Whole30 Log: August 1 Start Date

[KaraSW]

I'm so pleased to be a part of this group!

 

I'm a 46-year-old mother of two from Colorado. I am a travel writer by profession, and wrote about my starting Whole 30 here on my blog (which is travel related, but the current nutrition-black-whole predicament I'm in, is due in part to my travel this summer).

 

But in that public blog post, I really didn't delve into how bad the Sugar Dragon is for me. It's really, really bad. I feel a huge sense of relief, today, frankly, because I CANNOT have sugar. I was eating a lot of sweets, and white bread/pasta, etc. A lot. Saying no to alcohol for 30 days is going to be hard for me, but I am confident I can do this.

 

M1: Sweet potato breakfast casserole

M2: Epic Bar (I KNOW this is an "emergency" type of item, but I was dying to see what it tastes like), grapes, carrots

M3: Chicken curry with veggies

 

I also just had a big handful of nuts and more carrots for a post-workout type of snack/mini-meal. I was HANGRY and needed something as I think about prepping dinner. Plus I've got this killer headache and feeling really fatigued, and I'm wondering if this is normal 8 hours in! It's just like a caffeine withdrawal, but I had coffee (with coconut milk) this morning. So what's up with that?!

 

I welcome connecting with seasoned veterans of this program, as well as others starting today. I look forward to delving into this forum -- so much great advice and fabulous success stories.

[KaraSW]

Day 2: Waking to a tension headache in my neck/head-- the ones I get when I'm stressed. Except I'm not stressed. This came on yesterday around 3pm, along with massive fatigue. NOT due to kayaking 2 hours (it was a leisurely float!). The fatigue felt different from a big workout tired; just.... tired. I am guessing this is all part of the sugar/carb withdrawal?

 

Also felt weird tingling in my hands last night while watching TV. Not concerned - just documenting body responses!

 

Haven't felt hungry, though I admittedly ate quite a few nuts at post workout yesterday! Will rein that in; I know it's needed for maximum results.

 

Today's eats:

 

M1: Sweet potato breakfast casserole (8:30am)

M2: Leftover Coconut Chicken Thai Curry and extra carrots (loosely based on this recipe.) (1pm)

M3: Citrus bison meatballs and sweet potato "noodles" (6:30pm; kids LOVED the noodles, I need to fiddle w/ spices to get meatballs to my liking, though B ate 10

Post workout snack: Banana & handful of raw cashews (11am)

 

EXERCISE: 21 day fix - upper body

[jmcbn]

Keep your postWO meal to protein & starchy carbs. Eating fat post WO will restrict your body's ability to absorb the nutrients it needs. Nuts are a fat source, not protein. A few bites of roast chicken & some sweet potato seems to be the favourite option.

As for the headaches & tiredness - yes, this is normal in the first few days. Be sure to drink at least half an ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, and you couold up your inatke of starchy veg in the first week or so to help with the transition from your old diet to the new.

[KaraSW]

Day 3: Didn't sleep well last night. Not awake enough to get up for water or use the bathroom anything else, but more restless than the previous night for sure. Hoping this tiredness and headache/neckache goes away soon. It kicked in at 3pm on Day 1 and remains a bit 7am Day 3--that is, I'm not waking up and feeling fully rested and energized. We'll see how I feel as I get moving today.

 

The pre- and post-workout meals might be tough to factor in ideally, given when I like to exercise. I like my solid breakfast, so if I'm exercising in the morning I"m not going to want a pre, post and breakfast all before 11 am. Gonna take each day with that one, and adjust depending on how intensity the exercise is. 

 

Watched That Sugar Film, which only strengthened my resolve.

 

Feeling less bloated around my belly, which is nice.

 

Plan:

M1: Sweet potato breakfast casserole

M3: Leftover citrus bison meatballs in a touch of leftover curry sauce; banana; cauliflower "hummus" and a few carrots

M3: Turkey spinach fritatta

 

EXERCISE: 21 day fix - full body cardo; 10-minute abs

[drakeam]

I'm also having a tough time figuring out the pre and post exercise, since I usually run to the gym in the morning and use the pool.  I felt a little sick this morning, because I had a full breakfast of eggs with spinach and grapes this morning before heading out.  I can't eat that much beforehand, but like you I don't want to do breakfast, pre-, and post-workout all before 9am.  It's tricky.

[KaraSW]

I'm also having a tough time figuring out the pre and post exercise, since I usually run to the gym in the morning and use the pool.  I felt a little sick this morning, because I had a full breakfast of eggs with spinach and grapes this morning before heading out.  I can't eat that much beforehand, but like you I don't want to do breakfast, pre-, and post-workout all before 9am.  It's tricky.

 

This morning I decided to split my M1 - I had maybe 1/3 a portion of breakfast casserole before my 45-minute workout, and I'm about to delve into the other 2/3 at about 9am. I figure I will be ready and hungry for lunch at noon. Having an extra "workout meal" just doesn't make sense FOR ME right now. But we'll see how my energy and hunger levels are throughout the day.

[KaraSW]

DAY 4

 

Feeling marginally better - not as headachey. Though, I see that if I wait too long to eat breakfast that neckache/headache comes on quickly.

 

Plan:

M1: Sweet potato casserole and a banana; couple of nuts

M2: Ground beef/chicken fritatta (spinach, mushrooms in it); broccoli and cauliflower hummus

M3: Turkey zucchini meatloaf; roasted broccoli; YUMMY garden tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil drizzle, salt/pepper (made my night!)

 

EXERCISE: 21 day fix Dirty 30

 

I DID have a Larbar before dinner - Key Lime Pie. I now understand why they are not recommended on Whole30. Again, wanted to try it (never had before). Sweet! Will keep those in the "emergency" category, as recommended. Yummy, but yeah, those dates ingredients tasted super sweet to me.

[KaraSW]

DAY 5

 

I continue to feel the effects of the "carb flu." I finally got the Whole30 book and am glad to hear these headaches/fatigue are not totally abnormal. Still, want them to go away. Last night around 8pm I said I felt like I was hit by a Mack truck; sooooo tired and achey. Asleep hard by 10pm, but woke this morning at 5am, which is WAY early for me. I am chalking it up to my body still adjusting.

 

According to the book, I might feel like "Killing All the Things" on these days. Seems to me I just want to rest. (Didn't feel abnormally cranky yesterday.) I am continuing to exercise, though not the hour-long classes I've done for a couple years. Taking a break from that studio this month and doing some 21 Day Fix videos (30 minute) which seem to be plenty. Even walking a lot in town yesterday seemed like a struggle. I can't believe how much sugar was fueling my life.

 

Famliy is wonderfully on board. They are eating all the Whole30 dinners I'm making (albeit sometimes w/ rice or bread side). They are game to try my homemade Whole30 approved BBQ sauce and ketchup (son even said, "That recipe sounds good" of the BBQ sauce.)

 

M1: Sweet potato breakfast casserole

M1.5 (post workout): 1 bison meatball and broccoli w/ cauliflower hummus

M2: Chicken curry leftovers; still more broccoli & cauliflower hummus

Not my best moment snack: Larabar (Lemon = yum; too yum)

M3: More leftovers - 3 bison meatballs, sweet potato

 

EXERCISE: 21 Day Fix Pilates + 45-minute slow walking on treadmill + little outdoor walk (first day since starting Whole30 that I'll get in 10,000 steps; feeling MUCH less exhausted this afternoon)

[KaraSW]

Day 6

 

I think I've beaten the "carb flu"! Feeling human today - yay! I definitely have belly bloat - which, if I hadn't read that this is normal, the "My pants don't fit!" stage in Days 8 and 9 (per the timeline), I'd be annoyed. I am going to roll with it, and hope that it passes.

 

M1: Sweet potato breakfast casserole (7am)

M2: Chipotle!  A bowl of carnitas, tomato salsa, guacamole, lettuce (noon)

M2.5: Four big broccoli florets and cauliflower hummus (3pm)

EXERCISE: Hike (short loop = 5,000 steps)

M3: Leftover small piece turkey meatloaf; leftover small fritatta

Evening snack: banana and a ton of nuts (I was freakishly hungry last night; not ideal, I know; should have eaten more - more veggies, for sure - with dinner)

[KaraSW]

Day 7

 

Constipation sucks.

 

M1: Pre-made Paleo turkey breakfast skillet with scrambled eggs

EXERCISE: 21 Day Fix Dirty 30

EXERCISE: Hike (7,000 steps)

Post WO: Prunes and Epic Bar

M2: Half a plate of herbed chicken & cauliflower and carrots (Pre-Made Paleo) + Kombucha

M3: Pre-made Paleo pork, sweet potato mash (cookbook recipe) + Kombucha

 

Made coconut cream, ghee, clarified butter and found I actually like the taste of Kombucha = drinking the Whole30 kool-aid!

[KaraSW]

Day 8: Saturday

 

More than 1/4 of the way there! YAY! I woke up craving/wanting my typical big ol' bowl of Cheerios. That's such a habit. But I do really love them. That's my go-to comfort food.

 

I think I could have eaten more yesterday, but I really wasn't hungry. Did I mention constipation sucks?

 

I made it through the day yesterday w/ no nuts, so I consider that a success.

 

I look forward to cooking Whole30 Cookbook recipes this weekend.

 

M1: Pre-made Paleo Pork Skillet w/ 2 eggs

M2: Leftover Pre-made Paleo Pork w/ smashed sweet potatoes and a couple baby carrots

Snack: Prunes, nuts

M3: Grilled cocout curry chicken with Moroccan-style cauliflower rice (YUM)

 

Took a 45-minute walk outside + housework = 10,000 steps

 

Bloat, bloat and more bloat. Drinking water up the ying-yang. Also took some probiotics just now before bed. This constipation and water retention sucks, sucks. It better pass.

[pingu]

Coconut curry chicken sounds awesome!

Good work on skipping the nuts.

Just though of another thing that's good to get the digestive system on the move again, resistant starch. That's just potatoes or sweet potatoes that have been cooked, cooled, and then reheated.

Cheers!

[KaraSW]

Thanks Little Blue! I've had sweet potatoes DAILY since starting Whole30. I've got to cut out nuts completely, I think. And stop drinking my carbonated water I love so much. Aiming for a full 24 hours no handfuls of nuts, no LaCroix. Because the constipating/bloating is totally bumming me out. I'm also reading coconut may cause digestive issues, especially among those who never ate coconut prior to Whole30 (me). I'll eat the rest of this coconut curry chicken, then likely not cook w/ it anymore.

 

Day 9: Sunday

 

M1: Melissa's chicken hash (Premade Paleo) with 2 eggs in ghee (I see that the chicken hash has some walnuts, but those must be minimal -- didn't taste 'em).

EXERCISE: 21 Day Fix Lower Body + 10-minute Abs

Post WO: small zuchini sauteed in clarified butter; 3 baby carrots and the last little bit of tahini cauliflower "hummus"; 3 dried prunes

M2: Spinach, sweet potato, bacon, egg casserole

More exercise: 45-minute walk

M3: Banger sausage patties, sweet potato, roasted broccoli

[Dnnasttn]

Thanks Little Blue! I've had sweet potatoes DAILY since starting Whole30. I've got to cut out nuts completely, I think. And stop drinking my carbonated water I love so much. Aiming for a full 24 hours no handfuls of nuts, no LaCroix. Because the constipating/bloating is totally bumming me out. I'm also reading coconut may cause digestive issues, especially among those who never ate coconut prior to Whole30 (me). I'll eat the rest of this coconut curry chicken, then likely not cook w/ it anymore.

 

 

 

Kara, I have been eating 1 sweet potato per day.  It seems to help keep me full.  Supposedly they're good for digestion so hopefully that has helped you some.  I am addicted to LaCroix and was nearing no brakes... adding in more icy, icy water has helped with that.  I hope you're feeling better today!  Donna

[KaraSW]

Donna - I too have been addicted to LaCroix. Yesterday was likely the first day since giving up Diet Coke (2 years ago?) I haven't had a fizzy water. Gonna go another day without it, no handfuls of nuts, no coconut and see how that works. I have never eaten so many sweet potatoes in my life; agree, they help me feel sated, and they're so yummy, to boot! :-)

 

Day 10 (yay! 1/3 done!)

 

M1: Spinach/sweet potato/bacon/egg casserole

7:30 morning meeting, followed by grocery shopping

10am exericse: upper body weights + 10-minute abs

M2: Leftover Pre-made Paleo chicken and veggies (1/2 serving) and good portion of cauliflower rice (w/ raisins and a few pinenuts)

2pm exercise: 40-minute hike

M3: Leftover coconut curry chicken with a ton of cauliflower rice and prunes

[KaraSW]

Day 11

 

Holy opposite problem of constipation! Perhaps I overdid it on the Kombucha, digestive enzymes (I caved and bought some - desperate - didn't want to go there), veggies, water, etc. etc. Hoping I get "regular" soon. The bloat has definitely dissipated, so that's good.

 

M1: Sweet potato-bacon-spinach-egg casserole

Exercise: 30 minute mellow walk + 21-Day Fix Plyo

M2: Sweet potatoes, chicken curry, prunes

M3: Chocolate chili, handful cashews, a ton of diced sweet potatoes

 

Hope those nuts don't screw me over.

[KaraSW]

Day 12: Wednesday

 

Feeling good. Strong. I can do this.

 

M1: Half a breakfast casserole

Exercise: 20 minutes mellow cardio + 20 minutes lower body + 30 minutes yoga

M1.5: 2/3 a breafkast casserole + sausage patty

M2: Pre-Made Paleo Turkey Meatballs + roasted broccoli + roasted sweet potatoes

Snack: Raisins and prunes (I know, I know)

M3: Steak, sweet potatoes, sliced tomatoes

 

"Made it through another day," is what I'm thinking before going to bed tonight. I'll be really happy on the 31st.

[KaraSW]

Day 13: Thursday

 

Keep thinking I'm going to have junk-food dreams, and last night I dreamt of proscuitto-wrapped melon. Go figure.

 

Constipation seems to be back. Not cool.

 

M1: Turkey sausage breakfast skillet + 2 eggs

Exercise: A half-hearted 21 Day Fix Total Body Cardio, though I'm counting weedeating and washing 2 cars as exercise, too

M2: Leftover chocolate chili and broccoli

Snack: A ridiculous amount of raisins (again, I know, I know)

M3: Leftover chocoloate chili and Pre-Made Paleo tomatoes/kale/rutabaga (found out I really don't like cooked kale or rutabaga)

[KaraSW]

Day 14: Friday

 

I woke up feeling resentful. Feeling like I've been missing out on some favorite foods (and wine). But I ate my breakfast casserole. And I worked out. And I read an inspirational Success Story. I want to be a Success Story. So, I'm going to quit my whining and put on my big girl panties (no one is forcing me to do this!) and make the next 16 days count.

 

I'm also tired of complaining about my constipation. I had a bit of relief this morning, but not a satisfying poop. At all. I am going to carry on with my remedies (Kombucha, digestive enzymes, magnesium, waterwaterwater) and hope nature takes care of this.

 

M1: Medium portion breakfast casserole (6:15am)

Exercise: 21 Day Fix Cardio/biceps/triceps

Post W/O: Medium portion breakfast casserole (10:15am)

M2: Chili, cashews, maybe 4 grapes

M3: A ridiculous amount of sweet potatoes while making shephard's pie and prepping diced/roasted ones for week. Then, one small piece shephard's pie for my real dinner.

 

I'm done for the night. It's been a stressful day -- which included my husband bringing my son's friend to the ER (he's fine) and shopping w/ my hormonal teen. The fact that I didn't eat ANY sugar or drink ANY wine this afternoon/evening is huge. Huge.

[KaraSW]

Day 15: Saturday

 

Just as the timeline predicts - I had a junk food dream last night! Dreamt I bit into a piece of Pizza Hut pizza. Woke up immediately thinking I had to start over. Stressful! Hiking today along a distant trail. Packing food (of course).

 

M1: Last spinach-bacon-egg casserole slice + pork sausage

M2: Small shephard's pie leftover + grapes + Lara bar on trail

Exercise: HUGE hike. Steep, 5+ miles

Post w/o: Roasted sweet potatoes

M3: Whitefish lightly breaded w/ egg/coconut flour/cashews + butternut squash (Pre-made Paleo)

[KaraSW]

Day 16: Sunday

 

Another junk-food dream last night! This time Dunkin' Donuts.

 

M1: Pre-Made Paleo Turkey Breakfast Skillet + 2 eggs

M2: Two Paleo Egg Muffins (I bet only 1.5 eggs and a small serving of homemade pork sausage and veggies) + prunes

M2.5: Small serving of shephard's pie (I didn't eat enough at M2, for sure)

M3: DELICIOUS coconut shrimp with pina colado sauce - YUM YUM. Felt decadent eating that sauce! (Coconut cream & crushed pineapple). I ate a few bites of Pre-Made Paleo Broccoli Madrid, but wasn't feeling it.

 

Small exercise day - a 2,500-step walk and upper body strength training

[ekc]

Hi Kara,

I also started August 1.  I'm curious to know if you are referring to the pre made paleo website.  I've been tempted to order a few things from them and wanted to know how they are!

[KaraSW]

Hi ekc!

 

Yes, I ordered the Turkey Breakfast Skillet (YUM!) and the Paleo Bacon (YUCK - too much fat and no taste).

 

I also ordered the Emergency Kit (I think that's what it's called), with some trail mix (YUM), and some soups (haven't tried yet), breakfast items (LOVED Melissa's Chicken Hash and Pork Skillet), meats (a mixed bag - some better than others), and vegetables (I'll be honest - I like my freshly cooked veggies MUCH better; I definitely don't love the veggies - too soggy and overcooked when I heat IMO).

 

Does that help?

 

I'm glad I ordered items, since they are at my fingertips to thaw and eat. No excuses - I always have Whole30 items on hand!

 

Kara

[KaraSW]

Day 17: Monday

 

Could it be that my 3pm sugar cravings are gone? I don't recall having one yesterday. My husband made rustic bread yesterday and I didn't even feel the need to eat a piece. It was cooling on the counter for a while, and warm homemade bread is a FAVE. If so, cool.

 

Again, so glad I'm on the downside. There is no way in hell I could "start over" now. 30 days is going to be plenty for me. That all said, I feel leaner. I wake up with energy. I sleep well. Not complaining.

 

M1: Two "large" Paleo egg muffins (that aren't really that big)

M1.5: A small Paleo egg muffin (I knew I hadn't eaten enough)

M2: Turkey breast dipped in coconut curry sauce (yum!); a few broccoli

Pre-workout snack: Cold sweet potato and some cashew butter

Exercise: Hour of Zumba

M3: Three salmon cakes, homemade tartar sauce and a smidgen of leftover veggies

 

I know I"m not getting enough veggies. Tiring of them. Need to do something different/more. Maybe make more cauliflower rice - I did love that.

 

However, I was EXCITED to eat my sweet potato this afternoon - cold. No jellybeans craving. I consider that a BIG win.

[KaraSW]

Day 18: Tuesday

 

Feeling good. Lean.

 

M1: 2 Paleo egg muffins (small) and a small serving of shephard's pie

Exercise: Long loop hike (7,000 steps)

M2: Turkey and curry sauce; banana and coconut cream/pineapple (where are the veggies??)

M2.5: Two little Paleo egg muffins and a Larabar (yep, those lack of veggies screwed me over)

M3: 5 homemade turkey meatballs and compliant spaghetti sauce; few bites of sweet potato

Binge "dessert": Two fistfulls or raisins (totally know this is verboten - but, hey, it wasn't cookies or ice cream)

 

Stressful afternoon and evening. I know why I "binged" on raisins (and ate the banana/dip/Larabar). I clearly need to have bigger meals WITH VEGETABLES.

 

In good news, I MADE the best-ever homemade white-flour buns for my family, and didn't blink an eye when they came out fresh from the oven. Had no problem passing on Parmesan cheese prevalent at the dinner table (rest of family had meatball subs and pasta for dinner).