there is no way I could ever do this

[lily3qb]

I just wanted to say I really admire everyone who is doing this....came on here fully planning to do it but then realized there's no way I ever could! Good luck to everyone......as I say I'd probably fail in the first hour of this.

[Erica Gucc]

i thought so too, but i cut out wheat and realized it wasnt so hard. Start small! start learning new recipes and how to prep ahead. It will make it possible.

[ShannonM816]

I just wanted to say I really admire everyone who is doing this....came on here fully planning to do it but then realized there's no way I ever could! Good luck to everyone......as I say I'd probably fail in the first hour of this.

 

What makes you think you couldn't do it? If it's something you're really interested in doing, especially if you have any medical issues that you think might be helped by it, try to think of the reasons you couldn't do it, and I'm sure someone here on the forum has had the same fears and can reassure you that it is possible, and probably give you some tips for avoiding possible problems.

 

If you just looked at the list of "can'ts," I know it can be daunting, but think about all the things you can have. Eggs and bacon, sweet potatoes, homemade mayo, piles of roasted vegetables, grilled steak, deviled eggs, avocado/guacamole, salmon, roast beef with potatoes and carrots, fresh fruit. And, you can eat these things until you're full, without having to worry about counting calories, without having to track every single bite you eat in some app.It's not a bad deal, really.

[Loulabelle]

Can't is only a state of mind. If you think you can't it becomes a fulfilling prophecy, however, with eating W30 if you stumble and have to restart once or 100 times to finally make it through 30 days the worst thing that has happened is you have fed yourself healthy, nutritious food and learned something about yourself along the way. There are no failures if you pay attention even if you do only make it through an hour at a time. Give it a go & see what happens.

[lily3qb]

What makes you think you couldn't do it? If it's something you're really interested in doing, especially if you have any medical issues that you think might be helped by it, try to think of the reasons you couldn't do it, and I'm sure someone here on the forum has had the same fears and can reassure you that it is possible, and probably give you some tips for avoiding possible problems.

 

If you just looked at the list of "can'ts," I know it can be daunting, but think about all the things you can have. Eggs and bacon, sweet potatoes, homemade mayo, piles of roasted vegetables, grilled steak, deviled eggs, avocado/guacamole, salmon, roast beef with potatoes and carrots, fresh fruit. And, you can eat these things until you're full, without having to worry about counting calories, without having to track every single bite you eat in some app.It's not a bad deal, really.

 

I really want to do it--I'm not overweight, but I eat a lot of junk and have bad eating habits in general. I'd rather just not eat than eat veggies, fruits, etc. which is a problem. 

 

potential problems: I'm a terrible cook, especially with meat, I'm allergic to nuts which seem to be a big part of this, and I need a lot of caffeine/energy drinks to get me through the work day. Additionally, I'm worried changing my diet will put me in a bad mood which isn't ideal for my work situation (very stressful) at the moment.

 

I still don't think this is possible for me but if anyone has any tips I would appreciate it.

[GFChris]

I really want to do it--I'm not overweight, but I eat a lot of junk and have bad eating habits in general. I'd rather just not eat than eat veggies, fruits, etc. which is a problem.

potential problems: I'm a terrible cook, especially with meat, I'm allergic to nuts which seem to be a big part of this, and I need a lot of caffeine/energy drinks to get me through the work day. Additionally, I'm worried changing my diet will put me in a bad mood which isn't ideal for my work situation (very stressful) at the moment.

I still don't think this is possible for me but if anyone has any tips I would appreciate it.

I wonder what would happen if you did decide to commit to a Whole30? What if, at the end if the 30 days, you found yourself healthier, less stressed, and needing less caffeine, and having some new cooking skills under your belt? You won't know unless you do it.

Many people do a Whole30 without nuts: they are not required and are recommended to be limited anyway, for those who choose to have them.

You may experience ups and downs with mood and energy during a Whole30. That typically resolves itself during the process, and we are always here to offer feedback on tweaks to improve your experience,

You don't need to be a master chef. Keep it simple.

[GetnFitr]

I really want to do it--I'm not overweight, but I eat a lot of junk and have bad eating habits in general. I'd rather just not eat than eat veggies, fruits, etc. which is a problem. 

 

potential problems: I'm a terrible cook, especially with meat, I'm allergic to nuts which seem to be a big part of this, and I need a lot of caffeine/energy drinks to get me through the work day. Additionally, I'm worried changing my diet will put me in a bad mood which isn't ideal for my work situation (very stressful) at the moment.

 

I still don't think this is possible for me but if anyone has any tips I would appreciate it.

I totally get where your coming from, so know you aren't alone in feeling like there's no way you could do this. It took me six weeks to get up my nerve. I was going to start September 1st., but came up with entire list of reasons (unhealthy, of course) why I couldn't. Then I had a night where I ate half a bag of candy corn (I know...I know...) and woke up in the middle of the night so sick I couldn't believe it. I started the next morning( Oct 1st) and I'm now 7 days away from being done. You can read my log "oct 1st. Newbie to new me" if you want to. I won't lie, it hasn't been easy, but it has been so incredibly worth it. The improvements in my over all health are nothing short of miracles, I'm not kidding either!

Don't let allergies keep you from starting. I'm allergic to eggs and eggs are an even bigger part of the program than nuts, which actually aren't that much a part of things. You'll probably have even better results because you can't eat nuts! Many a moderator suggest removing nuts when people complain about the program not working, so I'd look at your nut allergy as a good thing not a bad one!

As far as your inability to cook, don't worry about it. I found I made the same things over and over, and they mostly involved sautéing onions in a pan, and then adding in ground turkey, vegetables, etc. or, I'd turned the oven on to 400 degrees and roast boneless chicken breast, turkey, or pork tenderloin for 15-20 minutes. It's super easy, truly. Honestly, a trained monkey could make what I make. No, i probably won't get on the cover on Bon Appettit, but who cares? It all tastes really good, it's easy, and it's kept me from giving up on many days.

If you want a tip, why not plan to actually start your Whole30 January 1, and in the meantime, learn to cook 3 Whole breakfasts, 3 whole30 lunches, and 3 Whole30 dinners? Start there. Get used to shopping, prepping, and cooking for yourself. Read all the labels of everything you now eat, and figure out if you can still have some of those foods, and if not slowly stop purchasing them, so you get used to not having them around. If you drink sodas, cut them out immediately. Like right this second. Start drinking more water. In other words, my suggestion is to slowly integrate the principals of the program before your actual start date. Once you get closer to your big day, join in on the forums, log your days to help keep yourself accountable, and then just go for it! You can do it!!

[CJPdub]

I wasn't sure either (and I'm still not!) until I read the Whole30 book which really made everything sound so simple! I highly recommend reading it if you haven't. I've not yet read It Starts With Food but that's next on my list. My strategy is to focus on all the yummy things I CAN have vs. being sad about what I can't have. So far that's working for me but it's only Day 3. The book really convinced me to try it though!