Day 16 Extreme fatigue and weird cravings

[gradstudent]

This is my first Whole 30 and I've been super excited about it.  I haven't felt deprived, haven't really craved any junk food, and in general I feel like I could make this a lifestyle choice, with a few modifications.   That being said, it is Day 16 and I have been EXTREMELY tired all day, to the point I can't make myself get out of bed.  I've had a few other days where I was pretty tired, but not this extreme.  It started around Day 13.   On Day 13 I went to the grocery store and the Hot and Spicy V8 looked pretty darn good. And the label looks Whole 30 compliant, so I bought it.  And I drank an entire large bottle of V8 in about 30 hours.  And I went back to the store and bought more V8 and again, I've preceded to drink the even larger bottle (64 oz) (almost) in 30 hours.  I've also been craving watermelon, which I heavily salt because of a salt craving. What in the world is wrong with me?

My past 3 days of food look like this:

Monday: 

Breakfast was 2 salmon patties, spinach, and a banana. (Bananas are also a craving, but I try to limit it to one a day.)

Lunch was 1 Aidelle's chicken sausage sauteed with onion, mushroom, jalapeno, 1 avocado, and mustard.   Watermelon too.

Dinner was a taco salad - hamburger, red, green, yellow peppers, cucumber, cilantro, onion, salsa.

 

Tuesday:

Breakfast was leftovers - taco salad again with 1 banana.

Lunch was 2 salmon patties with asparagus.  And 3 glasses of V8. 

Dinner was a mushroom cap pizza - a big mushroom cap filled with compliant spaghetti sauce, onion, jalapeno, and Nutritional yeast. And a handful of pistachios.

Wednesday:

Breakfast - 2 eggs, asparagus and V8.

Lunch: 1 Aidelle's chicken sausage, 1 avocado, mustard, mushroom, jalapeno, onion.  Pistachios and Watermelon.

Dinner:  V8, cabbage, hamburger, onion

Didn't eat enough at dinner, needed a banana with almond butter to sleep.

I cook everything in olive oil - except the salmon patties I made on a grill, and the mushroom pizza was in the oven.

I'm probably eating too much fruit....and if I am, Moderator, please tell me!  I want to do this right!  

I started this Whole 30 journey after a friend's wife who is a fitness trainer came to visit and said she was giving it a whirl. I have been trying to lose weight for a while now, and I think my problem is related to insulin resistance and/or adrenal fatigue.  Not that I've been diagnosed with that, but my symptoms align with them.  I am under constant stress because I am in grad school and working.  Also, when I started Whole 30 my energy did skyrocket and I've been going to the gym now twice a day to walk a total of 5 miles each day.  This extreme fatigue has totally messed that up, so I want my energy back!

Thanks in advance for any help.

PS:  I am a woman, and nearing the start of my cycle. If it isn't whacky this month.

 

[Teach2read23]

Sorry you're not feeling great! It looks to me like you're not eating enough fat. I see you mention eating avocado 1 meal a day and then a handful of nuts another time. Don't count your cooking oil as fat. Add mayo, olives, coconut flakes, etc. to every meal. Also, since you're nearing your period might try upping the starchy veggies.  Hope you start feeling better soon!

[ShannonM816]

Are you salting your food? It's really important to salt your food, we do need salt, and when you eat mostly natural foods rather than processed foods, they don't have much salt in them.

In the week or so leading up to your period, you may need more food than usual. More in general, and more starchy vegetables in particular. Plus, your meals might be a bit on the small side anyway. For instance, when eggs are your only protein, have as many whole eggs as you can hold in your hand, which is probably 3-4.  When you look at the meal template and it says to fill your plate with vegetables, it really means fill the plate -- one cup is a bare minimum, aim for 2-3 cups at most meals. Fruit isn't a substitute for vegetables, it should be in addition to your full serving of veggies. I don't really know that you're eating too much fruit (unless you're having tons of watermelon at a time), but I think you might try focusing on the vegetables first.

As @Teach2read23 stated, you don't seem to have a lot of fat in your meals either. The oil you cook in often stays in the pan and isn't consumed, so go ahead and add 1-2 thumb-sized portions in addition to that.

Finally, we really recommend eating the fruits and vegetables, rather than drinking the juice. Quit buying the V8 and focus on eating plenty of foods (and if it's the saltiness you're craving, salt your food).

[jmcbn]

9 hours ago, gradstudent said:

... I've also been craving watermelon, which I heavily salt because of a salt craving.

... I think my problem is related to insulin resistance and/or adrenal fatigue.  Not that I've been diagnosed with that, but my symptoms align with them.  I am under constant stress because I am in grad school and working.  Also, when I started Whole 30 my energy did skyrocket and I've been going to the gym now twice a day to walk a total of 5 miles each day.  This extreme fatigue has totally messed that up, so I want my energy back!

PS:  I am a woman, and nearing the start of my cycle. If it isn't whacky this month.

 

On top of the great advice you've been given above I'd just add that the extreme fatigue & salt craving are both signs of adrenal fatigue - and the fact that you're under stress, and training twice a day kind of points to the same thing. It's also one of the most common hormonal imbalances in women.

How is your mood? How is your sleep? What was your preW30 diet like? Do you have any other symptoms that might be related? Rashes/skin break outs for instance?

I'd definitely ditch the V8, limit the fruits (even naturally occuring sugars can weaken the adrenals further) and ensure you are getting adequate protein at every meal, alongside a wide variety of vegetables to top up on nutrients, and if your symtpoms worsen or don't improve speak to your medical practitioner.

[gradstudent]

My mood has been fine. I'm not typically a moody person to begin with, but I'd say I've been in a pretty solid good mood since Whole 30.   Sleep has been mostly good.  There were a few nights I couldn't sleep, and then I'd have to go through a long day at work.  I've given up caffeine for Whole 30 as well.   Pre-whole 30 I thought I was eating healthy, until I started reading labels.  I've never been a big meal eater.  Sadly, there were times I'd just eat potato chips for supper. 

I know my meals sound small, but really, I'm full when I finish eating.  I will try adding more fats, less fruits, and more veggies. 

Thanks for the advice!