Hi Everyone, including Anne-Marie (hope you can offer some suggestions!) I'm hoping some of you can offer suggestions as to the next step to take I've been on the Zone diet two months now, sticking to it perhaps 80% of the time. Prior to that I gained ten pounds without knowing. It didn't take much to gain that 10 pounds. I eat a whole lot of vegetables - celery, cabbage, etc. Usually it's one piece of bread (low-carbo, one block), or three crackers, an orange, and a whole lot of, say, cabbage or green beans, since they have so much fiber in them that they don't have a lot of carbos overall. for protein, usually it's two tablespoons of DRY (not wet) so soya ground (like TVP, but with the bad taste taken out) with what I think is one block of regular cheddar cheese. Of course, I put water and flavoring in them...:-) I read stories - Barry Sears himself gave examples too - of people whose waist has suddenly been reduced after just one week; etc; who can feel the difference, etc; but I've lost only 1.5 inches in a month around the waist (yes I measured properly, around the belly button, right?) and very little off my hips. I don't think that my occasional overeating should prevent me from losing weight....should it? If i binge on chinese food once a week, is that so bad, as to offset the careful dieting I've done the other, say, five or six days? I did have really weird experiences with a pure soy diet, making me very light-headed and feeling good but unable to focus, so i cut down on the soy part to get me back to normal. I seem to be very carbohydrate sensitive; a bowl of pasta can send me straight to sleep just like that. i am frustrated. maybe it's just my period, I'm having it right now and retaining water? maybe it's because I don't sleep well sometimes, which causes cortisol levels (stress hormone) to go up, which supposedly can cause diabetes even if you're not overeating? I have also recently started stepping up on exercise; the past three days i slow-jogged for 45 minutes. Yet nothing much around my hips and waist..... any suggestions, ideas? What has been overlooked? I want to lose 50 pounds by next summer. At this rate it will take years!!!! Alexy

I DO drink a lot of diet coke some days, as well as a lot of water. Been trying to cut down on it. Also chew Excel - sugarfree gum with malitol, sorbitol, mannitol, aspartme, etc, in it. I DO use butter as one primary source of fat; that could be a problem from what I read on other posts....??? Also, I also probably lost some of the excess weight I gained earlier this summer - my pants do fit the way they used to earlier in the year....so it's not all bleak! Alexy

Hi, Try reading whichever Zone book you have over again to make sure you are really following all the zone principles. All the gum, soda, etc, even though sugarless, could be hindering your progress, as could many other factors. If you'd like to post your LBM, body fat %, type of aerobic activity and number of hours spent at it weekly, number of hours spent strength training weekly, and a sample of your daily menu containing the amounts of specific foods and the times of your meals and snacks, I'd be glad to take a look at it and make suggestions. Sue

[quote:6f4c1710a2="alexyhan"]Hi Everyone, including Anne-Marie (hope you can offer some suggestions!) I read stories - Barry Sears himself gave examples too - of people whose waist has suddenly been reduced after just one week; etc; who can feel the difference, etc; but I've lost only 1.5 inches in a month around the waist (yes I measured properly, around the belly button, right?) and very little off my hips.[/quote:6f4c1710a2] 1.5 inches equates to about 5 lbs. of body fat so that is very good for only a month. [quote:6f4c1710a2]I don't think that my occasional overeating should prevent me from losing weight....should it? If i binge on chinese food once a week, is that so bad, as to offset the careful dieting I've done the other, say, five or six days?[/quote:6f4c1710a2] One need only zone 75% of the time to reap the rewards; however, binging once a week can slow your progress. [quote:6f4c1710a2]I did have really weird experiences with a pure soy diet, making me very light-headed and feeling good but unable to focus, so i cut down on the soy part to get me back to normal. I seem to be very carbohydrate sensitive; a bowl of pasta can send me straight to sleep just like that.[/quote:6f4c1710a2] Have you considered dropping a carb and doubling fat blocks? [quote:6f4c1710a2]i am frustrated. maybe it's just my period, I'm having it right now and retaining water? maybe it's because I don't sleep well sometimes, which causes cortisol levels (stress hormone) to go up, which supposedly can cause diabetes even if you're not overeating?[/quote:6f4c1710a2] Certainly both can affect weight loss. [quote:6f4c1710a2]I have also recently started stepping up on exercise; the past three days i slow-jogged for 45 minutes.[/quote:6f4c1710a2] That's very good. Ensure you are drinking lots of water as the Zone is a fat burning diet. [quote:6f4c1710a2]any suggestions, ideas? What has been overlooked? I want to lose 50 pounds by next summer. At this rate it will take years!!!![/quote:6f4c1710a2] Look at it this way. You did not put 50 lbs weight on in a month, so you are not going to lose it in a month. A good steady fat loss of 1 - 1/2 lbs. a week will have you slim and trim in only 33 weeks :D

First, commit to eating healthy. Then the weight will take care of itself. The weight issue is a good motivator, but hopefully the Zone is more than a weight loss program. From the Zone perspective, excess weight represents unbalanced foods that subtract from your health. If you eat optimal carbs - low glycemic vegetables and fruits - and restrict hi-glycemic carbs like white flour and sugar (sodas), you WILL lower your blood sugar to favorable levels. Best wishes, Charlie

Many thanks for your suggestions, explanations, etc...I really appreciate it. I will respond soon to your comments. I just wanted to let you know I ve been mulling over your comments the past little while. Cheers, Alexy

Hi you guys Many thanks, Sue and everyone else, for helping out. I'd like to hear your suggestions. I'm adding here my info: I think I have 42% fat; ideally I should be 22%, right? I'm 5 feet 2, weigh 188 or did a couple of months ago. Can't remember my LBM. Type of aerobic activities: three to five times a week, I slow-jog for at least 30 minutes; 45 to 50 minutes on weekends usually. Eating habits: most meals, I have three tablespoons of So Soya Ground (same as TVP but with more of the taste taken out; that's equal to two blocks of protein), mixed up with water, flavoring (from packages), and approx. one block of full fat cheddar cheese (9 grams saturated fat). I boil that up and eat it up. I usually have three crackers, equal to one block, and three cups of frozen green beans which I boil in a little water (another block). I've changed thanks to these forums, am dropping one block, adding more fat, etc. I try and eat a bit over 13.5 grams of fat. I may eat half an orange in place of the crackers; more healthy. snacks: often soy soya ground these days, or cheddar cheese which I put in the micrcowave, then soak up the fat, then eat. carrots, etc., to go with it. Or coffee - "five milks, one sugar" at Tim Hortons. It's usually 2 percent fat I think, the milk. I do have fish, but it's a real hassle to prepare. Three times or so a week I eat salmon from a can for a meal, so I reverse to soy stuff again. I find so soya ground a lot easier to cope with than regular tofu! :-) and now I'm trying to drink more water now.... :-) I do drink a lot of diet coke...... Anything else I can eat that's low-preparation? Alexy

Hi you guys Many thanks, Sue and everyone else, for helping out. I'd like to hear your suggestions. I'm adding here my info: I think I have 42% fat; ideally I should be 22%, right? I'm 5 feet 2, weigh 188 or did a couple of months ago. Can't remember my LBM. Type of aerobic activities: three to five times a week, I slow-jog for at least 30 minutes; 45 to 50 minutes on weekends usually. Eating habits: most meals, I have three tablespoons of So Soya Ground (same as TVP but with more of the taste taken out; that's equal to two blocks of protein), mixed up with water, flavoring (from packages), and approx. one block of full fat cheddar cheese (9 grams saturated fat). I boil that up and eat it up. I usually have three crackers, equal to one block, and three cups of frozen green beans which I boil in a little water (another block). I've changed thanks to these forums, am dropping one block, adding more fat, etc. I try and eat a bit over 13.5 grams of fat. I may eat half an orange in place of the crackers; more healthy. snacks: often soy soya ground these days, or cheddar cheese which I put in the micrcowave, then soak up the fat, then eat. carrots, etc., to go with it. Or coffee - "five milks, one sugar" at Tim Hortons. It's usually 2 percent fat I think, the milk. I do have fish, but it's a real hassle to prepare. Three times or so a week I eat salmon from a can for a meal, so I reverse to soy stuff again. I find so soya ground a lot easier to cope with than regular tofu! :-) and now I'm trying to drink more water now.... :-) I do drink a lot of diet coke...... Anything else I can eat that's low-preparation? Alexy

Hi Alexy, Sorry It's taken me so long to get back to you. From reading your post I think the reason you aren't losing stored fat is that you haven't lowered your insulin into the Zone. Once you do, you'll begin to burn your stored fat easily. :) [quote:d0740d8606="alexyhan"]Hi you guys Many thanks, Sue and everyone else, for helping out. [/quote:d0740d8606] You're very welcome. :D [quote:d0740d8606]I'd like to hear your suggestions. I'm adding here my info: I think I have 42% fat; ideally I should be 22%, right?[/quote:d0740d8606] That was in the original Zone literature, and is still in the Body Fat Calculator info on this site, but I thought I'd read recently that Dr. Sears now considers body fat as low as 18%to be ideal for woman. [quote:d0740d8606] I'm 5 feet 2, weigh 188 or did a couple of months ago. Can't remember my LBM. [/quote:d0740d8606] This tells me you do have excess stored fat to lose. Try putting your stats into the Body Fat Calculator to ascertain your LBM. It's essential to know LMB in order to determine the correct amount of food to eat to reach the Zone. [quote:d0740d8606]Type of aerobic activities: three to five times a week, I slow-jog for at least 30 minutes; 45 to 50 minutes on weekends usually. [/quote:d0740d8606] This could probably qualify you as active if you're doing it 5 days a week, and for 50 min one of those days. If it's more like slow jogging 3 times a week for 30 min each , then I would classify it as moderate. [quote:d0740d8606]Eating habits: most meals, I have three tablespoons of So Soya Ground (same as TVP but with more of the taste taken out; that's equal to two blocks of protein), mixed up with water, flavoring (from packages), and approx. one block of full fat cheddar cheese (9 grams saturated fat). I boil that up and eat it up. I usually have three crackers, equal to one block, and three cups of frozen green beans which I boil in a little water (another block). I've changed thanks to these forums, am dropping one block, adding more fat, etc. I try and eat a bit over 13.5 grams of fat. [/quote:d0740d8606] You don't mention what you're eating for the additional fat. Try to make sure it's a monounsaturated fat source, and make sure to double blocks if counting by blocks, rather than grams, if there's no fat in the soy you're using. I have a few other comments. Varying your menu would be helpful in my opinion. Crackers are an unfavorable carb. If you're only eating 2 carb blocks in a meal, then 1/2 your carbs are from an unfavorable source, which could easily keep your insulin levels out of the Zone. It's recommended to have no more than 25% of all carb in a meal from unfavorable carbs. That would equate to 1/2 a block of unfavorable carb in each meal in your case. It would also be helpful to have a lower fat cheese. Full fat cheese contains too much saturated fat to be Zone friendly. [quote:d0740d8606]I may eat half an orange in place of the crackers; more healthy. [/quote:d0740d8606] This could be keeping you out of the Zone also, depending upon how sensitive you are to carbs. Personally, I happen to be very carb sensitive, and can't stay in the Zone when eating oranges. Blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and peaches are all excellent fruits for staying in the Zone. I stock up on them when the frozen ones are on sale. [quote:d0740d8606]snacks: often soy soya ground these days, or cheddar cheese which I put in the micrcowave, then soak up the fat, then eat. carrots, etc., to go with it. [/quote:d0740d8606] Here all your carb is unfavorable (carrots), which will prevent you from lowering insulin levels. Again try to find a low fat cheese. [quote:d0740d8606]Or coffee - "five milks, one sugar" at Tim Hortons. It's usually 2 percent fat I think, the milk.[/quote:d0740d8606] This would not be Zone balanced, IMO, and again you have the unfavorable carb (sugar). Also, liquids will take some people out of the Zone because they digest quicker than solid food. [quote:d0740d8606]I do have fish, but it's a real hassle to prepare. Three times or so a week I eat salmon from a can for a meal, so I reverse to soy stuff again. I find so soya ground a lot easier to cope with than regular tofu! :-) and now I'm trying to drink more water now.... :-)[/quote:d0740d8606] For a change, you could try the many varieties of baked flavored tofu that can be eaten right out of the package without even heating. Very easy, and delicious! Drinking water is very good. Try to drink as much as you can. [quote:d0740d8606]I do drink a lot of diet coke......[/quote:d0740d8606] This could also work against your Zoning. Artificial sweeteners cause elevated insulin levels in some individuals. [quote:d0740d8606]Anything else I can eat that's low-preparation? Alexy[/quote:d0740d8606] Sure, there are lots of things you can eat with little or no preparation. Use your imagination! Some examples: Eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, deli meats, all types for fruits, tomatoes, salsa, spaghetti sauce (tastes great over cauliflower), almonds, cashews, pistachios, olives.......... You haven't mentioned the number of blocks you eat in a day or your meal and snack timing. Both these things could also be keeping you from lowering insulin levels. If you'd like to give more info to give more info, I could offer you more advice. I would add more variety to your meals and snacks, and focus more on fruits and veggies that crackers and sugar for carbs. I think it would be helpful for you to reread the Zone principals, to look at some of the sample Zone meals, and to focus on eating to lower insulin. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :D Sue