Am I doing the right things?

[CWat223]

I am currently on day 27 of my 2nd 30 and I just would like some feedback.

 

In May I did my first round and I really cleaned up my eating. No dairy, no sugar, no grains/pasta/bread, no alcohol and no beans/soy or legumes. I pretty much just proteins, veggies, fruit and nuts. I didn’t lose a ton of weight but my body did reshape a bit. I fell off the wagon a bit for a month or so when we went on vacation but as I said before, I’m now near the end of another round. I’m not seeing as drastic results this time around but I guess I didn’t have as much to “clean up”.

I’ve been eating pretty clean for some time since being on Weight Watchers for 3 years and losing 60 lbs but I plateaued a bit so I wanted to try something different. I’m not seeing significant weight loss this time around either, maybe 6-7 lbs, but I know I’m eating clean. Nothing processed or anything with chemicals at all. The first time I did the whole 30 I broke myself of anything with artificial sweeteners. I used sweet n low in iced tea for YEARS but I finally broke that habit. This time around I have broken myself of coffee creamers and I officially am a black coffee drinker…something I NEVER thought I would do. I always would use 2 tablespoons of no sugar creamer in my coffee but I am pretty sure I will stick with this no creamer kick now that I know I can do it.

 

My day usually consists of:

Breakfast: 3 hard boiled eggs, white sweet potatoes, about 6 strawberries and black coffee

Lunch: romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, ground beef/taco meat or chicken and maybe a peach

Snack: Almonds

 

Most nights during the week I’m not really very hungry. If I do eat, it’s some sort of meat and veggie or potato. I usually meal prep on Sundays. Yesterday I boiled 2 dozen eggs, chopped and baked up some sweet potatoes, cooked up ground beef for tacos, made a pork roast (which I hated), and grilled up about 10 burgers to have on hand for the week. Sometimes I’ll make veggie/beef stew, this salsa/chicken shred junk in the crock pot and grill up some steaks to have on hand. The reason I’m telling you all of this is because I don’t know if I’m doing the right things or not. I’m trying to keep a lot of meat on hand for us so we always have protein. If we go out to eat I’ll get a burger patty and a plain baked potato or a steak and a plain potato. Sometimes we’ll go to chipotle and I’ll get a burrito bowl with just lettuce, steak, pico and guac. I’m eating really clean, I just don’t know if I’m eating RIGHT. I’ve cut my fruit intake WAY back. I try to limit to 1-2 servings a day max as I used to eat a ton of it. It was “free” on weight watchers so I would often eat 4 or more servings a day. I notice that when I cut the fruit, my stomach goes down for sure. I just don’t know if I am doing the right things. I’m trying to stay protein and veggie heavy and keep everything processed or with chemicals out permanently. 

 

I keep searching for information on potatoes and I’m wondering if I’m eating too many.  How many are too many potatoes? I eat a few chopped slices of sweet potato with my eggs in the morning and then sometimes a plain one for dinner if we go out.  I don’t FEEL like it’s too much but I’m wondering if that is why I haven’t seen huge results?

[laura_juggles]

Unfortunately, the steak at Chipotle isn't compliant. The only compliant protein there is the carnitas. 

[CWat223]

Unfortunately, the steak at Chipotle isn't compliant. The only compliant protein there is the carnitas. 

You are kidding!? I had no idea!? How can steak not be compliant!?

[Staggolee41]

You are kidding!? I had no idea!? How can steak not be compliant!?

 

All of the meats (except carnitas) are cooked with rice bran oil, which is not allowed on Whole30. The carnitas is the only one that's okay because it's cooked with canola oil (and even that should be limited, according to the guidelines). Even the fajita veggies are cooked with rice bran oil.

[Staggolee41]

I am currently on day 27 of my 2nd 30 and I just would like some feedback.

 

In May I did my first round and I really cleaned up my eating. No dairy, no sugar, no grains/pasta/bread, no alcohol and no beans/soy or legumes. I pretty much just proteins, veggies, fruit and nuts. I didn’t lose a ton of weight but my body did reshape a bit. I fell off the wagon a bit for a month or so when we went on vacation but as I said before, I’m now near the end of another round. I’m not seeing as drastic results this time around but I guess I didn’t have as much to “clean up”.

I’ve been eating pretty clean for some time since being on Weight Watchers for 3 years and losing 60 lbs but I plateaued a bit so I wanted to try something different. I’m not seeing significant weight loss this time around either, maybe 6-7 lbs, but I know I’m eating clean. Nothing processed or anything with chemicals at all. The first time I did the whole 30 I broke myself of anything with artificial sweeteners. I used sweet n low in iced tea for YEARS but I finally broke that habit. This time around I have broken myself of coffee creamers and I officially am a black coffee drinker…something I NEVER thought I would do. I always would use 2 tablespoons of no sugar creamer in my coffee but I am pretty sure I will stick with this no creamer kick now that I know I can do it.

 

My day usually consists of:

Breakfast: 3 hard boiled eggs, white sweet potatoes, about 6 strawberries and black coffee

Lunch: romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, ground beef/taco meat or chicken and maybe a peach

Snack: Almonds

 

Most nights during the week I’m not really very hungry. If I do eat, it’s some sort of meat and veggie or potato. I usually meal prep on Sundays. Yesterday I boiled 2 dozen eggs, chopped and baked up some sweet potatoes, cooked up ground beef for tacos, made a pork roast (which I hated), and grilled up about 10 burgers to have on hand for the week. Sometimes I’ll make veggie/beef stew, this salsa/chicken shred junk in the crock pot and grill up some steaks to have on hand. The reason I’m telling you all of this is because I don’t know if I’m doing the right things or not. I’m trying to keep a lot of meat on hand for us so we always have protein. If we go out to eat I’ll get a burger patty and a plain baked potato or a steak and a plain potato. Sometimes we’ll go to chipotle and I’ll get a burrito bowl with just lettuce, steak, pico and guac. I’m eating really clean, I just don’t know if I’m eating RIGHT. I’ve cut my fruit intake WAY back. I try to limit to 1-2 servings a day max as I used to eat a ton of it. It was “free” on weight watchers so I would often eat 4 or more servings a day. I notice that when I cut the fruit, my stomach goes down for sure. I just don’t know if I am doing the right things. I’m trying to stay protein and veggie heavy and keep everything processed or with chemicals out permanently. 

 

I keep searching for information on potatoes and I’m wondering if I’m eating too many.  How many are too many potatoes? I eat a few chopped slices of sweet potato with my eggs in the morning and then sometimes a plain one for dinner if we go out.  I don’t FEEL like it’s too much but I’m wondering if that is why I haven’t seen huge results?

 

Just at first glance, there isn't a lot of added fat in your M1 or M2. One of the moderators advised I should not count the fat I cooked with - as most of it stays in the pan - or the fat in the protein. Add some fat, like olives, spoonfuls of ghee/clarified butter, or avocado, with each meal. If you feel you have to snack between lunch and dinner, your lunch is lacking, and fat is the way to tackle that.

 

Almonds are not an ideal snack. The max recommended is a closed handful every other day. If you absolutely have to have a snack (long period between lunch and dinner), then make it a mini-meal that covers your groups - protein, fat, veggies.

 

Starchy veggies... the recommendation I usually see is at least a fist-sized serving in a day. More if you suffer from anxiety/depression. Fruit... I had to cut back to 1 serving/week to silence the sugar dragon, so I really didn't eat much. I don't miss the fruit at all, and I'd have to guess it was part of how I lost 10 pounds on my first round.

 

Finally, this isn't a weight loss plan. I'm very glad to hear you've seen results the first and second time, but the focus is on a healthier body and mind overall, not one that puts less pressure on the scale in the morning. It doesn't look like you're overall doing the wrong things, but there are a few adjustments to be made. Frankly, the weight loss I have seen on this plan - from myself and others - sounds more like the tortoise than the hare, if you get my meaning. Smaller amounts lost over a longer period of time. Do you have other NSVs to celebrate?

[CWat223]

Just at first glance, there isn't a lot of added fat in your M1 or M2. One of the moderators advised I should not count the fat I cooked with - as most of it stays in the pan - or the fat in the protein. Add some fat, like olives, spoonfuls of ghee/clarified butter, or avocado, with each meal. If you feel you have to snack between lunch and dinner, your lunch is lacking, and fat is the way to tackle that.

 

Almonds are not an ideal snack. The max recommended is a closed handful every other day. If you absolutely have to have a snack (long period between lunch and dinner), then make it a mini-meal that covers your groups - protein, fat, veggies.

 

Starchy veggies... the recommendation I usually see is at least a fist-sized serving in a day. More if you suffer from anxiety/depression. Fruit... I had to cut back to 1 serving/week to silence the sugar dragon, so I really didn't eat much. I don't miss the fruit at all, and I'd have to guess it was part of how I lost 10 pounds on my first round.

 

Finally, this isn't a weight loss plan. I'm very glad to hear you've seen results the first and second time, but the focus is on a healthier body and mind overall, not one that puts less pressure on the scale in the morning. It doesn't look like you're overall doing the wrong things, but there are a few adjustments to be made. Frankly, the weight loss I have seen on this plan - from myself and others - sounds more like the tortoise than the hare, if you get my meaning. Smaller amounts lost over a longer period of time. Do you have other NSVs to celebrate?

Thank you SO much for this feedback.  I really do appreciate it.  I had no idea about the chipotle.  Thank you for this! It's great information!

 

I try to eat just a handfull or so of almonds when I do have them and it's not a daily occurence on MOST days but I likely should cut back. 

 

Regarding the starchy veggies, after that feedback I do feel comfortable with my potato consumption then.  I do eat a few slices of sweet potato every morning but I didn't FEEL I was going overboard but I wanted to confirm. 

 

Regarding fruit, I agree 100%.  I was very fruit heavy on weight watchers so it was a hard habit to break but after cutting back on Whole 30. I can definitely tell a difference in my body and most of all my stomach.

 

I agree with you regarding the weightloss comments.  My husband has been doing it with me this time around and I got one of my friends involved as well.  I was JUST having this conversation this morning actually...about it not being about weightloss.  I was scale OBSESSED on weight watchers.  As in unhealthy obsessed.  I still snuck on the scale every week for weigh ins

Thank you SO much for this feedback.  I really do appreciate it.  I had no idea about the chipotle.  Thank you for this! It's great information!

 

I try to eat just a handful or so of almonds when I do have them and it's not a daily occurrence on MOST days but I likely should cut back. 

 

Regarding the starchy veggies, after that feedback I do feel comfortable with my potato consumption then.  I do eat a few slices of sweet potato every morning and I didn't FEEL I was going overboard but I wanted to confirm. 

 

Regarding fruit, I agree 100%.  I was very fruit heavy on weight watchers so it was a hard habit to break but after cutting back on Whole 30. I can definitely tell a difference in my body and most of all my stomach as well as my sugar cravings….BIG time.

 

I agree with you regarding the weight loss comments.  My husband has been doing it with me this time around and I got one of my friends involved as well.  I was JUST having this conversation this morning actually...about it not being about weight loss.  I was scale OBSESSED on weight watchers.  As in unhealthy obsessed.  Every ounce counts!  I still snuck on the scale every week for weigh ins my first round but this time it's been different.  I'm working to change that cycle/obsession for sure.  I'm focusing more on how I feel and look and how my clothes are fitting than anything.  I've been weighing in weekly for 4 years so it's been a HUGE change for me but oddly freeing if that makes any sense.

my first round but this time it's been different.  I'm working to change that cycle/obsession for sure.  I'm focusing more on how I feel and look and how my clothes are fitting than anything.  I've been weighing in weekly for 4 years so it's been a HUGE change for me but oddly freeing if that makes any sense.

[jmcbn]

...Most nights during the week I’m not really very hungry. If I do eat, it’s some sort of meat and veggie or potato...

This is very telling, and something you really need to work on if you truly want to change your relationship with food/the scale.

Restricting the amount of food you eat in this way is denying your body necessary fuel, and sending your brain mixed messages. Are you feeding it, or not? It doesn't know for sure, and so it holds back a little more fat than it should (& then some because it's instinct is to survive!!) for those days where maybe it doesn't get the fuel it needs... Not only that but your hunger hormones and your happy hormones will be having some kind of internal battle, not knowing if they're coming or going. Your moods might not be just so stable some days, the cravings might be a little harder to resist... And while all that's going on your cortisol might become elevated due to the stress of it all - whether you perceive it or not..

Many people come here with a history of over restriction and they struggle to consume the volume of food we recommend here. Many try hard on their first 30 days but soon fall back into old habits, skipping meals, ditching the fat, trying to hack in any way they can think of. It doesn't work, and your body doesn't thank you for it.

This is not a diet. Three template meals, the first within an hour of wakening, plus pre &/or postWO meals on the days that you train.

No less.