Musings from a Diet Veteran

[sandypoole]

Hi. My name is Sandy, and I'm a 62-year-old veteran of every diet known to man. It started with Nutrisystem 30 years ago, continued with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and Paleo. Shots of hormones in the belly? Check. 500 calories a day? Check. And here I am, back again, with digestive problems, arthritic joints and low self esteem. Fortunately for me, I've experienced those first few days of deprivation before, so I'm not afraid. In fact, I'm excited, or as they say, "frexcited." I'm on Day 3 of Whole30, and if there's one thing I've learned it's that we must all take everything in our lives ONE DAY AT A TIME! So for today, I will take comfort and advice from other vets and fellow travelers, take a deep breath, and know that these feelings of deprivation will pass. I'll remember that I'm doing something beautiful and loving for my body, and maybe, just maybe, this will be the key to food freedom for me. Wouldn't that be a miracle?

[jmcbn]

Eh, 'these feelings of deprivation' should not exist.... 

If you'd like to post what you've eaten over the past few days we can take a look and check that you are on the right track - we absolutely do not want you to feel hungry or deprived in any way.

 

Oh, and this is not a diet 

[QuilterInVA]

Instead of focusing on what you aren't eating for just 30 days, focus on the good food that will make your body healthy. When you eat as you have in the past you have DEPRIVED your body of health. Did you ever consider that? I didn't until I did my first W30 and started feeling so much better. This is not a diet. It won't produce huge weight loss for most of us. It's a return to health, figuring out what food actually does to your body, and how to make a healthier plan for life with slow weight loss. I've averaged 1/2 pound a week and I love it for I know it's finally gone for good. You can do this. Yes it takes adjustment, but there is no need to ever feel hungry or deprived.

[Emma]

It is true that once we cleared out our pantry and fridge of all foods that didn't fit Whole30 a couple years ago, I felt really FREE.  I remember coming downstairs in the morning and knowing that I could eat anything in the kitchen without it being an issue.  We don't have that anymore so now I have to look at the tortillas and bread and remind myself I'm not having toast and eggs or a burrito.  However, after eating clean for even a few days, I already am feeling better in my body and my mind (if I ignore the headache of this transition).  But mainly - the big thing for me as an overeater and constant grazer - is that when I'm not eating the sugars or processed foods, I really stop searching for them.  They are like a drug in my system.

 

I'm a couple days behind you on the schedule (I'm starting Day Three today).  I love having people to connect with on this process!!!

[rachelmaria33]

I have done a million diets too.  I remember plotting my WW points to eat little enough in the day to afford my "treat" at night.  I am here to give you hope.  I did my first whole 30 a 9 months -ish ago.  I not only "survived" the holidays, but thrived.  I wasn't sugar addicted living from one party to the next.  I found I have a gluten sensitivity so I  avoided those foods that would trigger bigger issues for me and savored a few other special/traditional dishes that aren't a part of my regular menu anymore.  I didn't gain over the holidays (until I broke a toe at the end of December and had to stop running, then I did gain some - stopped really listening to my body and ate more out of habit) and I felt a freedom from the old cycles.  You can do this.  I sit here on my lunch break at work with candy in the lunch room free for the taking, a "snack drawer" consisting of crackers and cookies, yummy sounding flavors of creamer for the coffee... all FREE.  That used to be a big deal to me.  I don't even care anymore. I know that "free" cookie will cause me to long for more, wake with achy joints and a headache, and more.  I now know, factually, just what the cost is.  I chose no.  You can too.  Today it may be hard, but someday you will know the cost and chose only the best, the truly worth is splurges.  Press on Sister, press on!

[Marjanill]

I had to smile when I looked at your list, Sandy. I'm 60, and I've done Fit for Life, Body for Life, Eat to Live, Jenny Craig, and a 22 day juice fast. And they all worked, and I gained back all the weight from all of them. This is my second consecutive round with this. I understand the deprivation feelings. I generally have not been  hungry with whole 30--since I'm adding all the suggested fat.  I'm just not a fan of meat and eggs as you can tell by my previous diet choices.  But I have seen quite a few good changes so far, so here I am. Here's wishing you luck and perseverence.

[analuz]

I'm glad I found this thread as I'm looking for motivation.  I have also done  many weight loss programs. I've lost many pounds and gained many back.  My last two programs were Ideal Protein and Medifast. Both programs are very similar; limited calories and many packaged foods made with preservatives and hard to pronounce ingredients.  This year I managed to  go from 185 to 162, going in and out of the programs, but I got tired of starving myself. A coworker recommended  Whole30 and I decided to give it a try for 30 days.  Today is day 13 and feel great! I need help and motivation understanding that the number in the scale is not supposed to be the drive of this program.  Also  I need to heal my body from many aches, pains, allergies and stomach issues. I want to begin a fitness program and I feel whole 30 can help me feel energized to do so.