Infinite MonkeysMonkey Robb and I were having an iChat conversation. He wrote:
The problem is, it's an extremely difficult lifestyle change long-term. But I think part of the problem with the "lifestyle change" part is that the "startup" is so easy. You don't really have to commit to something "difficult" ...Robb and I belong to different denominations, though we're both in the same basic meta-faction of one of our nation's most recent divides: no, not gay marraige... it's low-carb vs. low-fat. (Hat tip to the Splendid Table public radio show for the paradigm label.) Yep, Robb's an Atkins man and I'm a Zoner.
No, we weren't swapping recipes. Well, truthfully, we did discuss the fiber content of apples and the wholesome goodness of almonds. But the topic only came up because I asked his opinion on whether I should keep my giddiness over reaching another weight-loss goal off the blog. Robb reminded me that Lileks wrote about being on Atkins a few times, so a Blog Standards & Practices precedent has been set. Of course, I had to rant about how ole' James isn't really on Atkins. Folks just reflexively call anything carb-conscious "Atkins" – you know, in the same way that Kleenex means "tissue" (noun), Google means "search" (verb), or Xerox means "photocopy" (noun & verb). But I won't bore you with the obsessive minutia of why Lileks is most likely, according to his own descriptions of his regimen, straying inadvertantly close to The Zone Diet.
But I will jump up and down like Richard Simmons to shout abou- [sound of needle scratching across record] Okay, I'll calmly inform you that I have hit 40 pounds lost. That's since September. The first 22 pounds was from diet alone – strictly adhering to Dr. Barry Sears' Zone Diet. Right around Christmas I added exercise, swimming just over a mile before work each weekday. I even continued to lose weight over the holidays when I allowed myself a little cheating. The funny part about the exercise was that it skewed the weight loss tabulation, as I have obviously gained some muscle. (I should note that I'm still not in the territory of Monkey James, who has lost around 100 pounds through diet and weight training.)
I started The Zone on the recommendation of the good folks at the Amen Clinic, the brain scan folks I've written about before. Mood stability and general mental wellness were also the real impetus behind my return to the pool for exercise. Providentially, my weird heart trouble (atrial fibrulations) about a year and a half ago gave me the motivation I needed to nix the caffeine (and remember, I was an owner/operator of a specialty coffee cart for a few years – near the top of the supply pyramid). After losing caffeine, about the only indulgent vice I had left was sugar. And I made a staple of it. But what made it possible for me to give up the sugar was the timely advent of Splenda.
I love Splenda. I ought to write poems to Splenda. I may pledge to knock out a goofy three-cord votive song to Splenda this week. I don't have a link for confirmation, but I read on a Zone message board that Dr. Sears had strong suspicions that Splenda doesn't raise one's insulin levels the way that Aspartame (NutraSweet – the blue one) and Saccharine (Sweet-N-Low – the pink one) are known to. Oh, and finer establishments are finally starting to offer the little yellow packets of the sweet substance (Starbucks, for instance). You may be tempted to buy the pourable granules for home use, but take it from me, that's just for baking. Go to Costco and buy the box of 700 packets. Keep some everywhere: car, work, wife's purse, etc.
Splenda has probably made its biggest impact in my new regime through the wonder product that is Diet Rite soda. I know, you're thinking, that's stuff's been around fer ages... Well, they've also been keeping up with the times with a blend of Splenda and Sunett brand sweeteners. Their cola is practically my elixir of life. The raspberry soda is a fine alternative. The orange (tangerine, for those scoring at home) is a bit disappointing, but not to be dismissed. The hard to find white grape is an oasis. I hope that they find huge succes with this line up, so as to ensure market survival, securing me continued access, and possibly even an expansion of available flavors.
Before I go any further about my personal adaptations to The Zone, I should point out the books that lay the whole thing out. No, you don't need more than one. For the whole story, including how and why it works, how it was developed, and who Dr. Sears is... see a later edition of his book Enter The Zone. A summary of the plan and a good blueprint for getting started can be found in the small paperback, A Week In The Zone. I found the combination of these two books to be helpful.
For a simpler, cut-to-the-chase book, I recommend 40-30-30 Fat Burning Nutrition. Sears' book made no sense to my mom, but this one did the trick for her.
The other product that has made a huge impact on the convenience factor, for a diet that is notoriously (if somewhat undeservedly) known as complicated, is the ZonePerfect nutrition bar. Best uses: A) half of one 30 minutes before I exercise, the other half immediately after, and B) a chocolatey one as a late night snack to keep my insulin level "zoned" throughout the majority of my sleep. I have been known to horde them when they go on sale. That, and they're the only product I will willingly go to WalMart for. Cosco or Sam's Club only have two mediocre flavors, so the saving there is a real trade off.
More personal tips below.*
These days I'm allowing myself the occassional In-N-Out Double Double. And I enjoy a few cookies here and there, or a piece of pie. But if I can, I'll sneak a slice of turkey, or a few almods to balance it a bit. It's obviously too soon to say it with any authority, but I feel like the foundational tenets of the 40-30-30 thing, and what I've learned about how, when, and what to eat have already just become a part of who I am. It really feels like a lifestyle change that I can continue with. We'll see.
As for the exercise thing, I'm ramping it up a bit. I've discovered the site for US Masters Swimming, and I'm planning to work more interval training into my routine. Annnnnd I'm getting the urge to compete again. Right now I'm shooting for pulling the swimming end of a team triathalon on May 23rd. My runner has fallen through, but I've got my cyclist friend lined up. I haven't done an open water swim in maybe 20 years, and never as a race. If this one comes off, I'll certainly have to blog it.
*Tips cont'd
Turkey. Not just a good lean meat. Everyone's heard of how it contains trypotophan. Well, that stuff doesn't just make you sleepy, it's the building block (precursor) of serotonin. Good to know if your system doesn't make much or loses it through re-uptake abnormally fast. Treat yourself: get your turkey from the deli counter. (I can't believe I lived this long without knowing that they'll cut you a slice of anything in the case to let you taste it free. It's like Baskin-Robbins!)
Like Monkey James, a love that beef jerky. Right now I'm partial to Oberto's original.
I should mention Trader Joe's store brand protein powders, and the Designer Whey vanilla. I mistakenly bought the unflavored once and tried to make due. Horrible mistake. I use the stuff in morning fruit smoothies (take that, Atkins folks).
Trader Joe's also has a nearly powdered, dry, crushed almond meal that works well in smoothies. I thnk it's called "Just Almonds" or somesuch no-brainer.
Aunt Hattie's Low Carb bread fades in and out of status as a staple, but it's nothing to sing about.
Pizza rule: Order thinnest crust, lean meat topping (maybe two, like chicken and ham) plus a veggie or two. Then for each piece eaten, eat only the topping off the next piece.
Taco Bell: Chicken Soft Tacos add up well. Two should do for most folks. I'm 6' 5" and active so I get more. Sometimes I replace one with a Grilled Steak Soft Taco.
Jack In The Box: Haven't really run the numbers, but I've had lots of success with their Chicken Fajita Pita. New salads are good too. (There's even a palatable salad with grilled chicken at McDonald's now.)
I'm told the Wendy's chili makes for decent stats, especially with a side salad or two.
Drinks: Ice water with lemon. Add a Splenda packet or two. If you have a few lemon wedges it's practically lemonade. Other than that, avoid caffeine. It breaks down into substances that mess up your insulin level, thus taking you out of the zone.
Avoid deli meats made with organ meats. Yeah, I never really wanted to think about it either. But those odd bits that make up most deli meats contain substances that keep you out of the zone too. Sorry pepperoni. I still have a little in moderation. The more I think about the "organ" part, the easier it is to avoid.
PSA: I hesitated to add these tips to my post. I wouldn't want anyone to think that the info included here is enough to get one "into the zone." It's not. Read the book(s). Consult your doctor. Lastly, I should add that I wouldn't do the real Atkins if you paid me. Nope. Read one of Sears' Zone books to find out why.
Posted by Brad at March 24, 2004 07:03 AM | TrackBack