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Zoning for Two
Posted on April 1st, 2009 8 commentsWhat kind of effect does your partner have on your diet? Is it good? Is it bad? Do you make crappy eating habits a couple’s affair or do you make excuses in your nutrition because it’s easier if you both eat less thank optimally?
I’ve been “Zoning” since December 2008, I slipped into it gradually, which I think is the best approach even if you are already eating well. I did have the added benefit of removing as much sugar from my diet as I could earlier in the year. “Getting off the crack” as some refer to it is difficult at the best of times, doing it while zoning has proven almost impossible for some and results in some negative (perceived) side effects.
I read Enter The Zone first, asked some questions, did a little research and then decided to try this “diet”. By the way, at my Level 1 Certification Pat Sherwood made a point that I agree with. The Zone is a stupid name… sorry it just sucks, it sounds like a late night infomercial. Moving on.
Since starting I’ve played around with the various aspects. I’ve weighed and measure, which I may add is easy and anyone who states the contrary needs to review how much work is really involved. I’ve added additional Blocks, I subtracted some of those. I’ve added additional Fat Blocks and the did that again this past weekend. As of today I’m now at 16 Blocks with 3X Fat. Here’s table to give visual of how it looks P= Protein, C = Carbohydrate, F = Fat. 1 P = 7 g of protein, 1 C = 9 g of carbs and 1F = 3 grams of Fat:
Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner Snack 4 P 4 P 2 P 4 P 2 P 4 C 4 C 2 C 4 C 2 C 12 F 12 F 6 F 12 F 6 F As I mentioned I slipped into it, this was easy for a while as I wasn’t going too strict. Once I did go strict and weighed and measure I still did not have much trouble as I was mostly eating alone. Amber and I were on separate schedules temporarily so I was left to my own devices. This helped as I was able to do lots of experimenting on my own (I’m a scientist at heart), this experimenting only effected me so I was fine to tinker as much as I could. The results were great, I started seeing the difference at CrossFit after a few weeks of weighing and measuring and doubling my Fat Blocks.
Others noticed too and started asking what I was doing differently, I replied with “Zoning”. In reality part of it was Zoning but I also increased the number of days I trained each week. I went from four days a week to five in January.
In my discussions with my fellow CrossFitters about The Zone and whether they were following it or not the common response amongst them was “I can’t because my girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband isn’t on it and it’s too hard for both of us to eat that way” or one of my favourites “my girlfriend doesn’t believe in that shit”.
I saw a pattern, as well I started wondering how my relationship and my new found tool to keep up with the fire breathers at our affiliate would work out. I could only operate on the single guy meal system for so long, breakfast wasn’t a problem (Amber rarely ate breakfast) and I mostly packed a lunch in a small cooler bag. The big issue was dinner, since Amber and I have been dating much of our time together had been spent cooking food, we always enjoyed putting together meals and sitting down to enjoy them together.
I’m a lucky man. Amber did have some reservations and she really likes her sweets but she was on board with giving it a try. I spent some time explaining it to her, and broke up her blocks for her in an easy to follow table. I started her on 11 Blocks for the day, 3 Block meals, and two 1 Block snacks. Here’s her table:
Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner Snack 3 P 3 P 1 P 3 P 1 P 3 C 3 C 1 C 3 C 1 C 3 F 3 F 1 F 3 F 1 F Amber is not Zoning hard but she is seeing results and getting fantastic at either putting together well Zoned meals from recipes or coming up with new meals from scratch. You see, Amber can be a scientist and experiment too. Her passion is the food itself, putting it together and making sure there’s lot of flavour as oppose to my “It’s just fuel, I can eat it even if it doesn’t taste that good” approach.
Amber chose to use a mixture of frozen and fresh veggies for one of our meals. Wrapping in tin foil and baking the mixture in the oven makes the frozen veggies taste better.
We’ve got balance, she prevents me from eating the same thing every day and I’m getting her to approach food from a different point of view.
Proof that you can “Zone for Two”. You just need some patience… and don’t forget to do your research.
Amber made this meal* from "stuff" that was in the fridge, freezer or cuboards. It's 5 Blocks of Protein (the chicken is covered by the salsa) and Carbs. We ate some almond butter for our Fat Blocks. Since I'm at 3X Fat I got some of my fat from additional sources.
*Note: We usually shy away from foods that have a higher glycemic load such as corn and carrots but we did have them left over so we didn’t want to waste them either.
8 responses to “Zoning for Two”
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Your photos remind me of an asian food court option
And Amber’s a cheater – she’s been sneaking lattes at work when you’re not paying attention…
Congrats on the cool blog!
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Thanks Sarah!
Amber does like her treats but she’s coming around. Also she got mad at me for those photos, she’s made much better food in the past but again the point was that it’s easy to zone a meal.
Great work in the workout today by the way. Did you PR?
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dixon May 11th, 2009 at 13:09
I have a similar issue at home. My significant other really does not see eye to eye with me on the food as fuel mentality I have developed. It doesn't do anything to help the CrossFit as cult perception either. If you can actually find balance, you let me know.
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Dixon, give this a try.
Offer to cook a meal and zone it! Just don't let her know it's zoned until afterward and you can discuss it further from there. The problem with “diets” is that everything thinks of the last crazy one that was in the news/media.
I suggest trying something new but simple and have this to offer:
Beef, Broccoli and Apple Stir Fry:
-Cut up some lean beef (8 oz = 8 Blocks for two 4 Block portions) in stir fry strips and marinate in red cooking wine (or regular) and low sodium soya sauce. Add some ground ginger, teaspoon is fine. Do this the night before to speed up the cooking time the next day.-Slice up two green apples (4 Blocks of Carbs)
-Cut up 4 cups of broccoli (4 Blocks of Carbs)
-Green Onions ½ cup (for flavour)Fry up the beef marinade while cooking up the broccoli in a separate pan. Be sure to use olive oil (Fat Blocks!). Once the broccoli is almost cooked add the apple slice and green onions, these cook quickly so 2 mins will do. Add the beef marinade in and you are ready to go. Note this produces two 4 Blocks meals.
You can also add some almonds or other nuts to the stir fry once it’s on your plate or simply add it on the side.
The whole point here is to show that zoning is not some crazy diet it can be simple and easy! No one will think you are crazy for eating that meal.
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