Well, I figured out how NOT to reintro

[ATL_Jen]

Such an old story for those who've been around awhile, I'm sure! But I'm sharing here for some accountability and also - maybe, hopefully - to help others who are coming up on reintroduction.

 

I completed my first Whole30 on February 4th. I felt GOOD. It was little things, mostly - better skin, much better moods, good exercise, a general sense of peace - but added all together it was a really great feeling. I felt so good that I decided to do the "slow roll" reintro, because there wasn't any reason I saw to start reintros right away.

 

I knew V Day was coming, and even though my boyfriend and I don't make a big deal of it, we do traditionally have a nice dinner at home. He was not doing Whole30, and while he was supportive, he just never really got how much better I felt, because nothing was very external or visible. All that added up to me being in a mentally "weak" place, and one or two little treats during V Day weekend turned into . . . well, not a bender, but certainly a series of poor choices that progressed and got worse and worse from Friday to Tuesday night (because why not cap all this off with a celebration of pancake Tuesday, complete with wheat, sugar, and dairy?). By the end I was justifying pretty much any and everything.

 

Yesterday, Wednesday morning, I woke up and felt pretty emotionally and physically beat up. While I'm not in a place right now to commit to starting a true Whole30, I'm going back to being 100% compliant in ALL the situations that where I'm in control, and remembering that I really AM in control of almost all of my food situations. Yesterday was compliant, and I'm facing today the same way. I want to get back to that feeling of peace and comfort in my body again. 

 

So that's how I won't do things again! In short, friends, don't be like me!

[kirkor]

I think the post-W30 world is really where the psychological aspects of the program really become apparent. A 'successful' reintro, food-wise, doesn't show the whole picture. FWOBs lurk everywhere, and it's not the food's fault, but our darn brains. It may well take a few W30s to get it right. Some things may have to be off-limits forever, even if you have no obvious physical reaction during a reintro. I've used the metaphor of 'closing the door' on certain things in my life. It's not even a question of willpower or moderation or negotiation, because with that door closed I don't even have the option.

The biggest benefit to retraining your brain is the adoption of sustainable long term habits, where we don't have to leapfrog from Whole30 to Whole30, but can just exist in a pattern of behavior that is personalized and supports our goals.

[MeadowLily]

You're honest with yourself.   That's MAJOR.    Many people immediately restart a W30  to return to the peace they've found with food for 30 days.

 

Why do certain foods make people crazy pants?  

 

It's time for renewal, reassessment and a reassertion of goals.  We can search every dark corner...hoping to find signs that point towards the key to unlock the mysteries of thrill eating.  Theoretically, we'd all love to know the why, why, why.   Why do some kids start hiding food in their closets and under their beds when their parents wouldn've cared one whit what they were eating.    Adults start hiding in their cars and eating their way through the fast food drive-thru.

 

I still care about the why but I don't get bogged down in the unknown roots because it's not productive.

If someone uncovers their roots for thrill eating - did it change everything for them?  

 

May your happiness return with bliss and joy where food is concerned. 

[Dsykes]

Sounds very similar to me. I had a great experience for my first whole30. I reintroduced a little bread and dairy after i completed my whole 30. Both made me sick. Vday came around and I enjoyed a little pizza and some sweets...just a little. Said I would go right back to while 30,which I did a few days then another sweet treat, all meals whole 30 then another treat until I felt out of control on a vicious cycle of crazing sugar! In a matter of two weeks post whe 30! I'm on my 2nd attempt to do another whole 30 as I'm back to feeling exhausted and bloated from milk and sweet treats (cereals, cookies, candy). I'm on Day 3 now feeling like I could hurt someone for some chocolate but I'm going to commit to overcome this sugar addiction.

[kirbygirl]

I'm so thankful this thread is here.  Day 31 was last Thursday and I knew I was not going to be doing a traditional reintroduction as I planned to reintroduce alcohol first.  My plan is to stay W30 compliant as much as possible and step out when a situation arises.  I have done a number of food allergy tests involving abstinence and reintroduction, which is why I think I found W30 easier than I had anticipated (not easy, easier).  I had an event and houseguests and planned to be mindful of what was affecting me and the choices I made.  Nothing I did caused any intestinal distress however, I found the alcohol caused my face to be very puffy, particularly around my eyes.  People were commenting on how bad my allergies were.  I noticed I need to be more assertive in restaurants to know exactly what is in my food.  I noticed I give in to peer pressure rather than draw attention to my new lifestyle.  I noticed that once I go off-road with a food choice it is difficult to fight the overwhelming urge to just go completely off the rails for the rest of that day (I won that fight though).  I noticed that the sugar cravings have never gone away (I hate that dragon) and just a little taste can make me want all the sugar in the world.  I noticed that I really miss cream in my coffee, but I can live without it.  I noticed that when this crazy weekend ended I went straight back to W30 compliance because it is how I live now.  In all, it was an interesting experience and I feel I approached this weekend the right way for me, learned a lot, and am waiting to apply it when the next off-roading occurs. I believe this is part of the practice for my new lifestyle and I will keep practicing until I get it right.