I have all my new zone products and have started today. I am happy to find this forum to inspire me. My goal is weight loss...60lbs ultimately and also to rid myself of joint pain and get back to the fit self I used to be. I am a 46 year old female and I live in Yukon Canada.

Welcome!

Thanks for the welcome.
I have a question about the blocks..it doesnt seem to matter what you weigh the blocks are the same? My friend is 110 lbs and is actually underweight yet she is supposed to have the same amount of blocks as someone obese?

Welcome to the Zone, Vanessa! You are going to love it!

Regarding your question, the number of blocks for women is determined by weight, height, measurement of abdomen and hips, and activity level. FYI, the minimum number of blocks for a woman is 11, so it is very possible you and your friend would require the same number of blocks.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please let us know. Keep us posted on your progress!

Welcome Vanessa!

Grerat that you chose the Zone! I've been very successful with it.

Keep us updated!

Hi Sue....
I read about your weight loss and sounds so similar to me....hypothyroid..etc...and it obviously has worked for you so I am excited that I finally found the right thing. I dropped 4.5 lbs the first day...I understand that is water as I was feeling bloated but it does feel good to see it change.

Way to go, Vanessa! You are off to a great start!

Thanks for the encouragement Karen. I feel fantastic right now after only a few days doing this. I cannot believe my energy levels. I have a question...what is the problem with arachidonic acid? I tried to look it up here in the forums but mostly what I read I would need a chemistry degree to decipher....in laymans terms why does The zone think it is bad?

Vanessa, I am not an expert on arachidonic acid (AA), but this is what I understand it to be. AA is a long line of Omega-6 fatty acids. Certain pro-inflammatory eicosanoids that consist of prostaglandins and leukotrienes are derived from AA. The prostaglandins cause screaming pain and leukotrienes cause swelling and redness. Both cause silent inflammation. So, since the Zone is a diet to reduce/eliminate silent inflammation, that is why foods high in AA are not incorporated.

I'm so glad you feeling so great! Just think, you are even going to feel better soon!

Yep, just to support Karen's post, the short answer is that AA contributes to silent inflammation.

You're off to a great start Vanessa! Keep us updated!