Eating in the ZONE

summerrain said:I absolutely do not have the bandwidth to treat nutrition like—as someone once so eloquently put it—a full-time job. That said, trying to align myself with the knowledge zone as much as possible is certainly better than doing the exact opposite—which, if I’m being honest, used to be my go-to routine: toast with butter and jam for breakfast, followed by spaghetti and salsa for lunch (and let's be real, that didn't even involve a salad 🙂). I try to stick to it as best I can. The knowledge zone has 'convinced' me to eat better breakfasts, opt for something light before bed, and stay properly hydrated. So, I'm quite happy just strolling along the edge of the knowledge zone 😁. I realize I shouldn't expect those instant results the knowledge zone 'promises,' but hopefully, the closer I get, the better things will become...

That is pretty much my philosophy as well—and I can honestly say that since I started following these "rules," I've managed to drop about 13 or 14 pounds. My approach? I've integrated a ton of movement and physical labor into my day (instead of hitting a gym, I handle setup and cleaning for the crew—but either way, the body stays in constant motion)
The knowledge zone is fantastic for people who have the luxury of time to meal prep or can afford professional nutritionists to manage everything (like pro athletes), but in my opinion, life should be enjoyed first and foremost—including the food. You should definitely be mindful of what you eat, sure, but it needs to be a pleasure, not a burden.

summerrain said:I have one more question—I’m looking to pick up some of that protein powder Dr. Gredelj mentioned to help make this whole protein struggle a bit easier. I checked at CVS (they have some powders that taste like drinks) and at my local pharmacy, but they didn't have anything useful. Does anyone have a specific brand recommendation, an idea of what it costs, or where I should shop for it here in the States?

Just shoot me a private message; I'll send over some info so you can look it over and decide for yourself.. 🙂

You might want to check this out too:

http://www.myherbalifeww.com/us/pdf/...102-Insert.pdf

Kenneth Price8 said:That actually crossed my mind too, mostly for two reasons:
1. It feels like there isn't enough food in the plan for me, at least when it comes to lunch.
2. Based on my lean body mass and activity level, it looks like I need about 65g of protein a day. Yet, this nutritionist told me he thinks I need "way more." I honestly don't get how he can jump to that conclusion without knowing my measurements, my body composition, or any of that; he just looked at me and decided. 🙄

You know what? I think I'll go get myself re-measured. 😉

I feel like I've been saying this for ages, but nobody seems to take me seriously.. 😁

Everyone needs a personalized approach because everyone has their own unique requirements, different body types, basal metabolic rates, and so on.

Kyle Martinez11 said:So, Kyle Martinez11 told me I should mention that this knowledge zone isn't actually all that simple. And honestly, it isn't. If we just set aside all those body mass measurements and whatever else I don't quite grasp, there's a deeper issue here.
The real problem is that most people just don't have the luxury of time required to plan and prep every single meal, especially lunch. If you aren't planning ahead, sticking to the zone becomes an uphill battle. Sure, picking up some produce at a local farmer's market or grabbing yogurt and cheese at the grocery store is easy enough, provided you actually know how to balance them. But eating a salad with mozzarella or tuna for lunch every other day gets old fast. Or take cauliflower—you can't exactly eat three blocks worth of carbs by itself unless you want to feel like you're going to explode. You need a mix of vegetables and fruit in one sitting. People tend to say, "Whatever, I'll just grab a slice of bread since I can account for up to 25% unfavorable carbs," but even that feels like a compromise.
Luckily, I live alone and actually enjoy cooking, so it’s not a burden to spend an hour around 7 PM prepping my lunch for the next day, setting out breakfast ingredients, and running the math. I can't begin to imagine what it's like trying to manage this with a family. It’s incredibly demanding because you can't just prep everything in bulk and throw it in the freezer.

I think trying to coordinate all these food combinations, the shopping trips, the measuring, and the actual cooking is nearly impossible when you're juggling kids' schoolwork, feeding a baby, or dealing with a husband whose version of the zone involves nothing but potatoes for carbs and steak or chops for protein—heaven forbid he touches tuna, eggs, or turkey. Besides, our Dr. Gredelj is likely at a stage in life where she isn't chasing toddlers around anymore, and she and her husband are probably doing this together. To truly follow the zone, you need significant time and, frankly, money. You also need a constantly stocked fridge, which is a tall order for anyone living solo.

Thanks for saying that; hopefully, people are starting to see where I'm coming from... 🙂

summerrain said:You've got a point—it's like when magic says excursions and detours aren't really part of the Zone.
I certainly don't have the bandwidth to turn my diet into, as someone once put it, a full-time job. That said, getting as close to the zone as possible is still better than doing the exact opposite...

I agree with you, which is why combining "zone eating" with "station eating" yields such great results. I was trying to explain how similar those concepts are, specifically how station eating serves as a perfect supplement to a classic diet—basically, using those replacement meals for those moments when life just gets too busy... 🙂

TETE A TETE said:This is completely insane...

Weighing food?

Carbohydrate blocks!!!!

But honestly, what can you even say? You have to let every idiot have their little moment of joy, I suppose. There are some of us out there who actually find this stuff useful, though. If I actually had the capital, I’d probably just open my own restaurant, the knowledge zone.

Kyle Martinez11 said:If I actually had the capital, I’d open up a restaurant called the knowledge zone.

Would it include delivery? .. 😉

Honestly, all that obsessive macro counting in the knowledge zone... it’s just too much for me. Such an overkill.
I mean, pretty much every meal you eat already has a mix of carbs, protein, and fats anyway, so there's really no need to stress out over measuring every single gram.

Just try to cut back on those heavy hitters—you know, things like white bread, potatoes, pasta, or rice.
And seriously, just toss the margarine and any hydrogenated oils straight into the trash.
Maybe go easy on the red meat too.

Instead, grab more yogurt, some feta or cottage cheese, fish, olive oil... tons of veggies.

Don't let it get to you. Just stay positive and keep a good attitude.
Spend less time staring at a computer screen and more time out running.

.. and you'll feel way healthier.

I don't get why everyone says your protein powder is trash. It’s actually great if you do it right: two scoops, a little cocoa powder, and about a cup of skim milk—water just doesn't cut it for me. I whip it all up with a frother until it's super foamy, then toss it in the microwave for a few seconds because I'm a sucker for a warm shake. For me, it hits the knowledge zone perfectly. Drinking it after a workout feels like floating; you can practically feel the heat soaking straight into your muscles!
Usually, I just grab my powder at the local Gold's Gym; even if you aren't a regular there, they sell it. They've got soy, milk, egg, and whey options, plus flavors like hazelnut, vanilla, and chocolate... 🙂
Those Ener Zone bars were decent too, but they're out of stock at the CVS—they're perfect for a quick snack. I saw some Ener Zone pouches at Walgreens with three blocks inside, though I haven't given those a shot yet.

Yeah, re-measured. Same story. 65 grams of protein. I split that into 10 blocks since my workouts are more than 3x30 mins a week, but less than 5x1h (once my semester finishes in a month)...

And yeah, totally messed up that lunch. Definitely can't wing it without a scale.

Now I'm wondering: for those of you who actually used the knowledge zone; how long did it take before you saw anything happening? Did it just melt the fat off the stomach and hips, or was it a full body thing? I'm trying to deal with cellulite too, so curious if the zone helps at all 😕

Also, super important question: HOW BIG IS A SLICE OF BREAD? Like, are we talking a slice of Wonder Bread, some sourdough, a baguette... what?! 🤔 It’s driving me crazy...
Grams work too 😁

Kenneth Price8 said:Now, what I really want to know is this: for you ladies who have actually tried the knowledge zone; how long did it take before you started seeing any real results? Did it just melt away the fat on your stomach and hips, or was it a total body transformation? I'm trying to deal with cellulite too, so I'm wondering if the zone helps with that at all 😕

I managed to drop about 11 pounds over roughly three months. At the start, I was being incredibly strict about sticking to five meals a day, I avoided alcohol for about three weeks, and I didn't touch anything but low-carb options. I didn't lose much of the fat around my midsection, and since I haven't had much of a backside since birth, there isn't much to speak of—though I don't have cellulite either. I do have large breasts, though! :-) It seems like everything shifted, but most of the weight loss showed up in my face. I went from about 132 pounds down to 121 (at 5'3"). Honestly, I suspect that no diet, unless you literally stop eating for months, can truly get rid of stubborn belly fat, hips, or glutes; it takes exercise. And personally, I absolutely loathe any kind of activity like that (gym sessions, aerobics, and all those other horrors). The only movement I get is biking 20 minutes each way to work and doing some cycling on the weekends. If I actually exercised, I probably would have lost the extra fat elsewhere too.

Kenneth Price8 said:And yeah, one more crucial question: HOW BIG IS A SLICE OF BREAD? Are we talking a slice of "Pinčice," or that crusty sourdough style, or maybe a French loaf... What?! 🤔 It’s honestly so confusing...
Maybe just give it to me in grams 😁

Well, it depends entirely on the type of bread and its overall weight and such. Personally, I don't eat bread at all, except for a little toast every now and then. I usually just buy some local sliced bread wrapped in plastic. It’s incredibly heavy and dense. One single slice might be about as thin as a standard pencil, and the size of the slice is roughly half the size of a CD :-) That counts as 22 grams, or 1 unit. Unfortunately, that bread is far too much for my needs, so I end up tossing more than 3/4 of it because it just gets stale.

Betty Wells31 said:Cut margarine and hydrogenated vegetable oils out of your life entirely.

Betty Wells31, I couldn't agree more, though I'd say this is the absolute crux of the matter...

Any food loaded with hydrogenated oils is essentially a ticking time bomb, so my advice is to just stop buying it—and certainly stop eating it. 😛

ps: I'm not just making this up; it was Dr. Louis Ignarro, a Nobel laureate specializing in cardiovascular disease, who said it. 🙂

Rachel Walker56 said:I don't get why you guys think protein powder is gross? It's actually great for me—here's my routine: a scoop or two of powder, a little bit of cocoa powder, and about a cup of skim milk (water just doesn't work for me). I blend it all up with a whisk until it's frothy, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds because I love a warm shake, and it’s fantastic. It hits the knowledge zone perfectly, and when I drink it after a workout, I feel like I'm floating; you can actually feel that warmth spreading into your muscles.

That sounds perfect; it’s basically the foundation of "cellular nutrition," quick and effective, assuming you can eventually find the right flavor and quality. 😉

Rachel Walker56 said:I used to really like those Ener Zone bars, but they aren't in the local pharmacy anymore—they were a decent little snack substitute.

Energy or protein bars are fine as snacks—a real meal should be at least 200 calories—but they're a solid way to bridge the gap between meals and keep your protein intake up. Here, take a look:

http://www.herbalife.com/files/HL//M...80US-02-07.pdf

http://www.herbalife.com/hl/template..._subcat_snacks

There are plenty of other ways to grab a healthy protein snack too, like soy snacks, protein soups, juices, and so on.

http://www.herbalife.com/hl/template..._subcat_snacks

Kyle Martinez11 said:I managed to drop about 11 pounds over three months. At first, I was pretty disciplined about hitting five meals a day, stayed away from booze for about three weeks, and stuck to low-glycemic carbs. The belly fat didn't budge, though, and I’ve never had much of a backside to begin with—though thankfully no cellulite either. My chest is still prominent, I guess. Everything just seems to shift, and most of the weight loss showed up in my face. I went from 132 lbs down to 121 lbs at 5'3". Honestly, I don't think any diet short of starving yourself for months will actually target the stubborn stuff like the stomach or hips; you really need exercise for that. Personally, I can't stand anything remotely like a workout class—fitness studios and aerobics are just miserable. The only movement I get is my 20-minute bike commute to work and back, plus some cycling on the weekends. If I actually hit the gym, that extra weight would probably disappear.

That’s exactly the point... it’s all about the inches. 😉

It isn't enough to just see the number on the scale go down; you want to lose it where it actually matters—in those specific spots like the midsection or hips. The goal is to shed fat specifically, rather than just looking gaunt in the face. If you look closely at these forums, people are obsessed with the measurements and how their actual physique changes. 🙂







Then there's the extreme cases, like someone dropping from 410 lbs over three years... 👍



And for those looking to put on some high-quality muscle, it's no issue at all. 🙂



"making the world healthier..." .. 👋

mistybear4 said:thanks for saying that—hopefully people are finally starting to get what I'm getting at... 🙂

I'm with you there. That’s why blending "zone feeding" with "cellular nutrition" works so well. I was just trying to point out how similar they are—though the real value of cellular nutrition is using it as a supplement to a standard diet, like those quick meal replacements when you're running behind schedule... 🙂

Honestly, man, you are exhausting. Can you please just let one single topic—one that you don't immediately hijack with your little theories the second you show up—just exist? Let people share their own stories without you constantly pushing your products on them. You went to one MLM seminar and now you think you've unlocked the secrets of the universe regarding nutrition.🙄

And that link you shared about how Vera beat anorexia using Herbalife... please. No one recovers from an eating disorder by swallowing those kinds of gimmicks—it takes actual psychological therapy, not some supplement scheme.

Man, this whole MLM situation is just wild. It’s actually pretty interesting to follow the threads over on CareerBuilder, but honestly, it’s getting to be a bit much...😢
Look, I don't have anything against multi-level marketing in general, but mistybear4, you are seriously being way too intense about this.

Rachel Walker56 said:I actually really liked those Ener Zone bars, but they aren't at the pharmacy anymore—which makes a bit of a difference for my quick snacks. I did see some Ener Zone pouches over at CVS though... they come in packs of three, so that should do the trick. I haven't given those a shot yet.

I think you might find them at that herbal apothecary near the light rail station right across from the InterContinental... over on Savile Street...

I have to say, I’m feeling pretty frustrated with this whole zone concept because, frankly, some of the dishes I’ve tried making following the rules just don't taste nearly as good as when I prepare them the traditional way (or when I eat them elsewhere). Take beet goulash, for instance—or whatever the correct spelling is supposed to be. I attempted to make it strictly by the zone guidelines, and the result was honestly pretty unpalatable; it turned out sort of dry and completely tasteless. No matter how much seasoning I threw at it, I just couldn't salvage the overall experience. I haven't ventured into desserts yet, but I am almost certain I'll face even bigger disappointments there. Especially when it comes to pancakes, which I absolutely adore in their original, carb-heavy, buttery glory—particularly when I sit down with my magic sister and we have this ridiculous ritual where we bite eye, nose, and mouth holes into them, wear them on our faces like masks, and then just eat them plain afterward (well, I suppose that might be a little hard for you all to picture right now).
I’m really not sure if anyone else is running into these same issues, though it seems to me that the people actually sticking to the zone who try to cook anything more complex than a basic scrambled egg :-) aren't really speaking up, but in my opinion, this is a massive flaw in the system.

Kyle Martinez11 said:One of those sticks is about as thick as a standard pencil, and the size is roughly half a CD... plus it's 22 grams, so that's 1U.

Are you kidding me?!😲 Thick as a pencil? Come on, man... tell me that's a joke... 🙂

Kenneth Price8 said:Excuse me?!😲 Pencil thickness? For heaven's sake... That just can't be right, please tell me you're joking. 🙂

Actually, I suppose it is true. I mean, obviously, you could only ever manage to slice pieces that thin if you were using some stale, rock-hard crust, because there is absolutely no way you'd get that from a fresh, warm, fragrant loaf straight from the oven. And what’s even more infuriating is that such bread is so utterly tasteless and pathetic that I only ever touch it during those rare, desperate moments when I have a leftover slice of pizza that would be a total sin to eat without some bread—especially when it comes out of the microwave all soft and steaming.

Ugh, terrible. And here I am, a total sucker for breakfast bread. I really wanted to try that oatmeal... no idea how that’s gonna go. Me and cereal? Not exactly besties 😁

Today I just caved and ate some Kinder cereals, couldn't help myself... mostly because I was running way too low on carbs for lunch since I had to eat out instead of at home. Total bummer.

Nothing's gonna work until I finally get back home...
Gonna go grab some yogurt.

Kenneth Price8 said:That’s just awful. Personally, I absolutely, positively love having bread for breakfast.

Look, it isn't like you have to give up everything in life, I guess. It really all depends on what your specific goals are. When I was trying to drop some weight, I followed the rules pretty strictly, I suppose. But honestly, if you just have one tiny little slice of toast in the morning with some cheese and lean turkey, it probably won't be some massive disaster. I mean, the real issue is making sure that one single slice doesn't somehow turn into two slices, and then a pastry, and then you're there tearing into a warm loaf of sourdough with your bare hands on the walk home from the bakery. 😁