The Zone : Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance for Permanent Weight Loss

Rating:
Summary: Gained It All Back
Review: I bought this book back in 1996 and lost 18 pounds the first year, but then gained it all back and then some! It's fine for losing some weight, but IT'S REALLY STINKS when it comes back. I finally did lose my weight, but it was with a book by Gary Rempe. Hope you have better luck than I did with this Zone BS.

Rating:
Summary: Nobel Prize?
Review: In development for nearly twenty years, the 1995 debut of The Zone has caused much ridicule, outrage, confusion, and enlightenment, and in its wake a whole following of similar evolutionary/insulin-moderating diet books. Where these others fail, however, is the Zone's greatest achievement--to be able to control the body's hormonal systems everytime you open your mouth to eat. From limiting red meat and egg yolks to having an occasional bowl of oatmeal, the Zone Diet provides the tools for achieving increased energy, mental sharpness, better athletic performance and optimal health--all without being too restrictive. I've been on this program for a year and a half--lifetime seasonal allergies are a thing of the past, moles are dissolving, wounds/injuries heal twice as fast--truly a life-changing experience. Bottom line--Dr. Sears' research is so right on its scary...

Rating:
Summary: No contradictions--only fantastic results!
Review: Absolutely no contradictions here. Dr. Sears explains quite well why feed-lot red meat and egg yolks are limited on the Zone diet but why our dietary prescription hasn't changed from our hunter-gatherer ancestors (BIG difference between the immobile, grain-fed, hormone/antibiotic treated meat products made available to us and the free-roaming wild game our ancestors ate) In addition, grain and whole-eggs certainly do not appear in most of the recipies, but they can be eaten in moderation. The Zone is not a diet but a life-long hormonal management system, which is why if you play by the rules, then virtually no food is completely off-limits. For any newcomers, please be aware that this book was originally published in 1995--there have been updates--most notably to the food block lists and the minimum number of blocks recommended (11).

Rating:
Summary: The author contradicts himself too much.
Review: Dr. Sears follows the current trend with staying away from most grain products (except oatmeal) which does seem to work for weight loss, yet he rationalizes his opinion on the fact that primitive man was a hunter and not a farmer. Then can he explain how come red meat is so bad for us? (I doubt that cavemen were only hunting "lean" white meat chicken and turkey.) He also recommends NO egg yolks (also sound advice) yet in the Appendix that has his recommended recipes, almost ALL of them contain either grain products or 1 WHOLE egg. Did I miss something here? He might be correct about not "juicing" fruits and vegetables but eating them whole to include the fiber (I still find it hard to believe that carrots are not good for you at all, as he contends) but I have found that sticking with a fish/lean white poultry/fruits and vegetables diet with a little whole wheat (or perhaps oatmeal) goes a long way to giving you a balanced meal and helps keep the weight off and NOT feeling hungry.

Rating:
Summary: You Won't Keep It Off With This Book
Review: I lost weight with this book and got all excited and then gained it all back! Talk about depression and grief. What a let down. Thank god for Gary Rempe's book. I finally did lose it and keep it off with Rempe's book. Don't bother with the Zone and save yourself some grief.

Rating:
Summary: The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently
Review: My husband & I bought the book last year after our Chiropractor recommended it. We both found that Barry Sears' principles made so much sense! We tried it and we liked it! We had so much more energy and never felt better. We were so successful, other family and friends caught on and began a new revolution against the "The Bulge"! After trying other diets & plans, this is the one that makes the most sense.

Rating:
Summary: It worked for me.
Review: I read 'The Zone' and followed what he said. I lost 20 pounds in less than 3 months and have maintained my weight for 1 month. My biggest surprise was the outstanding decrease in my cholesterol/HDL ratio, tested through work. My ratio dropped from 6.24 to 3.2 in 4 months (doctors want it less than 4.0). I eat like he says and exercise like he says, except I do eat ice cream at night frequently. I try to ride a stationary bike every 3 or 4 days. I do not feel I am dieting. I used to have orange juice and bananas for breakfast and was hungry before 11 am. Now I have 10 ounces of 1% milk, 1 oz peanuts, 1 oz cheese and crackers and eat lunch 45 minutes later than I used to. Peanuts remain in the stomach a long time and the fat content satisfies me. Instead of potatoes, I have broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans. I've talked enough. It worked for me. Good luck to you.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I haven't looked the same way at any food since reading this book. I've lost about ten pounds and I can tell that my physique is changing. This book is about eating correctly and the benefits of doing so. This book changed my life!

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Finally a book written by somebody that really knows his stuff. A definate must read for anybody interested in the truth about how their body functions and should be nourished. My hat goes off to you Barry.

Rating:
Summary: Huge highs and lows
Review: I started The Zone in August and didn't have much to lose--about 7 pounds. I lost it within a month and was thrilled. However, if I ever deviated SLIGHTLY from the Zone (i.e. a glass of wine without having protein with it) I would instantly gain five pounds. It was very stressful getting on the scale each morning. My weight has NEVER fluctuated this much.

Also, I have gained back all the weight I lost and have been trying for one month to lose it again (being a PERFECT Zone student) and have had no success. I realize that MANY MANY people have had success on this diet and if you had asked me two months ago I would've given it five stars! But I really think the diet messed up my metabolism. Just a warning!