The Zone Blog Series: Part 5 – Secrets From Successful Zoners!
taken from an article by Dave Schreck on www.zonediet.com
You may ask yourself, now that I’m on the Zone Diet, how can I motivate myself to stay on it? Here are some tips from tried-and-true Zoners:
They know how to get motivated – “I know many diabetic people, and the bottom line is I don’t want to be one of them! The thought of monitoring my blood and using needles and insulin to control it on a day-to-day basis is NOT something I wanted to do. Surprise! Instant motivation!” Find out what motivates you, perhaps your family and loved ones. Is it the fear of a chronic disease, or becoming overweight?
All the support they needed was online at www.zonediet.com.
You can’t fail on the Zone. “If I eat too much for one meal or if I have something that is not on my plan like during the holidays or at a party, I don’t punish myself by skipping the next meal or cutting it in half. I eat the next meal as scheduled to get my blood sugar back in line and my energy back.”
They realize the importance of controlling blood sugar; not too high and not too low. “I eat five to six meals a day – roughly every three hours. If more than five hours pass, then I notice a huge mood swing, and I desperately want to over eat and still want more. By eating every three hours, things run very smoothly. That’s why I keep Zone bars in my car and in my purse.” They don’t skip meals!
They do some form of daily exercise. “I made a commitment to work out and now exercise is as normal as waking up in the morning. I no longer dread it but rather look forward to it, especially if I’ve been working hard night and day. It’s an excellent stress release.”
Successful Zoners know that the Zone is a lifestyle not a diet that you stop once you reach your goal. They experience permanent weight loss, a dramatic reduction in the risk of chronic diseases, improved mental and physical performance and a longer life.
Success is more than counting calories. They understand that a “calorie is not a calorie.” It’s the hormonal consequences of insulin stimulated by too many carbohydrates. Remember: it’s elevated insulin that makes you fat and keeps you fat!!!
They avoid temptation. Instead of stocking their shelves with cookies, pasta, breads, chips, rice and noodles, they purchase foods recommended Zone foods.
They practice portion control. Unfortunately, it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to receive the signals of satiety. You can do a lot of damage in just 20 minutes. Learn to stop eating before you have the feeling of being uncomfortably full. Consume a Zone meal and then pay attention as to how you feel for the next four hours. If you are mentally alert, have no cravings and have physical energy, your last meal was a hormonal winner!
There you go – You don’t have to be a Zone angel to see results! Being motivated and committed to following the Zone 85 percent of the time will yield results that will impress you, your loved ones and your physician.
Welcome to the Zone!
Today’s Workout:
“Buy In” – Thrusters technique
WOD – Filthy Fifty
For time:
50 Box jump, 24 inch box
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings, 1 pood
Walking Lunge, 50 steps
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, 45 pounds
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
50 Burpees
50 Double unders
“Cash Out” – Partner stretching
