Zone

Starting a diet structured a little more then loosely on the Zone by Dr. Sears. The basic idea is that I am allotted a certain number of protein, carbohydrate, and fat 'blocks' per day. The amount of blocks is based on estimated activity level and lean body mass (body fat subtracted from real body weight). Zone is more about hormonally balancing insulin and glucagon to achieve top performance then it is about losing weight. Proteins are mostly to be found from lean sources, the majority of carbohydrates from non-starchy, high-fiber fruits and vegetables (allowing for slower absorption times, less insulin production, and a higher volume of food to eat), and fat from monounsaturated sources like olive oil, olives, and some nuts.

Examples:
1 block protein (7grams) :
1ounce chicken
1 ounce beef

1 block carbohydrate (9 grams):
1.5 cups broccoli
1 cucumber

1 block fat (1.5 grams):
3 whole almonds
5 olives
1/3 tsp mayo

The 'rough' calculations for me:
Real body weight: 230 lb
Estimated body fat: (waist inches-wrist inches, then reference to a table) aprox 12%
Lean body mass: 202 lb
Activity level: .8

All this mumbo jumbo added up to a total of 26 blocks per day. This is an enormous amount of food, coupled with Dr. Sears's own advice that meals should never be in excess of five blocks made ingesting this much food a logistical challenge. I decided to try for 20 blocks instead and add to it if I found the need. This allows for three six blocks meals and two one block snacks over the course of a day.

I will be attempting to post both what I eat and how that falls into the Zone format. Some measurements will be approximate because I lack a kitchen scale but I will do my best.
These efforts will be coupled with a renewed energy in the area of Crossfit - a workout strategy with proven success for athletes as well as a proving ground for Zone advocates.