Posts Tagged ‘Results’

Sarah’s Success Story

Monday, January 16th, 2012
Sarah - After

Sarah - After

If you had told me a year ago that I would be writing a success story for a diet website, I would have laughed in disbelief. For one thing, I don’t do diets. Too many people seem to fail, and I wasn’t interested in failure. Besides–diets are restrictive, and a lot of times, anti-relationship.  To me, diets seemed to play on people’s vanity, and require them to focus on their bodies so much, to the detriment of their relationships with other people. All this, combined with the prospect of eating weird foods and obsessing over my weight, just wasn’t for me.

However, I did have a number of reasons–about 30-40–to consider changing my approach to food. These reasons, aka “pounds,” had sneaked up on me….having five children in as many years, being too tired to plan proper meals, and life in general had conspired to make more of me than I wanted to be.

Sarah - Before

Sarah - Before

I had always been thin as a child and teenager, and I subconsciously retained that image of myself, even when the scale, and my ever-”shrinking” clothes, said otherwise. I reasoned that even though I was too heavy, I was healthy. I wasn’t sedentary, didn’t drink lots of high-calorie drinks, and didn’t eat a lot of sweets. My thinking was that, eventually, this would dissolve the extra weight. Still, though, the “reasons” remained. Earlier, I had worn a size 6/8, but lately, I had been wearing both sizes. (That would be a size 14.) At a doctor’s exam, when I was weighed, I slowly realized my scale wasn’t “off.” I really was all that.
Several years back, my husband wanted to lose weight, and even found an eating plan (40-30-30) that he believed would help him. He brought home the books about it, which were heavy on the “why”, and light on the “how.” He was right that this plan would work–but it was so different than what I was used to serving, that all my time was consumed in finding recipes that would work for us. After spending so long planning, I had no energy or time left to go buy the food, and then prepare it, especially when odds were poor that our children would like it. During this quest, we had even looked on the Internet, checked out books from the library, and done all we could to make these changes happen. However, after several weeks of this, we found ourselves eating the same way we always had, so it was no surprise that we didn’t lose weight.

However, after my experience with the doctor’s scale, I decided to try again. Now remember–I had never really tried any DIEts. I wanted to change our LIFEstyle, and serve food that everyone could enjoy. I didn’t want it to be weird, expensive, or inconvenient food. And did I mention that I really didn’t want to feel like I was on a diet? It was then that I started to remember a website I had found during my earlier recipe hunt. With a little help from Google, I was able to rediscover that site–FormulaZone.com. I remembered it had recipes for our exact diet, but since we had just bought the books, I wanted to make use of them, so the website’s true value to me was, I regret, initially overlooked.

I should have eaten my books and gone with this website from the start. I signed up in April 2011, and never regretted a moment of my membership. I have found that there is more practical information here than in any book I have reviewed. There is also an element of coaching involved–when I have a question, the forums are the first place I look, and they often have the answers. (But if they don’t, the website owner, Cale, has always answered with such encouragement and sound guidance.) Some of my friends pay lots of money to have a menu service–this is only part of what this website offers, and a better cost. Initially, I used mainly the recipes and menu builders, but eventually, I wanted to keep a food diary, and start customizing some recipes. FormulaZone.com had anticipated these needs, and all I needed to do was start using these features.

At this point in my weight loss journey, most of my initial “reasons” for joining have gone away! That’s right: I did lose weight–about 30 pounds to date. I also dropped over three sizes in clothes–size 8 is a little loose, whereas size 14 used to fit snugly. However, I’m going to stick around–I have a few more pounds to lose, but now the weight loss has become secondary to another set of benefits.

One of the biggest reasons I truly relish this site is that it helps me maintain my emotional balance, as well as my food balance. If my kids could describe their experiences, they would say I’m more even-keeled than before. I am much more patient with them, and I can manage my household with less frustration and fewer energy drops. With so many children, it is really a big thing when we’re all happy….or not. Also, my concentration is a lot better. I don’t have the after-meal fog that was common before.  Until I personally experienced these advantages, I didn’t fully appreciate what others were so enthusiastic about. Because relationships are so important to me, I will do all I can to be the type of wife, mother, and friend I should be. Managing my outlook and energy is a big part of this, and FormulaZone.com makes it almost effortless. Between the weight loss, improved moods, and better concentration, I am so excited about these changes. We are truly thankful for this gem of a site, and the people who manage it.

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Set Yourself Up for Success ~ Set SMART Goals

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

To be successful in anything you do you should set goals. It is important that your goals are realistic. If you are following 40-30-30 for the purpose of losing weight, remember, most likely you didn’t go to bed your ideal weight and wake up the next morning overweight. If you are following 40-30-30 to stay fit and healthy, you have made a decision to follow good nutrition. It will take some realistic planning and goal setting to keep motivated and healthy along your journey.

The acronym SMART stands for: SPECIFIC – MEASURABLE – ATTAINABLE – REALISTIC – TIMELY
In writing your goal it should be:

SPECIFIC: Exactly what, where and how are you going to accomplish your goal
MEASURABLE: You must be able to measure progress
ATTAINABLE: You must be able to achieve your goal. If the goal you set is too far out of reach, you will give up on it.
REALISTIC: In goal-setting, REALISTIC means do-able.
TIMELY: You must set a time limit for your goal. Setting an end date will make it easier to track your progress. Also your time frame must also be MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE and TIMELY as well.

So to put this all together here is are examples of a vague goal and a SMART goal:

A VAGUE GOAL: I am a 45 year old woman who weighs 325 pounds. I have to lose as much weight as I can in 6 months so I can go to my daughter’s wedding and look good.

A SMART GOAL: I am a 45 yer old woman who weighs 325 pounds.

SPECIFIC: I would like to lose weight to look better for my daughter’s wedding. It is in 6 months. I know I might not lose all the weight to get to my high school weight, but I hope to go down a few dress sizes. I want to follow the 40-30-30 lifestyle. I will join FormulaZone, plan my meals, track my progress and ask for help and support when I need it.

MEASURABLE: I will weigh myself before I begin to get a base weight. I will follow the guidelines suggested by FormulaZone for daily calorie intake. I will prepare 40-30-30 meals and eat at the suggested times. I will keep a daily food journal to keep myself accountable. I will weigh myself once a week.

ATTAINABLE: I have read about 40-30-30. I understand what I need to prepare my meals and will budget for my shopping list.

REALISTIC: I know that I can expect to lose between 1-5 pounds a week on a sound, healthy, nutritional program. Fad diets which to claim a person can lose 10-15 pounds a week are not realistic.

TIMELY: I would like to lose between and 70 and 120 pounds in 6 months.

We invite you to try your hand at setting a SMART goal for yourself!

SMART goals first appeared in a November, 1981 issue of Management Review (vol. 70, issue 11), in an article titled “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives.” by George Doran, Arthur Miller, and James Cunningham.

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Keeping Your 2010 Resolutions

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Back in 2004 we wrote an article on keeping your New Years Resolutions, and you know what? The same things are relevant today. So check it out: Keeping New Year Resolutions. You’ll be glad you did!

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Weight Loss Factors of Success

Wednesday, January 5th, 2005

The average person on the national weight loss registry has lost about 36 pounds, and kept it off. How do they accomplish this? Research has been done, and what they have found is very interesting.
There are six common habits of those people who have lost the weight and kept it off. They are:

  • They Eat Breakfast Daily
  • They Eat Out 3 or fewer times per week
  • They eat 5 Small meals a day
  • They exercise regularly
  • They weigh themselves regularly
  • They keep a food diary

Eating Breakfast is how you get your metabolism fired up in the morning. In The Zone, you actually are encouraged to eat more often, never waiting more than 4 hours to eat, so that your metabolism stays up. Plus, with the hormonal balance your body enters with The Zone, you keep yourself in Fat Burning Mode all day!
Eating Out is directly related to being overweight. You are more likely to over eat, you are eating foods that are higher in fat, and often foods that are higher-density calories. Let’s be real: you don’t go out to eat a nice salad, lots of fresh veggies, and a nice lean portion of chicken. You go out to eat a rich meal – whether it be a fatty cut of meat, some pasta, fries, or a burger. It’s amazing how many calories are packed into some of those meals!
Eating 5 Small Meals a day, like eating breakfast, keeps your metabolism turned up so you burn fat through the day. Plus, when you eat more often, you are less likely to binge, because you just don’t allow yourself to become starving!
Your body craves exercise, and for good reason. It keeps you energized, plus it improves your muscle tone (and muscles burn more calories than fat!).
Keeping track of your weight helps, well, keep you motivated. When you are doing well, you want to continue your progress. When you slip, you give yourself a mental kick in the butt and commit to doing better!
A food diary may seem like a chore, but it is so revealing. It’s pretty hard to be dishonest with yourself if you actually write down everything that you eat during the day. It’s a self-accountability that you can do with yourself that is very powerful.
Additional Habits that were common were:

  • Positive problem-solving attitude
  • Continued contact with suppor team
  • Reduction of other health problems

Don’t understimate these things. They really do add up to powerful influences in your ability to be successful.
Some of the negative predictors included:

  • Negative Life Events
  • Family Dysfunction

What to Look For in a State-of-the-Art Weight Loss Program
The goal should be gradual permanent lifestyle changes to improve physical activity and performance, as well as food selection and cognitive health. Changes should be gradual to ensure weight loss and improved health at a pace that can truly be incorporated to replace decades of poor habits in order to keep the dropout rate down.
You get ALL of these things at FormulaZone.
We have worked hard to give you every single tool you need in order to have success with your weight loss.
Our Menus include breakfast, every day.
Our Menus help you to eat in, instead of out. We offer tons of pre-packaged meals so you can take something fast and easy with you to work. We give you the tips you need to eat out successfully.
Our Menu Planner requires at least one snack a day – and it is suggested that you have two or more.
We are introducing an exercise log that will help you keep track of your exercise.
The Weight Loss Log allows you to keep track of your weight.
The Food Diary allows you to keep a detailed food log easily, and gives you feedback.
The Discussion Forum provides a community for you to stay in contact with your support group.
Our Support Staff works with you to help maintain a positive problem-solving attitude.

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How Omega-6 Fats Fit in The Zone

Thursday, February 12th, 2004

Fats are an important part of the Zone diet. The question is, which fats are preferred and how much of each is recommended? This article will help dispel some of these concerns.

The typical Western diet contains a ratio of 20:1 Omega-6 oils to Omega-3 oils. The ideal diet should consist of a ratio of 4-6:1. The Zone advocates the use of Omega-9 and Omega-3 oils to help reduce this ratio and bring it into the ideal ratio. Omega-6 oils are readily available.

Omega-9 oils are monounsaturated. Olive oil, olives, avocados and nuts are good sources of Omega-9. Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils are polyunsaturated and are the building blocks of essential fatty acids. The diet must provide these because the body does not produce them.

Omega-6 oils produce the essential fatty acid, Linoleic Acid. Linoleic Acid is found everywhere. It is contained in grains, vegetable oil and vegetables. Omega-3 oils produce Alpha-Linoleic Acid. This is found in grasses and certain cold water plankton and algae.

The functions of these essential fatty acids produce different metabolic effects on the body. Omega-3′s and Omega-6′s act differently upon serum lipids, inflammation, thrombus (blood clot) formation, tumor development, and immune function. Some have negative effects and some have positive effects.

Some people wish to supplement their diets with essential fatty acids.

The Zone recommends supplementation with Omega-3 in the form of fish oil or flaxseed oil. It does not recommend supplementation with Omega-6 oils because these oils are readily available in our diets.

A question arose regarding the use of CLA (Conjugated Lineoleic Acid).

CLA can be found naturally in certain food sources. Milk and meat from free range beef and meat from free range poultry are common sources.

CLA is also manufactured under the trade name of Tonalin. Linoleic Acid, as explained above, is derived from Omega-6 oils. The makers of Tonalin use the language that it “appears” to, and that it has been “proposed” that, and “studies are currently underway” to claim its benefits.

Proponents of CLA claim that it reduces the risk of cancers. Aracadonic acid is a derivative of Linoleic acid. PGE2 Eicosanoids are metabolized from Aracadonic acid. These “bad” eicosanoids cause inflammation, suppress “natural killer” immune cells, promote fever and pain, promote vasoconstriction, elevate blood pressure, promote allergic reactions, increase platelet clumping and cause vasoconstriction.

The bottom line is that Linoleic Acid is Linoleic Acid is Linoleic Acid, which is derived from Omega-6 oils. A certain amount of Linoleic Acid is necessary in the diet, but an excess can lead to Excessive Linoleic Acid Syndrome, which can increase cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, increase allergic hyperactivity, increase skin disorders, increase respiratory disease, increased incidence of Western-type cancers such as lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and esophageal, and an alarming increase in Type 2 diabetes in both adults and children.

The body needs Linoleic acid… in the right ratio. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Omega-6, we need it, we can’t manufacture it ourselves, so we must rely upon our diet to provide it. Eating it naturally would be the better choice. But what proponents of the Zone advocate is that we have an abundance of it…it’s all around and easily available, so there really is no need to supplement with it. If we did, then we’d just have to add more Omega-9 and Omega-3 to drop the ratio to acceptable.

In summary, be wary of claims made by promoters of dietary supplements, learn about how each component of the formula works in harmony to provide optimal health, and ask many questions until you are satisfied. It’s not just a diet, it is a prescription for life!

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Keeping New Years Resolutions

Thursday, January 1st, 2004

Happy New Year!

Hooray for the new year, and all of the hope and happiness that it promises to bring. We hope that last year was wonderful for you, and the new year is even better.

Resolutions, anyone?

Many of us make promises to ourselves at the beginning of each year. The typical New Year Resolution. If you are like most, your resolutions include something about losing weight, eating health, or getting in better shape. And, if you are like most, these resolutions have a tendency of slipping away. But it doesn’t have to be that way! You can, with the right planning and approach, make 2004 a wonderful year in which you keep your resolutions.

How to keep resolutions

How do you keep your resolution? How do you make this time different than the others? While ultimately it is up to you, try our tips and techniques- you will be equipped with tools that will help you succeed! For the sake of convenience, the rest of this article will be geared towards a goal of losing weight, however these techniques apply to all goals that you set for yourself.

Write it down!

Get out a piece of paper and a pen. As we go through these tips, take the time to write this down. The absolute best way to ensure you meet your goal is to make sure you understand it. And nothing beats writing it down and reading it. Something about writing it down, having it on paper, makes it a reality, and gives it importance.

Find your motivation

Consider your motivation. The first step you should take is to think about your reason for losing weight. This may take time, but it is key to being successful. Ask yourself- why do I want to lose weight? Getting a firm understanding of exactly why you want to lose weight will help you find that mental and emotional space that keeps you motivated.

Write it down!

Write it down! Then read it to yourself- out loud. It can be more than one reason. In fact, it can be many. Having several reasons will give your goal more meaning. Revisit them often- you may find that your reasons change over time. If they do, write down the new or different reasons to keep them updated.

Setting Goals

Set a goal. The hard truth may be difficult to face- but it’s OK. We’ll take it in smaller bites. Whether your goal is to lose 20 pounds or to lose 120, you need to find your final goal. Write it down- and remember that it can be in many forms. It can be a goal weight, a clothing size, or a measurement (such as waist or hips). Write it down! When you look at it, tell yourself out loud that you will reach that goal. Every time you look at the goal, tell yourself out loud. You will reach your goal!

Break your goal into smaller mini-goals

Break it down. Break your final goal down into weekly mini-goals. Why do this? Because it gives you a sense of satisfaction when you meet your weekly goal. And, it is much easier to renew your commitment if you slip up when you look at your next weeks goal.

Be realistic!

Be realistic! If your final goal is to lose a lot of weight, then you need to stay realistic. The medical experts will tell you that it is not realistic to lose more than 2 pounds per week, and that is probably true. However, there are many testimonies of members who have lost 3, 4, or even 5 pounds per week for many weeks. Just remember that as you approach your final goal, the weight loss will slow down. So, if you have 10 pounds to lose, your weekly mini-goal should be 2 pounds or so. If you have 40 pounds, your weekly mini-goal could be 4 pounds or so. It is tempting to set aggressive goals, but they only lead to disappointment, frustration, and eventually, quitting.

Check your mini-goals

Keep your mini-goals realistic. Now, write them down. Yes, there may be many of them, but write them down. Imagine yourself halfway to your goal. Imagine how great it feels to have met your mini-goals, and to be halfway there!

Keep a log

Keep a log. On the same sheet of paper that you have written your mini-goals, set up a column in which you can write your progress down. Watching yourself succeed helps you stay motivated! And, if you find that you are not keeping up with your mini-goals, don’t despair. Re-evaluate them. Adjust them to be more realistic to your lifestyle, and write them down. Make sure you can achieve your goals- remember to be realistic!

Get Help!

Seek Support. If you find that your mini-goals are not being met, or that you have a particularly difficult time with a certain time of day, a certain day of the week, a certain food, or anything else, then Seek support. Whether you request support in the Discussion Forum, request support from us via e-mail, or seek support from your spouse, make sure you find the support you need. You don’t have to settle for the first answer that you are given, either! If it doesn’t work, it isn’t your fault- it just means that you may need another way to overcome the challenge!

You can do it!

You can do it! And we are here to help. You don’t have to be the expert- that’s why we are here. The staff at FormulaZone has one goal: to do everything we can to help you succeed. Our members are just like you- they want you to succeed, too!

So make your resolution. Invest a few minutes in it, write down your goal and your plan, and you will succeed. You can do it!

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Sleep and The Zone Connection

Thursday, January 1st, 2004

Scientists still are not exactly sure what goes on during sleep, however, research is revealing that what we assume is a time of tranquil and blissful rest is anything but for the brain.

Sleep is now considered a critical factor in wellness, and even survival. The body takes this time to repair and rebuild itself, and the brain controls this well orchestrated symphony of tasks. Lack of sleep causes an array of problems including, being drowsy and not able to concentrate, inability to do math calculations, physical fatigue, mood swings, impaired response time and immune system breakdown. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Highway Safety Administration, approximately 100,000 motor vehicle accidents, resulting in 1500 deaths per year are attributed to driving fatigue.

Let’s look at exactly what causes these problems occur. If the brain is not allowed time to repair and replenish, the neurons (nerve cells) which control body responses, become starved and suffer from the effects of built-up byproduct waste from normal cell functions. This causes them to malfunction. During sleep, human growth hormone (HGH) is released. Children who do not get quality sleep often are smaller than their peers. The amount of HGH produced declines with age. Without proper sleep, this amount is further diminished resulting in accelerated aging.

The brain switches on and off different hormones which control different enzymes and chemicals, which in turn control different emotions. Without proper balance, this leads to emotional upset, mood swings, and depression. The brain also uses sleep time to re-create nerve-signaling patterns. A time when things learned during the day can be reprocessed and stored during sleep thus enhancing memory encoding and learning.

Quality sleep is the key to health. There are five stages of sleep. The average person cycles through the five stages of sleep several times through the night. It is when this cycle is interrupted that problems occur. The deep sleep stage is when HGH is released and increased protein production takes place. During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the regions of the brain responsible for learning are stimulated. Infants spend more time in REM sleep, suggesting the importance of brain development on learning.

What is the Zone Connection?

More than 60% of the brain’s weight is made up of fat. Specifically, that fat is comprised of mostly DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). This DHA is present in Omega-3 fatty acids. Zone nutrition advocates the use of good fats, primarily Omega-9 and Omega-3.

Proteins are necessary to rebuild the cells. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks. Zone nutrition advocates the proper amount of protein necessary for this process.

Carbohydrates are necessary to fuel the body and brain. Carbohydrates break down into glucose, which fuels the cells. Zone nutrition advocates the use of low glycemic carbohydrates to supply glucose in a slow and steady release rate.

Zone nutrition advocates eating a balanced bedtime snack to provide the three macronutrients (fats, carbs and protein) to sustain the brain over the course of the night to allow it to carry out the important tasks it has been delegated to do.

One of the things that people following the Zone report is that the quality of their sleep has improved. They wake up less frequently or sleep through the night, they feel refreshed upon awakening, they require less sleep. They report increased mental focus and clarity. This is a result of the brain being able to replenish and repair because it has been given the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep.

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Denial

Thursday, December 4th, 2003

Facing our shortcomings is often a hard thing to do. Many of us make excuses for the prediciments we create. In the case of obesity there are many responses to the often cruel and hurtful comments that others make. It’s a glandular problem. It’s hereditary. It runs in the family. I am a stress eater. Look at the art of the Renaissance, those women were plump. I feel great even though I am a few pounds overweight.

Those of us who are, or who have been overweight react to these comments on several levels. We try to ignore them, but are deeply hurt and internalize them. This leads to self-pity and starts the downward spiral of eating to comfort the pain. We try to rationalize why we are overweight, and again may seek the comfort of food to justify the rationalization. We make excuses and make a pact with ourselves to really try to diet….just as soon as things get better….maybe next week.

Many overweight people are in denial. Whether we want to believe it or not, it is true. Denial is a defensive strategy to minimize anxiety. Denial is the refusal to believe or accept reality. Denial is NOT a river in Egypt.

The reality is that obesity kills. Every year 300,000 people die from complications of obesity. The CDC reports that obesity has a direct connection to congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, complications of pregnancy, poor bladder control, and respiratory problems. The Department of Health Services reports that almost 65% of adults and more than 26% of children are overweight. These statistics are underestimated because overweight people tend to underestimate their weight. Parents even tend to overlook their overweight children, and children are often rewarded with food. Affluency is often equated with the abundance and availability of food, and people often overindulge as a result.

Reality is sometimes painful, but look at the alternative. Once we face the reality we can identify the steps to overcome the problem. Then it becomes do-able.

My advice….the sooner you come to terms with the denial the sooner you will be able to face the reality and conquer your obesity. Sit down today and have a talk with yourself…you can do it!

Editor’s Comments: Nancy Inglehart took the denial bull by the horns in March 2003, and by the end of November 2003 has lost over 120 pounds with The Zone. Her interest in The Zone motivated her to take a certification course so that she could help others as well. Nancy is a real-life example of what you can do if you are willing to face your situation.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Results (part 2)

Thursday, November 27th, 2003

Following a Diet can be hard. In this three part article, we will discuss the Good, the Bad, and the Results of following a Zone diet. The first installment covered The Good parts of eating in the Zone. What makes The Zone Diet a good diet to follow compared to other programs out there. In this installment, we take an honest, hard look at the Bad – the downsides to following this nutrition program. And in the final installment, we present real life result for people that have been in the Zone for months or even years.

Like all diets, the Zone requires that you pay attention to what you eat. While this is a good habit to get into, many people find that it can be difficult. A common complaint is “I don’t want to count calories”. You may not want to keep track of what you are eating, but your diet habits are just like your finances: either you can control your budget, or your budget can control you.

It can be complicated to figure out if a recipe is 40-30-30. It’s also difficult to know if the foods you are eating are high, medium, or low glycemic. Who has access to the glycemic index of every food you might eat, and more to the point, who wants to look it up? The fact is, it can be complicated if you calculate the balance of a meal using traditional methods. But, that’s exactly why formulazone.com was created- to take all of the complication out of the Zone diet.

It’s not low fat. To the traditional dieter, this doesn’t make sense. While it can be a pleasure to enjoy foods with some fat in them, is it really a good thing? There is merit to the fact that eating too much saturated fat can cause health problems. But before you condemn the Zone because it actually calls for fat, consider, the traditional diet in America- The Zone calls for less fat than most people in the U.S. eat. And don’t be fooled when it comes to fat and high cholesterol- fat isn’t the only thing that affects your cholesterol levels.

There are some foods that you will cut back on, or maybe even eliminate, in order to stay in The Zone. Learning to do without some of the less favorable carbohydrates such as white bread, chips, and other high glycemic foods can be difficult. On the up side, once you starve those cravings, they tend to go away- and there are so many choices in The Zone, that you can certainly find alternatives that satisfy those cravings and are Zone friendly foods.

It is low in carbohydrates, at least according to some dieticians. Many argue that you don’t get enough good carbohydrates- fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Granted, the Zone does not comply with the USDA guidelines which call for 60% carbohydrates, 15% protein, and 25% fat (vs. the 40-30-30 of the Zone). What is interesting is that the USDA guidelines are virtually identical to the ratio fed to cattle to fatten them up… (61-29-10). What is also interesting is that the ratio of the Zone is very similar to what you would receive in a hospital if you were being fed through an IV. Further, the Zone does specifically recommend good carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which is in contrast to where many people get their carbohydrates from today – breads, pasta, and other sources that those same dieticians would tell you are less favorable.

Some people go so far as to claim that the Zone recommends a candy bar over a high glycemic carbohydrate food such as a carrot. Unfortunately, those people just don’t understand the Zone, and make false assumptions. Taken out of context, a Snicker’s bar does in fact have a lower glycemic index than a carrot. The Zone doesn’t just consider that- it looks at it in a bigger context. The glycemic load of a Snicker’s bar is higher, plus the candy bar is very high in fat. You would actually have a very difficult time fitting a candy bar into a Zone Friendly meal.

So The Zone has some of the same down sides as many other diets- you need to keep track of what you eat. You need to pay attention to what you eat. And while it can be more complicated to follow a Zone diet than other diets, the foods that you get to eat make it much easier to stick with it.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Results

Wednesday, November 26th, 2003

Following a Diet can be hard. In this three part article, we will discuss the Good, the Bad, and the Results of following a Zone diet. This first installment will cover The Good. What makes The Zone Diet a good diet to follow compared to other programs out there. In the next installment, we take an honest, hard look at the Bad – the downsides to following this nutrition program. And in the final installment, we present real life result for people that have been in the Zone for months or even years.

Unlike many diets, the Zone is not a calorie-restrictive diet. Sure, you need to watch your calories- but you will find you get anywhere from 10-20% more calories per day in The Zone than you do with your average diet.

Eat excellent food when you are in the Zone. There is no restricted menu- instead, you’ve got hundreds and hundreds of tasty, Zone friendly recipes that you can enjoy. So many excellent meals can be tweaked just a bit to be Zone-friendly recipes.

It’s not a Fat-Free diet, either. So this means you get to enjoy real cheese, real sour cream, steak, and other great tasting foods while you are eating in The Zone.

You aren’t hungry when you are in The Zone. While any diet will result in feeling hungry more often, The Zone truly is a satisfying way to eat. When you follow the Zone properly, you will find that often you get more food than you can actually eat. Plus, when you are hungry, you feel as though you can eat. So if you have a busy day and find yourself hungry between meals, you can eat a Zone Friendly snack without any guilt. Why is this the case? Because…

Results are achieved differently in The Zone than with a calorie-restrictive diet. In The Zone, you control your body’s hormones with the balance of the foods that you eat. It is that hormonal balance that you achieve that causes the fat to melt away.

Losing weight is a natural result of being in The Zone. While this is the reason many people start eating this way, most people stick with it because of all of these other great benefits.

You will feel the difference when you eat in The Zone. There are many other benefits to eating this way- weight loss is just a byproduct. The hormonal balance that you achieve while eating in The Zone has some very nice perks.

Mood swings go away. With your body’s hormones in balance, mood swings all but vanish. If you’ve ever experienced the tension, headache, or shakes when you haven’t eaten for some time, you will appreciate this single benefit as much as any other!

Mental clarity is another Good side of eating in The Zone. You will find that you are sharper and able to focus more easily. Some people experience a level of mental clarity that they have never experienced before.

You don’t feel tired after lunch or dinner. Instead of the all-too-often crash you can get right after a meal, you will find instead that you are energized and ready to go after eating a Zone friendly meal.

Endurance increases and staying power improves. Your energy levels are more consistent- rather than the peak and crash you experience after eating with many other diets, this nutrition program gives a strong, steady energy level that lasts for hours. Eat a great, low-glycemic Zone meal and you will find that you have energy for 4-5 hours, without being hungry.

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