I feel that I have a pretty good grasp on the zone, I am very disciplined and really have no trouble eating zone friendly foods. I don't really count the number of blocks I consume daily, I just eat when I feel the need. I eat a lot. I am not gaining or losing weight, unless I make that my goal. I am very active, probably in the elite athlete area, but could this lack of counting blocks prove to turn negative for me?
* I have been zoning for about seven months
*Training includes 1-2 crossfit workouts a day 7 days a week, weight lifting 6 days a week, yoga and pilates 2 days a week and just some running on somedays.

Along with this, I don't really take cheat days. If I do though(once MAYBE twice a month), I REALLY cheat. Could this lack of cheating lead to hypoglycemic episodes somehow? I seem to have those every few weeks, but I have always chalked it up to overtraining until recently.
*went to the doctor, was told to consume more complex carbs, so I added oats to the mix
*also have nuero cardiogenic syncope, in which high protein high fat diet is required.

Lastly, being in college, on a budget, and pressed for time... I tend to purchase alot of snacks that are dairy based, and consume about a gallon of milk a day. I do account for the nutritional value and consume xC xF xP, uniform, but I consume a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese, excessive amounts. I don't feel bad, but I am sure this style can't be truly zone friendly.
* I would replace water for milk, but along with my gallon of milk I drink and average of 20 8oz portions of water a day.

Any ideas on any topics would be helpful!
thanks all.

“ but could this lack of counting blocks prove to turn negative for me? “

The negative would be losing LBM (and gaining stored body fat). Monitor LBM. It should stay the same or increase. If it decreases, it means you’re not eating enough protein to meet your needs. A tip, if you find the at times you lack energy for workouts, slightly increase the amount of monounsaturated fat you‘re add to meals and snacks.




“Training includes 1-2 crossfit workouts a day 7 days a week, weight lifting 6 days a week, yoga and pilates 2 days a week and just some running on somedays.”

This would be the “Very Active” level for Zone purposes.





“Could this lack of cheating lead to hypoglycemic episodes somehow?”

No, not likely.



“ I seem to have those every few weeks, but I have always chalked it up to overtraining until recently.”

Most likely it’s due to meal/snack composition, amount, and/or timing.




“went to the doctor, was told to consume more complex carbs, so I added oats to the mix”

Your doctor is most likely not familiar with the Zone. A tip, slow cooking (30 minute cooking) steel cut oats are the Zone favorable ones. Rolled oats are unfavorable carbohydrate for the Zone (they spike you blood sugar).




“I tend to purchase alot of snacks that are dairy based, and consume about a gallon of milk a day. I do account for the nutritional value and consume xC xF xP, uniform, but I consume a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese, excessive amounts. I don't feel bad, but I am sure this style can't be truly zone friendly.”

Good observation.