Past 30 Days & Not Feeling It

[LuvsStrawberries]

Hi everyone, I could use some advice...

I've attempted completing the Whole 30 several times over the last year, but couldn't stick with it. After more research and planning, I recommitted and I've now past my 30 days and am approaching 40!  Typical meals are 4 eggs with jalapenos or other fixings for breakfast, Salads (spinach!), fruits (mainly strawberries!!) and sometimes almonds for lunch, and broccoli/green pepper/veggie mix with organic grass-feed hamburger meat with Paleo approved taco seasoning for dinner. I've been more creative a few times, but have kept it pretty simple for the most part. I drink loads of water every day and often add some magnesium. I haven't drank alcohol or soda in a year and of course haven't had it in my Whole 30. Basically food and drink wise I've done all I can, and really stuck to the program as far as I can tell.  Activity wise I do yoga 2-3 times per week (various types, sometimes heated), run the elliptical at lunch 3 times a week, and dance a fair amount on nights or weekends.  I stay busy, so can't say I've slept super well (usually 6-7.5 hours per night), and work/life have certainly had their stresses. 

The issue is, after really trying hard, I'm just not really feeling the results. Weight wise I'm only down a few pounds (probably water weight), and I'm still 20 lbs more then I was 1.5 years ago (and where I'd like to get to and stay). Energy-wise I have some good days and some bad, though last week I was pretty tired for nearly 3 days straight. I'm still craving desserts and sugary foods all the time (though not eating them). Basically, I'm disappointed and kind of lost as to what I'm supposed to do now. Would be great to reintroduce some foods like cheese, some soy, or small amounts of rice, but without a good feeling baseline, I'm hesitant to try. Should I just keep going, for maybe 60 days? 

Any thoughts?

[ShannonM816]

Have you looked at the meal template? It's not a rule, but it's strongly recommended that for best results you make each of your meals meet the template. So for breakfast, you probably need more vegetables ("filling your plate" with vegetables means probably 2-3 cups or more), your lunch needs protein (nuts are fats), and all your meals need to have added fat.  The oil that you cook in often stays in the pan and isn't consumed, so go ahead and add some more.  And do be sure you're salting your food.

Depending on how strenuous your workouts are, you may need at least a post-WO meal of some protein and possibly starchy vegetable, just a few bites of each, not a full meal's worth. This article explains a little more about that. Gentle yoga probably doesn't need anything, but any workout where you feel you've really pushed yourself probably does.

Most people benefit from having a fist-sized serving of starchy vegetable each day. Some people need more than that. If you're not having that much, you might try adding that in consistently. Some people find that having their starchy vegetables in their last meal of the day helps them to sleep better, so if you feel like you aren't getting good sleep, you could try that.

I'd try making these changes for a couple of weeks and see how you feel and if it seems to be making a difference.

Don't discount the role that sleep and stress plays either. If you can, work on getting more/better sleep (this article has some tips), and do what you can to minimize stress.

[violetta]

Are there any other NSVs that you can see besides weight loss?  Also, your journey is not over at the end of the first Whole 30. I ended up losing most of my 20 pounds after the first Whole 30 was over. My diet after whole 30 has stayed very different than before.  I also needed the same reassurance about whether it was worth it or not right after it was over.  

Also, I don't see many added fats in your menu.  Added fats are very important for weight loss and when you eat the fats is also important.  Can you give an idea of what added fats you are eating at each meal?  Also, salad for lunch may not be giving you enough vegetables.  Three cups of salad would probably fill your largest mixing bowl. You could try adding some cooked veggies to lunch.  Also,I am not seeing a protein at lunch, also important.  You may not be eating enough, are you using the template as a guide?