Anyone used/using the Zone?
 

A couple of the guys where I work are getting ready to start using The Zone as a diet and training tool. One of the guys used it a couple of years ago and realized some astonishing weight loss, but fell off the process and has regained his weight.

Anyone here using the guide or have used it in the past? If so, what are/were your experiences with the process?

Thanks!

If your interest is weight loss as a means to get faster, I suggest you find a qualified nutritionist or trainer who is into cycling. If you are riding to lose weight, I suspect a common sense application of the Zone may be OK. As your friend shows however, a "weird" diet will yield only fluctuation, not real loss or increased fitness.

I noticed you are in the Dallas area. I ride with a guy who has whipped a ton (literally!) of people into fast riding shape with nutrition and structured bike-centric workouts. I am looking to create the time so I can do that too! Private message me and I'll get you the info if you want it.

Well, I'm not looking at the process as a diet so much as a strategy. I'm reading one of the books right now and it does have a section dedicated to using the approach for athletes, but that's nit the near term goal.

I'm looking at it as a nutritional strategy with some structure that helps you keep track of cabs, proteins, and fats. I do like the broad range of foods it recommends and I especially like that you don't have to be chef to fix the foods, and you don't have to track down strange and exotic groceries to eat.

PM sent, btw.

I have used The Zone and have been successful loosing weight while following the plan. I think more than the 40-30-30 idea The Zone also restricts portions to a reasonable size. What I learned most from The Zone is what a sensible meal should look like portion wise. So, eating sensible meals / snacks once you understand portion size or calories will lead to weight loss regardless of macro nutrient ratios. Also, I think there's a lot to be said for becoming familiar with the glycemic ratios for different foods. I was amazed that my gut basically looks at a baked potato and table sugar as the same thing. That's what I got out of it anyway, YMMV.

The thing with any diet is that it is not a short term solution. If you are prone to being overfat and you do not watch your diet, then you will shortly be fat again. Don't think of it as a diet, it just has to be the way you eat.

[QUOTE=txvintage;8558556]Well, I'm not looking at the process as a diet so much as a strategy. I'm reading one of the books right now and it does have a section dedicated to using the approach for athletes, but that's nit the near term goal.

I'm looking at it as a nutritional strategy with some structure that helps you keep track of cabs, proteins, and fats. I do like the broad range of foods it recommends and I especially like that you don't have to be chef to fix the foods, and you don't have to track down strange and exotic groceries to eat.

Take a look at the daily meal section close on livestrong.com it is just what your asking for IMHO . tracks evderything and has a ton of foods already in there lists its an amazing tool for just the type things you want to track IMHO ymmv Good Luck .

I practice the self-named "Dr. Perfect Diet" which after years of learning about nutrition, incorporates healthy eating IMO into a fairly simple strategy: Low fat, low glycemic, vegetarian, in the Zone, with special attention to omega-three fatty acids (by way of salmon and walnuts as exception to low fat and vegetarian). FWIW.

For a good source of: properly balanced Omega-acids, micro nutrients, amino acids and minerals I add raw hemp seed to my morning soy, yogurt, banana, and honey shake. The addition has seemed to help my overall energy, health and weight fluctuations while not changing anything else (eating the same health aware way I was) I also reduced my BP from 165/110 range to 120/80 and eliminated a medication. FWIW

For the OP...
I use the Zone brand meal bars as snack between breakfast and dinner. I usually have a shake for b-fast, one or two bars during the day and then a balanced meal for dinner. I sometimes substitute a banana or other fruit for one Zone bar. Doing this has shifted my eating habits and even though I do not follow a Diet I have changed my eating to help me instead of hurt me.

Best of luck with your improved health goals.

I was on The Zone diet for about a year. I lost about 20 pounds and then hit a plateau. For about 5 months my weight wouldn't budge and I developed a sudden tendency to feel starved all the time. Not the 'Ooooh, chocolate cake would be soo good right now' kind of starved, but the headache and hungerpangs sort.

I do have to say that the first 2 or 3 months though, I felt great.

I finally had to let it go and went on Weight Watchers.

I never viewed the Zone as a diet in the traditional sense, more of a better way to eat. I just don't believe humans are designed to eat carbohydrates unless from fruit/veggies/etc. Meat/fruit/veggies are the base of the Zone.

When I follow the Zone outline rigidly, I have TONS of energy and lose body fat like mad. Not that I really need to as I'm tall/big not just big.