I'm extremely strict about following my zone guidelines and I drink a gallon of water a day. I added the myfitnesspal app to my phone as a supplement only, figuring I could more easily keep track of what's going in, what's going out. At the end of the first day using the app, it tells me that I'm not eating enough calories to lose weight. I know I need to eat the proper things in order to lose weight, but this sure caught my eye. My question is- should I ignore the suggestions of the app since I know what I'm doing ( following the zone precisely) or does something need to be adjusted?

There is more to the story than just Calories.
And it depends on what the MyFitnessPal is doing and how it is calculating.
IF, you are getting your recommended amount of Protein, FAVorable carbohydrates, and good healthy Fats,
in balance, according to the Zone Calculator on this website Tools > Body Fat Calculator),
then you should be fine.
Their algorithm for Total amount of calories needed in MyFitnessPal is (obviously?) different than The Zone Body Fat calculator.
How many blocks of Protein does the Zone Body fat calculator determine you need per day?
From that, you can determine the number of calories that that many Zone blocks would be equivalent to.
But, I would not worry about calories, Zone has never been about calories.
But, about maintaining blood sugar consistently throughout the day in such a way as to burn excessive fat,
and not feel hungry, yet feed yourself good foods with plenty of nutrition.

I went to MyFitnessPal, online.
And registered and determined what it would say for me.
So, I would have something to compare it to and to demo the differences
So, here is my information from both the ZONE and from MyFitnessPal:
.
.
ZONE >> Tools >> Body Fat calculator:
Weight = 161 lbs
Height = 68.75 inches (68.5 & 69.0 both give similar results)
Wrist = 7.0 inches
.
Body Fat % = 17% (YMCA Body fat tool estimated me at 18%, so fairly accurate!)
(Body Fat - Ideal Male = 15%)
Body Fat Wt = 27 lbs
LBM = 134
Protein requirement = 93 grams (13 blocks)
.
13 blocks P = 13x7 grams = 91 grams Protein
13 blocks C = 13x9 grams = 117 grams net Carbs
13 blocks F = 13x3 grams = 39 grams Fat
.
91g P x 4 = 364 calories P
117g C x 4 = 468 calories C
39g F x 9 = 351 calories F
.
364 P + 468 C + 351 F = 1183 calories ZONE
30% P, 40.4% C, 29.6% F (30-40-30).
.
.
MyFitnessPal:
2020 calories (according to MyFitnessPal)
= 76g P + 278g C + 67g F
.
76g P x 4 = 304 calories P
278g C x 4 = 1112 calories C
67g F x 9 = 603 calories F
.
304 P + 1112 C + 603 F = 2019 calories MyFitnessPal
15% P, 55% C, 30% F (15-55-30).
.
.
No wonder MyFitnessPal says you are way under your calories!

Wow! You really went above and beyond for me!! Thank you for putting it into perspective for me. I know I'm on the right track, guess I should stop second guessing it. I know the zone works if you work it right, so that's where all my faith is! Thanks again for your replies!

Miranda,

I also use My Fitness Pal, and I LOVE it!

Even though I follow the Zone, I actually rarely fall below on the calorie goal (not that we are counting, but I do like to make sure that I don't go way over on calories, because too many calories WILL make a difference).

You can adjust your calorie goal to fit your preferences, so if you are following 11 blocks, then adjust your cals to 1100 calories. I usually hit 1200 cals just because it also counts calories from fiber and calories from small amounts of protein that we don't count (amazing how much protein is in spinach that we don't count in the zone).

So, basically I am using it as a daily log for my meals and for logging exercise. You can even use it to track your water intake.

If you want to look me up, I formed a special group under "groups" for Zone Diet. If you want to join the group, you are more than welcome! It hasn't been a very active group, and most of the members are not really zoners, but follow a similar controlled carb diet. On the main page, click on "Community" then find groups and click on that. Enter "Zone Diet" in the search box, and it should come up.

John, you can join, too!

Ok thanks! I'm going to adjust the calorie limit on the app and keep in mind all the math John inspired me to do. I'm a whole lot closer to getting it all figured out!

I really wish there was a good zone app to use. That would simplify my life

Miranda, yes, ignore the calorie suggestions on the app. They are most likely based on the assumption that one is burning carbohydrate to produce their energy. In the Zone the body burns fat to produce its energy. Because more energy is produced from 1 calorie of fat than from 1 calorie of carbohydrate, a person in the Zone is able to produce all the energy they need from fewer calories as compared to a person not in the Zone.

I agree, I also wish there was a good Zone app to use.

MFP is pretty decent, though. It allows you to set your own nutrient parameters, so if you follow a 40-30-30 diet (like the zone), you can set it up to track it. I also track fiber and calcium. I can look at each meal to see the grams of protein/carb/fats, and generally are close to the Zone (I don't sweat it if I am off by a few grams here and there). As for the carb, because I am watching fiber, I can use my brain to subtract those grams off of my carb grams.

But, overall, it is super easy to use, easy to enter meals, a HUGE directory of foods to choose from.

I wouldn't totally ignore the calorie content. Just don't get wrapped up in it if you are getting too few calories. Like I said in the previous post, I just like tracking to see if I am getting too MANY calories. For instance, some zone meals are higher in calories than one might think. You would never really know it without entering this information and calculating. Too many of these meals may make or break your efforts.

I do not have a smart phone or tablet, too expensive, let alone the plans to keep them.
So, when I did track, and occasionally still do,
I use Spark People.
Really decent online tool.
And I can add Fiber to the list of ingredients in the report,
and Like CranCat, i just subtract the Fiber from the Carbs.
However, like all apps, not Zone friendly, so i look at report and mentally only add up the use-able Protein.
All other programs count the unavailable Protein in plant products.
Which would make a much more complicated program to have it Zone friendly,
and thus probably why none readily available.
Nutrition databases are easily accessible, but their nutrition info counts the protein in plants (bio-unavailable to our bodies),
One would have to identify in the hundreds of thousands of records which records have use-able Protein and
which do not. A laborious task.
OR provide a switch, and when the user enters/selects the food,
the user would have to make that choice on each and every entry.
Either way - not the easiest or best method.

I used to record everything using a spreadsheet that I built to calculate blocks, etc. I had the entire zone food guide downloaded into excel, and then inserted a formula so that the block values would change as the serving size changed. So, I could use that to calculate meals or recipes. Worked really nice! My "journal" was basically just copy/pasted in from the food guide.

I figure, if I can figure out how to do it in excel, I am sure it couldn't be that hard to do by someone more skilled than I...

I am using my fitness pal. I love it. I estimate my calories for the day and enter them all at once
as well as my exercise for the day. Now that I am doing blocks I know my calories fall between 1200 and 1400.
I made myself a necklace with twelve blocks that say I AM IN THE ZONE with an angel bead on the end.
I move one letter to the other side for every block I eat. Helps me keep track
and wearing the necklace is a good reminder of my commitment. I love the way MYFITNESSPAL tells you what you will weigh in
five weeks if you keep up what you did for that day.

The block necklace... what a neat idea!

Come check out the Zone group!

Where is the Zone Group? I need all the support I can get. I really want this to work for me this time.
Somehow I think this is different from anything I have ever done. I know deep down it will need to be a life
long commitment if I want my health back. My biggest problem has been craving sugar and not being able to stay away from it.
I must admit, the zone bars have helped me stay in the zone but I eventually want to wean myself from them as well.
Please tell me this is not my imagination and this way of eating has calmed my cravings. I feel very satisfied so far.
One day the "honey moon" will be over and when it is I want to be able to say I stuck with it no matter what.
Know what I mean?

You will probably get a LOT more support on these forums, as the group on MFP is not terribly active. But, if you want to check it out, then sign in to MFP and then click on community. Then you have to click on groups, and enter Zone Diet into the search field.

In the past, there was also a Zone Diet group on iVillage. That group dissolved quite a few years ago, but there were a fair number of forum members who posted there as well as on these forums. This is probably the most active and longest-running Zone forum that is currently available.

Sounds like you are definitely IN THE ZONE! As long as you keep doing what you are doing, your honeymoon should last forever!

Thanks for the word of encouragement. Hold me accountable. I'll check out the other forum but this one is great so far.
There are some real seasoned veterans here.

Mary Kay, no need for the honeymoon to ever end, I'm in my 18th year of eating this way and it's still working great for me. Have a nice evening! :)

[quote]
Posted By Mary Kay on 16 Apr 2012 06:18 PM
Where is the Zone Group? I need all the support I can get. I really want this to work for me this time.
Somehow I think this is different from anything I have ever done. I know deep down it will need to be a life
long commitment if I want my health back. My biggest problem has been craving sugar and not being able to stay away from it.
I must admit, the zone bars have helped me stay in the zone but I eventually want to wean myself from them as well.
Please tell me this is not my imagination and this way of eating has calmed my cravings. I feel very satisfied so far.
One day the "honey moon" will be over and when it is I want to be able to say I stuck with it no matter what.
Know what I mean?
[/quote]
.
I like your signature Quote!
CranCat and I both have been doing this since about June and May 2004, respectively.
Not as long as Sue, but long enough, with ups and downs here and there.
Though not as up and down as much as the Stock market short term, think long term,
it is easy enough to do for a lifetime, a long term investment in your health.
.
P.S. My wife and I marriage is: Prv 3:5-6.
My lifetime (attempts to be): Col 3:15-17.
Which I desperately need as I struggle (dread) the upcoming 14 hour flight to Tokyo then 2 hour layover before another tortuous flight for 7 hours in cattle class to Singapore, this Friday! Once there, I know work will be a breeze and I'll make the most of the little time I have after hours...
I am hoping the seat next to my aisle seat remains empty .....
Anyway, I digress.

Mary Kay,

Like John said, I have been working this thing out since 2004. I like his analogy with investments, thinking of it as an investment into your future. Stay in it for the longterm!

(and I also really like your quote, it is a favorite Bible verse of one of my personal friends)

(and also saying a little prayer for John's empty seat on the plane)

Every day when I get up I say that verse or sometimes sing it. It comes with several tunes.
I am in the zone and loving it. The weight loss isn't very fast but I don't care. I am feeling great.
I love how I feel when I wake up in the morning. So much to learn and with my hectic schedule
it is a challenge, but somehow I manage. I do best when I pack most of my food for the day.
My 12 year old daughter and husband are doing it too. My other 5 kids are watching and getting a zone meal when
I cook. They've seen mom do a million diets and who can blame them if they are skeptical. LOL

A great post ! The Zone is a sustainable way of life.
Well done !