Beli Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hi friends! Upon suggestion by Physibeth, I open this thread so we can keep on with our progress without disturbing newcomers. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38flamingo Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Thanks for doing this, Beli. I am looking out the window at a snowstorm and thinking of you in the southern hemisphere - the globe certainly has shrunk with technology! I am continuing as I was during the first 30 days, still following the W30 guidelines to the best of my ability. Toward the end of the 30 I began to feel more pull toward having a little this or that (wine, chocolate...), and so am having to face up to the need to really strengthen my resolve for the long haul. Perhaps that is the purpose of this second 30 for me. It is overwhelmingly clear to me that I feel much, much better without sugar or gluten - and I firmly believe that it is important for my health. Now just to internalize all of that sufficiently so that it works for me even when stress of whatever kind tries to lead me astray! I have been reading the Jaminet's website, but have not yet bought the book. I am thinking that I will start including their supplement protocol soon, since it seems pretty straightforward and makes sense. Once I read the book I'll decide whether that particular version of Paleo might be the best for me, or whether I should stay more straight and narrow, closer to the W30 template. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_nut Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I'm still here and 36 days in. I am in the middle of ITSWF and it's given me new ideas for foods. I have venison, lamb, free range chicken, mince and salmon in the fridge/freezer. Tonight, I introduced the kids to chocolate chilli, it went down well.....if a bit spicy!! I shouldn't use chilli powder from the Asian foods store as it's so potent and I only used half the amount!! Tomorrow, I am doing a rotisserie style chicken in the slow cooker with gravy!! I roast the chicken on a bed of veg and then blend the juices and veg together to make a kind of gravy....it's lush!!! I lost 12lbs after the first 30 days. Obviously it won't be that dramatic this time around. I want my joints to ache less and my sleep to improve!! I have been using sleep for Android for the last two nights and the graphs it produces are all peaks. Deep sleep is very elusive. The earlier I go to bed, the earlier I wake and so on in a vicious circle. That said, my energy levels are sky high and I don't feel the Ned to nap, I just yawn....a lot! How have your days been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 Lil_nut, that sounds delicious! Congratulations on your progress! That app for sleep sounds intriguing, I didn't know about it. I've been experimenting with sleep these last few days, I went to bed really early, like 9 pm. I didn't fall asleep right there but I tried to focus on remembering my day minute by minute, and bingo, I didn't get past mid-morning. The first two nights, Sunday-Monday, have been amazing. I woke up entirely refreshed and happy. The next night, I woke up at 4 am because of a nightmare, and I could never go back to sleep! I remembered you guys who have trouble with that. It was so strange, it had never happened to me. I don't know if it was just chance or if it had something to do with the warm bath I took before bed or the magnesium supplement I had. Both were new. Anyway I got up just as good. I also notice I've been in a really good mood these past few days. Lots of energy, no anxiety. Mi current issue is still there but doesn't bother me too much. I was able to go swimming again on Monday. I swam a lot, ate a post-workout meal and felt great. Flamingo, how I relate to what you're saying! It's hard to stay on target. I even had a couple of snacking frenzies and went a little beyond template with dried fruit and nuts. However, I notice that the desire for chocolate or wine is more remote now. I think it's a sign that time is working in the right direction and deleting the habit, so hopefully I learn to cope with stress in another way. Tina, I was thinking: have you heard about Beverly Meyer's recent research on TMJ and whole body health? She has seen improvements in her hips and feet by correcting her bite with a very special dentist, I found that was fascinating. https://www.ondietandhealth.com/podcast/facial-structure-tmj-and-whole-body-health-podcast/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38flamingo Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Yes, theclothesmakethegirl.com chocolate chili is also a favorite in my household. I usually make it with half ground beef, and half ground turkey. I serve it over cauliflower rice for me, and normal rice for others. I also just tried her recipe for beef stew provencal, and the marinade creates a delicious and tender dish. I expect to try the marinade also with some venison I have in the freezer. So glad that you are feeling in a good mood and energetic Beli! That is great news. And, so good to hear from you lil_nut. Now we are on 3 continents! I tend to have the same sort of sleep problems as you describe - not long enough or deep enough. Actually I have been doing a bit better recently, with no particular changes. I take a hefty dose of valerian tincture at bedtime and also a cortisol regulating supplement. I have been waking up less, falling back to sleep quickly, and waking more seriously 1-2 hours later than my usual pattern. This is all good, but my sleep has been difficult for so long that I have seen many ups and downs. This will have to last a while before I get too sure of myself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 Flamingo, there's an interesting interview of Paul Jaminet about the retreats he organizes, —it's just for today at PaleoCon. http://paleocon.com/encore/ I have to go check this chocolate chili and the other recipes at The Clothes Make The Girl, you all make my mouth water. I have been on my own all this month, since my beloved is away for work and my kids are on holiday at their father's. But my kids are coming back home this Saturday! I'm so excited, I miss them. They're two boys, 10 and 8. I have a lot of plans for us about meals, routines and fun. I'm going to have a week's vacation when they arrive, and then I'll start with new work hours, I'll only work in the mornings, so I'll get to have lunch and spend the afternoons with them. I'm looking forward to it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina R Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I went to my chiropractor today and my body was not off as much as it usually is. I can only think it was the whole30 that kept me on track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 That's great Tina. And how is the sleep? Have you seen the link I shared with you? I'm still feeling great! Is that the magic finally kicking in? the IBS protocol I finally discovered and started implementing? the new routines and early bed time? I just know I don't remember feeling that good for so many days and without being all "too much". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina R Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 That's great Tina. And how is the sleep? Have you seen the link I shared with you? I'm still feeling great! Is that the magic finally kicking in? the IBS protocol I finally discovered and started implementing? the new routines and early bed time? I just know I don't remember feeling that good for so many days and without being all "too much". Beli, I don't remember the link. Can you send it again? Sorry. No I am not sleeping any better. I am so glad that you are doing better. I was thinking of doing the auto immune protocol but I don't know if I could live without eggs for 30 days. I'll keep trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina R Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Lil_nut, that sounds delicious! Congratulations on your progress! That app for sleep sounds intriguing, I didn't know about it. I've been experimenting with sleep these last few days, I went to bed really early, like 9 pm. I didn't fall asleep right there but I tried to focus on remembering my day minute by minute, and bingo, I didn't get past mid-morning. The first two nights, Sunday-Monday, have been amazing. I woke up entirely refreshed and happy. The next night, I woke up at 4 am because of a nightmare, and I could never go back to sleep! I remembered you guys who have trouble with that. It was so strange, it had never happened to me. I don't know if it was just chance or if it had something to do with the warm bath I took before bed or the magnesium supplement I had. Both were new. Anyway I got up just as good. I also notice I've been in a really good mood these past few days. Lots of energy, no anxiety. Mi current issue is still there but doesn't bother me too much. I was able to go swimming again on Monday. I swam a lot, ate a post-workout meal and felt great. Flamingo, how I relate to what you're saying! It's hard to stay on target. I even had a couple of snacking frenzies and went a little beyond template with dried fruit and nuts. However, I notice that the desire for chocolate or wine is more remote now. I think it's a sign that time is working in the right direction and deleting the habit, so hopefully I learn to cope with stress in another way. Tina, I was thinking: have you heard about Beverly Meyer's recent research on TMJ and whole body health? She has seen improvements in her hips and feet by correcting her bite with a very special dentist, I found that was fascinating. https://www.ondietandhealth.com/podcast/facial-structure-tmj-and-whole-body-health-podcast/ I see the link. Actually that is exactly what I did. I got braces and that helped my back. I never thought your bite could cause problems in your body. They are finding that the practice of pulling teeth and then shoving the teeth together is actually causing all kinds of back issues today. So many people that had braces 20 years ago need to get braces again to fix their bite and their back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina R Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 That's great Tina. And how is the sleep? Have you seen the link I shared with you? I'm still feeling great! Is that the magic finally kicking in? the IBS protocol I finally discovered and started implementing? the new routines and early bed time? I just know I don't remember feeling that good for so many days and without being all "too much". I see the link thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38flamingo Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just a check in. I feel like extending the time of W30 is working well for me to gather clarity in myself about how I want to take care of myself with food and in other ways, with or without the structure of the W30. I have been craving more time outdoors and in nature, but just like it was a struggle initially to let go of sugar, I recognize that it is also a struggle to prioritize this and give myself more! I have a meeting to go to this afternoon, which is a 15 minute walk from my house - so I will walk, not drive. It's not exactly the forrest, mountains, or ocean, but at least there is fresh air and sun and trees (and lots of snow on the ground, and about 20f!) Tina, it seems that you have been very persistent in working with your back injury, and sometimes that is the best we can do - persist with a good spirit and strong intention. I admire your effort. I don't sleep well either, but it is not associated with injury or pain - just whatever it is in my body that makes it difficult to get to a deep sleep and stay there. This is something I also persist in working on, but which remains an unresolved issue. I am grateful when things are better in a relative sense, and make what accommodations I can when sleep is going particularly poorly. Beli, it is delightful to hear that you are feeling so much better. I'm sure having your children (and your partner?) back home is also providing some joy! My son is in his last year of high school before college, drives, and is out on his own a lot. I think I am spending this year in some way preparing for his absence beginning next fall. It will be life changing for me. lil-nut - how's it going? Carole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_nut Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Just typed a long reply, switched tabs and when I came back. My reply was gone will rewrite Another time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 Hi all, I'm off the wagon again. Sugar Dragon got me... My belly's bloated and I feel tired and a little down. Will I ever decide to learn...? I don't have a minute to visit the forum with the kids at home. We're having a lot of fun, though. I'll be checking back soon, I have great news to share in spite of the caving in. I hope everybody's doing well and I miss hearing news from the other Jan 2-ers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_nut Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Hi all, I am awake at 5.15am, not feeling particularly alert though! It is still going well for me. Today is the start of day 44. Last Friday, I craved chocolate and wine. I considered having some 90% dark chocolate as it's hard to eat much of a bar with it being so filling. Instead, I bought soda water and served it in a wine glass and a small bag of cashews, which I ate half of. Not bad subs. I haven't lost any additional weight and my sleep isn't improving. However, I have noticed that the pain in my right hip Which used to get considerably worse after any kind of housework involving sweeping/hoovering and would often lead to me having to stop moving due to it's debilitating effect, has all but disappeared. At the end of my first whole30, it was still there as a dull ache after long walks. Here's hoping this is a permanent improvement! I have also noticed other small things which have improved or gone completely (*crosses fingers*). I used to have quite dry skin on my forearms, this seems to have cleared up. Not that it was a bother, I just noticed how my skin seems less dry looking. Secondly, I have terrible dust allergies and cleaning a dusty room used to result in hours of uncontrollable sneezing and nose drippage. This also appears to be gone. I am hesitant to say anything has gone entirely, it could just be that I haven't done enough cleaning or walking to aggravate my hip, or the rooms I've cleaned weren't dusty enough. We'll see. Beli, how goes the battle with the sugar dragon? I hope you are having fun with your children! It is the half term break here next week and I can't wait! A whole week with the kids for fun and silliness How is everyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38flamingo Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Beli, I'm thinking that having your kids back home might just throw you off balance in terms of concentrating on what you're doing for yourself. I definitely know that I am absolutely at my best taking care and paying attention when I am on my own. Your slip may just be a sign of readjustment to a significantly different lifestyle - hopefully you will be gentle with yourself and not blaming. No reason at all not to just get up and start over again (with the sugar I mean - not necessarily counting days!). And I can't wait to hear what your good news is. Lil_nut, your commitment sounds really strong, and it is great that you are noticing positive changes, even though there are things which haven't shifted. Compliments on those substitutions for wine and chocolate! My sleep is still too short and not refreshing enough. I think the keys to that situation are complex, and I will just keep working at all efforts to better balance my body in hopes that it will shift. It is definitely better than sometimes. I also just started checking my blood pressure, and was totally disappointed to see that it is the same as before I started - a little too high, although not alarming...Don't know what that is about, or what's needed to change it. I am moving toward Jaminet's Perfect Health Diet version of Paleo. I have added white rice and white rice noodles so far, and will probably make some roasted white potatoes as part of dinner tonight. I have also just started his daily supplement recommendations. In terms of sustainability and flexibility of meals, the rice feels like it makes a big difference - and perhaps the potatoes also. I've also tasted a bit of dark chocolate, as is allowed on that plan. I'm not feeling ready to sample any other of what he calls "pleasure foods," to be used in moderation. Don't trust myself. I am also thinking about adding more fermented foods as he suggests, and organ meats. For some reason I have been resistant to making bone broth and drinking it regularly, but last week I bought marrow bones and turkey backs, so I should have no trouble cooking some up when I get my mind set on it. I am also thinking about nurturing myself in other ways - especially by listening to more music when I'm at home. Lots of snow here today. Quiet and beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thank you so much for your words, Carole. Yes, I am blaming myself for being so childish. If I've been suffering for 30 years, how come I can't take myself seriously? Because nobody sees me as ill, and when I feel better I too forget about it, I guess. Well, better late than never, right? This new slip is a clear evidence that my bowel is indeed sick. It's been aching like hell for the last three days. It seems that the better I get, the worse the fall. So I think I'll go forward and try to really address that particular problem. I'm planning on starting SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) as it's supposed to be designed to cure bowel diseases. I'm gathering information and ingredients. My good news: when I saw my ex-mother in law and sister-in-law the other day, they were impressed by how good I looked! It was right before I fell, when I was feeling so great. They hadn't seen me in about three months and they were like: "No, seriously, have you been doing anything special? Your skin looks so soft! And you're like fuller, more energetic, you have something..." I told them: "You know, I think I finally figured out that some foods don't agree with me". And I detailed which foods and said: "So I guess I'm eating a bit like a caveman!" and they said: "Well, that makes a lot of sense". (The funny thing about living in a place where no one's heard of paleo is that I can look like I just came up with it. ) Good news number 2: My ex-husband told me our youngest son, who's on the autism spectrum, had been following his gluten-free, casein-free, paleo-type diet well during his vacation, and he added that he himself had tried to follow it, and he had noticed he felt better. He said he had more energy and felt lighter. He was going to stick with it. Have a good day all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris24 Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's good to see a group of folks continuing on like this. Hopefully I'll be able to join in more consistently. I finished my Whole30 and decided to start reintroducing a few things. It's been an interesting process. I did see some improvements in my sleep, energy level, and mood, and I lost 4 pounds. But my main problems, migraine headaches and allergies, didn't change. I'm trying to decide if I should get back on the Whole30 and be strict for a while longer. I will also admit that it was difficult to always follow the template, so while I was food compliant, I did use Larabars on a few occasions and snacked way more than the program calls for. I don't know how much difference that made. I really enjoyed all the good food I was/am eating, but it still takes me a lot of effort to plan meals, cook, and try to have things ready during the week when I need something. But I'm still trying to do that anyway. My job became extremely stressful in the middle of my Whole30 and I think that contributed to less than optimal results. I dropped out of the forum then because I just couldn't keep up. So I'm thinking of coming back on board because I would really like to decrease my headaches. I'm wondering if I should post what I'm eating on that forum and see if I could get some useful feedback. Has anybody else done that? Thanks for reading my ramblings, I'd appreciate any feedback you think might be helpful. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina R Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's good to see a group of folks continuing on like this. Hopefully I'll be able to join in more consistently. I finished my Whole30 and decided to start reintroducing a few things. It's been an interesting process. I did see some improvements in my sleep, energy level, and mood, and I lost 4 pounds. But my main problems, migraine headaches and allergies, didn't change. I'm trying to decide if I should get back on the Whole30 and be strict for a while longer. I will also admit that it was difficult to always follow the template, so while I was food compliant, I did use Larabars on a few occasions and snacked way more than the program calls for. I don't know how much difference that made. I really enjoyed all the good food I was/am eating, but it still takes me a lot of effort to plan meals, cook, and try to have things ready during the week when I need something. But I'm still trying to do that anyway. My job became extremely stressful in the middle of my Whole30 and I think that contributed to less than optimal results. I dropped out of the forum then because I just couldn't keep up. So I'm thinking of coming back on board because I would really like to decrease my headaches. I'm wondering if I should post what I'm eating on that forum and see if I could get some useful feedback. Has anybody else done that? Thanks for reading my ramblings, I'd appreciate any feedback you think might be helpful. Chris Glad you are back! You may be sensitive to a food that is Whole30 compliant. For example Avocados, Coconut or turkey. I think in the book "your hidden food allergies are making you fat" there is a story of a woman who found out she was allergic to turkey. She would get headaches every time she ate it. Maybe something like that is happening to you. If you think about it you probably consumed more avocado and coconut during your whole30 than you normally do. You might want to post what your are eating or just keep a log on your own. You might see a pattern when you look back at a few days or weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris24 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Thanks Tina, I was wondering about that. I thought maybe I'm allergic to coconut. From what I read, it seemed unlikely, but I thought I might be reacting to it. I think I'll try cutting it out for awhile to see. I appreciate your feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beli Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Hi everyone! How are you doing? Do you still check the forum sometimes or have you all gone your merry way...? Chris, I'm glad to hear from you. Congratulations for finishing your Whole30! And you got encouraging results, that's great! I second Tina about the hidden allergy for your migraines. Beverly Meyer has several articles on the subject, like this podcast, maybe you find something interesting. https://www.ondietandhealth.com/podcast/20-headaches-and-counting/ So I tried SCD —at least, the closest to it I could get these days— and I got way better. Then I had cookies (home-made, gluten free), and something very interesting happened: the next day I was on the floor in my store crying and in panic —out of nowhere! It really struck me how clear the relationship between the sugar consuming and the panic attack was. In the midst of my anxiety, I managed to think: Ok, maybe it's the sugar talking, let's not eat that again for 24 hours and see. And the next day I was back on my feet. Since then I've been feeling better everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38flamingo Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I do still appreciate the forum, and check whenever I get a notification that someone has posted! I am no longer counting days, but consider myself long term off sugar, grains, beans, and dairy. Within that I have just ordered and received the Jaminet's book on the Perfect Health Diet variation of paleo, and Chris Kresser's new book, Your Personal Paleo Code. It is always a little stressful for me to read something new without feeling that I have to jump right into making changes, so I am hoping to take it slow. I am very busy with work and life, so I really don't have a lot of time to be studying paleo. I have been attracted to the Perfect Health Diet since I started reading about it online during the first part of my W30, and have added just a couple of things based on it - white rice, rice noodles, white potatoes, and very dark chocolate. These additions seem fine and feel like they broaden the options in my diet quite a bit. I haven't opened the door to wine or dairy, which are allowed in moderation. I've also added some of the supplements they recommend. Now that I see it, I am also very interested in Chris Kresser's book. Fortunately, I think they are both pretty closely aligned and will not provide many conflicting ideas. One thing they both suggest which is different than the W30, is intermittent fasting - basically skipping breakfast and eating during an 8 hour window only. I haven't seriously tried this, but I just might! I am persisting because I believe that this way of eating - whatever the particular variation - is good for me. I need to lose weight and that has gone very slowly - only 6 or 7 lbs which came off the first 30 days and none since. I actually have had the return of some symptoms recently that were much better earlier - digestive issues including reflux, afternoon foggy energy crashes, foggy headachy mornings, and more. This all started before adding the rice, etc. - gradually got worse, and now seems to be on the way to getting better again. I am resigned that there may not really be an explanation, and that it is just important for me to continue to take the best care of myself I can. I have not cracked the code on exercise, and hopefully as spring approaches (there is still snow outside!), I will make a more serious commitment to getting outside and walking. I notice that I crave being outside, but that I don't really listen to my own voice enough to push through whatever obstacles are in the way. There is always more to accomplish! I do love to hear how everyone is doing - best wishes to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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