anyone try Zone diet?

Ortho_RN · May 28, 2003

I haven't tried it... But I have heard about it... Is there a site online about it.. I thought about doing Atkins, but just something about cutting out ALL carbs doesn't seem healthy..

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · May 28, 2003

I have not tried the Zone but my sister tried the Zone's twin which is The Formula. It uses the same principle that the Zone use with the 40% Carbs, 30% fat, and 30% protein. She has seen some AWESOME results and she looks GREAT!!! She has gone from 175lbs down to 115lbs (She is short only 5'2). She has gone from a size 18 to a size 2.

Ortho_RN · May 28, 2003

WOW.. I want to know more about these diets :)

SirJohnny · May 28, 2003

Kats:

As one who has lost 120 lbs (300 -> 180lbs) and kept it off for 1 yr 3 months now, here is some advice.

1. FORGET DIETS!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. You need to get to gym and start walking, riding the bike, stairmaster - whatever it takes!!!!!!

3. You will loose 10 lbs (real lbs - not water) every 6 weeks.

4. You want to spend around 5 to 7 hours a week doing aerobic exercise (walking, stairmaster, bike riding). You will burn around 600 calories/hour --- it takes 3400 calories to burn 1 lb of fat --- more like 1 1/2 lbs on the scale as you will be loosing water.

5. You will gradually cut back on the eating. You need to eat 4 or 5 times a day. But eat smaller portions and eat healthy foods. No more pizza, donuts, and other junk foods.

6. I would talk to nutritionist or some-such and get some menu suggestions. Personally, I eat fruit and Subway. And alternate with health bars.

7. Yeah, you are going to fall off the wagon. Big deal, you just go back to the gym the next day and keep burning calories.

8. After loosing 20 lbs or so -- take a break from the gym -- and let your body adjust. Then after 2 or 3 weeks - go back and start the cycle over again.

----------

- Am I being tough. YES!!!!! Because I went through pure hell the past 20 years. Totally messed up high school because I was so freaking overweight. This was back in 1982 when I was the ONLY fat kid in high school - unlike today's kids.

- So how did I motivate myself to go to gym everyday. Simple. I took my laptop computer with me and played those dungeon's & dragons type role-playing games - the ones that take 200-300 hours to complete and that are totally addicting.

- After a year of going to the gym --- it's now a habit and I just do it. I get up at 4:30AM and am at hym by 5:00AM. Ride bike until 6:00AM. Shower and at work at 6:30AM. Study 1.5 hours (Anatomy & Physiology) at office before I actually start doing my day job.

- I usually am in bed by 8:30AM -- about the time one usually starts watching TV and begins pigging out on snacks/etc.

------------

- I also played the rewards game.

- I rewarded myself with two $1200/persian kitties (US$2400 ttl). It took me about a year and a half to get the weight off.

- My main thesis here - is that your weight loss program is more about a lifestyle change than a diet. All you will do with a diet (ANY DIET) is loose 10-20 lbs and then put 20-30 lbs back on. Now you feel like crap - so you eat and put another 10 lbs on and the vicious cycle starts again.

- And yes, you will have a TON of energy once you get the weight off. Even if you only loose 20-30 lbs - it will help tremendously.

- Just my two cents. Good luck.

John Coxey

([email protected])

leenie71 · May 28, 2003

I have tried it! I bought one of the Zone books and found it really interesting....and it did make total sense! I didn't follow it exactly the way they had it mainly because I didn't like a particular food, but I did add more protein to my diet and more carbs in the way of fruits and vegetables. I was on vacation last week, so I'm kind of off the wagon, but I plan on going back to it. I just have to get to the grocery store. One of the things you'll find when you go by the Zone diet is that when you're in the grocery store, you'll be more on the periphery of the store....the produce, meats, and dairy. The middle of the store is where you'll find the potato chips, etc. Buy one of the books and good luck!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 28, 2003

I am not overweight exactly but need to loose 15-20 pounds and I have been doing Weight Watchers and I love it and it is working for me, I'm also still nursing my youngest so this plan is also for nursing moms.

Anyways...is it hard to do the Zone? I have looked at the book before and have heard really good things about it...is it hard to figure out all those percentages? Ive also recently started walking in the eveings hoping that will help some.

John- wow I can't belive you have lost so much weight!! I think that is AMAZING! I only need to loose 15-20 pounds and I feel like I will never loose it. You should be so totally proud of yourself, that is an AMAZING accomplishment.

Marilyn

kats · May 28, 2003

Hi John, Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. I am very impressed at your sucess. I also wanted to clear up that I am just taking some ideas that I like from the "Zone" such as reducing refined carbs and eating more small meals through the day instead of fewer large ones. I am also drinking lots of water and exercising. In the fall, I will be buying an elliptial trainer as I tried it at the gym and like it a lot. For now, I am taking my dog for more walks, dancing in the living room, using my tae-bo tapes, etc. depending on the day's mood. I appreciate your concern and share your opinions of going on a diet as that implies that it is temporary. My in-laws keep losing weight and putting it back on all the time for that very reason. I haven't lost weight, but part of that is an anxiety/ depression problem I was diagnosed with last year. I have been taking a very small amount of an anti-anxiety med and it has helped a lot. Plus, I just couldn't believe the diets that said to eat lots of carbs or no carbs including fruits and veggies. Anyways, now I am just doing what it sounds like you have been doing, just taking information where you can find it and making your own healthier way to live. Thanks again to you and everybody else who has responded with your opinions and suggestions.

maire, ASN, RN · May 28, 2003

Diets never worked for me. I got sick of looking at myself in the mirror naked and started walking. The weight started to come off gradually. I still eat what I want, just less of it, and exercise almost every day. It's really the only reliable way to get rid of those excess pounds, IMHO. I 'only' had 15 pounds to lose, too. :rolleyes: I tell you what, that 15 pounds felt and looked like a whole lotta fat to me. Me and gyms do not get along, so I work out at home. I just ordered a product called the Firm, so we'll see how well I can tone up with that.

Jen2 · May 30, 2003

John has given such great advice here. Totally correct on the lifestyle change. I myself have lost 75 pounds. I went from 195 to 120 pounds. You first have to loose the weight for you and then to slowly begin to change your eating habits. I first started with cutting out all junk food and replacing snacks with fresh fruit and veggies. If I did good all week without eating any junk food at all, I would let myself have a treat. I switched to diet soda (water is way better, but I'm addicted). The next thing that I did was cut out eating all red meat since the majority of my calories were comming from fast food joints, so doing this kept me away from the grease pits. This limited me to eating fruits, veggies, and poultry (don't like seafood). Then I got so sick of chicken that I have know been a vegetarian for over a year. This from a person who used to be cranky if she didn't have her sausage McMuffin in the morning. It's wierd how much you can discipline yourself if you set limits for yourself and reward yourself. The only thing I haven't done is really work out. I get much running around at work, and am always between work and school, so I don't have time to go to the gym. What I would like to know if anyone knows of any good excercise tapes out there. I don't want to loose anymore weight, but would like to firm up and gain some muscle mass. Any ideas, other than goin to the gym. I do have a weight bench but am not sure how to use it properly to recieve results for a woman. Your views would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

purpl83 · Aug 5, 2003

The Zone Diet does work, but it takes hard work. Its really hard to stay on that diet because it is really healthy and very expensive to do religiously...but, I do recommend it. It makes you feel so healthy inside. You do need to change your life though, you have to want it. You have to want to feel healthy. You will stop eating junk if you want to be healthy. I totally changed my eating habits, took 4 years, but now I am healthy....no soda, fast food and limit on sweets. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

nursebucky · Aug 5, 2003

try little things like cooking meat with no flour, and cook it in virgin olive oil.

I tried Atkins and lost 6 lbs in one week, but I was unable to go to the bathroom, (impaction) and my breathe was so stinking!

I now try to eat healthy and drink a gallon of water.