Mastering the Zone: The Next Step in Achieving Superhealth and Permanent Fat Loss

by Barry Sears

Barry Sears's 1995-96 bestseller, The Zone, changed the way many people look at nutrition and weight loss. Although his plan advocates eating fewer calories and exercising more, it also stresses getting more of those calories from fat and protein and fewer from carbohydrates. Here, he expands on that theory (which is still not accepted in most scientific circles) and offers recipes to help readers put his principles into practice.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Food, Diets, Self Help, Nutrition, Personal Development

372 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jesse Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone looking to live healthier without ridiculous rules to follow. Everything is explained thoroughly yet in a language easy enough for anyone to read.
about me: I started eating in the zone and at the age of 22 am finally completely free of epilepsy for the first time in my life. Doctors said I would never be able to quit my medication. I have not taken a pill in months and have no signs of recurrence. I also have lost some fat, gained a little muscle, all acne is gone and I've inspired many people to start eating and living healthier as well. People ask how I lost all the weight and I tell them I didn't lose weight, I found the zone. As for the weight, I didn't lose it because I have no intention of ever going back to look for it. Great book for anyone still living.

[Charlene]

Tremendous information about dietary strategies, Protein Prescriptions and Zone Secrets for Maximum Fat Loss, Powerful Mental and Mental Performance and Supercharged Health.
This is a practical stepbystep guide that will show you how easy it is to get into the 'eating' Zone.
More than 150 New Zone Recipes, Zone Meal Templates and Zone Rules of Thumb.
Description of Your Hormonal Carburetor, Manna From Heaven and Putting It all together.
Basically you will achieve a and maintain stable blood sugar levels and never be hungry between meals.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed this one too, thinking that by the Author released a simpler to understand version. It seemed like a repackaged version of the original. It did seem more understandable than the first book. I couldn't tell if it was simpler due to structure, or my increased exposure.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed important when it was written, but the real key I think is I calculated how many calories I was allowed to eat and it was something like 1500 calories. I imagine any diet at that calorie level would be effective if you could keep it up.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice explanation of the block system and how to tweak it to suit you. Good defense of critics at the end and useful FAQ. Interesting to see a resurgence in popularity of The Zone Diet these days, fueled often by Crossfit circles.

[Salvador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great approach to eating, although I don't think you need to be as OCD about 'blocks' as this book recommends to benefit. Very similar to Paleo. If you're an athlete, you'll probably have to increase your carb intake a little depending on how intense your activity is.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on nutrition and how to balance insulin levels within your body by adjusting your diet. Very easy to understand and ...easy enough to follow.

[Lisa Russell]

I have not mastered it yet.

[Janie Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It was helpful in understanding the basics of using the block prescription.

[Summisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this and applied the knowledge for my recovery from meningitis. This is a must read for anyone wanting to heal or improve their health.

[Tim Grant]

Looking forward to this one...

[Ariadna73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the continuation of The Zone; and it gives you more hints to continue dieting in that wonderful method. I like it; because I really believe in his theory.

[Crissman Loomis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It provides more depth on the material that was covered in the zone first book but it doesn't advance the original arguments that much.

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Also by Sears, this book is similar to The Zone, but focuses more on the 'how' than the 'why' of sticking to the diet.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting hypothesis, one that made me think a little more about food intake, nutrition and dieting.

[Terry Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Works if you stick to it. Boring after a while.