[color=indigo:2a8075ae1e][/color:2a8075ae1e] :? Hi, I just read Enter The Zone A Dietary Road Map... Its alot to absorb. Im currently succesfully on Atkins a little under a month and with a weight loss of 15 pounds. I am interested in changing to the zone because of the issues with energy/and brain power. Also I like the idea of being more balanced. I want to get started but dont want to loose my direction in weight loss so it is crucial to me to do this right from the start. I think I understand the basics, so what other advice can anyone give for my transition.

I've never been on Atkins, but I've been on the Zone for about 2 months and found that a few things smoothed my transition into the Zone. For me, it really helps to use a lean protein source and stick with the "preferred" carb sources, e.g. fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, green beans, and tomatoes all worked well for me. If you don't feel like eating several cups of salad, you can always use chick peas, kidney beans, or black beans to make the serving size more manageable. I usually have a serving of fruit at every meal too. I don't like eggs, so I usually have a smoothie (milk, frozen fruit, and whey protein) or oatmeal, cottage cheese, and fruit for breakfast. Over time, you will discover foods that work best for you. I don't know if this'll help - perhaps the transition from Atkins is completely different than the transition from a higher carb diet. As I mentionned, I've been on the Zone for 2 months and I am very happy with it so far. I've lost weight and have had lots of physical and mental focus.

My suggestion if transitioning from Atkins to the Zone, only very slowly add more carbs in the forms of vegetables etc and possible less fats, or the samr, as long as they are healhy fats (olive oil, peanut butter, avacado, olives - you get the ides) Overall, the diets are similar, but Atkins is less scientifally founded, and seriously denies people "health" fats while dangerously depriving those that adhere the multitude of nutrients in a mixed presentation of friuts and vegetables.

Good for you with wanting to transition to the Zone from Atkins. I did a lot of comparison testing between the two plans a year ago when I became serious about my health. I chose the Zone for its stability and because it didn't feel like a "short term fad" to me, which is the way Atkins came across. I just didn't see myself able to turn Atkins into a lifestyle choice. The Zone? You betcha. In fact, when I plateaued (?) after about a year, which was more mental than physical, I decided to do Atkins for 2 weeks to jumpstart things. I didn't last 2 days. I felt so yucky, sluggish and blah! It's been the Zone for me ever since! Good luck and remember, it took us a loooooooooooong time to put this weight on, give yourself the proper time and method to bid it adieu! :D