Hello, folks. Decided to start September 1

[ChrisM]

Why not start on a Holiday weekend, when everyone is enjoying cheeseburgers, corn on the cob, and beer.  Right? 

I've been watching documentaries like Food Inc., and such, for a few years now, and after recently seeing "The Perfect Human Diet", decided it's time to do something, instead of constantly saying "I gotta do something"

I know a few people that have been doing the Paleo thing, and I started researching, and it brought me to the Whole 30. Well, my wife agreed to do it with me, so we're going to commit to Sept. 1.

 

Being a huge fan of bread, pasta, cheese, potatoes, sour cream, real butter, ice cream, beer, etc., I realize it's time to change my eating habits. I'm going to give this whole 30 thing a shot, but i'm really worried, if one thing is going to make me slip, it'll be beer. I'm a pretty heavy beer drinker, and giving that up for 30 days is going to be very trying, but i'm going to try. I really want to do it for 30 days, and then maybe try to switch to red wine.

I've seen a bunch of recipes out there for paleo food, and although I think it will be a challenge, i worry about the beverages. water and tea?  really?   i've never been a fan of sparkling water, or the flavored waters before, but i guess i will have to revisit them. And revisit things like spaghetti squash, which my wife loved, but could not get me to eat more than a few bites.

I'm only sharing all this, because I hear this is a supportive bunch, and I'm fearing I may need some support in the coming month!!

 

Wish me luck!!

[Mary Raven]

Hi Chris!

To me it was the hard cheese.

When I watched tv I had to have it on my plate. It was my ritual.

I'd say try to think of the moments WHEN do you actually crave beer?

Are you thirsty or you need that spacific taste in your mouth or is it something else.

I'd suggest you distract yourself by doing sth that keeps you busy, so no beer-demon can surprise you

All the best for your first 30!

[Denise R]

Hi Chris,

I am going to begin on September 1 as well. I've tried to get my husband to join me but he's not interested. It's good you and your wife will be on this journey together. If you help her, you will help yourself.
I've been following much of the Whole 30 type of eating for several years by eliminating processed foods and finally going wheat-free for over a year now. I still eat dairy and love it but am attempting this to really clean up my diet and see if I can drop the last bit of weight and to see if eliminating dairy will be a benefit or not for my overall health and feeling of well-being.
Chris, you can do anything for 30 days. You will learn some amazing things about yourself as you put yourself in control of your choices. Keep telling yourself that you are not eliminating beer forever - just for 30 days. If after that you realize you don't need it then that's wonderful!
In the meantime, enjoy water. Add lemon and enjoy it. Drink thoughtfully and with the understanding that water is helping your body to live and regenerate itself.
Good luck to you and your wife. Don't allow any withdrawal symptoms to stop you - that will tell you it's working! Just stay the course. I know you can do it!
Denise

[GFChris]

Here's an article summarizing Whole30 beverage options: http://whole9life.com/2012/10/quench-your-thirst-whole9-style/
 

And yes, it's only 30 days we're talking for no alcohol - you can do it!
 

[stephenieb]

Chris! I'm in on september 2nd as my start date- I have been easing the family in to it by weaning them off certain foods and prepping the 4yo that the quesadillas are going away.... We eat prettty paleo (except the boys eat dairy and we eat corn from my garden), but i think this is just the detox we need! My husband said he would join me until he found out he couldnt eat cottage cheese and yogurt- hopefully i can find him a good alternative protien breakfast. Good luck! Know theres someone else out there going through the same cravings as you!!!

Stephenie

[1Maryann]

There is no 'try', there is only 'do'.  ~Yoda

 

I learned this in my many attempts to quit smoking.  When I said I would 'try', I was leaving the door open to fail.  And, of course, it wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of.  After all, I did 'try'.  Saying you will try is saying, "I don't think I can really do this."  Just lay down the law for yourself.  "I will not drink beer for 30 days.  Period."  Makes it a lot harder to cheat yourself.  Gives you the courage and determination to carry on in the face of temptation.  Good luck!

[MrsRobinson]

Hey Chris, also starting with you 9/1...my husband is doing it with me this time. This will be my second/his first. We were already wheat free before this effort and I can encourage you in this-- you WILL feel better...but maybe not at first. Don't let the first few days discourage you. It gets outstanding later. (Just to orient-- I lost 12 pounds on my first Whole30, 78 total...my husband has lost 50 just being 'compliant by default' with my way of cooking.) 

You can do this!

[Lindaley]

I, too, am going to start on September 1.  I am a NEWBIE.  I know planning will be the key for me.  When I don't plan, I binge.  I did a similar cleanse type program with only organic foods in May (for 2 months) and was able to quit coffee(15-20 cups a day), diet soda and alcohol...but gave in again recently(to coffee and alcohol).  Since I started to drink again and not watch what I eat, I have feel the cloudy mind, sluggish body creep back.  I was feeling great before and want to get there again.  Well, vacation is over and summer partying has to end.  I am looking forward to dropping some weight and adding some energy!  Hope we can all support each other.

[PaleoRN]

I'm starting sept first also. My best friends and a few coworkers are joining me. A big thing is that my boyfriend is participating in our September clean up by quitting drinking, which is such a blessing. I started paleo back in January after a multiple sclerosis diagnoses that I'm managing with lifestyle alone. No medicines. I'm healthier now than I've ever been. !! I'm so excited! We a on the final countdown. Good luck to everyone. Make sure we all check in to give updates.

[Newbie44]

Hello all. I'm starting September 1st as well. First time trying to eliminate all the bad foods. My biggest downfall is going to be planning my meals. I have decided to try this not just for myself to lose weight and get healthier but to give my 5 year old daughter a healthier base of meals. Obviously she will be the one to eat the carbs and starches that I love to fix but hopefully she will see that the boring veggies are fun to eat too. So glad to have found this forum and I wish the best of luck to you all starting in September. I know we can do this!

[amberino21]

Hello all. I'm starting September 1st as well. First time trying to eliminate all the bad foods. My biggest downfall is going to be planning my meals. I have decided to try this not just for myself to lose weight and get healthier but to give my 5 year old daughter a healthier base of meals. Obviously she will be the one to eat the carbs and starches that I love to fix but hopefully she will see that the boring veggies are fun to eat too. So glad to have found this forum and I wish the best of luck to you all starting in September. I know we can do this!

Hi - perhaps try to think of the whole 30 as something that promotes health, and not the elimination of "bad" food! Your daughter can eat the same - she doesn't need to have carbs or starches other than the compliant ones on the shopping list. There are plenty of people doing a whole 30 (or similar style) of eating with kids - check out the section of the forum dedicated specifically to children

[littlekirbo]

Starting Sept. 1st! This will be my first Whole 30! Excited to get healthier!!

[Katt]

Starting over today and really going to give it an honest shot. I like the idea someone posted before about 'just trying' leaves the door open for failure, I agree. I'm going to run this the same way I would rules for my son. These are the 'rules' for the next 30 days, you don't try to follow them, you just do. (My son usually laughs at me when I pull that on him, but I won't laugh at the whole 30). I'm also going to see if I can't get him on board with me now, too. He just happens to like a pretty cheerleader and I've noticed him working out more on his own and asking me to cook certain healthier foods. Maybe this is my chance to get some homefront support. 

 

My biggest downfall is sugar. You'd think it wouldn't be so hard to avoid since it's really just a very specific kind of chex mix (Rice Krispy brand) that I like and they only sell it in 2 places by my house and yet I find myself picking up 2 little bags of it every night. Yesterday I hit up the grocery store to buy some of the things I'll need to have in place as supports for when that craving kicks it, but I can't stock my fridge because I am up so much in the night I would eat everything in it (It has nothing to do with eating a bigger dinner either). I'm going to work on my night eating behaviors while learning how to manage my time/planning meals, and healthier eating habits over the next 30 days. Good luck everyone!

[vypen]

I love what 

 

There is no 'try', there is only 'do'.  ~Yoda

 

I learned this in my many attempts to quit smoking.  When I said I would 'try', I was leaving the door open to fail.  And, of course, it wouldn't be anything to be ashamed of.  After all, I did 'try'.  Saying you will try is saying, "I don't think I can really do this."  Just lay down the law for yourself.  "I will not drink beer for 30 days.  Period."  Makes it a lot harder to cheat yourself.  Gives you the courage and determination to carry on in the face of temptation.  Good luck!

 

You're so right about how we give ourselves permission to fail.  We're afraid of failure but yet it's a comfort zone for us - especially for me.  

 

I'm starting the Whole30 the second time with my family.  My husband, my close to 4 year old daughter, my brother and my sister in law are all in it with me...their FIRST TIME!  I'm so excited.  It moves me that my family is putting attention on their health.  As refugees who were almost wiped out completely by genocide, we have a pattern of self sabotage.  We've internalized it so well that we sabotage ourselves before others can get to us - by eating bad food, not exercising, making poor food choices (only some of it here).

 

Taking a stand here and putting attention on our health is a big big contradiction to this pattern.  I'm so proud of my family for taking this huge step.

 

We're taking notes on how we feel physically and emotionally as a way to track.  My daughter has wheat allergies(and s many more) and so she has eczema, we hope the elimination of bad food can help her tremendously.

 

Our biggest challenge is to get the grandparents to "comply" =).  They are big time grains eater.  We're ready though!

 

I'm so glad to do this with you all!!

[1Maryann]

Good luck to you and your family, vypen!  Remember, we have no idea what we can accomplish until failure is no longer an option.

[Lindaley]

So how did everyone's first day go?

[MrsRobinson]

So how did everyone's first day go?

Not bad at all. Meal planning is my habit already, since sharing one car makes running to the store over and over again a hassle, but I am learning that there is a difference doing this with my husband versus just me. I need to buy more vegetables, and choose protein options every time that yield enough servings for dinner and lunch the next day if I don't want to spend every waking hour in the kitchen. Also, he's a little pickier. I can't sell him on my "skillet of ground beef, onions and spinach with smoked paprika, but I don't mind branching out if this effort benefits him. I just have to remind myself that on many levels good food is cheaper than prescriptions.

[sheba-kitty]

I have found that squeezing a little citrus fruit into my water makes a big difference. Here are some more ideas

http://www.theyummylife.com/Flavored_Water

Hang in there everyone.. I am on day 22!

[Lindaley]

Said this to myself to day, after I went food shopping.  Coconut oil was pricey but I assume it last awhile.  Where do you find coconut aminos

I just have to remind myself that on many levels good food is cheaper than prescriptions.

I have my meals planned for this week.  I bought so much produce that it barely fits in my fridge.  I actually had to give some away.  

[MrsRobinson]

Said this to myself to day, after I went food shopping.  Coconut oil was pricey but I assume it last awhile.  Where do you find coconut aminos

I buy coconut aminos from Vitacost, they also have the best price per can that I've been able to find for coconut milk, Native Forest Organic. I recommend checking out Tropical Traditions online for coconut oil, vastly cheaper than the stores and they have BOGO sales all the time.

[Jo Jo]

Good luck to you! I am a NEWBIE and am starting in the morning, Sept 3rd. I will do this, I am committing. You can too!

[ChrisM]

Thanks to everyone for sharing, and encouraging, and all the tips! Did I mention I've never been on ANY kind of diet (or program) before? EVER?  So...you have all been very helpful, thank you.

I was busy the past few days, and was away from these forums.

 

Day 0 was very busy, as we worked to clean out our fridge, and pantry.

Then, we drove an hour to a farm that has grassfed, pastured beef, organic eggs from chickens that were running around everywhere, etc. We met the farmer/wife that raised the food we purchased there, which was kinda neat. We talked for a while, they were very nice. BUT...that meat is EXPENSIVE!!  We make a very modest living, and there is no way we can buy ALL of our meat like that. We got a couple pounds of ground beef, a couple steaks, some compliant beef franks, and a couple dozen eggs. That totalled almost $65. Oh well, it's for our health. We will get as much as we can, but I also didn't want to go too crazy, until we actually tried the product. So, we moved on, and I was very careful not to run over any of the chickens that were foraging around everywhere you looked.

 

Then, we shopped. As an absolute Newbie, shopping took a long time, as we were busy reading labels on everything that had a label. We started at our normal "Stop and Shop", and got many items there, then went to WholeFoods, to get what was labeled as "Dirty" on the W30 checklist, so we could get organic versions of those items. I did buy some compliant porkchops there, as the price wasn't too scary, and got some bacon, which looked to be 99% compliant. It said nitrate/nitrite free, and "trivial" amount of sugar, from organic, cage-free pigs. Close enough for me. The farm where I got my beef, was out of bacon, and said he wouldn't have the compliant stuff until December. I thought I might have to go without, but the wholefoods stuff was good enough in my book. Expensive, but I got 2 lbs.

 

Then we went over to my in-laws for steak dinner. Being the day before our W30, I had a nice baked potato smothered in cheese and bacon, with sour cream alongside my steak. A health portion of zucchini/summer squash, too, but...also a healthy helping (3) Rolls, with real butter. Oh ya, and more beer than I care to mention!

 

Day 1

Felt like crap. No doubt that was coming, giving the amount of beer i had the previous night. Skipped breakfast. Well, I had 2 cups of black tea, if that counts.  Black Tea.  YUCK!  I usually drink instant coffee with milk/sugar, but have been wanting to get away from that, so am using the W30 as a good time to do that. I gotta find something better than Lipton, tho.  maybe a green tea, or something.

Lunch was a couple leftover burgers (80/20) not totally compliant, but i wasn't going to throw them away. I topped them with tomato from the garden, and half an avacado, sliced up.

Dinner was Roasted chicken. I roasted a whole one. Not organic or pastured, but I peeled off all the skin after it was cooked. I had a big (probably 2 portions) helping of chicken, with greenbeans(from my garden, not going to throw them away!), and carrots. I did not snack between meals, or have a dessert.

 

Day 2

BUSY prepping/cooking all day. Since I was hungover day 1, and didn't get much done, Today was busy. I had to wash all the produce, cut up a lot of stuff. A lot of prepping. My wife put what was left of the chicken ( I saved everything. drippings from the pan, carcass, organs), threw it in a pot, and made a stock, and throughout the morning chicken soup was made.

But, Breakfast started with a 3 egg omelet, filled with compliant sausage, spinach, peppers, onion, mushrooms. Even without cheese, it was delicious. Was missing my toast, i gotta be honest. Found some coffee pouches in my pantry, and had that instead of tea today. You know those pouches that are like teabags, but they're coffee?  those.  oh, and instead of black, i added a little almond milk. It wasn't fantastic, but it was much better than Lipton tea, black.

Lunch was a big bowl of chicken soup. no noodles or rice in it, which we usually would have, but hey.  Chicken vegetable soup. It was very tasty, and we have more for later in the week.

Dinner was http://paleodietlifestyle.com/bacon-wrapped-mini-meatloaves/  that link. Along with a garden salad, with an avacado-lemon dressing that my wife made, i'm not sure where she got the recipe. It was light, and tasted OK.  not my favorite, but it wasn't bad.

 

Day 3

So far, so good. Skipped breakfast. or... 2 cups of the coffee pouches, with almond milk again., Then i sat down to write this.

Probably a little too winded, sorry. I have time, lol.

I happen to be on vacation from work for 2 weeks now, so it's helpful to start this meal planning/prepping chore, and gives me time to cook, and shop, and whatnot.  Unfortunately, at times, it gives me time to write. Well, you didn't have to read it!!

 

Thanks again to everyone for sharing their ideas, stories, encouragement, and tips!

Oh, except for Yoda. I'm not too comfortable taking advice from a puppet.

Day 3?  yup, might be hungry enough to cook him.  Gluten free? grain free? low-carb? non dairy? no added sugar?  Yes, Yoda is Whole 30 compliant. Puppet leg, anyone?

[MrsRobinson]

Just remember, ChrisM, you shouldn't go around hungry. If you find you are ravenous between meals, up your protein. I started cooking three eggs at a time for my husband and planning on plowing through quite a lot of vegetables in the course of a day. I know that if I give him two chops, two burgers grilled with onions and peppers, etc, he's set. I generally need less. Don't be afraid to eat.

[amberino21]

Just remember, ChrisM, you shouldn't go around hungry. If you find you are ravenous between meals, up your protein. I started cooking three eggs at a time for my husband and planning on plowing through quite a lot of vegetables in the course of a day. I know that if I give him two chops, two burgers grilled with onions and peppers, etc, he's set. I generally need less. Don't be afraid to eat.

A serving of eggs is as many as you can hold in your hand - I'm not tall nor do I have big hands and I can easily hold 3 XL eggs - my husband fits 4, and generally has extra protein with them!

Having the right amount of protein and fat will make a huge difference to hunger levels between meals, I definitely notice if I don't have enough of either one!

[MrsRobinson]

Thanks for that, it was the passage in the book I was thinking of!