IF+Zone=Hungry

Kellen Love · 02-10-2009, 11:17 PM

I've been combining IF and the Zone, and I have some questions that may you guys can help me with. First off I love IFing, I currently do 18 (or so) hour daily fasts. I am having 3 zone portion meals in my eating window. Because I believe I am insulin resistant, I've cut carbs in half, added 3x fat for every carb cut, and Ive eaten almost completely paleo, except for my protein shake. I do 18 blocks protein, 9 carbs, and 45 fat spread over the three meals. My typical meals look like this:
5pm-6 omega 3 enriched whole eggs
4 cups broccoli
1 cup salsa
42 almonds
8pm-42 g whey protein shake, mixed with water
.5 cup blueberries blended in with protein
2 Tbs flax meal
36 cashews
11pm-9 oz ground beef (or 6 oz of chicken or turkey)
Large salad with strawberries and some dressing
40 or so nuts, either almonds or cashews or something comparable

Here's my dilemma.. I'm fucking starving in an hour after my last meal, and have to fast for 17 more hours after that. I like IFing, I don't want to stop doing it. But I'd like to stay to zone portions, because from what I've heard the zone really works. I don't particularly want to add a ton more carbs or even go to base carbs because I think that'll be hard to do being strictly paleo. The reason I'm so obsessed with zone portions is because I have about 50-70 pounds to lose to hit my target weight. I am disciplined, but the severe hunger sucks because it kicks in so early. Can anyone help me with some ideas of what to do? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Grissim Connery · 02-10-2009, 11:32 PM

are you losing weight, and if so at what rate?

Kellen Love · 02-10-2009, 11:32 PM

OH, and also there's no need to suggest drinking water and or green tea because I drink probably 1.5 to near 2 gallons of water a day and anywhere from 1 to 4 glasses of green tea. Thanks again for your input.

Kellen Love · 02-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grissim Connery

are you losing weight, and if so at what rate?

I'm not sure if I'm losing weight. This is only my third day on it and I haven't weighed myself since the start.

Todd Mccraw · 02-11-2009, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kellen Love

I'm not sure if I'm losing weight. This is only my third day on it and I haven't weighed myself since the start.

If you are a few days in, may I ask what your previous diet looked like?

I know anytime I switch from a higher carb approach to what you are doing now, the hunger seems to subside about a week into it.

Mike ODonnell · 02-11-2009, 07:00 AM

Whenever I did the zone longgggggg ago, I was hungry all day long.....now that I just eat normal meals I'm fine. Might have to drop the zone aspect and just eat more per sitting. It's still about total calories for the day for weight loss....not small amounts every 2 hours. I find grazing just creates more hunger for me....that and what you eat makes a difference....piece of meat is going to be different than a zone bar, so stick to whole foods.

Kellen Love · 02-11-2009, 11:29 AM

[quote=Todd Mccraw;50197]If you are a few days in, may I ask what your previous diet looked like?

My previous diet wasn't great, but it wasn't too bad. For some odd reason I can't really remember it, even though it's only been a few days. I will say that I've done low carb paleo with IF before, and I've never had the intense hunger like this.

Todd Mccraw · 02-12-2009, 03:50 AM

[quote=Kellen Love;50231]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Mccraw

If you are a few days in, may I ask what your previous diet looked like?

My previous diet wasn't great, but it wasn't too bad. For some odd reason I can't really remember it, even though it's only been a few days. I will say that I've done low carb paleo with IF before, and I've never had the intense hunger like this.

I would agree with Mike then. Before you start changing anything, I would stick with the same amount of calories...but in less meals during your window.