Anne2719 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Today is Day 23, and my plan from the start has been to do at least 60 days, but with a short break in between. I don't want to go crazy; I just want to have a tiny bit of sweetener (honey? agave nectar?) in my coffee for a couple of days and a glass or two of wine when I go out for dinner on the second day of the proposed break. I've been looking at the menu of the restaurant where I'm meeting with a group, and I think I can order things with substitutions to make it compliant (I'll call ahead). My problem is that my inflammation hasn't seemed to be alleviated yet. There have been two days, non-consecutive, where I didn't feel as horrible as I usually do. But also some days where my back, in particular, has been worse than ever (x-rays taken six months ago showed degenerative discs in my back and neck and the pain has gotten progressively worse in the months since then). These bad days have directly followed a day of standing in my kitchen prepping and cooking and cleaning up more than usual. I've gotten a couple of anti-fatigue mats and slippers with arch support, but so far I've continued to be in a lot of pain. I'm 65 and am coming off of years of bad eating and no exercise, so I know I can't expect miracles after only three weeks. My daughter suggested that I not take any kind of a break from the diet until I've done 45 days, which makes sense except that I really would love just two days of coffee I don't hate, and a little wine at a dinner I've committed to attending (and want to attend). In the meantime, I just pulled one of my counter-height chairs around the island to the sink/prep/cooking area to see if I can stay off my feet for more of that standing time. Hopefully that will make a difference. I'm feeling depressed and discouraged, but still determined to continue with this much healthier way of eating. So my question is this: would I be better off to not take that two-day break until after 45 or even 60 days? Or will the psychological benefits of a short period of non-compliance outweigh the physical detriment? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted February 10, 2015 Moderators Share Posted February 10, 2015 I say keep going. What if you get the opposite of "psychological benefits" from the "break"? That certainly has been known to happen. I'm not you, but I do best to allow the momentum of the program to keep me going. My first Whole 30 was a Whole 47, the next one was a Whole 85, and from there I stopped counting. Without doing a proper reintroduction schedule, what benefit could you possibly get from drinking wine and sweeteners for two days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted February 10, 2015 Administrators Share Posted February 10, 2015 If I were you, I would not take the break. Sugar is insidious (including that which is in wine) and you'd be surprised how little it takes to derail some good momentum and get your sugar dragon roaring again. If you truly hate coffee, maybe now is the time to start phasing it out or finding a brand you like better or replacing it with tea or hot lemon water? I also want to caution you on something. Whole30 is an amazing inflammation reducing program that does miraculous things for a lot of people. But you have diagnosed degenerating discs in your back. While W30 might bring down your ambient daily pain level by reducing overall inflammation, there are more than likely still going to be disc related issues that you are going to have trouble with. As good as Whole30 is, it doesn't grow new tissue. Using the chair seems like an excellent idea. Maybe consider buying more of your veggies already pre-cut? Cooking larger pieces of meat to use all week (pork shoulder or a roast for instance, not too expensive and can be used in myriad ways all week). All this to say, don't take the break, in my opinion, and you may need to adjust your expectation of what W30 is going to cure for you, no matter the duration you do it for. There is never, ever any harm in eating healthy, whole foods. There is a hard limit to what they can do for you though as far as major structural issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlrikimaru Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hi, I'm no expert or moderator, just a girl who has back issues and has successfully complete three W30's over the past two years. I definitely have to plan my cooking/prep work for multiple short bursts rather than a straight hour or more of standing in the kitchen. Do no beat yourself up over buying some veggies precut, etc. if that will help. While there a lot of delicious W30 recipes out there, many involve a lot of prep. Don't feel like you have to tackle those right now. Find the easy to prep ones so you don't hurt yourself. Cuz if your back is killing you, W30 might go out the window. Personally, I'd say have the glass of wine, it's more sugar than inflammatory or allergen. Just know that it might make saying no to sugar a bit more difficult that evening and the next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted February 11, 2015 Administrators Share Posted February 11, 2015 . Personally, I'd say have the glass of wine, it's more sugar than inflammatory or allergen. I'm sorry, that's actually not true. http://whole9life.com/2012/09/the-alcohol-manifesto/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne2719 Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Thanks, all of you. I think you've suggested what I, deep down, knew to be best: that I should just continue without a break. I sat at the counter to do all the prep for my cocoa-toasted cauliflower, including cutting it up. But I am going to look for pre-cut vegetables and see if that will save my back a bit. Thanks, girlrikimaru, for that suggestion. Today I had a glass of cranberry/pomegranate juice which I picked up at Whole Foods because I have a bit of a bladder infection. It says it's 100% juice but it was so sweet I almost couldn't drink it. I think I've at least wounded the Sugar Dragon (though I did wonder if I could put a little bit in my coffee...then decided it probably wasn't a good idea). My daughters are starting Day 10 and my older one called to tell me about a wonderful recipe she'd found in Nom Nom Paleo for a kind of pan "bread" with eggs and almond flour. I listened politely and refrained from saying that it sounded like a SWYPO, because that daughter is 3 months pregnant and doesn't want to hear what I have to say even when she's not hormonal. The next day my other daughter posted a gluten-free muffin recipe on Facebook, hoping that she and her sister could make it (she is staying there for awhile). She tagged me, saying I might enjoy it as well and I felt much more comfortable giving her the link to the SWYPO page. Message received, I think. This forum offers wonderful support, and I thank you again. I'll be recommending it to my younger daughter so she can recommend it to her sister... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne2719 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 I made a wonderful, unexpected discovery today. I have a Chef's Choice 100 electric knife sharpener that I bought six or so years ago and have never used because I've been kind of afraid of it. For the last couple of months it has been sitting on my counter, I guess because I was making room for something else in the cupboard. Today I eyed it and thought, why not? So I searched for instructions online and the most helpful was a YouTube video. And then I started with a really old knife. I think I got it in 1971 and it has never been sharpened. In fact, none of my knives have ever been sharpened. I did three knives (and have lots more to go) and it was almost magical. I took a couple of bell peppers that were a little past their prime and that 44-year-old knife cut like a dream. It was so much easier on my back because I didn't have to bear down as I cut. Those peppers sliced up quickly. Later I sliced half a zucchini on the mandoline, which I've grown to love, and threw everything together in a pan and sautéed it in ghee with minced garlic, sesame seeds, and turmeric while the steak was on the grill. Quick and easy dinner! Yay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne2719 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 I do plan to weigh myself on Day 31, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cottagequeen Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I did weight and measurements. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdevany1031 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I also want to caution you on something. Whole30 is an amazing inflammation reducing program that does miraculous things for a lot of people. But you have diagnosed degenerating discs in your back. While W30 might bring down your ambient daily pain level by reducing overall inflammation, there are more than likely still going to be disc related issues that you are going to have trouble with. As good as Whole30 is, it doesn't grow new tissue. Using the chair seems like an excellent idea. Maybe consider buying more of your veggies already pre-cut? Cooking larger pieces of meat to use all week (pork shoulder or a roast for instance, not too expensive and can be used in myriad ways all week). This is 100% correct. I too have herniated disks (2 in low back,, one in neck) and there is a very distinct difference between disk pain/pinch and arthritis/inflammation. I can tell you that my Whole30 reduced my daily arthritis back pain by 99%. It's miraculous to me to be virtually pain free for the first time in 20 years. However, no diet or lifestyle change will un-herniate a disk. That pain is going to be there regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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