What if your body doesn't respond until day 28

[lmnorman]

I'm coming to the end of my first whole30. My body didn't react in the same way as some of described. I'm on day 28 and I still have no energy, my face is breaking out like a 12 year old, and just now getting the cravings for foods. These are pretty similar symptoms my husband is having. We were eating terribly prior to do whole30 and haven't cheated once. Because our bodies aren't really reacting until the end of 30 days does this mean that we should continue on to do another 30 or begin reintroduction even though our bodies aren't at their highest? 

 

I don't want to ruin everything we worked the last 28 days for so I want to be certain that we are ending at the right time.

 

Thanks!

[GFChris]

Everyone reacts differently to a Whole30. Much tends to depend on how you ate prior and your medical history.

I would first confirm that you're on the right track by posting 2-3 days worth of your meals for feedback.  Include portion sizes, daily water consumption, nightly hours of sleep, and any exercise. It would also be helpful to know if you are currently under any stress.  From there, we can see if there are some possible tweaks that could help you.

Also, in deciding whether to extend, consider all the reasons you chose to embark on a Whole30, and if you still want to invest more time in getting there.
 

[lmnorman]

Every morning I eat three eggs with an apple with almond butter for breakfast. Lunch is usually a fistful of protein with veggies. Dinner varies from zucchini noodles with meat sauce or a grilled meat with veggies.  I don't usually eat snacks but when I do it is a cashew Larabar. I'm drinking about 90oz of water each day. I would drink more but I'm a teacher and rarely have time to use the restroom. Each night I'm getting between 8-9 hours of sleep. My exercise routine varies from a palettes class or running three times a week. 

 

Does that help?

[GFChris]

It does help. 

 

First off, drop the Lara bars. They are emergency food only on a Whole30 (like stuck in traffic for hours, delaying your time between meals), and are likely causing your cravings.  Fruit at breakfast may be causing your cravings as well.

Have you seen the recommended meal template? For best results, design each meal to follow the template of 1-2 palms of protein, 1-3 cups of veggies and a compliant fat. A palm is not a fistful: it's the length, width and thickness of the palm of your hand.  Don't let fruit push vegetables off your plate.  It doesn't appear as though you're getting fats in at every meal. 

 

Nuts and nut butters are to be limited on a Whole30. Consider swapping in a different fat at meal 1 so you're not having nuts daily.  That might be causing your skin issues.

 

ETA: the other thing that might help your energy is to have at least a fist-sized serving of carb-dense vegetables daily. Sweet potato, winter squash, beets, carrots, jicama, plantains, rutabaga and parsnips are among the choices.