treeny_bash Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Hi All I'm starting a thread here rather than in the "Join the whole 30" or "Post whole 30" sections because I'm not really "Post" whole 30 (because I fell off the wagon then got ran over by it several times) and I'm not starting a whole 30 straight away, but I wanted to put this down to be accountable and start keeping track of my thoughts, nsvs and most importantly the food I'm eating! So 2017 is going to be the year that I finally get my act together and get freedom from food. I'm not starting with a whole 30 straight away, because I'm in the middle of moving house, I have an office party in 2 weeks, and it's my birthday at the end of the month. Plus my partner is a veggie, and he also really needs to sort himself out, and I would like to at least start together, without having to cook separate food all the time. So what I'm going to do is start by cutting out the things I know cause me problems, namely wheat and sugar. From the 1st January, we're going to eat whole foods (including dairy, non gluten grains and legumes) 90% of the time. I'm going to get into the habit of planning meals, preparing food and by cutting back on sugar now, the sugar withdrawals won't be so terrible come February when I actually do start the whole 30. I'm totally excited by this, we move into our new flat tomorrow so I really feel like 2017 is a total fresh start for us. I can count on one hand the number of meals I've cooked from scratch (or cooked at all!) in the last 3 months, so it's going to be great to get out of the rut of takeaways and beige food. So, here are the non-weight related symptoms I've noticed since I fell off the w30 wagon 3 months ago: dry/itchy skin (particularly my legs) painful muscles and cramping exhaustion - I never got tiger blood during my w30 but afterwards I realised I'd had a very stressful month with work which had been affecting my sleep. Things are much better now, so I'm expecting much more energy once my eating is sorted out cravings/crazily swinging from stuffed to starving - I'm not eating food that satisfies me, but I'm eating so much of it that I feel sick, then when the sickness goes I'm suddenly hungrier than I've been in my life. I can't wait to eat food that actually nourishes me. weight gain - obviously! I've got around 9 stone to lose, but honestly I just don't want to be bloated and miserable anymore. I didn't do a lot of journaling during my first w30, and I think I missed a lot because of that, so I'm committing to journal through this year, this is going to be the last fresh start I'll ever need! Speak soon K x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 It's been a tough few days but we're slowly getting settled into our new flat and our healthier way of life. Had a few drinks out on NYE, had a terrible stomach ache in one bar - can't wait for those to be a thing of the past. Woke up with an awful hangover yesterday (I didn't think I'd drunk that much!) but we ploughed through with healthy food, and a jog around the block. I did sucuumb to some leftover chocolate last night but we were both feeling tired and weak, and I made a concious decision that the chocolate would help. In an ideal world the 3 big meals we'd had would have been enough, but hey, this is why I'm delaying my w30 until Feb so I'm prepared with meal plans and strategies and a fully stocked kitchen! Slept a little better last night so here's hoping today is a more productive day, I'm off to grab my overnight oats for brekkie! Speak soon K x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praxisproject Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 When you've been run over by the wagon, I recommend getting a bunch of compliant single-serve meals and serves of veggies in the freezer, these can be your emergency parachute that saves you from another run over (but not from terribly mixed metaphors). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted January 30, 2017 Author Share Posted January 30, 2017 OK so day 1 looms near. I'm starting on Friday because we've got a visit to a cat cafe booked in on Thursday (a Christmas gift for my boyfriend) so I've got 4 days to plan and prep. I never dreamed that January would have been as stressful as it was, but the move is done now so there's a little space in my head to think about eating properly. I only have a couple of plans in the next 30 days - a regular dinner at a friends where they'll accommodate me, but I'll have to be strong to resist what they're eating, and dinner in a nice bar for my sisters birthday in 4 weeks time, which I'm sure will be fine. In terms of symptoms, I'm still really suffering with sleeping, muscle pain and dry skin. In addition I've had a niggling cold for most of January and my skin is very fragile at the moment - I keep finding scratches on my arms and hands that really hurt to touch. Here's hoping that in a month's time I can look at these as a distant memory. I'm really glad that I didn't jump into a January w30, my boyfriend has been really tough on himself with his fitness regime, even although his diet hasn't matched so he's generally been extra stressed and not seen much results. My excuses are running out now though, so it's time to get to work! Speak soon K X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 So today marks day 5 of my whole30. I've not been feeling great for a week now, I was feeling pretty woozy last Thursday/Friday before I started, so I'm attributing most of what I'm feeling at the moment to that rather than any withdrawals. I did sleep a little better last night so hopefully things are starting to turn around there. So far so good on the food front, no cravings as such, more that I'll think "oh I'll get some chocolate on the way home" and then remember that it's off plan and I'm ok with that. I had thought that I'd cleared my diary for the next 40 days to allow an easy time, but then I realised that we've got a big night out planned the first weekend in March, which will be the last 4 days of my w30. Hoping by then I've found some tiger blood, and so will be happy to stick to water and just enjoy the music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 So today marks day 8 for me and it's been a struggle in every aspect apart from cravings. I can't believe the cravings tbh, but it was the same last time. I'll think about something and then I'll remind myself that I'm on w30 and boom, it's ok. No distractions required, no substitutions, just ok then I can't have that. It's unnerving how easy it is to say no to myself when it was so hard to say no to anything before I started. I posted in another thread about some stomach issues that have cropped up once or twice, and that I had at the end of my first w30 almost everyday. I think it might be when I'm having too much fat, like if i have eggs and avocado in the same meal, or if I use lots of coconut oil and add creamed coconut too in the same dish. I totally acknowledge that we need fat in our diets and it's never been something I've shyed away from but maybe my stomach just can't cope with too much. I'm going to keep an eye on this and see what happens. Feeling strong today. It's snowing here but I'm going to have a spring cleaning day and set myself up for the coming week. X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 Today is day 10 and I'm starting out exhausted after OH was up most of the night with a fever. I really feel tested this time around with illnesses and sleep deprivation doing their best to knock me off track. My friend told me yesterday that my face was glowing which I guess is a NSV, although I can't see it myself right now - all I can see is spots! I'm also feeling really nervous about the 2 weekends away I have coming up. My parents and sister have lots loads of weight on a low fat, low sugar diet which has a heavy acceptance of "synthetic" foods like a brand of yoghurt that is made of milk, gelatine, sweetners and flavourings. They're happy to indulge in off plan food then get back on track after the weekend/event/holiday. My mum really struggled to understand why I refused to eat pasta a few years ago, so I hope she's going to be ok when I turn down my sister's birthday cake. The weekend after will be a huge challenge also, we'll be staying one night in a hotel and one night with friends. I'm now thinking that the drink won't be such an issue but perhaps finding compliant food will be. I'll be in the last few days by then so will have to be strong to not just say "good enough" and quit early. I guess I'll just have to cross these bridges when I get to them and concentrate on the present for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Day 13 and I'm feeling pretty low. I guess I'm in the middle of the kill all the things phase, plus my period started this week so my hormones are a bit screwy. I'm also in the middle of a post birthday slump. I've become more aware of this happeing in the last few years, I'll go through phases of soaring highs where life is amazing, my friends are incredible and I can't believe how much I'm loved, swiftly followed a few weeks later where I start doubting whether anyone even likes me or just puts up with me, feeling like my relationship isn't good enough (how come he still doesn't want to marry me, is he ever going to propose?) and generally just wanting to hide from the world. I've come to the point where I can acknowledge that this is happening, and that the voices in my head are probably wrong, but I hate feeling like this. I've upped my starchy veg intake - I had potato at both lunch and dinner yesterday - but the only effect was bloating I guess I just have to wait this out and hope it gets better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was dark and cloudy and I was close to tears for most of the day, feeling angry and tired. Today the sun in shining, I have a spring in my step and feeling great about the future. Yesterday I was bloated all day, today I feel really light and happy. Hoping this is the start of tiger blood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Day 21 today and time to reflect on the journey so far. I'm exhausted because I'm not sleeping enough so that's kind of masking a lot of the NSVs, but I do need to look for them in anticipation of questions from my family tonight. So I think my skin is a little clearer, although I have had some weird spots in odd places (on my lips and neck?!). My skin is less itchy (although whenever I think about it it starts to itch lol). I still have back and neck stiffness, but that could be my bed as much as anything else. There's been cravings this time round, particularly for booze. The first time I did a lot of entertaining so there were distractions and things to look forward to, even if I wasn't drinking. This time I've had nothing to distract me from stress and so I've found myself fantasising about wine a lot. But we're nearly there and I can get through another 9 days no problem. My stomach hasn't been completely calm but is definately better than normal, and I haven't had bad days like I did in the last round. I've done a lot of batch cooking which has turned out amazing. I was worried about food boredom but it turns out that if the food us yummy you can be happy to eat the same thing 4 nights in a row! And I'm definately less bloated, I tried on a dress for the weekend and I'm really excited to wear it now, it fits so much better than it did when I wore it 3 months ago! I'm spending the weekend at my parents house, my mum was amazing when I spoke to her yesterday, really taking the time to understand what I could eat. I'm still concerned about not getting anything compliant at the restaurant but I'll get through it and carry on. I'll be sure to have a big lunch so I'm not starving before we get there and it'll all be good. 9 days to reintros and I want to take it slow. Wine, lentils, rice, oats and yoghurt all have to be tested quite quickly but I think I'll do them one at a time rather than in their groups. I know that if I eat beans 3 times in one day I'll get bloated, but I think lentils will be ok, so why mask that result with a bean chilli? Ultimately my goal is food freedom, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I also can't face extending to a w45, w60 or w90. So I'm going to be w30 esque for a few months, including staples that don't cause problems and limiting the "is it worth it" stuff to a set amount per week. In time I might get to the not worth it stage with stuff that I know isn't great for me, but I'm not there yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 Today is day 27 and the end is in sight. I'm really struggling at the moment, sleep is not going well which means my energy levels are zero. I've struggled with food boredom this week, and had to come up with new lunch ideas because I couldn't face another salad. I've eaten far too many nakd bars in the last week, and I'm not drinking enough water. But apart from some questionably cooked chicken at last weekend's meal, and some iffy salad dressing the week before I've been compliant. I've resisted temptations and for the most part enjoyed the food. I wouldn't say I've missed any foods so much as I've missed the convenience of being able to buy lunch from the staff canteen or have a takeaway with my partner. The plan for reintros is to slow roll them but not worry too much about non compliance. I'm going to limit the "worth it" stuff because the goal is still weight loss, and I think that because I still don't feel great it's going to be hard to judge reactions to non compliant foods. Maybe in the future when life settles down a bit I'll manage a "perfect w30" with no eating out, more veggies (have I mentioned how much potato I'm eating right now?!) and I'll feel amazing, but that isn't this round. This round I have dragged myself through kicking and screaming, bargaining with my inner tantrumming toddler who just wants what everyone else is having, and I'm nearly at the end. I need to keep the toddler on a tight leash or she's going to fall face first into chocolate, alcohol and wine, and one thing I've proven in this round is that even if I'm tired and I really don't want to eat healthy, there's no reason why I can't. 3 days to go, ending with a night out tomorrow night and a curry on Saturday, I'm going to finish strong and start the next phase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted March 6, 2017 Author Share Posted March 6, 2017 Results day! In the last 30 days I have lost 8lbs which I'm pretty happy with. This weekend was hard in terms of saying no to things, i had a delicious steak on Friday night that I would have loved a glass of wine with. We went for a curry on Saturday, and I really missed the rice and naan, even though I did have a delicious main that I wouldn't normally have chosen that I believe was 100% compliant (the starter was another story!). This 30 days has been hard. I'm still exhausted, but I've made it through anyway. I still have spots, i still have some stomach upsets. I'm not noticing many NSVs. But I'm still very overweight, and you can't expect a magic wand to erase 20+ years of unhealthy lifestyle in 30 days. The next challenge is to carry on, w30 esque without falling completely off the wagon. Reintros will be slow rolled because I'm not expecting dramatic responses from my body anyway, and I'll just have to be hyper vigilant about sugar dragons and reactions. This 30 days has just been the start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandiW Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Great posts! Good luck moving forward. Remind yourself that you can keep returning to W30 eating for a day or two days, a week, etc to get you back in a good place. I tend to eat strict W30 for bfast and lunch and then maybe have a bit of non-compliant non-problem foods with dinner. Adding a small amount of rice with my curry, or a slice of cheese on my burger, doesn't seem to knock me off track. I have had dessert a couple times and I always feel terrible, so I usually eat very strictly W30 for 3-4 days after and that will bring me back to balance. Good luck with reintros! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Hi Randi! Thanks so much for your post, good to hear you can reset after foods you regret without too much issue. It's not been a great week, but it's entirely down to lack of prep caused by 2 weekends away and premenstrual exhaustion. I didn't have food prepped for lunch so grabbed unhealthy available stuff. I didn't really want any of the unhealthy food but I didn't have the energy to seek out better choices. And to top it off we had pizza last night which has kept me awake all night with a horribly dry mouth, blocked sinus and stomach pains, not to mention a brain which won't switch off. We're meeting friends for drinks this afternoon but tomorrow I'm planning a cookup to prep for next week, and I'll be sure to plan lunches and dinners for the next 6 days to get back on track. The only thing I've reintroduced that I've really enjoyed is alcohol. Socialising is really important to me, and watching my friends drink whilst I sip a soda water is just not the same. I do want to reintroduce pulses sometime soon so I can share meals with my veggie OH but beyond that I think I'll be fine being w30 99% of the time. Just need to get my go-to meals sorted so that on tough days I can grab and go. I'm off to down a couple of pints of water in the hope I can grab some more sleep before we head out this afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandiW Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Sounds good. Just watch out with alcohol - it's basically all sugar! Pay attention to how your sugar dragon reacts if you go back to semi-occassional indulgences. And I totally agree! Meal prep is key. Perhaps the most rewarding and most difficult part of W30 for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 So I'm struggling at the moment. I started coming down with a cold on Sunday night and it's full blown now. I've got the blocked nose, the chesty cough and the fever I feel really awful this morning, and if I hadn't had some drinks last night I'd probably call out sick from work, but my personal ethics system prevents me skipping work when I've had alcohol (which definately isn't helping this morning!). I'm taking an OTC medicated (sugary) hot drink which is doing crazy things to my blood sugar but I don't think I can get by without it. I'm not feeling inspired at the moment, I'm basically eating meat and potatoes at every meal and snacking a lot on nakd bars, which I know is bad, but I'm not craving anything more sugary than that so I'm not beating myself up too much. I'm exhausted, my oven needs cleaned, most of my pans are dirty and I feel guilty that I might be undoing my hard work from last month. I know I should be eating more veg, but because it's not prepped and the pork and mash is, I haven't been able to face making any. I think I'm a bit stressed at the moment. I need to have a conversation with my employers about a big life change that's coming up in couple of months and I'm waiting for a meeting with the first person I need to initiate this with. Plus I'm pretty scared about the change. But there's always something stressing me out. Melissa recommended Byron Katie's work in FFF which really did have an impact on me when I read it, but I do struggle to put the message into action. Urgh, I wish I could wave a magic wand and have energy, an unlimited supply of yummy healthy food and a clean kitchen. Life would be so much easier then. I'm sorry for such a self indulgent rant first thing in the morning. I've been overweight and exhausted my entire life, I don't know why I keep expecting that changing that will be easy. I just need to be kind to myself until I get past this cold and do the best I can until then. I know what I have to do, I just need to get out there and do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeny_bash Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Well after 5 days of feeling terrible, i figured I'd hit rock bottom and things couldn't get any worse. Then we had takeaway pizza for dinner and I've now got the worst upset stomach I've had in months. So not worth it, I don't think it ever will be again. I'm feeling so sorry for myself right now between the headache, the blocked nose, the hacking cough, the muscle pain, the exhaustion and now the crippling stomach pains, I just don't know what to do with myself. Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up, make eggs for breakfast and see if I can wean myself off the lemsip (otc sugary drink). Maybe eating real food will help shift this... I really hope so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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