This may have been posted before, but I will post it again, as my schedule is a little different than the other poster. My question is about snacking and workouts: Since I am interested in weight loss, and my statistics call for 11 blocks, should I be increasing the number of blocks to 12 to accomodate for my daily workout? My schedule is this: breakfast at 6 lunch at 11 work-out at 3 snack has been either before or after, depending on my hunger level supper at 5-ish snack around 8 or 9 I tend to have the snack before the workout, but sometimes I feel comfortable waiting until after, thinking that I would enjoy it more as a fuel after the burn.

[color=darkred:331afed34e]Hi, The goal in regard to snacks and exercise is not to go out of the Zone. Try to focus on that rather than your idea of burn and fuel. That doesn't apply in this case. Typically if one's last meal has been more than 2-3 hours prior to exercise you'd have a snack prior to exercise and then a meal or snack within a half hour to an hour after the session also. IMO, in your case, since your exercise is minimal (20 min treadmill plus 20 reps on a weight machine) and takes place 4 hours after lunch, a snack just prior to exercise would suffice. You mentioned you're judging your time to snack baded on hunger level. If your'e having hunger at 3 to 4 in the afternoon this indicates your lunch isn't keeping you in the Zone. You should not be hungry.[/color:331afed34e]

Sue, that is one thing that I have struggled with on occasion. It is odd to me, but I tend to cook a supper meal and double the portion so that I have a meal ready for me at lunchtime. When I eat the supper meal, it satisfies me just fine. But, the very same meal eaten at lunch the next day will have varying levels of satisfaction. I have this problem posted on another thread, along with some struggles with my "time of the month". Do you have any ideas on how to adjust? I will follow your answer here or on the other thread. There were some others who chimed in with similar problems.

[color=darkred:3e58d6d9af]Hi, I'd need more info in order to make specific suggestions. First look at the meal closer to be sure it is correctly balanced and has enough fat. Timing can be another reason. The other meals /snacks in your day might come into play causng hunger one day but not on another. Number of blocks and activity in any given day can be contributing. There are too many variables and not enough info given for me to make a reconmmendation here.[/color:3e58d6d9af]

Well, I'd have to give the recipe to you in order to give you the information. I had made a chili recipe, it is zoned. Here are the ingredients: 18 oz. ground beef 10% lean [12P] 3 cups onion (petals or chopped) [2C] 2 cups green pepper (chopped) [1C] 2 cups red pepper (chopped) [1C] 4 cups tomato (chopped) [2.5C] 2 - 12 oz. cans V8 juice [4C] 3/4 cup canned tomato puree [1.5C] 1 1/2 cups black beans [6C] 6 tsp. olive oil - separated [18F] 6 oz mozzarella cheese The timing of the meal was a consideration for me, as well. I know that between 6 and 11, there are times that it might push to 11:30. And, that is a big part of my work day, although my work isn't strenuous. If I time my snacks differently, though, I am not really sure how to work it. I am on a specific schedule, so my lunch time is not very flexible. And, when I get home, my supper is not flexible, either, due to the evening activities--bowling on Monday and Tuesday nights and other activities with the kids on other nights. Should I try a morning snack and see if lunch will last me until I have supper? (Supper is at 5, can't do any earlier because I just don't get home soon enough to have it ready any earlier). So, here is my schedule again; 6am breakfast at work, light activity--moving around and some standing, but not strenuous work 11am lunch still at work, same level of activity--possibly more time at desk in the afternoon 2:30 or 3:30 snack--workout is between this time, had been eating snack before workout, but sometimes I would wait until after leaving work, picking up kids and getting everyone home 5pm supper usually have bowling or kids dance class in this time slot, other evenings just time to be home and catching up on home chores 9pm snack Any other info you need? Thanks again, Sue!

[color=darkred:4d80484752]Hi, Although helpful to see, it wasn't the chili recipe I meant when I said there wasn't enough info give to make suggestions. I meant the other factors I meantioned. One meal alone will not always dictate whenther you stay in the Zone. As I posted before there are many factors involved which could change your response to that particular meal) see my previous post). I'm not sure if you're aksing me to make a suggestion about the meal, or about your hunger in general. In regard to the recipe itself, if you're on the carb sensitive side (I recall you seem to feel you are) I'd say take out the tomato juice (unfavorble) and add about 4 tsp. olive oil. If you are looking for a suggestion about your hunger, your timing looks OK, but I'd need to know all your current stats, current activity (you're playing around with changing exercise, right?), and have a detailed look at your daily menus (especialy on the days you had differrent responses to the same meal). I suggest you keep a food/exercise diary. You can then look back at it figure out just about anything regard to your zoning. Include the following things in your diary: all food eaten, including amounts and timing of meals/snacks a count of glasses of water, tea, coffee, etc. all exercise activity, includiing intensity and time spent on what activity supplements/medications how you feel after particular meals, activity, different times of the day (positive and negative) LBM and Bodyfat, including your height, weight and measurements This will give you a lot of insight into what is happening in your body.[/color:4d80484752]