Just curious I do well in the morning so far but after lunch I am hungry in about 3 hours. Timing doesn't matter right I can have my snack when I get hungry right?

Yes, you can eat the snack 3 hours after your meal.

A Zone balanced should prevent hunger for 4 to 6 hours. Early hunger is resolved by adjusting the type and amount of carbohydrate in your meals. Try to eat vegetables and fruit for most of your carbohydrate. For more insight, click on the "Hormonal Adjustment Diagnostic Chart" found at the bottom right of this page: http://www.drsears.com/ZoneResource...fault.aspx

Thank you. Thats all I have been eating for carbs. I've only been doing it for 2 days.

Some background..
I am very healthy and fit already I am just looking to improve my athletic performance. My coach suggested I try the zone diet.

I'm 6 foot and 175# and ~14% body fat

I used to eat about 5 to 6 times a day every 3 hours or so in smaller portions when ever I was hungry. This has always worked well for me in terms of weight and my activity level is such that I never had to worry about calories provided I ate balanced and didn't gobble candy.

I work out 4 days to 5 days a week and on my off days usually do a light physical activity of some sort ( walk or ride bikes etc). So far I have been doing three 4 block meals with 2 block snacks.

The problem I have noticed though is my endurance is horrible. For instance I sparred in jiu jitsu (basically wrestling) for 30 minutes last night and was spent usually I can go two to three times longer before I start feeling tired. Also when I get hungry I really get hungry and grouchy.

Maybe I am not eating enough?

Hi Scott,

I agree that you're not eating enough. At 175 pounds with 14% body fat with the activity you describe you require about 17 or 18 blocks daily. You can use the calculator on this web site to double check your body fat and block amounts. According to your workout description you should use "Active" for your calculation. If you are lifting very heavy weight for those 5 workouts per week you might want to consider using "Very Active".

Give it more than 2 days. It usually takes a little bit longer than that to lower your insulin into the Zone when you begin the diet. A temporary drop in performance as you start the Zone diet can be the result of the initial AA release as you begin to burn stored body fat. It should subside soon. Give it a few more weeks at the appropriate amount of blocks daily and see how you're feeling then.

Thank you Sue. I'm feeling great this week and eating a bit more than I was before.

Excellent Scott. Glad my info was helpful.

What are some snack suggestions? At the supermarket, I loaded up on Zone bars - different varieties - they're not bad at all. Can those count as a snack?

Also, the breads and bagels look very appealing. Will they effect my hormonal balance the way normal starches do?

I've been on the Zone eating plan for a week and am pleasantly surprised at how my cravings have diminished. My fear is staring out with a Zone bagel or making a Zone bread sandwich will increase my appetite.

Too many questions in one post but I didn't want to be a space hog.

The Zone bars at the supermarket are not the ones that Dr. Sears made and sells. Though some do well on them.

Hi Catherine,

Welcome and congrats on your first week's progress in the Zone!

The Zone bars sold in stores are not affiliated Zone Labs or Dr. Sears adn Dr. Seaers does not endorse those bars.

Zone Foods (the breads pastas,cookies, etc.) do not elevate blood sugar and insulin levels the way traditional baked goods do. I've been eating them since last year and they keep me 'in the Zone' better than the classic Zone meals I had eaten for the 15 years prior. They are baked in a way which results in them providing excellent satiety (appetite suppression/lack of hunger).

Good luck and please keep us updated. :-)

___________________________________________________


sue

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

Consultant of Zone Labs

Certified Zone Affiliate

View my Zone fast 1-2-3 meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

Thank you, Sue, for the welcome and sorry for the multiple posts/computer glitch. They have been deleted.

I began a thread regards my concern about the baked goods and you have kindly answered them here.

I will place an order, both for the bars as well as those yummy baked treats. Admittedly, I do miss the mouth-feel of a toasted bagel!

You're welcome Catherine. One of my favorites is a toasted bagel with olive oil for dipping. Sometimes I add a touch of fresh ground black pepper and/or grated parmesan in the dipping oil. The multigrain bagel is one of my favorites.