Happy with the zone
Written: Jul 03 '02 (Updated Jul 03 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Helpfulness of Suport |
 |
|
|
Pros: Steady, healthy weight loss without hunger pangs and feeling restricted.
Cons: Must think ahead and plan meals.
The Bottom Line: You will not only lose weight, but feel more energized.
|
|
|
| galintokyo's Full Review: The Zone Diet |
Since graduating college and beginning a desk job, over 3 years I gained about 15 pounds and was feeling very unhappy about my appearance. I had read some articles on various weight loss programs, and thought the zone made sense and sounded like the least restrictive and easiest to follow program. I did not purchase ANYTHING, but simply went to the ZonePerfect website and read up on the basics of the diet there. The website provided free information and hundreds of recipes, which also made the diet attractive to me - no high fees, no humiliating weigh-ins like other programs. In fact, while I am sure Dr. Sears' book is great, I truly feel that the website is sufficient to help one get started and motivated on this eating program.
I hesitate to call this a diet, because unlike some other reviewers, I feel that the portions of food in the zone are huge compared to what I had been eating before. Previously, with working full time and trying to exercise regularly, I was always feeling exhausted. So, I didn't want to fuss over meals. I would eat a quick breakfast of a bowl of cereal, grab lunch from a variety of delis/restaurants near work - usually a sandwich, a bagel, a slice of quiche - and for dinner would have some soup and bread or some easy-to-prepare pasta or rice-based dish. I snacked throughout the day on crackers and once in a blue moon junk food (like chocolate), but in general I was eating a "healthy" low-fat, high carb, and some protein diet. Since starting the zone, I feel as if I am eating so much more. I eat lots of fruits, generous portions of lean meat or tofu, tons of vegetables, and a hearty amount of nuts and oil (which I had previously been afraid to eat for fear that those fatty foods caused weight gain). In the zone, you are encouraged to snack twice a day - and I love my snacks of a slice of cheese and a piece of fruit! That is a lot more food than my previous snacks - when I would have a handful of pretzels to quench afternoon hunger pangs. I honestly feel like this "diet" encourages you to eat MORE rather than less, which is why I cannot understand those who have reviewed negatively here because they feel it is restrictive. It is a lot of food - you just have to reduce your intake of certain starches!
I have been in the zone for 3 months, and have lost 15 pounds. I was not what one would call heavy before, so now I am downright thin! More significant than the weight loss is the fact that I have gone down two dress sizes and my body is very toned - I have gained muscle mass and lost lots of fat! The most shocking result I have had is my change in sleeping patterns. I used to need 8 hours to feel rested, and often felt exhausted in the afternoon around 3:00. Now I sleep 6 hours and feel fully energized all day and refreshed rather than groggy in the morning. This has helped me to maintain a better exercise routine, since I am having more restful sleep, need less sleep, and have more energy all around. In other words, more than losing weight, I feel like the zone has helped me to feel better in general.
The only con, which I noted above, is that one must plan ahead for meals a bit more than one normally would if he/she is not on any diet whatsoever. That is, I find that I need to remember to stop by the market and keep my fridge stocked with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables rather than just grabbing a roll and a can of soup on the way home. I find that I cook a lot more now - preparing lots of tasty and LARGE PORTIONED stir fries/chili/hefty salads/broiled lean meats and veggies. However, I find that I enjoy these delicious, big meals so much more than my former quick and bland mostly carb (bread/pasta) based meals of the past. If you are willing to put in some extra time for planning meals ahead, this diet is worth all the wonderful results.
Recommended:
Yes
Food Variety Restrictions A wide variety of allowed foods
Restrictiveness of Portions Several hearty portions
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
galintokyo
|
|
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.