Angela N Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Hi all, I'm Angela, I'm a 30yo, 5'7", 150lb female. I've been struggling (and, recently, recovering) from adrenal fatigue for the past 2 or 3 years. I've been doing my best to be paleo/primal since late 2009 but due to the total lack of energy from adrenal fatigue, over the past couple years, that's been downgraded to just plain gluten-free. This spring, for the first time in ages, I now have enough energy to go to work, come home, exercise my high-energy young dog, cook a meal, and probably even clean up after said cooking! To say this is a big deal is an understatement. Unfortunately, over the past 2.5 years, I've put on 20 or 25 pounds (I don't weigh myself regularly, so I have no idea what I weighed when I was diagnosed with AF). At 150lbs, all I know is that NONE of my work clothes fit, and I won't be caught dead in a bikini until something changes. I've tried to do a Whole 30 before--numerous times. Last summer, I made it to day 7 before I overdid it and failed to factor in how much energy I needed to reserve to make myself food--and ended up eating out, which I thought was off-roading, and so gave up. I am starting today, with lunch, as I finished off the last of the cream in my coffee this morning. I am completely giving up coffee for the next 30 days because, even though I only drink 1/2 of a cup of real coffee per day (and another cup of swiss water decaf), I think I am far too attached to it. I know it doesn't help the adrenal issues, so why keep it? The biggest challenges for me over the next 30 days are probably going to be: 1) Coffee!!! 2) Alcohol. It's summer, a good friend (who loves to go out) just moved to town, and I loooooooove my wine and cider. 3) Dairy. Mmmm cheese. 4) Planning... I suck at meal planning. I really, really do. Why am I doing a Whole 30? 1) To be healthy--which means fit and energetic! After struggling with AF for so long, I want to get back to the 'me' of before: super fit, energetic, someone who loved weight lifting and biking and thought nothing of going for a day-long brutal cross-country bike ride. 2) Honestly--to lose weight. I have always sworn that I would never be this heavy. I don't feel sexy, it adds to the social anxiety I already have, and I want to fit into all the nice work clothes I already own!! 3) To get back on track. I need to learn how to plan meals and cook for myself I'll post measurements later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted June 11, 2013 Author Share Posted June 11, 2013 Measurements... sigh. These were more depressing than I thought they would be. Bust 39" Waist 36" (measured 2" below navel) Hips 40" Thighs: Left 24, Right 23 (Why such a difference??) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Welcome & good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share Posted June 12, 2013 Thanks for the welcome, Derval! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted June 14, 2013 Author Share Posted June 14, 2013 Well, a computer crash last night ate my food log for yesterday, and I am in the "KILL EVERYTHING" stage and don't feel like retyping it. I'll summarize: it was f&*(ing CLEAN and WHOLE30 COMPLIANT!! Today so far: I slept in until 9:30. Multiple alarm clock failure. Whoops. Didn't get breakfast--had to get to work, where more computer issues took up my morning. Lunch: fried ground beef with salt, pepper, and chipotle powder on butter lettuce leaves with 1/2 avocado, 1/2 tomato diced up. Ate until I was slightly stuffed, since I won't be eating dinner until late-ish. Snack: Coconut cream Larabar. I am craving a coffee with cream, a few pints of Strongbow cider, and a giant gluten-free burger from my favorite restaurant... but I will resist. Going to finish work and then go enjoy some sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Still on track. I have never been good at weighing, measuring, or logging my food--which is one of the reasons paleo/primal appealed to me I've got a calendar that I'm marking off the days on, using a big red sharpie. I feel so good about the 6 checkmarks on there so far--especially Saturday, when I went out with friends to a pub, and consumed nothing but 2 bottles of sparkling mineral water. It helps to have great friends who don't even question WHY I'm not drinking. I definitely went through a couple days of "kill all the things" but today I'm into the "I wanna NAP!!!" stage for sure. I can barely keep my eyes open to type this. Will likely give in shortly and take a 30 minute lay-down. I didn't sleep well last night for various (non-food) reasons, so that's probably part of it. I think my skin is clearer and I *feel* skinnier... I can now fit semi-comfortably into a pair of shorts that were REALLY tight before, so I'm guessing some bloat/inflammation is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted June 22, 2013 Author Share Posted June 22, 2013 Still chugging along. I have been incredibly tired the last three days, as well as moody and weepy. I thought it was (TMI alert...) PMS, but I haven't gotten my period yet (usually I get 48 hours of PMS right before it starts). Not sure what's going on. I took two 1-hour naps on Thrusday and a nap yesterday at lunch, as well as sleeping 10 hours on Wednesday night and at least 8 on Thursday night. Yesterday I tried eating more--Fitday said the total was upwards of 2800 calories--but I woke up feeling lethargic and WEAK. I'm guessing my body is still trying to switch to burning fat rather than sugar, but HURRY UP ALREADY! Taking it easy today because I have an all-day commitment tomorrow and I don't want to crash and burn this week (still dealing with rationing energy levels due to adrenal issues). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela N Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Today is the last day of my Whole30. I measured myself this morning, and I am flat-out ASTOUNDED. I was strict with the no weighing/measuring during the last 30 days, just kinda went by how my clothing was fitting. I figured I'd lost *some*, because I could fit into a pair of dress pants that were well-nigh impossible a month ago, along with a pair of my mountain biking shorts that I wore "only in a pinch" because they were so uncomfortably tight. Both pairs were comfortable yesterday. So, without further verbosity:June 11/2013: Bust 39" Waist (2" below navel) 36" Hips 40" Thighs (l/r) 24"/23" July 10, 2013: Bust 36" (-3") Waist (2" below navel) 33" (-3") Hips 38.5" (-1.5") Thighs (l/r) 23"/22.5" (-1/-0.5") I SO HAPPY WITH THESE PHYSICAL CHANGES!!! But, it gets even better... I have figured out that coconut flour REALLY does not agree with me (horrible bloating, burping, "basketball in the tummy" syndrome, dizziness, muscle weakness, shortness of breath) Large quantities of almond butter, although tasty, also leave me bloated and nauseous I don't *need* sugar to get through the day I do need protein at every meal Going very low carb makes me depressed, moody, irritable and apathetic I now know when I am actually full, and stop eating My short term memory is better--I can remember more than 1 thing at a time (up to three now) I do not go into a "food coma" after a big meal; I'm comfortably full and satisfied but functional And best of all the non-physical changes, I am now confident I can make changes in my life and see them through. This is a dramatic break from old habits. My boyfriend and I are going out for our anniversary tonight and we are planning on having steaks at home, followed by (good) tequila and creme brulee at one of our favourite high-end restaurants in town. Tomorrow morning I will get up and start my second Whole 30, basically back-to-back. This journey ain't over yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amberino21 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 congratulations!! what a great outcome - particularly like the list of things you've learnt about you hope you enjoyed the celebratory dinner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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