I did it, but a little disappointed

[fahrenam]

So finished my 30 days yesterday.  Was amazed that it went by so quickly and that i have no desire to introduce dairy or gluten or sugar back into my diet.  I haven't had cravings in weeks and just want to keep eating what I'm eating

 

However, my results were not great.  I lost 2.5 pounds, so not even all the weight I gained over the holidays and barely a dent in the 25 I need to lose.  And really just an inch off my waist and an inch off my hips.  My skin looks ok, but actually broke out a few days ago.  Sleeping better, but never got tiger blood or the "I feel amazing" feeling people talk about.  

 

Any thoughts on this?  I'm kind of disappointed 

[Tina R]

Ditto! I think I gained. I still only sleep 5 hours per night and never had the Tiger Blood. It is frustrating that I did not have any amazing results either. I am trying to celebrate the small victories like my acid re-flux improved. I will keep it up but will add rice, gluten free grains and legumes every once in a while. 

[GFChris]

Sorry you're disappointed at losing 2.5 lbs and 2 inches.  FWIW when moderator Tom Denham did his Whole30, he lost 2 lbs. He kept on it for several months, with a steady loss of 2 lbs per month.

 

Can't guarantee that this will happen for you, but certainly something to consider.

[fahrenam]

I am disappointed, but just because I have so much to lose and I gained so much this fall after knee surgery.  15 pounds between August and December!!  And I was carrying 10 extra pounds at that point to begin with.  So I was hoping that I would lose more of the recent weight gain, at least.  I can't do any exercise at all still (because of a setback with my injury) so food is the only option I have to lose weight

 

But I am also a little disappointed that I didn't feel better.  I am jealous of all the folks who feel incredible and have a ton of energy.  I would be able to accept the less dramatic weight loss if I felt great.  But to be honest, I don't feel any different from when I started.  Which I guess could just be a sign that I don't have an allergies or sensitivities to gluten or dairy.  But I would love to feel more energy right now

[LydiaL]

Think I lost somewhere between 3.5-4 lbs this time around which is probably the most I've lost on a W30 - and probably only because I didn't eat larabars or over indulge in nuts this time around. I think dramatic weight loss could be more likely for people who are coming from a SAD- as opposed to people who are coming from an already healthy diet. I know I lost about 10-15 pounds over the course of 3 months after switching from a gluten free diet to mostly paleo diet. Cutting out rice and GF white flours really made a difference.

@fahrenam I have been dealing with an injury to the nerves in my neck for the past month and a half. I'm pretty restricted in what I'm able to do and I think this in combination with the pain from the injury is adding to my lack of energy. Maybe your injury and exercise limitation could be the culprit re: energy or lack thereof.

[fahrenam]

Good point, Lydia.  I have been really, really bummed that I can't be active, and even worse that I've been in pain.  It is so limiting and depressing, particularly when you want to lose weight and just move your body.

 

I was not following a pale diet before I started, I was doing a vegan diet in an attempt to lose some of this weight from my injury.  I actually lost a little weight on the vegan diet, but found myself eating a lot of sugar just because I could.  I'm not usually someone who eats sugar, so I hated that pattern.  And I was drinking a lot of wine before I started my Whole 30, so I really expected that to lead to weight loss.  But apparently not

 

I think for now I will basically stay on the Whole 30 except for occasional wine.  I may cut back a bit on portions and see if that makes a difference.  That's the only thing I can think of because I rarely had larabars (only when traveling) and actually never ate nuts the whole month.  I was really good about getting good fats in my diet, eating 3 meals, and getting 7-8 hrs sleep.  The only thing I can tell is that occasionally I didn't have enough veggies with one of my meals.  But maybe I was just eating too much for my body, hard to tell

[LydiaL]

 And I was drinking a lot of wine before I started my Whole 30, so I really expected that to lead to weight loss.  But apparently not

I've found this as well. Cutting out alcohol never really makes a big difference for me in terms of weight-loss. I guess that means I can have an extra martini with dinner

[EvaK]

I do not own a scale so I won't be able to tell if I have lost weight once I will be done next Saturday and it was not really something I focused on, but I have not had any enery surges, tiger blood or whatever, and it can be disappointing to read how so many others experience those. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled for them, but it can be hard to follow the plan 100% and just not feel any different.

[misskrissy27]

I'm on Day 16, and have yet to have that energy surge.  I'm hoping it's around the corner...but so far, nothing.  I'm actually more tired than usual.  I was told to put some more starchy veg in my meals daily...so I started that a few days ago and still haven't really noticed a difference.  I'm hoping the "tiger blood" is soon to come.  But kudos to you for completing the W30!  Well done! Remember, not everyone can do it! 

[Bpositive59]

I am on day 40.  I decided to keep going based on something I had read about some people just needing more time. 

 

I actually did lose a good amount of weight on the 30, and did have better energy, but not until about the last 10 days did I see improvement in my sleep.  Which was one of the "goals" I had.