Frustrated

[ajp]

Hi I am starting day 18 tomorrow and have yet to see or feel any of the benefits yet.  I am still pushing snooze on the alarm, my pants are still tight, i do not feel as if i have increased energy, my skin is horrible (when it is usually amazing).....I am doing everything compliant......how can i get thru the next 12 days????

[ShannonM816]

Hi, ajp, I'm sorry you're having a rough time.

 

Could you list a couple of days' worth of typical food (including approximate portion size), water intake, exercise, and sleep? Maybe there's something you could change a little to make a difference.

 

In general, remember that it's a Whole30, not a Whole18, and sometimes people don't see much improvement until the last week or so. 

 

I'd also say that we often see people who are following the program in that they're not eating anything they're not supposed to eat, but they're not necessarily eating enough, or eating the right proportions. Be sure your meals follow the meal template. That means 1-2 palm-sized portions of protein, 1-2 thumb-size portions of fat, and 1-3 cups of vegetables (aim for three at most meals). Most people feel best if they have at least one fist-sized serving of starchy vegetable each day, and people who are very active, who are prone to depression or anxiety, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or in the week leading up to their period often find they need more. Also make sure you're drinking enough water -- aim for 1/2 oz per pound of body weight (if you weigh 120 lbs, aim for at least 60 oz of water).

[MelissaC]

Hey there AJP, 

 

You can do this. I'm glad you posted your frustration. Keeping it in will do you no good. I agree w/ the above post - put some of your meals up here and let some experienced people take a peek at 'em. Sometimes a fine tuning is all that is needed. 

 

As for me, I'm a little ahead of you in my days (I just have about a week and a half left). I had a pretty great honeymoon period in the first week. Then it got hard. My digestion was off - way off. Turns out I needed a digestive enzyme to help me process as the raw salads I was eating. I also found that I had to cut back on coffee - even though I was drinking it black and it's allowed I suddenly couldn't tolerate it (tummy upset). Now I have just a tea cup sized portion or less. 

 

And, while I love Whole 30 so far (difficult as it has been) you might find in this process that you have a food allergy. There are many kinds of food allergies and while this diet eliminates many, it doesn't eliminate all. That would be nearly impossible! While you're in the process of cutting out so many you might want to see a doc (I prefer naturopaths, but that's just me) and talk about food allergies. You may be allergic to nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant) or nuts or something else. 

 

And give it time. Like the above poster said - sometimes it takes a full 30 days. Stick with it. Take care of yourself. Pray or meditate or walk or journal or take a hot bath a few times a week or spend time in nature (a full moon is on the way!) or whatever feels good to you. 

 

Keep posting for support. You got this. 

 

Melissa