quote "Here's Barry Sears' explanation of why he changed to the 11 block minimum (this info is from drsears.com)." end of quote

Thank you so much for that clarification Sue! So if I understand right, the 884 calories that I normally eat is ok as long as I am not hungry and have enough energy and take a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement?

You're welcome Linda!

That's my understanding of the article, as long as you're eating the minimum amount of protein needed for you LBM at your activity level and doing well (aren't hungry, have energy, are not losing LBM, etc.).

Linda,

I must say, I will have to disagree with Sears on that!

I am not a proponent for vitamin supplementation to replace the vitamins that you are supposed to be getting from food. Vitamin supplements are fine as "insurance", but I don't think that they are fine to continuously replace missing vitamins. You should be getting vitamins from food, not from pills.

I think you should really take a look at the vitamin content of the foods that you are eating. You can calculate to see if you are meeting the daily requirements (or are even coming close). If you are, then that is great. But, if you are not, then I really worry about your entire metabolism.

I think I am doing fine CC... I am going to make the effort to check out my nutritional status as far as how many vitamins and minerals I am getting. My carbs are pretty varied so I really don't think there is a problem.

Thanks for all the feedback! Perhaps it will help others make the decision to go with higher calories or go by the nutrients required based on protein needs... *I* think it all boils down to - How do you feel???

Linda,

I had not had a chance to do some calculations until now. But, looking back at your previous post, I think you are underestimating your protein requirement.

You stated that your activity level is moderate, but at a moderate level, you would require 11 blocks of protein for your LBM of 112.. Even if you dropped to light activity, your protein requirement is 9 1/2 blocks. I didn't calculate those blocks over to calories, but I am really concerned that you are not getting enough, especially if your protein requirement is more like 11 blocks.

If so, then we are back to what Janet said way in the beginning, that you will begin to use LBM for energy, rather than burn fat. And, would add in that you are having to supplement with vitamins to get your RDA, rather than obtaining it from food sources.

Quote"My lean body mass is about 112 (rounded) and at a moderate level of exercise (x 0.6) that makes it 67 protein grams daily. I get 2.6 blocks 3 times a day and two snacks at .9 blocks a day (9.6 blocks a day). My calorie requirement is about 884 a day.' end quote

I figured it correctly, I should have used the term 'light fitness'. I use light fitness because I am overweight and Dr Sears says that carrying around the extra weight is like doing light fitness every day. If you add up the calories - 4 calories for protein grams and carbs grams and 9 calories for fat grams it totals up to 884 (rounded). 268 calories for protein and fat and 348.4 for carbs = 884.4 and I rounded to 884.

I thought I might add I don't use the 'block' method. It just is to stinking hard as far as I am concerned. I go by the fat, carbs, and protein balanced. I know that is not what most do, but it works the best for me. I use a software program that I enter the items I want for a meal and it totals them for me until I get the balance correct. I've done the 'block' method and the 1,2,3, methods and I always come back to doing it this way. I do use the eyeball method when I go out to eat or if I cannot figure my portions any other way.

I did this diet before and lost almost 60 pounds following The Zone. Somewhere along the line I quite eating in a balanced manner and managed to gain almost all of it back, but it took several years to do so. Now I am back losing weight again and feel well.

I guess the confusion was with your definition of "moderate" activity and the Zone's definition. If you use the Zone's definition, then your activity factor would be 0.7.

In any case, blocks or calories, it doesn't really matter how we count to get where we are going, as long as we get there, right?

Here is another thing to stew about regarding the protein prescription... that statement about overweight people carrying around the extra weight/like light fitness every day, basically applies to those whose bodyfat is over 50%. If you were sedentary, then you could push your actvity factor up a notch to "light activity". But, if you are already doing "light activity", then you can push your activity factor up to "moderate". And so on...

I hope you can get the nutrients that you need on the lower calories, and that you don't break down your LBM.

I wonder about all this stuff about protein and worrying about breaking down LBM. I know that 800 calories is not a starvation diet. Even the governments requirements as stated only require for protein:

* Infants require about 10 grams a day.
* Teenage boys need up to 52 grams a day.
* Teenage girls need 46 grams a day.
* Adult men need about 56 grams a day.
* Adult women need about 46 grams a day.

I am getting 21 grams more than is stated as being required by the government. Do you really think that this lower amount is harmful to them? Probably, but there are many who actually follow this and look healthy and fit, some even build muscles and work hard. They would probably look and feel even better if everything was in balance. They eat an awful lot of carbs and of course calories. And granted, I believe we need more as DR Sears states. But I don't think I am harming my body by eating a lower amount of calories as long as I am getting my protein requirements and I balance the rest with the protein being the base for the rest of my diet. As Dr Sears states over and over again, the calories take care of themselves. If we balance our food with regards to protein, fat, and carbs we don't need to worry about calories. Also by using the more nutritious vegetables and fruits we get vitamins, mineral, and fiber...

In the beginning of this thread, I was curious why he upped the protein requirements, but I didn't exactly say that, I said 'calories'. Which is also correct, either way it is said. Because when every thing is balanced based on protein, calories are involved. It is just that we normally don't dwell on calories, we dwell on protein.

The government also states that the appropriate ratio for calorie breakdown is like 60% carb, 10-15% protein, and about 30% fat. I think most people would define an 800 calorie meal plan as a "starvation diet". And, many people who go on these low calorie diets are definitely losing LBM, as well as fat.

I don't know really anything more about you than what you stated as your LBM and that you admitted you were obese. I don't know if you have more than 50% bodyfat, or less.

I am not really concerned so much about the calories, as much as I am about you getting adequate nutrients-vitamins, minerals, etc. from the foods that you eat. You also need an adequate amount of carbohydrate, or else you can go into ketosis if this is restricted. The brain needs a certain amount, as well as the rest of the body, in order to maintain its vital functions. And, of course, adequate fat is important, too.

Anyway, I am not trying to change your mind about decreasing your calorie intake, but I just hope that you are able to do it safely. Not sure that there is much more that I can say.

Hi Everyone!

To allay any concerns about carb that anyone reading this thread may have, keep in mind that going as low as even 8 blocks of carb a day is within Zone parameters for the average woman. It is the amount of carb recommended for a person on 11 blocks a day who has to adjust for unfocused hunger by dropping 1C block from every meal.

Thanks Sue! My basis is strictly by going with what Dr Sears has said. I am not a Dr nor do I claim to know more than Dr Sears... it's important, in my opinion to sift through all the garbage out there and find what is right for us as an individual. I think Dr Sears has made leaps and bounds in that direction. I do question the motives of some of his high priced supplements he has manufactured and recommends. However - I also believe that HE knows what he is doing and I am going to pay attention.

So, what happens when a carb sensitive person has to drop carb, and they are following a diet with only 8 blocks of protein?

Let me see... I think that there would be a carb shortage!

I follow an 8 block carb/day plan, as I have to cut back on carbs due to carb sensitivity (I still eat 11 blocks of protein). But, say for instance, if I cut my protein blocks to 8 per day, then what happens to the carb sensitivity? I don't think it goes away, right? So, I would have to cut back further on my carbs, to maybe 6 blocks?

BTW, Linda, my interest here has nothing to do with going against what Sears has said. Your previous post seemed to indicate to me that you were only focusing on protein, and that you were not really concerned at all about carbs and fat. If I misunderstood, I am sorry. As I said, if you think this decision is right for you, I have no problem with that. Just as long as you are getting your vitamins/minerals from food and not having to take supplements in order to accomplish that. Best of luck to you!

quote Cranberrycat "Your previous post seemed to indicate to me that you were only focusing on protein, and that you were not really concerned at all about carbs and fat." end quote

CC, in my third post in this thread I stated I keep my food balanced with 30%f, 40%c, and 30% p. It's all important. But protein is the base of The Zone and everything else is figured around protein. The first thing Dr Sears says to figure your requirements is to find your lean body mass and figure your protein.

As far as I am concerned I am satisfied that my question was answered adequately. I thank you all.

Sorry, when threads get so long, it is not one of my habits to be scrolling through to find out who said what. So, I am sorry that I misinterpreted what you said.

Anyway, Your welcome! I am glad that you got your questions answered! Have a great day in the Zone!

Hi Linda!


Glad my info helped!

I agree that he knows what he's doing. You're making sound decisions. Good luck!

Sue, maybe YOU can explain how one would adjust for carb sensitivity when only consuming 8 blocks of protein?

I am really curious!