Hi! First post. Just got the books last night, and ordered supplements right now off the web. :)

Anyway, I'm NOT new to forums, and usually there is a "newbies" area with Frequently Asked Questions that are answered, giving us newbies a little orientation to the forum.

I can't find such an area here. Can someone post me the link?

Thanks much! :)
Babette
www.cpaptalk.com

Hi Babette!

Welcome!

There is on newbie info forum here. Feel free to jump in anywhere. :)

Hi!

Just jump in where you want, post under the topic that you desire. Questions, comments, your own opinions, etc.

Welcome!

Hi
I'm new to the forum and happy to be here. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help us newbies out!
I am not new to dieting. I lost 90 lbs and have kept it off for a few years with the exception of the 5-7 lbs that I seem to gain and lose every so often. I am 50 and peri-menopausal (still having extra heavy TOM every 27 days) I started the zone in hopes of feeling better and of course losing the 7 lbs will certainally be icing on the cake. I have also stopped my Splenda habit cold turkey. I was consuming up to 15 packets a day in tea and decaff coffee. I am so very tired! My legs feel heavy. I am so low on energy. I am 5 days into the Zone. I don't really understand the late night snack. I have prided myself on not eating anything what so ever after 7:30 pm and worry about eating that late. Also, I'm wondering if I eat a 1 block snack before exercising 1st thing in the morning, if I will have more energy for the workout. I walk with a heart rate monitor and i'm currently only exercising at a fraction of my previous workouts due to fatigue and hip flexor pain. I am not craving any sweets (truly a miracle) during the day, but white knuckling it after dinner despite eating zone friendly fruit w/dinner.
If I eat the 1 block snack, will I have to subtract that from my 11 blocks allowed per day? It seems that I would have to but just thought I would ask. Again, Thank you for your help
April

HI April,

Welcome to the "Zone Portion" of an "UN Zoned World".

From your post I'm surmising you have found your way here through the web site and/or "Google Pipeline" ?

If you are serious about persuing the Zone Eating Plan you need to pick up a book or two and start reading - "Entering the Zone" or " A Week in the Zone" might do for starters.

In the mean time you need to go to the "EATING" tab up top and then througly explore.

In particular : \

The Zone Diet Explained
How to Make a Zone Meal
Zone Meal Timing
Quick Start Guide


You CAN just use the resources of the web site and forum but it is more difficult in comparison to following it through one of the books.

the books carefully and sequentially lay out all the information in a logical and well worked out method explaining the "why and wherefore's" as you go along.

there is perhaps, above all else, a huge body of scientific knowledge that The Zone Eating Plan is based on, and even if you could "adopt" the Zone Diet - without ever touching a book you would be missing much of what the Zone is all about.

*****************************************************

Now to try and answer your specific questions :


don't really understand the late night snack. ****


It is to "set" your biochemistry for the extended period of "no food intake" so it will be "in the Zone" throughout the night.

This is VERY IMPORTANT and the snack that it is most critical to have the "balance" as right as you can make it.

It is among other things to prevent your blood chemistry from sitting there in a totally "wrong place" throughout the night.

**************

I'm wondering if I eat a 1 block snack before exercising 1st thing in the morning, if I will have more energy for the workout.


You can arrange your MEALS AND SNACKS the way they work best for you as long as you follow the two basic rules found under the "EATING' tab section mentioned and you get in the total - usually 11 blocks - for the day.

Try it and see what happens - do not be afraid or hesitent to "play with" the meals and snacks as long as you are following the very simple fundamental rules for number of blocks, and their timing throughout your day.

The idea is to fit the Zone Eataing Plan into your life - not the other way around.

If you email me I will return a "Zone Rx Success Journal" in PDF. It's an excellent tool and esay to use. It will help you and others offer advice as to making any necessary adjustments to YOUR personal dietary Zone needs.

ewally@verizon.net

"Don't leave home without it"

I would suggest - repeat suggest - if you can have your "breakfast meal" before excersing. This might be better than having the snack for a number of reasons. If you can you can - I would try it both ways and see what happens. Of course if you have your "Snack" first thing the only other one you will have will be the one before bed - which is the most important one.

****************

but white knuckling it after dinner despite eating zone friendly fruit w/dinner.


Try switching to Zone friendly vegetables with dinner and see what happens.

Select ones with the LOWEST GLYCEMIC LOAD - it should make a difference.

*********************

If I eat the 1 block snack, will I have to subtract that from my 11 blocks allowed per day?

CORRECT

Daily : 11 blocks total.

As long as you obey the "basic timing" rules - in any order -

3 block breadfast, 3 block lunch, 3 block dinner, 1 block snack, 1 BLOCK SNACK

Or - 3 block breadfast, 1 block snack, 3 block lunch, 3 block dinner, 1 BLOCK SNACK


E.wALLY

ewally@verizon.net

You do not have to have 3 block meals. 11 blocks total and follow the timing rules is the key.

You could have a 1 block snack in the morning to get you started then post work out have a 2 block breakfast.

This could work also 1, 3, 2, 1, 3 & 1

As E.Wally said don't be afraid to play with the meals to fit your needs. That is the great thing about the zone. It is very easy to customize.

Matt

Thank you for responding. I have found yesterday and today to be much easier. I have not craved foods at all. I may have a momentary thought of eating sweets but it does not turn into an all-out craving.
I really think that you hit the nail on the head. I had a feeling that the fruit may be my problem. Specifically cantaloupe. I was not used to eating fruit much at all but have always eaten lots of vegetables.
I have eaten fruit everyday since I started this and have noticed another annoying issue.
I Don't mean to be graphic but am curious if any ladies have had this happen. I seem to possibly have a yeast infection. I have only had one in my life. I believe it is directly related to eating the fruit. I have gone from fruit twice a week to eating it 3x a day. If this is the case I wonder if my body will get used to eating the fruit? I have only had it at breakfast today. I have found it easier to get the 3 blocks of carbs in at breakfast and lunch by adding fruit.
I am so happy to add fat to my diet! I have eaten hardly any fat in my diet for the past four years.
I do have several Zone books (not the newest one) and have started reading but wanted to get started so I do thank you for all of your help
April

Hi April!

To add to the good advice youre been give already, it's not necessary to eat fruit. It might be best for you to stick mostly to veggies with ocassional fruit, as it sounds like you've done in the past. Yeast is usually due to a change in balance, so it could be related to the fruit, counld be something else. Everyone's body is unique. The newest Zone book, "The Anti-Inflammation Zone" is an excellent up-to-date overall picture of how to get the best results in the Zone.

Hi Sue,
Thank you. I will start eating less fruit. At breakfast I had 1/2 cup cooked onion added to 3/4 cup eggbeaters. Then olives to equal 2 f blocks. Olive oil to equal 1 fat block. One small plum tomato. That still leaves me needing to eat more carbs. Today I chose 1/2 cup of bluberries and some sugar free catsup (on the eggs)I did not feel like eating vegi's for breakfast.
I am having my best day so far. I do not crave salt or sugar. I am able to keep away from foods that used to be such a problem for me. And this is after just 6 days. I am thrilled!! I am not constantly thinking about food or looking at the clock to see when I get to eat my next meal. I actually make it from breakfast to lunch without a snack!! I finally did eat my first before bed snack last night and really loved it. (I used to stop any and all foods after 7:30 p.m. no matter what)
Today I don't ache and I am wide awake.
The first 4 days were a killer though. I was so thankful to have this forum or I may have given up. Thank you again to all that have responded.
April

Hi April! Glad it is working out for you!

I would agree, perhaps cutting back on the fruit would work better, and it may help more with hunger ocntrol, too. If you are not a fan of veggies in the morning, you can also have a bowl of steel cut oatmeal with 3 blocks of chocolate protein powder and 3 blocks of peanut butter mixed in. Or, perhaps a smoothie. My meal plan consists of a fruit smoothie in the morning (consisting of only one block of fruit, the balance of carb blocks come from plain nonfat yogurt). I may also have a snack with blueberries, cottage cheese and almonds. Basically, that is only 2 blocks per day of fruit.

You're welcome April!

Keep eating a bedtime snack, every night. It's very important for staying in the Zone.

I'd suggest that instead of blueberries and catsup have 2 blocks of blueberries, or maybe a couple medium sized tomatoes and 1 block of blueberries. It would still leave you a carb block shore, but much better off than if you were eating catsup for your C block. Using catsup for a carb block isn't going to be of help to you.

You also need to add more fat to the Eggbeaters breakfast. The block system was designed so that half the fat for Zone balance (1.5 grams of fat) is in the fat block and the other half (another 1.5 grams of fat) is "hidden" in the low fat protein block. When you choose a fat free protein source (e.g. Eggbeaters, egg whites, protein powder, fat free dairy products) that missing amount of hidden fat must be replaced in order balance the meal. To replace it you'd simply double the fat blocks you'd usually add. In your Eggbeater breakfast, it would mean adding 3 more blocks of fat to those you've already included in the meal (total of 6 F blocks). The same would apply if you were to try the oatmeal and protein powder meal that was suggested in this thread. You would add 6 blocks of fat to that meal instead of the suggested 3, because protein powder is fat free (it's missing the "hidden fat" needed to make the block system keep you in the Zone). The simple way to remember this when making a meal is to ask yourself if you have fat free protein. If the answer is yes, just double the fat blocks you add to the meal. Similarly, if you choose a protein source that is higher in fat (e.g. cheese, whole eggs, etc), you would have enough fat to balance without adding any fat blocks to the meal.

Hi April,

I've sent you the Zone Rx Success Journal as requested and expanded a bit on the advice already here.

The "accounting" for your desirable fats has become a bit confusing, ironically as the result of an attempt by our beloved leader to "clarify/simpliify" this matter.

Originally, traditionally, The Zone "fat blocks" were calculated all by themselves - that is - as if there were NO FATS coming from any other sources.

such as - the OTHER items in a "meal".

HOWEVER,

As time marched on and the Zone Eating Plan gained more and more followers it was noticed that there were a constant stream of questions about the "incidental fat" that was, typically, coming from/inlcuded in, the PROTEIN source in a "meal".

Now - since if you were being a "good little Zoner" you would be, lets say, consuming salmon frequently, and, as we all know and love - salmon has lots of those nice healthy fats RIGHT IN THE MEAT - wouldn't we need to adjust for this ?

ANSWER : YES


SO

In Dr Sears' latest books the "FORMULA" for the CONTENT of a FAT BLOCK was changed/adjusted/modified to accomodate the 'INCIDENTAL/INDIRECT" fat such as this.


SO

EXPERIENCE had taught everyone at Zone Headquarters overlooking the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean from the heights of the cliffs of MarbleHead Mass that in the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF CASES a good little Zoner was going to be acquiring a significant amount of the needed fats in his or her protein source -

SO

THIS WAS ASSUMED - and the suggested amount of fat in a "FAT BLOCK" adjusted from 3 grams to 1.5 grams,

In other words - the "other" 1.5 grams of fat would already be in the protein.


NOW - although this does clear up a lot of the confusion - unfortunatly it still left us with some tiney bit of leftover "residue" -

"What if you use a protein source - susch as SOY - THAT HAS NO FAT !!!!!!!!!!!

OR EGG WHITES ?

Talk about PANIC in Gotham City !


Then you have to ADD IN A WHOLE 3 grams of fat per block - because - YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY "INCIDENTAL ASSOCIATED" FAT FROM THE PROTEIN SOURCE.


****** THE AMOUNT OF FAT IN A BLOCK OF FAT - HAS NEVER CHANGED - HOW IT WAS "ACCOMODATED" DID


******* A ZONE MEAL OR SNACK WILL CONTAIN, HAS ALWAYS, CONTAINED , 3 grams of fat.

IF YOU ARE USING A PROTEIN SOURCE SUCH AS ANY FISH [ except Tuna }, or MEAT - ir is ASSUMED there will be ABOUT 1.5 grams of FAT ALREADY CONTAINED in each block of PROTEIN.

1.5 grams of FAT included in the protein " at no charge".
1.5 grams YOU add

*****************************************
*******************************************

OFTEN THE SIMPLEST AND EASIEST WAY TO DETERMINE BOTH FATS AND PROTEIN IN A ZONE MEAL OR SNACK - IS :

JUST READ THE LABEL on the protein,

YOU will immediatly know exactly how much protein [ in ounces] to put on your plate for needed protein,

and

exactly how much fat is ALREADY on your plate too - cleverly and discreetly disguised as fish or meat.

Now just make up the difference needed IN FAT by "garnishing"

[ I just LOVE to use that word } with a strategically placed olive or almond - paying close attention to emulate how Martha or Rachael Rae would strategically "position for maximum VISUAL impact !

BADDABING BADDABANG - "FATS AND PROTEIN" - are done !

Did I make it too easy ?




... FROM THE "END" ZONE


E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

Hi, E.Wally!

Love the way you convey your messages--really lots of fun to read!

E Wally you crack me up!:w00t:
Wow, what an explanation. I understand completely. Holy cow thank goodness for those of you who are so willing to help us newbies out. I am so excited to "get" this.
April

Sue thank you for clearing up the fat confusion. How lovely that I can add more fat to breakfast! (wahoo)
I copied and pasted so that I would not forget.
April

My pleaure April! Enjoy your additional fat blocks!

Hello

I'm a newbie and from all the Omega RX products offered here, I will like to know which one is the basic best for our daily supplements to take together with the zone diet, I just started a week ago and feeling great, the first week a little bit tough though but very motivated to keep up and keep using this new way of looking at food the rest of my life

thanks
Ligia

Ligia,

If I were going to pick just one I would start with the Zone Fish Oil - I suggest you would get the most oveall benefit from that.

Beyond that I can't help you because I've gotten away from using any other "food" supplements for some time and am not "up" on the current ones.

I will say however that the Zone supplements are as far as I can tell the best quality on the market.

Way better than anything at GNC for example.

...from the "END" Zone

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

CranberryCat & April,

Thanks for the kind feedback - I see no reason why this Zone stuff shouldn't be fun as well as fulfilling at the same time.

Much of my "good times" have been provided thanks to the Zone Eating Plan on account of the good health I've enjoyed.

Although I apply The Zone Plan seriously on a daily basis it doesn't mean that you can't have fun while doing it.

That photo of me and my family is of us about to consume the "Kitchen Sink Sundae" pictured.

It contains somewhere between way, way, way, too many blocks of everything, and, WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY, too many blocks of everything.

I do this once a year and enjoy every minute of it - so what I go off into the outer reaches of the Zone Universe for one frickin "SNACK" !

[ Ok, Ok, ... I'm stretching the "one" snack dimension a bit ]

As near as I can tell it's the most decadent Ice Cream Sundae on the planet - no way I'm passing that up !!

If any of y'all get to Disney you are allowed to take the monorail and transfer at EPCOT from the warm comforting ZoneWorld to the warm comforting DisneyWorld.

Walk to the rear of the World Showcase and in between the U.K. pavillion and the France Pabillion there is a rear gate - called the International Gate - you can exit EPCOT from and walk a short distance to the Yacht and Beach Club and adjacent to the incredible pool is "Beaches and Cream" ice cream emporium where the one and only "Kitchen Sink" ice cream sundae is available.

... from the "END" Zone

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

[quote]Posted By Ligia on 07/28/2008 10:26 PM


I'm a newbie and from all the Omega RX products offered here, I will like to know which one is the basic best for our daily supplements to take together with the zone diet,
[/quote]


Hi Ligia!

Best would be either Omega Rx fish oil or Eico Rx fish oil.

Hi
First post, not only here but ever. Am new to forums. I am returning to the Zone after being away for many years - big mistake. I am interested in the Zone RX Success Journal and wou;d like to get a copy. How do I do that?
I have read all the advice for newbies with great interest and have found the suggestions really useful.
Thanks, Pat

Hi Pat!

Welcome! How long ago did you do the Zone?

Several forums members were emailing that journal to those who requested it. If no one replies to your request, go to the Live Zone Chat (top right of this page) and ask there.

Sue
Thanks for the welcome. I read the first Zone book when it came out (1995?). At that time I was doing a lot of travelling for work and was not able to stick with it very well. I have read all the other books and have a introduced a friend to it. She has been a faithful zoner ever since - lost weight and conquered a major health problem that her doctors told her would result in her death (predicted to happen about 6 years ago). Even though I get a lot of exercise and eat "well" I am tired of having my doc say "What do you expect at your age" I am only 63 and plan to be around for a while. Now that I am retired and am having more challenges with weight and health, I am going to try zoning again.
I am currently reviewing the material and have started to zone. (is Zoning a verb?)
Pat

Pat
Posts:

Hi
First post, not only here but ever. Am new to forums. I am returning to the Zone after being away for many years - big mistake. I am interested in the Zone RX Success Journal and wou;d like to get a copy.

send an email to :

ewally@verizon.net

and I'll send you one.


...from the "END"Zone

E.Wally

ewally@verizon.net

I use "zoning" as a verb all the time, proper or not!