Enter The Zone Lifestyle

So I posted this same post back on June 4th, but it's so good that I needed to re post with updated information. Diet is not a dirty word. It comes from the Greek root meaning "way of life". This is what the Zone Diet is. It's a way of life to help control our eating habits. The Zone Diet gives you the power to turn some genes on and turn other genes off. As a result, you feel your energy soar, watch your waistline shrink, and say goodbye to hunger. In the Zone you are now taking wellness into your own hands. The only diet that can maintain hormonal balance for a lifetime must use the word moderate to describe it. That's what the Zone Diet is. Everything in moderation is the key word here. It's moderate in:
• Low-fat protein (chicken, beef, fish, eggs, and cheese)
• Low glycemic-load carbs(mostly fruits and vegetables)
• Heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (avocados, cashews, and olive oil)
The Zone Diet is about balancing your hormones within a specific range to control hunger on fewer calories while still getting the proper nutrients your body needs for long-term health. The Zone Diet can best be described as a moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, moderate fat diet(1-1-1). Basically 9 grams of carbs, 7 grams of protien, and 1.5 grams of fat all equal 1 block. I would recommend in general that women consume 10-12 blocks a day and men 14-16 blocks a day. Add or subtract blocks depending on how you feel. I have been weighing my food for the last 9 months and have seen a dramatic change in my body and training. I always feel balanced, and have tons of energy. I eat like an elite athlete which is about 20-25 blocks everyday. This requires me to eat at 5 am and then every three hours throughout the whole day until I go to bed. I write down every meal that I eat and what's in it. I usually make Zone meals ahead of time and divide them up so I can reheat a balanced meal in the microwave for lunch. I can only explain so much without having to actually show you what to buy at the grocery store. I buy the Zone cook books and just start trying recipes. Check out the CrossFit Journal #21 and that really helps to break down the zone.(click on link) I just feel like if you are working out, then nutrition should be number one in your life. Spend the time measuring and making all your food and watch the transformation. Food is like a drug and we put it in our bodies 6-8 times a day. Don't you think it's time to start caring that YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT?http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/cfjissue21_May04.pdf