Day 9, struggling worse than week 1 HELP!

[alexschubert]

It is day 9 for me and I haven't had any slips, but this second week has been far more difficult than all of week 1. During week 1 I didn't suffer from any headaches (had a slight "hung-over" feeling on day 6, though), didn't break out with pimples, had lots of energy, didn't feel irritable or very tired. Starting yesterday I have broken out, feel exhausted, very irritable, and somewhat melancholy. I am an avid exercise junkie and hurt my back pretty bad 2 days before starting my Whole30. I want to blame my mood and energy levels on not being able to work out for the past week and a half, but I'm not sure. My cravings seem to be worse than last week as well. All I want to eat is fruit and almond butter! HELP!!  Has anyone else gone through a similar experience? Can anyone offer any advice?

 

Thank you!

[whutch31]

Not being able to take part in your exercise is definately playing a role in your mood...especially if it's something you do pretty regularly.. Throws your hormones all over the place....take that and being on a tough end of whole 30...pairs up for a major mood kill... only advice I have is...just get through it....I know probably not what you want to hear, but seriously..that's wha tneeds to happen.

[Brewer5]

Sure, we can offer advice.  Please post a few days of food & drinks, including meal times, what time you get up, and what time you go to bed.  It is much easier to help when we have a picture of what is going on.

 

From what you have described, I would say you need to eat more FAT.  And I do not mean nut butters.  Fattier cuts of meat, avocado, plenty of whole eggs, ghee, coconut oil.  How much fat are you adding to your 3 big meals per day?

[Carlaccini]

Just a thought here - If you are a woman - how far away are you from your period?  This could be definitely affecting your mood etc.  If this is the case - eat more.  And yes it doesn't matter if you are working out or not.  Typically I eat twice as much the week before my period and I'm not terribly active.  Make sure you have starchy veggies in the mix because your body will crave these.  And yes as Brewer5 mentions above:  Make sure you are getting enough fats in each and every meal.

[alexschubert]

Sure, we can offer advice.  Please post a few days of food & drinks, including meal times, what time you get up, and what time you go to bed.  It is much easier to help when we have a picture of what is going on.

 

From what you have described, I would say you need to eat more FAT.  And I do not mean nut butters.  Fattier cuts of meat, avocado, plenty of whole eggs, ghee, coconut oil.  How much fat are you adding to your 3 big meals per day?

A typical day would consist of 2 eggs with a side (such as avocado or root hash made with carrots, parsnips, sweet potato) all cooked in coconut oil. I wake up early so breakfast is around 5am. I usually eat a banana with almond butter around 9am. Lunch is around 1pm and has been some kind of meat with veggies every day. Dinner is usually around 7pm and consists of some kind of meat with veggies. I like to snack on fruit (probably too much) and almonds during the day. I also have had a Lara bar every day around 4pm which I know is probably not best. 

What are some fatty meat options and starchy veggie options that I should be incorporating? That might be my problem as I tend to enjoy lean meats and "salad" veggies...

 

Thanks for your help!

[alexschubert]

Also, I am a female but haven't gotten a period since starting a new type of birth control in May. I dont think it is related to my cycle...

[ginsinnot]

Just on breakfast, I'd up it to at least 3 eggs (if you're a lady) and 4 if you're a bigger guy. Great that your veg are cooked in coconut oil, but you can always drizzle more onto the veg to eat.

 

With a daily Lara bar and daily banana, I'm guessing your insulin levels could be a little high still and that would not make you feel great. I'd cut those out in favor of bigger meals or a mini-meal following the meal template rather than a "snack".

 

What meats are you usually eating? You could do a great steak (grassfed if you can get it) and eat the fat. I love pork shoulders cooked slow and low, keep the fat to make the sauce. When you're keeping the animal fat, best to focus on animals raised on grass or their natural vegetation rather than factory farmed animals.

 

You don't have to just look at fattier meats for your meals. Add mayonaise (homemade is super easy, check out Melissa Joulwan's website, theclothesmakethegirl). Add olives. Add ghee to your veggies, when you plate them. Top a salad with a generous helping of nuts.

 

Look closely at the meal template. Follow it. You really will feel better.

[Brewer5]

If you really, truly want to be free from these cravings and have success with this program, I am going to reveal an important TRUTH to you:

 

As long as you continue to feed your body sugar, your body is going to crave sugar.

 

That includes snacking on bananas, nut butters, nuts and other fruits.  And that includes Larabars.  Period.

 

You may be in denial... you may not want to believe what I say...  I am here to tell you that I have been there, done that and I have learned these things the hard way:  By struggling, by continuing to crave, by gaining unwanted pounds in the process, by justifying these decisions ("maybe I need more carbs... maybe I need more fat... potassium...")  The list goes on.

 

If you cut out the snacking, the sugar, and focus on MEALS:  Protein+fat+vegetables = I can guarantee you, within a short few days, your cravings will be greatly diminished -- or even gone -- and you will be feeling much better.  Guaranteed.

 

What do you have to lose by trying 3-5 meals per day, or mini-meals, structured in this way?  If the thought of going without fruit, nuts, butters, and Larabars makes you panicky:  There is your answer.  You are addicted to these things, and they are clouding your thinking.  If you are thinking "no big deal", then congratuations -- you are on your way to a much better Whole 30.