All other things being equal, such as activity level, if a person has been on a high carb diet for a long time and switches to The Zone with moderate levels of protein (feels like a lot of protein after so many years of deprivation), is it possible that I'm adding muscle mass?

Hi Rachel,

In the Zone you're eating the amount of protein you need to maintain your current muscle mass.  If you're performing strength training and supporting your activity with the Zone recommended protein amount for your LBM and activity level you can gain muscle mass.  Yu can use the calculator on this site to track your progress: 

http://www.zonediet.com/Tools/Calculators/tabid/159/Default.aspx

_____________________________________________

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/dd352/SueK24/My%20ZoneFast%201-2-3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:  http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/SueK24/?start=0

 

 

By the zone calculator calculations, I've gained between 6-8lbs of LBM in the last 9 weeks while on the Zone and performing regular strength & cardio exercises. This is actually a great things especially at the start of any diet, because it helps your body's metabolism naturally increase gradually so you'll get a consistent rate of weight loss and avoid yo-yo back up b/c you won't lose weight too fast.

Yes,
Lots of my clients increase muscle mass when they go on the zone - usually because they were eating insufficient before. It is even more marked when you do weight training as well. Combine this with a whey protein shake (which increases certain growth factors) around your weight training as you will put on muscle / gain strength.

That's why the measurements are more accurate, as many people gain muscle / lose fat at the same time.