hi! I've noticed that Sue knows alot about this and seems very helpful, but maybe the rest of you can help me too? I am 5'4 and 120 but want to be 115. I have some belly fat due to having 2 kids. that seems to be where I gain weight. I am still nursing the baby who is 9 months old now. I am trying to wean her now. I workout quite a bit. I try to go everyday or at least do pilates, sometimes both. I've done the zone for a couple of days, but skeptical with these types of diets b/c I have such terrible cravings at night for sweets. I am very addicted to sugar. I have to work hard just to get through the day without it and then by night I break down and go crazy. Also, I've noticed that I'm very hungry following just the 11 block, but I just read that I can have 13 for breastfeeding (is that right?) I don't believe I can ever give up sugar fully, also without that to look forward to I don't think I could fully stick to the zone (are there any desserts I can have? I seem to feel fine after those 100 calorie snack cookies with milk). Anyway, I'm also wondering what a 13 block day would look like. I am reading zone meals in seconds and have just learned otherwise from this site. Plese help me. I'm sure I'm carb sensitive or sugar because of cravings and I also feel tired, lightheaded, or confused after eating somethings. I feel so starving all the time with this exercise and breastfeeding. It almost makes me want to not exercise and I'm really trying to quit nursing. I would greatly appreciate any and all advice. Sorry so long! :wink:

[color=darkred:470bb9083d]Hi, Studies have shown that at first it takes about 4 days of consistent Zone balanced eating to lower insulin levels into the Zone. Your hunger is due to not eating enough, and most likely also to the inclusion of cookies and too much of other unfavorable carbs, that it sounds like you're eating. Good luck in the Zone.[/color:470bb9083d]

thanks Sue! Does this mean that it is vital I don't mess up and eat those things in that 4 days and what happens to my insulin if I do mess up. Is that why Im in this viscious cycle of craving sweets and hunger? Also, where can I get steel cut oats and why can't I just eat the instant ones. I don't know what I would do without this forum. I think this support will give me the strength to do it!

[quote:875caec4e4="chuling"]thanks Sue! Does this mean that it is vital I don't mess up and eat those things in that 4 days and what happens to my insulin if I do mess up. Is that why Im in this viscious cycle of craving sweets and hunger? Also, where can I get steel cut oats and why can't I just eat the instant ones. I don't know what I would do without this forum. I think this support will give me the strength to do it![/quote:875caec4e4] [color=darkred:875caec4e4]Hi Christina, Yes, lowering insulin levels is the key to the Zone, and to the resolution of the cravings you have. Zone balanced eating wil lower insulin, sweets will raise it. It takes consistent Zone balanced eating to get one's insulin solidly into the Zone. Simply stated, if you don't stick to Zone balanced eating , then you don't lower your insulin into the zone and you'll keep experiencing cravings. Do a search of these forums on steel cut oats and you'll find more info than you've ever wanted to know about them! Basically the difference is that steel cut will help to lower insulin, instant will not because they are more processed and stimulate blood sugar more than steel cut. [/color:875caec4e4]

thank you so much for your time and help! I will be sure to ask you any other questions! I ate eggs for lunch for the past 2 days and more veggies at lunch time, my cravings were alot more under control rather than just eating a salad. the eggs are very filling. the hardest part for me is breakfast. I am used to having something sweet. I always have instant breakfast. Is it really bad to put raisins in the oatmeal in the morning? Is there anything else you can reccommend besides berries to sweeten up the breakfast? You don't have to answer me right away. Thank you so much!