PLEASE help, having such a hard time

[hiphiptarah]

I am on Day 2 of my first Whole 30 and in serious need of advice and support.

 

Problem 1: No appetite

 

(My post from yesterday before dinner for additional background)

http://forum.whole9life.com/topic/26498-day-1-and-already-struggling/

 

Last night I only had about 5 bites of dinner before I didn't want any more. This morning I didn't even want to get out of bed because I didn't want breakfast. The thought of eating anything I had leftover from yesterday sounded disgusting and I was in no mood to make something else - nothing else sounded good anyways. I didn't eat for a couple hours after waking because I could not bring myself to eat any of my food. Eventually, I decided I had to eat something, so I had an apple and some cashews. I know, totally not according to the meal template. It has been a few hours since that, and I still don't want to eat anything. Even though I don't feel hungry stomach-wise, I know my body needs nourishment since I'm starting to feel weak and shaky. Also I'm feeling totally depressed and on the verge of tears (likely because I'm not getting endorphins my usual way: from sugary foods).

 

Help! How do I force myself to eat? Did anyone else feel this way and did it get better?!?!

 

Problem 2: Roommate

 

I am single (f) and living with another girl. We've been roommates for about 2 months and I barely know her. Our schedules rarely match up so I often don't even see her. However, she is very overwieght and eats SO MUCH JUNK. Even worse than I usually do, which is saying A LOT. I mentioned I was starting a "diet" (I know it's not a diet, but that was the quickest way to get the main idea across) so I could split up the cabinets and our fridge so our food would be more separate. However, all that horrible junk food is still there. Most of it is so highly processed I would never even eat it. But what's killing me is the sweets! Last night when I went downstairs to check on my chicken on the oven, my roommate has gotten home and there is a GINORMOUS cake sitting on the counter. (Now it's in the fridge). Not to mention all the cookie dough, ice cream, giant bin of popcorn from the popcorn factory...on and on.

 

Help! How on earth do I keep going when I don't want to eat ANY of the healthy, real food options that my fridge/freezer/cabinets are stocked with and all I can think about is that darn cake?!?! Is there a way I can approach my roommate to try and get some kind of support? Like I said, I barely know her, which is why I haven't talked to her before. It just feels very uncomfortable to try to talk to her about something as personal as food choices and why I'm doing the program, etc. And I can't exactly make her get rid of all her food.

 

Thank you all in advance for any encouragement and advice.

[kirkor]

re: challenge 2, all I can offer is to remind you to remind yourself why you decided to embark upon a Whole30 in the first place. Really lock in a bunch of compelling reasons for yourself why this protocol is a definite MUST for you. Don't even entertain the idea of not completing it. Realize all that garbage from your roommate is simply not an option, period.

[MeadowLily]

I commend all of your planning but it's time to jump on in.

 

"Now that you have the basic plan, you need to know how to implement it. It’s simple, actually. Start now. Today. This minute. Count out thirty days on your calendar. Plan out a week’s worth of meals, using the Resources we’ve given you here. Take our Shopping Guide to your local health food store, farmer’s market or grocer and stock up on things you’ll be eating. And then… go. Cold turkey. Just start, using our MealSimple™ template to take all the guesswork out of meal planning. But don’t put this off, not for one more day. If you give yourself excuses or reasons to delay, you may never begin. Do it now.

 

Your only job for the next 30 days is to focus on making good food choices. You don’t need to weigh or measure, you don’t need to count calories, you don’t need to stress about organic, grass-fed, pastured or free range. Just figure out how to stick to the Whole30 in any setting, around every special circumstance, under any amount of stress… for the next 30 days. Your only job? Eat. Good. Food."

- See more at: http://whole30.com/2...h.ZseOsnMe.dpuf

 

http://whole30.com/2011/10/whole-30-v5/

 

This link above is how Whole 30 was - kickin' it old school style.  I post this link because there are newbies who are giving themselves several weeks to ease into the rules.  They risk falling away when the real Whole 30 begins. The best way is this way....go Cold Turkey.

[MeadowLily]

Here’s what you can expect.

 

The first week or two will be tough, as your body heals and adjusts to this new way of eating and your brain wraps itself around going without all those sweet tastes and sugar-driven energy spikes. And while you may start to feel better after a week or two… the healing process takes significantly longer. In addition, the mental addiction and emotional connections to sugary foods, large amounts of carbohydrates and over-the-top, chemically-altered flavors is going to take a lot longer to overcome.

 

Stick with it, and be patient with yourself. You cannot reasonably expect to completely reverse decades of poor eating habits in just 30 days. The good news, however, is that improvements are front-loaded, and you will start to see significant benefits within the month.

 

At some point, we promise you… the magic will happen. You’ll go to sleep easier, and sleep more soundly through the night. Your energy levels will increase and stabilize, and you’ll feel just as good first thing in the morning as you do at the peak of your day. Your body composition will start to change – your clothes will fit differently, and you’ll feel less bloated at the end of your day. Your performance, whether it be in the gym, while playing sports or during a hike, will improve. Your recovery after exercise, a game or a hard day’s work will feel easier and more complete. Conditions, ailments, aches and pains will miraculously start to improve. And through all of it, you’ll be eating delicious, fresh, natural, real food… food that tastes good, and is physically satiating and mentally satisfying.

- See more at: http://whole30.com/2011/10/whole-30-v5/#sthash.BmUI1oJU.dpuf

[MeadowLily]

It’s for your own good.

Here comes the tough love. This is for those of you who are considering taking on this life-changing month, but aren’t sure you can actually pull it off, cheat free, for a full 30 days. This is for the people who have tried this before, but who “slipped” or “fell off the wagon” or “just HAD to eat (fill in food here) because of this (fill in event here).” This is for you.

It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You won’t get any coddling, and you won’t get any sympathy for your “struggles”. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.

- See more at: http://whole30.com/2011/10/whole-30-v5/#sthash.BmUI1oJU.dpuf

[AmyS]

One reason you are so weak and emotional is because you are hungry. I understand this because I've gotten into cycles like that - can't bring myself to eat for whatever reason, then get nauseated and weak and emotional and feel like I can't eat, then it all gets worse.

 

The answer is simple: eat. Don't try to eat a full meal if you're in a cycle of feeling like you can't eat. The cashews and an apple were fine, but consider something like a hard boiled egg (take small bites and wash it down with plenty of water). Maybe an avocado. Have any potatoes handy? They are mild and won't upset any digestive issues, and they'll give you quick-ish energy.

 

Eat a few bites, then walk away, rest for a bit, eat a few more bites.

 

We do want you to get to the place where you can eat three full meals per day. But if you are not at that stage right at this exact minute, that's OK. Just walk over to the fridge and open it and get out something to eat and take a few bites. A little bit of eating will lead to a little bit more eating, and sooner than you think possible, you'll be able to eat food without distress again.

 

As for your roommate, I agree with Kirkor - figure out your reasons for doing Whole30, and keep your eyes on your food and your goals.

 

Go eat something right now, and don't worry if it's not a full template meal right now. An egg, a potato, some tuna, some squash - a few bites of something. Then do it again. And again. You can do it.

[MeadowLily]

If you need each other, it's best to lead by example and do not engage each other with food dialogue.   You want the air to remain free and comfortable between you.

 

You can do it.  Pull all of your strength together from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.   Love yourself and think love in your heart for 30 days towards her.    At some point, she may notice your determination and character.  She might think twice when she goes to the store.   Stay sweet and muster kindness every step of the way.   It may take awhile but something good will change in your environment.   

[hiphiptarah]

Wow guys, thank you SO much. I am in a WHOLE different place than I was 3 hours ago! (haha)

 

Once I was able to envision having smaller portions (temporarily) that made me feel so much relief. I decided to reheat my stir fry from yesterday and just eat a few bites because I knew having some healthy food was better than no food (physically) and that making myself eat a little was better than making myself eat the whole plate (psychologically). I was surprised how good it tasted and I actually ate most of it! So for the next few days, my goal will be to stick to my meal plan, even if I'm not hungry. It may taste better than I think it will, and if it doesn't, then I will just have a few bites and try again later.

 

And yes, I'm sticking to my very long list of reasons why I'm doing this and just hope I can lead by example. In an ideal world, yes I would love if my roommate was on board with this way of eating. But I know I don't need her to be on board for me to succeed! This is about me, my body, my health.

 

Thanks again for the tips and reminders!

[AmyS]

Hooray!