this diet. Even the Zone's very own shakes have 12g of sugar. Sorry, I just can't wrap my mind around that. And actually your first day wasn't bad at all. You didn't fall off the diet, you just joined people like me who suffered that first (and AWFUL step -read my post about it) day. So good luck, I know you will do great.

Cynthia-Can't vouch for the shot, but I have never had an adverse reaction and I can only say it makes me feel great. I would ask for it if I wasn't on Medizone. And I am pretty strict with keeping to natural and organics for my body.

Natalie, did you ever get my email?

Hi Molly!

The sugars you mentioned in Zone shakes are the sugars that occur naturally in foods, not sugar as in sucrose(white sugar). As I understand, with Medizone you're not eating the Zone diet at first, though you might transition to the Zone diet later.

Hi Kelly!

I haven't ever done Medizone, but I've been very successful with the Zone diet and Dr. Sears Zone fish oil. I lost 100 pounds 13 years ago and have not gained it back.

My best to you!

Hi I'm from San Diego and just started Medizone today. I read all of these entries last week and it was so helpful to read all your experiences. I'm excited to try something new and glad for the support offered at the office. I'm hoping the weekly weigh in will be motivating. I'm 45 and over the last 2 years have gained 20 pounds. I would love to hear anyone elses experiences with Medizone, I think I'll need a lot of support.

This diet is VERY BAD! I went on this diet in brandon florida, then moved to the sarasota office and athough I lost 40 pounds i soon regained it when I went off the diet plus another 20 pounds! The pills they give you are like speed. They give you a racing heartbeat and made me crave alchohol daily although I have never been a drinker in my life. When I asked the doctor what to do he said Smoke a little pot instead!Then of course comes the phone calls trying to get you to come back at a discounted price because they know that when you stop the pills you will gain it all back! I have 10 friends that all had the same results as me and would rather not ever do this again. I cant believe the FDA has not shut these places down. I just found out I now have diabetes and I believe I may have all along and they never checked me, when this diet can cause irriversable kidney damage in diabetics! Do not go to medizone please! just go to your doctor first and ask them for advice.

Hi Mary, I just saw the post you did on Apr 27th. about MediZone. I too am in CA and I can't believe some of the things that people have written about this diet. My experiance has been wonderful and I have had no problems. However, I do think that it depends on the center you are at, and how much the pay attention to everything. I hope you are having success.