Day 27 - Any changes?

[Lola.k]

I'm on day 27, and for the last 2 days I've been bloated and uncomfortable. I am not noticing any visible changes in my body, and I feel like my timeline is WAY behind the suggested timeline. Before Whole30 I was having a lot of problems eating at all (I was on medication that decreased my appetite), and had been eating much too little for several months. However, I have been eating on plan for the last 27 days (I've had to have a couple snacks here and there to take medication with, but other than that, I've been compliant), and I haven't noticed many physical changes, and all of the other changes are happening very slowly. I'm still sleeping poorly, my energy is still really variable, and I'm still feeling generally crummy. 

 

At this point, I'm seriously considering extending my Whole30 (maybe going for a Whole45?). Is this a good idea? Any other advice?

[Krista Billows Rodriguez]

So much of how you feel today depends on where you started from 27 days ago. The timeline is not a for sure thing. It is a guideline to how you may feel. Your experience is of course unique to your body. Have you been logging your food here or in another way. If you care to share, the moderators are great at giving feedback on food logs. There may be tweaks here and there to make that will help you achieve your goals faster

[Lola.k]

I'm really good about following the portion size suggestions laid out in the Whole30 meal planning resources, so keeping that in mind - my typical day looks like this:

 

Breakfast:

3 eggs (cooked in coconut oil)

Berries (usually only every second day)

Veggies 

Fat source

 

Lunch:

Leftover protein 

Salad

Fat source

 

Dinner:

Protein

Veggies (roasted in coconut oil)

Fat source

 

My most common fat sources include: coconut butter, olives, avocado, Whole30 mayo, macadamias

 

I've been really trying to vary what I eat, so I don't have a really great outline, but I have been following the Whole30 meal planning guide to make sure I'm getting the right amounts at every meal. 

[AmyS]

If you have months of undereating coming into Whole30, then it will take longer for your body to nourish and heal itself. Your body's first response will be to hang on to every bit of nutrition you give it, after so many months of deprivation. After months of undereating and undernourishing yourself, you won't be able to count on just 30 days for a fix. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to continue on a strict Whole30 after the 30 days are over. You can certainly extend to a Whole45 if you want to - many Whole30ers do just that. But more importantly, you will want to make a plan to nourish yourself very well for a very very long time to come. For many Whole30ers, the reintroduction phase is extremely important in this regard. You'll be able to tell what foods you can keep and what foods do not do you any favors.

 

And after your Whole30 is over, eating according to the meal template, with portions as large as you can handle, will help your body nourish itself. It will be a long haul, not a 30-day job, for you. But you're off to a solid start, and it will get better.

[Lola.k]

Thanks for the advice! 

[AmyS]

Thanks for the advice! 

You are most welcome! The best thing about Whole30 for you, as I read your account of it, is that you're actually able to eat - that's a huge accomplishment right there! Keep up the great work.

[Lola.k]

It feels really great to be eating again, but it also feels pretty weird. I feel like I must be eating too much, because I was eating so little for so long. I wish that I felt different (more energy, better sleeps, etc) but I guess there might be a delay there associated with my body learning to nourish and heal itself again. That's what I'm trying to tell myself anyway!