Why should I continue?

[clarew30]

I started my Whole30 on May 1 and want to continue... I'm feeling quite discouraged by my experience so I'm looking for some encouragement as well as some advice. 

 

Losing weight was part of the reason I wanted to try the Whole 30, but it wasn't my only motivation. I also just want to feel better... I want to feel good on a daily basis instead of feeling exhausted and moody with a headache and bloated belly.

 

I have been wanting to lose about 10 pounds of "vanity weight" mostly because that is where I feel most comfortable, confident, and my clothes fit. In January we got a treadmill and I started working out 5 days a week. After a month I lost nothing. I already eat pretty good so I thought if I added in working out I would lose the weight. Then I modified my diet and tried eating less and counting calories, as well as working out. Another month went by and no weight loss. I continued, thinking I just need more time. No weight loss. Literally, did not even lose 1/2 of a pound. 

Then one night after dinner I noticed I was so bloated that I looked like I was at least 5 months pregnant. I feel like crap most days. Really groggy and tired... borderline comatose exhausted by the evening. Headaches all the time. Digestion issues. I felt like something is not right and I want to fix it and then I came across the Whole30 and decided to give it a go.

 

Here I am 41 days out of my first Whole30, and while I have seen some improvements, I am pretty disappointed. I started sleeping horrible as soon as day 2 and it has mostly continued. I had horrible bad dreams the first week. I am still sleeping bad, I wake up several times through the night tossing and turning. The thing that is bothering me the most is I have to get up to use the bathroom 3-4 times a night. That never happened before Whole30 and now it's every single night.

 

I'm also getting calf cramps almost every night while sleeping, in the early morning. I've never had this issue. I've tried drinking almond milk, eating a banana, or coconut water before bed which hasn't helped (The coconut water doubles the amount of trips I make to the bathroom at night so I try to avoid it).

 

I drink a lot of water throughout the day (about 64 oz) but I have always done this. I've never been a soda drinker. I usually have one maybe two cups of coffee in the morning and maybe one cup of herbal tea during the day. Since I've had to get up so many times at night I stop drinking anything after dinner. I have water with dinner then nothing after. This hasn't helped at all, I'm still getting up 3-4 times.

 

I haven't been weighing myself since before starting this but I had a doctor appointment the other day and they weighed me. On day 39 I had only lost 2 pounds. I don't understand how such a change in diet wouldn't have more of an affect. I understand the typical answer to this is that this is "where my body wants to be" but I don't really agree with that. After reading through the reasons why Whole30 didn't work on the website I'm kind of offended to think "I just didn't work hard enough" because I honestly did.

 

(As a side note for the doctor visit. I've had dermetitis on my face for months that will not go away. That was another motivation for me to start Whole30. There has been no change since I started this diet. I finally went to the doctor and have a referral to a dermatologist.)

 

I want to believe that this diet (I understand it's not a "diet" but that's the word I'm using) and way of life is the best possible route to take for health. I really want to believe it and I'm willing to stick to it to find out. But how long will it take? Will I ever start feeling "better"? I miss having Fun and Exciting foods. I don't like how restrictive the diet is. If I was feeling like Superwoman by now then I don't think I would mind all the things I'm missing out on. I'm still exhausted, not sleeping good, still have random stomach issues, and I'm bored of the foods I'm allowed to eat. I understand I might just "need more time". But honestly I feel like a lot of symptoms continued and I gained new issues I never had before. I'm just completely discouraged.

Why should I continue?

 

 

Here's an example of a few days of foods

 

B: 3 scrambled eggs (with ghee), a few cups of roasted veg and sweet potato with black coffee.

L: spinach salad, veg, olives, balsamic vinegar dressing, and tuna salad, with kombucha.

D: 3 salmon cakes, homemade tartar sauce, and asparagus.

 

B: 2 chicken sausage, roasted veg, 1 banana and 1/2 cup blueberries and black coffee.

L: 1 chicken breast, spinach salad, veg, balsamic dressing.

D: turkey "chocolate" chili with kale and sweet potato (cooked with ghee).

 

B: 3 egg omelet (with ghee) with onions, peppers, mushrooms and kale, black coffee.
L: left over turkey chili and veg.
D: 1 chicken breast, spinach salad and balsamic dressing, roasted brussel sprouts, and coconut water.

 

 

Sorry that was long, if you got through it all bravo to you! Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

 

[ShannonM816]

Your food looks pretty good, although some meals don't mention added fat -- I'm guessing you may have just forgotten to mention it, but if not, do be sure you're adding fat to each meal. The usual recommendation on water is to have 1/2 oz of water for every pound of body weight, so 64 oz is perfect if you weigh 128 lbs.

 

Google Whole30 cramps for past discussions on this -- I know this comes up from time to time. I don't know of any good suggestions, other than to figure out foods that are high in potassium and magnesium and making sure you include plenty of them consistently.

 

Sleep is a really big deal, that might be contributing to some of this. This article has some tips on sleep hygiene -- if you haven't already, I'd start trying to work on that.

 

As for missing fun and exciting foods -- maybe you need to try some new recipes? What are you missing? Maybe we can help you find something that could have similar tastes or textures or whatever it is that you're missing. 

 

I know it's frustrating to not have the results you wanted, especially since it looks like you are doing things right, but I don't think that going back to a way of eating that left you bloated enough to look pregnant, headache-y, and exhausted every evening is going to make it better. 

[clarew30]

Thank you for your comment! I do cook everything - the veggies, sweet potato, sausage, chicken etc in either ghee, coconut oil or olive oil. I'll look up about cramps, and the article about sleep. 

 

As for foods I'm missing I don't know how else to explain it but "exciting" foods. The occasional treat. Something to look forward to. I am trying some new recipes and I'm open to recipe resources. I notice I feel worse when I have too much fruit or sugar so I'm really trying to stay away from that but then my meals seem so repetitively boring!

 

I agree about not going back... and I try to focus on the good. I really want to feel my best.

[Carlaccini]

First observation is that you eat an awful lot of poultry!  And you seem to have been missing fats.  Unless you forgot to mention them.  Remember:  Cooking fats usually stay in the pan unless you scrap them out onto your dish.

 

I recently have been eating a lot of chicken too and quite frankly I'm fed up with it!  No matter which way I prepare it (it is a most versatile protein) I am just kind of done with it.

 

Is there a reason why you are sticking with poultry and not any red meats?  Red meats may help you.  

 

Some overall notes:

 

Things do on average get worse before they get better.  And yes some of us do take much longer than 30 days to heal.  Yes it is frustrating.  And patience is generally a requirement.

 

Calf cramps and sleeping - try a magnesium supplement - we recommend Natural calm unflavored around these parts.  Muscle spasms, cramping, poor sleep is a general symptom of being low on magnesium.  If you are not up for a supplement - try a Epsom salt bath before bed.  The magnesium will absorb into your body that way.

 

Eating starchy veggies and a bit of fat before bed has helped for me too.  My go to was pumpkin + coconut butter.

[clarew30]

I do have an aversion to red meat. Even as a child I would sneak my bites to the dog! I don't like the taste or the texture. Of course, it's been many years since I've even had any so maybe my tastebuds have changed. The idea of even tasting it kind of creeps me out though. I will say, I had a bite of my husbands lamb stake and it wasn't so bad. I guess it's worth a try.

I actually started taking a magnesium supplement yesterday after reading that could help so maybe I'll start seeing an improvement!

I've been trying to figure out how to add more starchy veggies, thank you for the pumpkin idea! How soon before bed? Should I eat protein with it too?

[clarew30]

Any ideas about having to use the bathroom so often at night?

[Carlaccini]

Just saw you last comment.

 

I have suffered my entire life with various forms of skin issues - eczema, dermatitis, and deep skin fissures on my feet, and later on I "grew out of" the eczema only to develop acne inversa and rosacea  on my face.

 

Since going whole 30 my skin issues have gotten much better - but I was having chronic "dry hands" and hand fissures (left over symptoms from eczema) I recently dropped ghee, and eggs  (I have issues with the whites apparently).  And my skin has improved.  So something to keep in mind.

[jmcbn]

Any ideas about having to use the bathroom so often at night?

I would look at cutting out caffeine - I have seen a marked improvement in night time bathroom visits since I knocked coffee on the head.

[Carlaccini]

I would eat the pumpkin an hour to 1/2 an hour before bed.  I don't need to do this anymore as my body has adjusted.  Protein although recommended to make it a mini meal - I didn't really include because this was more about something to help me sleep.  I have eaten cubed sweet potatoes and olives too - similar effect. Also maybe a starchy soup with some coconut milk mixed in might help too.  Go with a small amount.  Basically what it is doing is supplying your body with food long term.  When you wake at 2 - 3am in the morning for no apparent reason your liver crashing as it is looking for alternative sources for energy.  If you have something sweet and sugary before bed - aka fruit - your body may crash and might be early waking.

 

Okay Melissa had a fantastic article on meat aversions - (both Dallas and Melissa used to be Vegetarians)http://whole9life.com/2013/02/eating-meat-a-primer-for-the-meat-challenged-2/

 

The article suggests starting off with something little - Melissa suggests ground meat - but basically start small with whatever your comfortable with.

 

As for getting up during the night multiple times for bathroom breaks - this might be something that you need to seek some medical help for.  There might be something else going on that we just can't help you with.

[clarew30]

Thanks for all the help.

 

My husband is doing whole30 with me and he's sleeping as poorly as I am, as well as getting calf cramps which really makes me think we're missing something in the diet. 

 

Can't wait to tweak everything and apply these suggestions!

[Carlaccini]

You could also just up your starchy veggies in general, and especially in your dinner.  This should help too

[Carlaccini]

Thanks for all the help.

 

My husband is doing whole30 with me and he's sleeping as poorly as I am, as well as getting calf cramps which really makes me think we're missing something in the diet. 

 

Can't wait to tweak everything and apply these suggestions!

 

Have him start taking the magneism too

[ladyshanny]

Given that you have this aversion to red meats, is it possible that you are also experiencing low iron?  Low iron can contribute to exhaustion.

 

The going to the bathroom thing, here are a couple things to try.  Try front loading your water to the first half of the day.  Stay away from diuretics like coffee and coconut water.  Also consider that you might not be comfortable when you are sleeping. Is your bedroom too hot or too cold? I find that if I'm cold at night I'll wake up more often/easier and then notice I have to go to the bathroom whereas if I'm comfortable all night I don't wake.

[clarew30]

Something I completely forgot to mention is that I am on the birth control depo provera. Could this affect anything? 

 

I have had iron checked in the past when I was having heavy periods and even then my iron was normal. I don't get a period while on depo, but maybe I should get iron checked again. 

 

Yes, part of the issue with sleeping is that I get TOO HOT. Now that it's summer again the house we are in has horrible insulation and our electric bill is out of control so we keep the a/c at a minimal. We do have a ceiling fan that somewhat helps. What's been happening the last week or more is that I wake up hot and kick off the light sheet, then later I wake up with goosebumps and pull the sheet back on... wake up again later hot... I don't know how to fix this!

[ladyshanny]

Yes, part of the issue with sleeping is that I get TOO HOT. Now that it's summer again the house we are in has horrible insulation and our electric bill is out of control so we keep the a/c at a minimal. We do have a ceiling fan that somewhat helps. What's been happening the last week or more is that I wake up hot and kick off the light sheet, then later I wake up with goosebumps and pull the sheet back on... wake up again later hot... I don't know how to fix this!

That could be part of your peeing issue, you wake up and notice that you have to go.

 

Can you sleep in your basement? Is there a room that you can close up completely during the day (towels or cardboard in the windows etc) so that it doesn't get warm?  If you are using AC, close all the doors of the rooms you don't care about, close all the vents in those rooms so that the AC goes only into your bedroom.  Try to make the room as small as possible by closing the closets and ensuite door and leave the bedroom door closed. I turn our AC on about an hour before I go to bed (on low) and my husband turns it off a couple hours later when he comes to bed.  That seems to keep the room cool enough to fall asleep and then by the time the AC cooling has worn off, the night air is cooler.

[clarew30]

I think you're right. We do have other rooms and vents closed, but haven't tried keeping the bedroom door closed. I will try that. Part of the issue is the a/c unit is too small for the house and the air doesn't blow strong enough upstairs. I literally have fans everywhere and even point them up the stairs in effort to help. Sigh. We are renting so there's not much we can do. I may have to start sleeping nekkid!

[BeantownDiva715]

Hi Clare!

 

I am a newbie so I don't know how much I can offer but I did read your post with great interest.  We have a LOT in common in our story.  Wanted to second the liquid front loading suggestion.  I try not to drink an hour at least before bed- this is also bc I have on/off acid reflux and liquid before laying down to go to sleep exacerbates that.  Also, per my PCP, caffeine irritates the lining of the bladder, so just be cognizant of that maybe?  I also make it a point to visit the toity just before climbing in to bed and actually sitting a minute to let my bladder make up its mind.

 

RE: DepoProvera.  Oh boy.  Everyone is different of course but I have to tell you I was on it for about 3 years when I was married previously and it messed.  me.  up.  Made it impossible to lose weight, energy up and down and all over the place, not to mention the same for my moods.  I came off it and tried ortho-trycyclin for 3 months which made me crazier, heavier and gave me migraines that landed me in the ER.  Turns out my body just does NOT play well with synthetic hormones.  Getting an IUD changed my life.  So... there may be something to your speculation that the DP is playing a part.  I seriously didn't know they even offered that to women anymore!!  I am sure this has come up before so maybe another thread somewhere on the Forum could lend more help?

 

Either way, I am sending you good thoughts and applaud your efforts.  I hope you decide to stick with it!!  (If you want to talk about the DP shot, let me know  )

 

Bean

[clarew30]

Hi Bean! Thanks for your comment!

 

Ugh, sometimes being a girl is such a pain in the ass. Literally! I've had such a hard time with birth controls. Actually, I have severe endometriosis. Of which took more than 10 years to get diagnosed (by surgery) because the doctors never took me seriously and only put me on b/c. Only after infertility did they finally listen. After the surgery they put me on Lupron and I guess I was one of the lucky few that never had any bad side affects (besides hot flashes). I was on it for a full year which is longer that you're normally supposed to take it. But because I wasn't having any issues they let me. After that I wanted to see how I would feel. Slowly but surely my periods got worse again (only 3 weeks apart and pms 24/7) horrible headaches, constant pain, and the sorest breasts you could imagine. After about a year of that I went back in for ultrasounds (looked normal so they guess pain is from scar tissue) but I also have the endo in the cul-de-sac area that gives me a lot of problems. Anyway long story short they tried to give me an IUD but they were unable to insert it! So... that's why I'm on the depo now. I've tired about 5 other birth controls and they all were hell. So far (10 months) the depo has been great, no period so no pain, no sore breasts, no hot flashes. My mood was crazy but as soon as I started the whole30 I noticed my mood improved completely! So that is a win (especially for my husband, lol). 

Okay, that was probably way TMI but I wanted to commiserate! I'm excited I got a few suggestions today to apply and I really hope they will help. I even plan to (gulp) add some read meat and give it a try. Thanks so much for the good thoughts!

[ladyshanny]

I think you're right. We do have other rooms and vents closed, but haven't tried keeping the bedroom door closed. I will try that. Part of the issue is the a/c unit is too small for the house and the air doesn't blow strong enough upstairs. I literally have fans everywhere and even point them up the stairs in effort to help. Sigh. We are renting so there's not much we can do. I may have to start sleeping nekkid!

Heat rises so try pointing your fans from the top down. This way they are drawing in the heated air and blowing it downstairs?

[ladyshanny]

 I also make it a point to visit the toity just before climbing in to bed and actually sitting a minute to let my bladder make up its mind.

 

Oh, the second pee!  I'd forgotten about that because it's just such a habit now.  When we were camping a lot a few years ago a friend we were with told me to always wait for the second pee before bed.  There is always, ALWAYS a second pee.

[clarew30]

Sorry I haven't figured out how to reply directly to anyone yet:)

 

For the fan I set it in front of a vent that's on the floor so it will blow the cool air in the direction of the stairs. It seems to help a little, there is no vent upstairs in the hallway which is part of the issue also. I really don't like heat, in fact I sometimes wonder if there's something wrong with me because it's like I can't tolerate heat at all. I get SO uncomfortable when I'm hot and it doesn't seem to bother others.

[clarew30]

So at night we usually lay in bed and read (a real book!) and I swear in a 2-3 hour time period I will have to get up and pee about every 30 minutes. This doesn't happen during the day. I always go once more before we fall asleep and if it takes too long to fall asleep I will have to get up and go again. After I finally fall asleep I will at some point wake up any where from midnight, 1am, 2 or 3 and have to go each time. It's not a large amount but I definitly feel like I HAVE to go or I will pee myself. Husband wakes up at 5am and I usually have to go then, also. 

This was NOT happening before whole30. But I was also sleeping better before whole30.

[ladyshanny]

So at night we usually lay in bed and read (a real book!) and I swear in a 2-3 hour time period I will have to get up and pee about every 30 minutes. This doesn't happen during the day. I always go once more before we fall asleep and if it takes too long to fall asleep I will have to get up and go again. After I finally fall asleep I will at some point wake up any where from midnight, 1am, 2 or 3 and have to go each time. It's not a large amount but I definitly feel like I HAVE to go or I will pee myself. Husband wakes up at 5am and I usually have to go then, also. 

This was NOT happening before whole30. But I was also sleeping better before whole30.

Could you have a bladder infection?

 

Frequency but lack of volume is a main symptom of that.

[clarew30]

Would I have pain or other symptoms with an infection?

I am going to try cutting out caffeine like suggested, and I saw something about taking a supplement for UTI (I think it was d-mannose?) I want to try also.

[ladyshanny]

Would I have pain or other symptoms with an infection?

I am going to try cutting out caffeine like suggested, and I saw something about taking a supplement for UTI (I think it was d-mannose?) I want to try also.

You might have some burning when urinating but you might not.  Low back pain, strong smelling urine or urine that is cloudy may also be symptoms.