Ready to quit - help!

[letitbeatles9]

I'm on Day 8 and posting because my fear of quitting now outweighs to fear of looking like a whiner.

 

This has been been a tough endeavor throughout, but it seems I've really hit a bad slump today. I'm afraid just pushing through isn't going to solve the problem. I've pushed through a few times already and it just comes back stronger.

 

I am doing the Whole30 for folks with autoimmune diseases, which means a stricter plan with no eggs, ghee, nuts, seeds, nightshade veggies (tomato, eggplant, etc), or spices made from peppers (paprika, cayenne, chili powder, etc.).

 

I'm also self-limiting by the fact that I don't eat beef or pork.

 

I feel mostly okay saying no to things I can't have (at least I think). What has me in a super funk is that I am so SICK of what I'm eating I could scream. The thought of eating chicken, ground turkey, avacado, or steamed veggies (I've been getting frozen cause I'm on a budget) like broccoli (ugh), cauliflower, peas and carrots makes me almost gag. I also would love it if I never had to see coconut oil again and I'm ready for a break from anything I can taste olive oil in.

 

When I think about other stuff I could make on the diet, like steamed fish or salad with homemade compliant dressing, it doesn't sound any better.

 

I feel like I'd just rather not eat. I'm so desperate, but trying hard not to throw in the towel. 

 

I know it's not what you're supposed to do on the plan, but tonight I just had a bunch of white grapes for dinner cause I couldn't bring myself to eat anything else.

 

I don't know if this is just the pleasure centers of my brain throwing a temper tantrum or what.

 

Any advice is welcome. I'm totally desperate.

[hojo]

Do you get the daily emails??  They are super helpful to keep you motivated and also they really hit the nail on the head for each day....Day 8 and under can be particularly hard.

Also, why are you doing Whole30?  What do you need to get from it?  Can you remember your motivation for starting?  Often just that reason can be enough to keep going.

Sometimes it is very helpful for me to visualize the quitting.....visualize eating all those things that I really think I want....and then visualize it all the way through....how I feel after, how my gut feels, do I have a headache, do I feel emotionally down....etc.....and often that stops me because whole food so often makes me feel better and not so whole food makes me feel crappy, yell at my kids and husband and just feel down.   What is your reason?

 

I'm so sorry you are struggling....know that many have these same struggles and push through and are so glad they did.  Is there some other way you can reward yourself?  Also, If I ate steamed veggies every day I would scream too.....research the internet....there are awesome ways to make veggies!!  Roast them for an hour with OO and spices...yum!  Chop them up really small and do a fun salad....experiment helps with the boredom......You can do it!!

[malie]

I went through a similar funk around the same stage, and I had to step it up in the meal planning department to find things that excited my taste buds.

 

Also... no peas! Unless they are sugar snap peas or snow peas.

[notacommittee]

I don't know if this is just the pleasure centers of my brain throwing a temper tantrum or what.

 

Maybe it is and maybe it's not, but I think to a certain extent it's natural to want food that tastes good and isn't monotonous, and the point of the W30 isn't to be utterly miserable for a month and then go back to "normal" food with a sigh of relief! It's not unreasonable to want to enjoy your meals and in fact it's necessary if you're going to keep your healthy diet up in the long term. Don't feel bad about wanting that.

 

-Why are you doing the autoimmune plan and is it possible that at the end of the month you'll be able to introduce some of these other foods? Or are you pretty sure that you'll have to be on the autoimmune version for a while?

 

-What about exploring your other seafood options besides fish? Shrimp? Mussels? Oysters? VERY nutritious and a totally different eating experience from chicken/turkey.

 

-Could you look around your produce section for fresh veggies you can afford? In my area for example, frozen veg is around $1/bag at the cheapest, while I can get a big bunch of turnip greens for $0.79, thus actually saving money on the fresh. Similarly, mustard greens are also $0.79 and collards are $0.99.

 

-Have you tried herb-infused olive oil for a different taste? You can make your own if you can't afford to buy it...Or have you tried refined coconut oil (which doesn't taste at all of coconut; it basically tastes like nothing at all)? I'd get sick of coconut too if I ate the coconut-tasting oil every day!

 

-What about bone broth? Do you know how to make it? Super nutritious and a little different from meat. It isn't a replacement for animal protein but the protein in bone broth (gelatin) helps "stretch" other forms of protein so you won't have to eat as much meat.

 

-What about sweet potatoes? Those are super cheap and add some variety in. I think a big sweet potato with a bowl of bone broth might be a better dinner than a bunch of grapes if it came down to it.

 

-Have you tried other parts of the birds? For example, for me eating chicken necks and backs is a totally different taste/texture experience than chicken breast (I cook the necks/backs in the crock-pot for around 24 hours to make bone broth, and the bones get so soft and crunchy I can just eat them like the bones in canned sardines or salmon). Chicken livers - again, totally different.

 

-I'll assume you've tried experimenting with different spices, herbs, etc. that you can have. Maybe some citrus flavors if you haven't done that lately?

[letitbeatles9]

Okay, so I've been eating frozen veggies from a package that says "sweet peas and carrots." I thought these were the right kind of peas cause they say "sweet." I'm not really a veggie aficionado. I've been eating these peas for days. Does this make me have to start over or add days?

 

Thank you guys so much for all the other comments and helpful suggestions!  I am going to respond to those in a bit. I want to get this pea issue sorted out first.  

 

Thanks!!! 

[notacommittee]

Okay, so I've been eating frozen veggies from a package that says "sweet peas and carrots." I thought these were the right kind of peas cause they say "sweet." I'm not really a veggie aficionado. I've been eating these peas for days. Does this make me have to start over or add days?

 

What do the peas look like? Are they still in the pod (like this: http://good-wallpapers.com/wall.php?category=food&id=3089&width=1920&ratio=1.6 ) or are they loose (like this: http://www.onceuponachef.com/images/various/6a0115721bb963970b014e87f61e5b970d-pi.jpg)

 

I think the rule is that if they're still in the pod like the first picture, it's fine because what you're eating is mostly pod/vegetable and only a very little bit of actual legume; if they're loose, they're noncompliant. See also here: http://forum.whole9life.com/topic/8780-green-peas/

[Renee Lee]

The shelled peas are out, but you don't have to start over. Just adjust. Moderator Tom ate white potatoes the first couple of weeks on his first W30 until he realized they were forbidden. He pulled them out afterwards and he did fine! 

 

Breathe, lady.

 

Also, can I ask why you're limiting the proteins, and why you're on the AI protocols? I worry that you're over-excluding...

[Colleen Roy]

Of course you are bored and feeling frustrated! Why not make it a goal to try something new everyday? There are SO many amazing and easy recipes out there! Just because you are doing the AI protocol doesn't mean you have to be bored to tears! I found that I actually enjoyed cooking and creating new dishes even more when I did my first whole30. Food tasted better and I looked at it as a challenge to NOT eat the same thing every day!

Day 8 can be tough, even tougher if you are limiting yourself so much. There must be a way for you to incorporate at least one meal with fresh produce as the centerpiece. And you said the "thought of other proteins like fish or salads with homemade compliant dressings" didn't make you feel better. Quit "thinking" and start "doing"! No way to know whether or not this will improve your mood or not unless you try it!

Sorry if this sounds preachy or condescending....you know yourself better than anyone here. I hope that by asking for help and suggestions that someone has been able to give you what you need to be successful! Good luck!

[letitbeatles9]

Hey guys,

First I want to thank you so much for your suggestions and support!

 

I did end up caving this morning, but this is NOT the end by any means. I think any time we "fail" at something, we learn lessons about how to do it better next time and increase our chances of success. I am planning to take a few days to regroup, think hard about what lessons I've learned, and reformulate a plan to try again. I am NOT going to let myself see this as a gateway back into my old eating habits or let myself go on a sugar binge fest.

 

The short answer for why I'm doing this is to be healthier. I want to sleep better and have more energy. I also really want to regulate my psychological and hormonal responses to food to get out of a pattern of overeating foods with no breaks. I've been overweight for several years, have decreased my weight some (about 40 pounds, with about 50 or a little more to go), but want to reduce it more for my health. I'm only 30 so I'm not having a lot of complications because of my weight, but I want to tackle it now BEFORE I get any of those complications. Autoimmune diseases run heavily in my family. I know diabetes is a risk for me. My mother also has debilitating psoriatic arthritis, though her symptoms are doubtless exacerbated by her alcoholism.  I really want to stop silent inflammation in my body that could lead to those kinds of health problems, so that's another reason for a different way of eating and reducing my weight. Additionally, I mentioned my mother's alcoholism and while it seems I got super lucky and did not inherit alcoholic gene (I have a naturally low tolerance, never have trouble turning it down, and drink only every few months or so), my relationship with food feels much less healthy. My dealings with sweets feel compulsive and like an addiction.

 

I still want to keep my eye on that prize and you're right, hojo, remembering that will help me both work through this setback and be successful at my next Whole30 attempt.

 

So my biggest lesson from this is that eating the same foods I'm not really excited about will derail me. I know I need to plan next time, have some different kinds of recipes and different ingredients on hand to make them. I think during my regroup I will go ahead and try some different recipes and cooking techniques so I'll be more prepared to overcome this problem.

 

Notacommittee, you are so right. This isn't about eating healthy for 30 days and then going back to old habits. It's about changing habits in a sustainable way!

 

Renee Lee, you're also right!  I do just need to breath some and not be too much of a perfectionist!  

 

I am on the AI protocol because of the reasons I listed above about wanting to reduce inflammation and decrease my chance of developing autoimmune diseases. I already have hypothyroidism and while it's never been confirmed as Hashimoto's, I think there's a really good chance of that given my family's heavy history of autoimmune diseases. I also have plantar fasciitis, which I bet is from inflammation and a propensity for autoimmune diseases. 

 

I've had a few folks suggest trying the regular Whole30 first without the AI protocol. I'm considering that.

 

Also, I gave up beef and pork years ago because I wanted to eat less animal meat. I'm a big animal lover and I am really uncomfortable with the way animals are treated in big factory farming. I knew giving up all meat at once would be too hard, so I started with beef and pork. I usually just eat poultry occasionally and I eat a decent amount of seafood.  I know that small-scale and organic farms raise animals in much better conditions and I often source my meat and seafood from a local co-op or Earth Fare in order to get healthier, antibiotic free cuts. Right now, I still can't wrap my mind around eating even humanely raised beef and pork. I still feel sorry for them. This could change, but it will really take some time to change.  I haven't eaten either since 2005 (it was my new year's resolution).  I think part of the trouble I've been having on my Whole30 is the sudden influx of meat in my diet. I'm not used to eating it and I don't really love meat.

 

I used to really enjoy beef and pork, so I should look at that and remember that I do have enough willpower to do this if I plan a little better.

 

Thanks again everyone for all the kind words and encouragement!!!  

[letitbeatles9]

Colleen Roy, thank you for your comments!  You didn't sound too preachy because I asked for help and I need it!  I do have a big problem with overthinking things, so that is definitely something to be mindful of.  I'm going to dive in and try some different kinds of recipes now and then get myself back on track!

[notacommittee]

letitbeatles9,

 

-You have an AWESOME attitude and that more than anything tells me that you are going to have long-term success with this. I am so impressed at your long-term planning, your sense of responsibility for your own health, your cheerfullness, your willingness to bounce back and try again.

 

-I think by far the best thing would be to do a non-AI W30 first. Think of it this way: processed food is worse for any autoimmune issues than any of the AIP-forbidden Paleo foods. So a regular W30 is already a HUGE improvement and a huge achievement...and you don't even have an autoimmune disease, you just know they run in your family. So I really don't see any compelling reason why you should restrict yourself so harshly at first. If you want, you could always try an AIP-W30 once you've settled into better eating habits in general.

 

-I appreciate that it's really hard for you to start eating meat that you feel bad about. Is there a farmers market or a local farm where you can go meet the farmer and the animals? Most small farmers are thrilled to take people around the farm and show off how happy and healthy their cows/pigs/whatever are. That might help reassure you that they're being treated really well and there's no cruelty issue at all.

 

I really think that you'll have a lot more success if you start a little less restricted, bearing in mind that you can always "ease into" an autoimmune protocol if the out-of-the-box W30 isn't meeting your goals.

[Renee Lee]

Hrm...

 

So if you're not quite ready to embrace the beef and pork eating (i totally hear you on your reasons, and completely respect it), I think you should stick with the regular W30 and not embark on the AI protocol. AIP is extremely restrictive already, and if you also cut out a few big chunks of animal protein, you have to be okay with eating the same few meals all the time, or be okay with the extra effort and creativity it will require to NOT do that. It's a lot. It sounds like from your first post that you aren't that type of person. Personally, I could eat the same few meals every day for at least a month before I got bored, but not everybody's wired that way.

 

Even with your family history (and your suspicions about the roots of your hypothyroiditis), I think that your first run through is going to be a lot easier on you mentally/emotionally without the added restrictions. The basic Whole30 is anti-inflammatory in nature on its own, and I think the marginal benefits you might get from the AIP (without a confirmed AI diagnosis), aren't going to be worth the food angst for you in your first month.

 

I think it's definitely something to tinker with afterwards, "hey, i feel better...but i wonder if ditching eggs will make me feel even MORE betterer!" but right now, I don't think it's necessary. I think the added value just isn't there, you know?

 

So yeah, pick yourself up by your boot straps and keep on going! 

[snailytrail]

I should be doing the AIP version, but as others have said here, the Whole30 has been enough of a challenge, so I'm just doing this to start with. I'd really encourage you to think about that.

 

I'm working really hard on variety in my food and it has made this whole 30 just about effortless. It makes such a difference to look forward to every meal. In the last 3 weeks I've had roe deer (venison in general is one of the most ethical meats you can eat, at least here in the UK. I'd imagine wild boar is too), crab claws, turkey mince, line caught mackerel, herring and tuna, beef steak, roast chicken, and I'm going to try other game meat too - wood pigeon, pheasant, maybe rabbit etc. Again, game being ethical meat to eat. It totally depends on your budget and what's local to you but it is possible to eat lots of different things on this diet. And I've enjoyed things like home made pesto and lots of lovely herbs which helps. If I start to feel a bit bored, I have a plan to turn to Middle Eastern cooking - all their spices like Ras El Hanout really change the flavour of things and make eating on this programme a joy.

 

I get that you don't want to eat beef and pork but I'm saying to myself that I've had years of only eating meat once a week and I need to put myself first for a bit. I'm trying to buy meat which has been raised ethically, having said that.

 

Hope you stick with it and take the slightly easier path. The days start to fly by, honest. Lots of luck

[Colleen Roy]

I agree with everyone else-if you don't HAVE to do the AI protocol, do the straight up whole 30 first! That alone will greatly reduce your inflammation, and then, when it is done, you can try and adjust if you still feel there may be an issue. Like you said, you haven't actually been diagnosed with an AI condition, you just have a family history of it. And maybe that family history is due to they way they eat??? Food for thought as you regroup!

Good luck to you! You can do this!

[Bet]

letit, I am doing the AI and also low FODMAP. Yes, it can be limiting and challenging. I had already eliminated all grains and added sugar from my diet earlier this year. So for me, doing a regular W30 wasn't really a stretch. I wanted to do the AI because, like you, I am HypoT and possibly have other AI disorders and I've always had a nightshade sensitivity. So far, I know that W30 has reset my appetite, I can eat a meal and then not be hungry until next meal time. That is huge for me as I've always had whacky blood sugar and would always be snacking. Also, I was intrigued about how Dallas wrote about how the AI helped his tendinitis. I also had PF for a long time, and also had Post Tibular Tendinitis. Earlier this year, I overdid some tree pruning and now have tendinitis in my elbow. I was having very sharp pain and tenderness since then. After 5 days on W30 AI, the pain was greatly subsided. I cannot believe it. The weight loss will come, it's not going to happen quickly because I'm not restricting calories. I could up my exercise (once I get over this darn cold).

 

For HypoT, getting of grains is a huge step. There is a lot of evidence that gluten antibodies are so similar to Thyroid antibodies and could actually trigger Hashis. Grains are a huge source of inflammation, also the oils that come from grains and seeds. Those should be eliminated at all costs. I understand not eating beef or pork (I guess lamb is out too?). I am also an animal lover. I feel by supporting humane farmers and ranchers, I am helping more of our food coming from humane sources. I also am eating a lot of salmon, I buy a big filet and cut it into servings and freeze it. The best salmon is only out a few weeks of the year, so this way I always have some handy.

 

I do think you need to expand your veggies. Do you like pumpkin pie? I make a squash 'soup' that tastes just like it. You can buy a frozen package of cooked squash, nuke it, add in some coconut milk, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Tastes just like pumpkin pie. I love it so much I might consider it SWYPO.