Not that I'll need to know this any time soon, but I am curious about how maintenance works with the Zone. Once you have achieved your goal weight, how do you maintain it? Do you increase your blocks?

Hello Peg,
If you double your fat blocks, this will help put the brakes on weight loss. Some people find they need to triple their fat blocks to maintain at their current weight. You do not need to add any additional proteins or carbohydrates.
How has it been going?

I have been very off schedule the past couple of weeks. The meals go well during the week, but weekends are awful! I have been refinishing my kitchen cabinets, so not only is it hectic and meals get off schedule . It's tough to eat on schedule when the entire contents of your kitchen cabinets is scattered all over the house in boxes -- yesterday I spent 30 mins. just tracking down a can opener to open a can of soup!. Also, my exercise routine is at a standstill. My hips hurt so badly (probably from all of the stooping for hours on end), and my hands are so swollen and sore that I cannot even close the right one (from using a putty knife and sander for hours at a time). So, between the hips preventing cardio (walking and sitting both hurt, so no treadmill, exercise bike or Tae Bo kicks); and my hands could not begin to hold weights for resistance training. I have one more weekend to go, then the cabients will be done! After that, I can get back on schedule. Hopefully, my poor body will be healed enough to get back into my exercise routine by December 2 -- that's my target date for getting back on schedule.

Yes, sometimes life happens! Do the best you can with what you've got. Do not become the least bit discouraged and start thinking you blew it! Everytime you eat, try to balance 40/30/30 even if they are not always the most favorable choices. Remember: You are only one meal away from being in the Zone. Many people are very successful following the woe 75% of the time.