karadavison Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hi everyone - My name is Kara, and my husband and I are about to embark on our first Whole 30 starting this Monday, July 11. I get really bad chronic migraines and have been on medicine that has led to significant weight gain over the past 3 years (I've gained about 100 pounds). Granted, this is also after two kids and I don't always make the healthiest eating choices either, but my doctors are telling me the medicine is a significant contributor to my weight gain. I desperately need to do something to turn my weight - and health - around...I'm not pre-diabetic, but I'm also not far from it based on my blood sugar numbers. One of my doctors has been trying to get me to do the Whole 30 for months, so I finally read both books and am going to do it. I know it won't be easy, especially with two young children who love to eat goldfish, pasta, and yogurt, but I'm committed to giving this a go. I'm a little nervous about finding the time to prepare meals as I typically don't bring my lunch to work, but I think it will just take some time to figure out how to make it work. I'm also nervous about what happens at the end...the last thing I want is to slide back into bad habits, but I figure I'll worry about that later, closer to the end of my Whole 30. Let me know if you'd like to join me with starting a Whole 30 on Monday. And thanks in advance to this forum for any help/support you can give a newbie like me! Kara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breebree983 Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hi, Kara! I too will be starting my first Whole 30 on Monday! I'm really looking forward to it. I've done several programs over the past 5 years and I have found that no matter what program, meal planning is what works best. I use Sundays to meal prep for the entire week. I cook, pack and store everything for the week. Would love to have an accountability partner for this as well. I'm going to post on the forum shortly with my introduction. Happy prepping! Brie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Lauren Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hi Kara, I am also starting on July 11! My name is Jennifer. I'm going it alone but I have friends who've done it before. I experience really debilitating fatigue that could have a number of causes due to a complicated medical history. I've even had Chronic Fatigue as a diagnosis tossed loosely in my direction, which is terrifying--the thought of it being a recurring, chronic, and perhaps worsening condition over time. No thanks. No matter what the cause, though, the treatment is the same: energy management and lifestyle choices. I've been thinking of a Whole30 for a while now, but when my last fatigue problem lasted more than six weeks, I decided that now was the time. If clearer thinking, less depression/anxiety, and some weight loss came along, too, that would be okay with me! My greatest obstacles to sticking with it I think are, well, fatigue, so making sure that I don't plan meals that are so complicated that I don't follow through, and just will power. I live with someone who will not be doing this with me (like your kids!). I can pass up certain kinds of foods without a problem but only if I have something else to eat instead, and especially something easy. I'll be rooting for you! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbie B Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Hi Kara. I am glad you posted. I have been reading about this program and hearing about it from friends for a while and decided to start today. I am excited about the journey but feeling apprehensive about navigating the hidden sugars and other no-no additives in food. I am going it alone and will not be joined by my husband and 2 boys. I am hoping to see an increase in my energy level, reduction in my waist line and an improvement to or elimination of my snoring. I look forward to hearing your strategies and meal plans which I hope you will share. Abbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenHammer13 Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Hi all! I started Whole 30 July 1st with my husband as well. We are hanging in there and really enjoying finding Whole30 compliant recipes for our CSA veggies. How is everyone else doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karadavison Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 Doing well so far! I felt a little foggy this afternoon but otherwise ok. Meal planning is making a big difference, although I feel like I'm spending half of my free time cooking over the past few days. I'm just hoping that's sustainable as I've typically not been one to spend a ton of time cooking. Hoping my motivation continues to be high!! Hope your Whole30's are going well so far too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Lauren Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 So far so good, for the most part. I get hungry, so apparently I need to eat more. I totally agree about the time in the kitchen. On the one hand, I like that aspect. It means you have to spend a good part of your day or week, at least, if you prep ahead, being conscious about what goes in your body. It's a good practice, in a sense asking us to simplify a bit and not to sacrifice quality for convenience with the rationale that we're just too busy to take good care of ourselves. Too much of that in our hectic world. I think most of my cravings so far have to do with convenience rather than carbs. Can't I just eat that ... that's right there? Really forcing myself to work with ingredients instead of products has been a good challenge. On the other hand (there's always a but!), it *is* hard to find that time for the kitchen, and since energy is something I don't have a lot of anyway (that's why I'm doing this!), I worry about giving in to convenience eventually. For now, I find that if I have olives or an apple + ham or something available for when I suddenly get hungry, I'm willing to eat that. So having easy compliant snack food is key to my continued success, and I'll keep working on not needing to snack by finding the right amount of food to eat at meal time. One thing is true for me so far: It isn't so much about what I can't have. Paying this extra attention has gotten me to make some really good food! And I've been avoiding cooking for a while, so it's kind of inspiring. I, too, hope that this motivation stays up. Thanks for reading--wishing you all a happy weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ximena Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 One week into it and not bad at all! when I read sugar was a "no" I was terrified since I drink coffee with it for the last 30 years. But actually black coffee is really tasty. I am running out of ideas what to eat for breakfast but other than that I feel good. any suggestions for breakfast any one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted July 19, 2016 Administrators Share Posted July 19, 2016 One week into it and not bad at all! when I read sugar was a "no" I was terrified since I drink coffee with it for the last 30 years. But actually black coffee is really tasty. I am running out of ideas what to eat for breakfast but other than that I feel good. any suggestions for breakfast any one? You can eat anything at breakfast that you would eat at any other meal. This morning at our house it was leftover meatloaf and roasted carrots, steamed green beans and guacamole. Yesterday it was leftover roast beef dipped in mayo with kale salad and some watermelon. Tomorrow it will be leftover salmon cakes & tartar sauce with steamed brocoli and mashed cauliflower. You can google "Whole30 breakfast" for tonnes of ideas and we also had this thread going for a while that outlined all sorts of non-traditional breakfasts: http://forum.whole30.com/topic/28832-lets-talk-non-traditional-breakfasts/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted July 19, 2016 Administrators Share Posted July 19, 2016 I worry about giving in to convenience eventually. For now, I find that if I have olives or an apple + ham or something available for when I suddenly get hungry, I'm willing to eat that. So having easy compliant snack food is key to my continued success, and I'll keep working on not needing to snack by finding the right amount of food to eat at meal time. It might be worth it to redefine "convenience", not as "whatever junk is around and easy" and more as "this takes a bit less time/effort and is still nutritionally sound and compliant". Canned sardines/salmon/tuna mixed with mayo or guacamole and served over steamed green beans. Scrambled eggs topped with sauerkraut served over steamed, minced up brocoli (<-- my fave!), omelette stuffed with whatever cooked veggies are leftover. Frittata done the same way (make a huge one so that you have leftovers). Ground meat sauteed until brown, add bagged coleslaw and some chopped green beans and then shake some cumin/curry/spices into some coconut milk, pour over and let simmer. Instant bowl of creamy, comforting goodness and super convenient/easy. Again, make lots so you have leftovers. You can pop onto my instagram and see the frittata that I made this weekend. It had red peppers, steamed green beans, leftover roast carrots, two chopped up chicken burgers, cherry tomatoes and chopped up cooked sweet potato. Once it was all sauteed/heated through, I added 8 beaten eggs and let it set. Cut it in four and with some extra veggies on the side and topped with salsa & guacamole, it was enough for two meals for two people. And took about 5 minutes of active work and 15 minutes of waiting/sauteeing/setting. To me that is the definition of convenience these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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