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Atkins vs Zone - zoners' responses
I waffle between atkins and zone principles, and so out of curiosity I posted a question to a zone forum asking why the zone over atkins? Here are the responses given. I wanted some feedback from more veteran atkineers than me....the inflammation thing worries me a bit (I take fish oil to help with that) as well as AA being released in the body?
THANKS SO MUCH!!
The short answer is that the Zone diet is a healthier lifestyle. I have tried both. On the atkins there are less perimeters. Pretty much can eat protein within reason. You dont feel as energized, your body alters I believe in a negative way, though, losing weight is almost always a good thing.
In the Zone, you are eating a balanced meal. You have way more energy that on the Atkins. Another consideration is that Athletes do very well on the zone diet, but, I have heard of no proffesional athletes that follow the atkins system (that does not mean there are not any.
Though the zone is harder to follow and more complicated, you will feel better on it.
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I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Zone so at risk of telling you what you may already know: The Zone is a hormonally balanced diet based on calorie restriction to maximize your health and reduce the adverse effects of aging, while decreasing the occurrence of disease and the negative effects of other external factors, which occur both naturally, and as a result of man-made products.
I will admit that I don't know a lot about the Atkins diet except through a little reading and talking with others but I will say this; Even though Atkins may help reduce weight, if it does not address the body as a whole or how food affects insulin, and other hormones then it will not be a good long term weight loss solution.
About the freedom: The Zone is a no-guilt way of eating. You can choose to eat whatever you want - you're always one meal away from getting back in the zone. Of course, if you stay out of the zone too often, then you won't get the best benefits; clarity of mind, more energy, natural weight loss, stronger immune system to name a few.
I know I have really generalized, but I thought I would see if you have any other specific questions. I'm sure others will speak as well. I recommend reading the Zone book If you haven't already. I also think Dr. Sears talks about the differences between the Zone and Atkins somewhere on this site but I'm not sure.
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that depends on what you mean by atkins. most people think of it as protein gluttony, but i think his latest book had a maintenance plan that was similar to the zone. look at it this way... it isn't rational to eat more protein than your body needs... so why standardize on a diet that allows this? same with carbs and fat. too much isn't good, too little isn't good... the therapeutic zone is just right - and that's my diet.
the reason for picking the zone over atkins is that the zone is designed to maximize human performance, not just to lose a few pounds in a short time. you do get that benefit on the zone, but that isn't the reason for the zone. the two female olympians with the most medals ON THE PLANET EARTH are both zoners. nobody on atkins can make the olympic team, let alone lead the universe in olympic medals. i could go on and on and on and on about the miracles results of the zone... but i won't. i need to go to sleep.
however, note that atkins will lead to excessive protein, excessive arachidonic acid and, therefore, excessive silent inflammation, excessive cortisol production and, most likely, lean muscle mass loss.
atkins protein gluttony portion of his plan is hormonally imbalanced and stresses one's system. after a while, perhaps 6 months, the body turns the fat cells into fat magnets - i'm not sure of the metabolic processes that do this, but that result is typical. also, excess cortisol wears down the body, too. my aunt and uncle started doing atkins a long time ago and they weigh more now than they did when they started. my aunt is also exhibiting signs of dementia. atkins didn't lower her silent inflammation and it is now catching up with her.
the zone is the best diet on the planet - at least that we know of so far. i love my balanced zone diet and wouldn't give it up for something so cheap as an easy for an extra couple weeks. the truth is, the zone is very easy... you just have to learn the principles and apply them for a while. that takes time, but if you want it, nothing will stop you from doing it.
the physical and mental performance improvements are incredible - it is like i exist in another world so good that non zoners can't even comprehend it.
on a side note, my friend just started the zone and entered her office's biggest loser contest. she's in first place and loves her food choices. she isn't hungry and she is satisfied by the wide variety of foods she eats daily. she's grossed out by the atkins follower who eats 5 hamburger patties for lunch. everyone in the office cheats and feels like crap, except my friend. they have all banded together to have an unlimited calorie day after the contest, but my friend isn't the slightest interested in their gluttony. she is satisfied and loves her deprivation free results.
also, another friend ended 5.5 years of chronic back pain and ulcer pain in just one day of zoning (and reducing her silent inflammation). the zone is far more than a weight loss diet. it is a life changing lifestyle and everything changes for the much better.
============
Here are some of Barry Sears' thoughts I found on DrSears.com:
HELP!
THANKS SO MUCH!!
The short answer is that the Zone diet is a healthier lifestyle. I have tried both. On the atkins there are less perimeters. Pretty much can eat protein within reason. You dont feel as energized, your body alters I believe in a negative way, though, losing weight is almost always a good thing.
In the Zone, you are eating a balanced meal. You have way more energy that on the Atkins. Another consideration is that Athletes do very well on the zone diet, but, I have heard of no proffesional athletes that follow the atkins system (that does not mean there are not any.
Though the zone is harder to follow and more complicated, you will feel better on it.
=============
I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Zone so at risk of telling you what you may already know: The Zone is a hormonally balanced diet based on calorie restriction to maximize your health and reduce the adverse effects of aging, while decreasing the occurrence of disease and the negative effects of other external factors, which occur both naturally, and as a result of man-made products.
I will admit that I don't know a lot about the Atkins diet except through a little reading and talking with others but I will say this; Even though Atkins may help reduce weight, if it does not address the body as a whole or how food affects insulin, and other hormones then it will not be a good long term weight loss solution.
About the freedom: The Zone is a no-guilt way of eating. You can choose to eat whatever you want - you're always one meal away from getting back in the zone. Of course, if you stay out of the zone too often, then you won't get the best benefits; clarity of mind, more energy, natural weight loss, stronger immune system to name a few.
I know I have really generalized, but I thought I would see if you have any other specific questions. I'm sure others will speak as well. I recommend reading the Zone book If you haven't already. I also think Dr. Sears talks about the differences between the Zone and Atkins somewhere on this site but I'm not sure.
================
that depends on what you mean by atkins. most people think of it as protein gluttony, but i think his latest book had a maintenance plan that was similar to the zone. look at it this way... it isn't rational to eat more protein than your body needs... so why standardize on a diet that allows this? same with carbs and fat. too much isn't good, too little isn't good... the therapeutic zone is just right - and that's my diet.
the reason for picking the zone over atkins is that the zone is designed to maximize human performance, not just to lose a few pounds in a short time. you do get that benefit on the zone, but that isn't the reason for the zone. the two female olympians with the most medals ON THE PLANET EARTH are both zoners. nobody on atkins can make the olympic team, let alone lead the universe in olympic medals. i could go on and on and on and on about the miracles results of the zone... but i won't. i need to go to sleep.
however, note that atkins will lead to excessive protein, excessive arachidonic acid and, therefore, excessive silent inflammation, excessive cortisol production and, most likely, lean muscle mass loss.
atkins protein gluttony portion of his plan is hormonally imbalanced and stresses one's system. after a while, perhaps 6 months, the body turns the fat cells into fat magnets - i'm not sure of the metabolic processes that do this, but that result is typical. also, excess cortisol wears down the body, too. my aunt and uncle started doing atkins a long time ago and they weigh more now than they did when they started. my aunt is also exhibiting signs of dementia. atkins didn't lower her silent inflammation and it is now catching up with her.
the zone is the best diet on the planet - at least that we know of so far. i love my balanced zone diet and wouldn't give it up for something so cheap as an easy for an extra couple weeks. the truth is, the zone is very easy... you just have to learn the principles and apply them for a while. that takes time, but if you want it, nothing will stop you from doing it.
the physical and mental performance improvements are incredible - it is like i exist in another world so good that non zoners can't even comprehend it.
on a side note, my friend just started the zone and entered her office's biggest loser contest. she's in first place and loves her food choices. she isn't hungry and she is satisfied by the wide variety of foods she eats daily. she's grossed out by the atkins follower who eats 5 hamburger patties for lunch. everyone in the office cheats and feels like crap, except my friend. they have all banded together to have an unlimited calorie day after the contest, but my friend isn't the slightest interested in their gluttony. she is satisfied and loves her deprivation free results.
also, another friend ended 5.5 years of chronic back pain and ulcer pain in just one day of zoning (and reducing her silent inflammation). the zone is far more than a weight loss diet. it is a life changing lifestyle and everything changes for the much better.
============
Here are some of Barry Sears' thoughts I found on DrSears.com:
HELP!
However, I think that it would be better to post specific questions about specific issues, rather than post testimony from individuals who follow the Zone, who are obviously not knowlegable about Atkins.
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