A day in MY ZONE

A lot of people are out there looking for that perfect pill, workout or diet that will magically suck all the fat from their bodies. I think I found the combination that works for me! Advocare, CrossFit and the Zone Diet. I started CrossFit in September of 2007. Shortly after the body shock from my first WOD wore off I started inquiring about nutrition. My #1 goal at that point was to reduce my body fat. My trainer pointed me in the direction of Barry Sears' "Zone Diet". He gave me issue twenty-one of the CrossFit Journal and told me, "Stick with a 3 block. You might feel a little hungry at first but you will get used to it." Too busy to ask a lot of questions I left feeling as if he had just dropped me in the middle of nowhere, handed me a compass and told me to find my way home. I admit, I didn’t read it before I tried it. I wanted that magic fat sucking diet and I didn’t care how or why it worked. (Please don’t misunderstand; I think it’s important to fuel your body with healthy foods. I am a firm believer that many physical and mental illnesses can be prevented by a healthy diet and moderate exercise, but at the time all I could think about was my #1 goal and baring my tummy on Halloween.) So I flipped to the page marked “3 Block Menus” and highlighted my breakfast and lunch. I then picked out two snacks and set off for HEB. This was the longest shopping trip ever! I was a calorie counter before the Zone so I was familiar with reading labels, but this just became that word problem my high school algebra teacher assigned as a “real life scenario” project. Cart full of groceries and head full of numbers I checked out and headed for the kitchen. Being a perfectionist I also picked up a $7 food scale. Zone or no Zone, I highly recommend weighing and measuring ALL your food for 2 weeks. It really brings portion distortion to life. After 2 weeks I really got a feel for what 3 oz of protein looked and felt like and now, after 6 months of measuring, I almost always take home a doggie bag when I go out to eat. My point; Restaurants over serve and people over eat and don't even notice.My plan was to “Zone” every meal except my dinner. My friend started with only Zoning her snacks which is always an option if you want to start with baby steps. I made all my meals for one day at the same time.

My Log:

***3 Block BREAKFAST 7am: 2/3 cup oatmeal-1 Tbs Protein Powder-1 ½ tsp walnuts-Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon-On the side: ½ cup grapes-½ cup cottage cheese
***1 Block SNACK 10am: 1 cup strawberries- ¼ cup cottage cheese-1 macadamia nut
***3 Block LUNCH 1pm: 2 corn tortilla-3 oz cheese-3 Tbs quacamole-Salsa-1 Orange
***1 Block SNACK 4pm: 1 oz cheese-½ Apple-1 Macadamia nut-Spark by Advocare
***DINNER 7pm: 4.5 oz baked fish-12 steamed asparagus-½ cup beef stew

(I’m not sure where the beef stew/baked fish combo came from?? I honestly found this food log saved on my computer and dated 9/17/2007)

I measured in at 18.6% body fat when I started CrossFit and the Zone Diet. By Halloween I had reached my goal and dropped 3% body fat measuring in at 15.6%.

Since then I have not only read all 10 pages of issue twenty-one of the CrossFit Journal I also own a copy of Entering the Zone by Dr. Barry Spears. I became dedicated to knowing how and why the Zone Diet works for me and my goals.

I am FAR from a perfect eater and I have relaxed significantly on my diet since last October. Some might look at the Zone and think, “where is the pizza? Cup cakes? I want a cheese burger!” My weakness is sweets. I love chocolate and ice cream and one serving is never enough. And then there is girl’s night where we easily make a meal out of cocktails and queso. As ashamed as I am to admit it this weakness keeps me on the goal grabbing yo yo. Today, most of my goals are to improve on my performance, (prescribed FRAN in less than 10 minutes, 20 pulls ups in a row, run 5 miles with no pain) and taming my weakness just may be the step I need to take in order to obtain these kinds of goals. I think this calls for a mental game….Is anyone up for the Challenge?

My challenge; Zone through 2 entire weeks. Starting TODAY! I plan to start logging all my meals for the next 2 weeks. I'll post a few sample days here and there.

Monday 5/5/08
***Breakfast -½ cup Fat free Milk-1 cup frozen strawberries-½ cup frozen blueberries-1 Tbs peanut butter-2 Tbs protein -(Smoothie)
***Snack-1/2 Cup grapes-1 String cheese-1 mac nut
***Lunch-3 oz Tuna-1 Tbs Light mayo-2 Tsp sweet Relish-1 slice wheat bread-1 Apple
***Snack-1 cup chopped tomatoes-5 fresh spinach leaves-1 oz feta cheese-Spark
***5 Fun size candy bars
***Dinner-3 oz Rotisserie chicken-½ cup brown rice-1 cup broccoli-1 cup mix frozen veggies-5 grapes

Tuesday 5/6/08

***Breakfast-2/3 cup oatmeal-1 Tbs Protein Powder-1 ½ tsp walnuts-Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon-On the side:-¼ cup egg beaters-3 asparagus
***Snack-1/2 Cup grapes-1 String cheese-1 mac nut
***5 Starburst
***Lunch-3 oz Tuna-1 Tbs Light mayo-2 Tsp sweet Relish-1 slice wheat bread-1 Apple
***Snack-1 cup chopped tomatoes-5 fresh spinach leaves-1 oz feta cheese
***Dinner – HUGE Spinach Salad-3 oz Baked chichen-1/4 cup black beans-1/4 cup carrots- ¼ cup broccoli- 2 Tbs green salsa-3 Tbs balsamic dressing-10 Cheese its-1 square dark chocolate

Wednesday 5/7/08

***Breakfast-2/3 cup oatmeal-1 Tbs Protein Powder-1 ½ tsp walnuts-Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon-On the side:-¼ cup egg beaters-3 asparagus-bit of Logan’s cinnamon roll
***Snack-1/2 Cup grapes-1 String cheese-1 mac nut
***Lunch – 5 oz low sodium chicken breast, 2 cups steamed broccoli seasoned with lemon pepper
***Snack – Boiled egg- ½ apple-1 mac nut
***Dinner - 4oz fish cooked in olive oil, 1 cup fresh spinach, ½ tomato, ¼ cup fresh squash, 6 sugar snap peas, 2 Tbs balsamic vinaigrette dressing, ½ cup brown rice, 1 square dark chocolate


Thursday 5/8/08

***Breakfast -½ cup Fat free Milk-1 cup frozen strawberries-½ cup frozen blueberries-1 Tbs peanut butter-3 Tbs protein -(Smoothie)
***Snack-1/2 Cup grapes-1 String cheese-1 mac nut
***Lunch – 5 oz low sodium chicken breast-1 large orange
***Snack – Boiled egg- ½ apple