Back again for September whole 30

[Rebecca001]

Hi all. I’m returning again, I think for my …. 6th? Whole30. It’s been a long summer. I’ve flirted between calorie counting, attempting rounds of keto and fast800 and other diets just to keep my head above water so to speak, weight wise. 
However, you cannot beat that buoyant, energetic, zesty feeling of a good round of whole30. I work in school so September is as good as January really for a new year/new start mentality! 
I cut out alcohol on 14th august after we returned from holiday so I am already 2+ weeks in with that, and started my September w30 yesterday, as my sons birthday is 29th sept, and husbands is 30th. 
Yesterday went brilliantly, amazing how easy it is to slip back into w30 ways. I Also batch cooked some meals, roasted a chicken, prepped a loadof sweet potato chunks and made them into little breakfast boxes to grab and go. I have eaten so much fruit and veg as well. And slept well. 
today, another good day so far. I already feel so much more energetic. I have cleaned my oven and put loads of summer clothes into the loft/attic. 
I did weigh myself, now I have hidden them as I have spent the summer a slave to those scales and not really feeling good about it. I do want to lose a few pounds if I’m honest, but more than that I want to feel ‘lighter’ and healthier. 
 

[Brocha]

Hi there!  I am also starting again September 1st. (today)!!  I also work in a school, I am the Deans assistant so its a year round job.  2 summers ago I did my second round of Whole30, and I was so happy with the way I felt, lighter, no bloating, no heartburn, and a lot more but surely no one wants to hear that.  Anyway, I decided to really make this a life choice but in moderation.  I definitely know what foods do not do well with my gut health and stay away from those, but around March this year some things crept back into my eating habits. 

This past summer had been extremely rough emotionally for me.  One of my dogs passed on, my step dad passed on and a friend/coworker for 18 years passed on.  My emotions seems to not surface too easily but my comfort foods came back full force.  I started having an alcoholic beverage or glass of wine, after work at least 2 times a week.  I also started buying Milky Way Bars and maybe even loving them too much (dairy is horrible for me).  But I thought both of these would sooth my need to feel something anything.  But mostly, that never did the job.  I know when my behaviors start becoming habit forming so I also know I needed to put the brakes on BIG time.  And before anyone asks, yes I am in therapy.(lol)

So here I am, regimenting myself again (Whole30 round 3), and I'm looking forward to liking the person I see in the mirror again.  Hopefully, this year will be better and I can stick to the healthy eating.

Looking forward to keeping up with everyone this month.  Good Luck

Jennifer

[Rebecca001]

Hi @Brocha, that does sound like you have had a tough year. Well done for applying the brakes as well. I think once we’ve experienced  that w30 feeling, we are drawn back to it periodically throughout our lives and every time is different too, depending what you need at the time. I hope you begin to feel better soon 
 

It’s day 3 for me today. I have had a nice quiet day, did a few jobs round the house and took the children for a walk… then slept for 2 hours! I only lay down for ten minutes! It must have done me good though. I have been hungry today, really wanted more food. Luckily I had prepped chicken meat and I also ate some fruit, drank lots of water, drank a chamomile tea. My legs felt tired and heavy so I didn’t go for a run, and as my children are out tomorrow I figured I could have a nicer run if I waited. 

I am struggling with anxiety at the moment, really suddenly- having mini anxiety attacks at the oddest times, sometimes 10 times a day. Someone mentioned it may be thyroid related. I am going to book a blood test tomorrow as I have a lot of other symptoms too which I never realised were thyroid. I am going to try to cut out my morning coffee tomorrow to see if that helps relieve this jittery anxious feeling. 
 

[Rebecca001]

Day 4- I feel awful today. Absolutely washed out. I didn’t drink my coffee this morning so I think I have a bit of a detox/withdrawal headache as well, I only have 2 cups a day so hopefully that won’t last too long. I went for a run, just took it really easy, then came home, had a bath, slept for 2 hours and all afternoon have just felt groggy, tired, fuzzy headed all afternoon. 
today I ate chicken and sweet potato and grapefruit for breakfast, baked potato and tuna and mayo for lunch, and it will be roast pork and veg and salad for dinner. 
this is my 4th weekend alcohol free and to be honest the way I feel today I don’t miss alcohol at all! We are going out for lunch tomorrow which could be challenging depending where we go as we are going with a big group of friends and their kids..

I very much hope to feel a bit better tomorrow! 

[Rebecca001]

Day 6 today. I felt a bit better yesterday and feel a lot better today. I think I have been fighting off a virus this week in addition to detoxing off my summer excesses so it hit me hard! 
we go back to school tomorrow, I hate the summer being over but I do like the fresh start and I like having a few months to be super productive before winter sets in. 
today I will be busy as I want to prep some bits for the week ahead especially breakfast as I never know what to have, and I will prepare my lunches a few days in advance as well. Plus make mayo, and boil some eggs and other things to get me through the week. 
I ran today, felt much better than the other day but it was still hard work, it always is in the early w30 days. 

[Rebecca001]

Day 8. I have a headache, but I think this is more to do with long days at work and dehydration from not stopping for a drink. My food has been great, I’m not feeling hungry and cravings for sugar and bread and totally gone. Early today I felt very energetic but I feel tired now at 5pm, although I have been up 12 hours already and went to the gym at 6am before work so…. 
 

tomorrow: I’ve prepped my lunches and breakfast (this has been an absolute godsend this week) and dinner is off my menu. All good! 

[Rebecca001]

Day 9. Another busy day at work! My food was good again but tonight I just needed something more so I had a small amount of walnuts and raisins after my dinner, which felt like such a treat! I ran this morning and then had a busy day and I think I was just feeling a bit depleted! 
 

I’m becoming the leftover queen, I packaged up 2 meals for tomorrow and Friday lunches - pork steak and roasted new potatoes, which I will just throw in with some salad tomorrow morning. I’ve made my breakfast boxes for the next two days as well. It’s definitely helping me to be on plan because it’s all prepped in advance. I will do the same next week but might vary the contents! 
 

I feel very lean, I can see muscular definition on my arms that seems to have come from nowhere! I am feeling energetic and clear headed at work, and I did ensure I drank some water today (only 2 cups but better than nothing) And when I got home I was busy putting laundry away and tidying up until dinner, so no pm slump! 
 

 

[Rebecca001]

Day 10, and true to form it’s been a hard day today. I feel tired. I feel hungry. I feel like I want lots of sugar and bread and cake and chocolate! 

[Rebecca001]

Day 11. Another tough day. End of the first week back at school. I feel tired, didn’t sleep well last night and got home, went to the supermarket, had dinner… now feeling quite tired and just ‘meh’. I ate a lot but nothing really excited me, lamb steak and veg for dinner, some nuts, some fruit. 
Tomorrow, I am going for a run with my friend at 8am and hoping to do 12+ kms. I haven’t been doing long distances all summer so I’m really trying to pick the miles up again. Then we have a family party and then a social party in the evening. So a very busy day. 
food: eggs, avocado and bacon after running; salad and tinned fish for lunch, and dinner will be something quick before this evening do in case there is nothing suitable there.  
Then I really need a relaxing day on Sunday! 

 

[Rebecca001]

Day 14. Weekend was good although I’d say some of my food choices were less so, although all within my whole30. A few more snacks than I’d been having and I didn’t always follow the template so strictly. my kids are unwell with coughs and colds and I have a sore throat this morning as well. 
still, that’s my 5th weekend in a row with no alcohol,  and it’s day 14, nearly halfway there! 
I prepped my breakfast boxes and lunches for 3 days. Roasted a chicken. It definitely helped me last week to have breakfast and lunch all sorted and not have to think about them. 
I’m excited for this week as the tiger blood is near! I have been feeling little flickers o it brewing away, but nothing beats that brilliant clear, energetic feeling. 

[Rebecca001]

Day 16 today, halfway there! I think I would be feeling good today except for that I have a horrible sore throat and headache. Hopefully that will shift soon and the tiger blood will emerge! Had some blood tests and an ECG yesterday morning as over the summer I’ve developed quite a few symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hopefully this month will help me to feel a bit more energetic. 
 

today my food was good (made breakfast boxes and lunch boxes in advance) and dinner is a chilli and baked potato with enough left for leftovers. 

I won’t lie, tigerblood seems a fair way off. My throat feels rough and I have headaches and body aches and I feel really tired. 

[Rebecca001]

Day 17. I won’t lie- I feel exhausted today. Still unwell, work was ridiculously busy, and I have felt like I’m chasing my tail all week. I haven’t planned my meals well (or rather, I did, but then I didn’t stick to my plans very well) and I bought things which I have then ended up snacking on such as nuts and dried fruit. We run out of fresh fruit by Wednesday because the children just eat so much of it which I know is good, but it means I run out! 
 

I have had the results back from my bloods and ECG and have to make an appointment so I think that means there is potentially something identified in the results that means something? My appointment is 26th September though so a while to wait unless I can get an earlier one by phoning in. In a way it is a relief to know that I may be able to treat the way I feel as I’ve been exhausted for 6 months and have other symptoms which I put down to just being busy and tired. 
 

we have a long weekend here due to the death of the queen, so I fully intend to use my extra day wisely and get myself organised for next week. I’m out tomorrow night but I’m completely happy not to drink and will eat before I go. Saturday I will go food shopping for the week, and on Sunday I will prepare my lunches and breakfasts, and maybe even batch cook a few evening meals as well. On Monday we will have a family day, getting the house ready for some building work we are starting soon. I would like to do a gym class and a long run if I am feeling better. 
 

All this being said, I actually think if it wasn’t for this cold I’d be feeling great. My head feels clear and I am sleeping well. Bring on the tiger blood! 

[BarbaraV7]

Hi Rebecca 

looks like we started the whole30 on the same day

I just read through your journal & I can relate to how you are feeling.

Good job & well done, especially since you went back to work! I’m inspired by your food prepping. I do feel more relaxed when I know the food has already been (half) prepped rather then having to start from scratch every day… It definitely helps.

I admire your cutting out coffee. I’m a total coffee addict & can’t leave that out ;-)

I suffered a sore throat & a cough for the last 2 weeks (I’ve never had this & it’s strange), my husband & now one of my kids is coughing as well… Sounds like we’re strangely connected & going through the same ?!?

Today I was massively tired & now in the evening, I’m having a major headache.

I’m hoping for that tiger blood to come in soon cause I’m not yet feeling it ?!? 
 

I wish you all the best & I’ll keep on reading your journal. It’s helping & encouraging :-)

 

Take care!

 

Barbara

BV7

[Rebecca001]

Hi Barbara <waves> 

I sometimes think I am the only person in the world on this forum! Thanks for chatting! I only gave up coffee for a few days because I was having some weird panic attack/anxiety feelings. I would miss it too much to give it up completely. I have started drinking hot water at work though rather than coffee all the time, it is somehow more of a ‘break’ than cold water. 

[Rebecca001]

Day 19. I went out last night, had fun even though I didn’t drink (who even knew that was possible???) and got home late. I was so tired yesterday. I am really unhappy in my job which doesn’t help. I enjoy my work but I am put upon and unsupported. Anyway… 

throat is tight and sore today. Whatever this virus is is hanging around and I wish I’d either feel ill enough to take to my bed, or well enough to be well. Got my results back yesterday, blood completely normal. Heart trace normal, although the dr asked if I exercised because my heart rate is low. She said it’s a sign of my athleticism. I wish I felt as athletic as my heart does :-) 

today: big supermarket shop. I need to buy enough to last me the whole week this time, I find we dwindle supplies by Wednesday. I ate a lot of fruit and nuts this week so not buying any of those. 
then this afternoon I am going out by myself to browse sofas and bathroom fittings for a home renovation we are starting in 2 weeks. I’d like to run each day this (long) weekend, and do some strength training. I have a variety of videos etc that I use but I haven’t consistently used them for a while. 
 

Last night I dreamed of eating a big cinnamon iced bun (from ikea?!) it was warm and fresh from the oven. Standard w30 weird dreams. I felt guilty in my dream but I couldn’t stop eating it. Not feeling tiger blood yet but I am having all the signs that it’s around the corner! 

[BarbaraV7]

Hi Rebecca,

you’re definitely not alone ;-)

Yes back in Asia, they always give you warm water as it’s supposed to be a whole lot better for your system than cold water, especially for women. Even though it’s super hot outside & all you can think of is Ice water, hahahahaa 

I absolutely get your idea of having  “a break” ;-) 

this is my first whole30 & I’m still trying to figure out how this forum works. It seems there can be so many different threats/topics you want to discuss here, I get a bit overwhelmed & lost.

Given the fact that this is your 6th, it must really work, right?! ;-)

You’re giving me hope cause so far it’s not been doing what I hoped would but then again, I had a couple of “beginners mistakes” & technically would have to start all over again.

Since we’re attending a 4 day wedding soon in Sweden, I can’t “re-start” just now.

I’ll have to come back for another “round” after the wedding party.

I was thinking, maybe we could share a couple of our best recipes to each other since we’re hitting that week of “boredom” of cooking & food & recipes?

Do you like salads, one pot meals, Asian or classics? 
I have a few recipes I come back to every week as they’re comforting & easy/fast & just always good.

so just let me know & I’ll send it over.

Btw so sorry for your loss, “The Queen” surely has touched the world but I can imagine it must feel strange without her now… 

Take care & enjoy the weekend! 
 

B

[BarbaraV7]

Hi Rebecca,

So I figure you live in the UK? 
I live in Switzerland… Just to map out & talk about that weird cough/ sore throat etc…

I have had the same since day 1 starting the whole30 (has nothing to do with whole30- just a coincidence). My husband has the same now, got it from me & my kids are now coughing as well..

I’ve also not felt sick enough to stay in bed but I have no energy to exercise, I normally exercise 4-5 days/week - mix of cardio & strength & I’m a yoga instructor.

It’s the weirdest thing that just doesn’t seem to leave my body. 
It sounds like you have something similar? 
Every day I’m hoping to get back on my feet & exercise.

I’ve been taking walks instead just to keep moving so kudos to you, you manage to run!

Take care,

Barbara 

[Rebecca001]

Hi Barbara, yes I’m in the Uk. Whole 30 isn’t really known here. I stumbled upon it during lockdown 2020, did around 60 days then and I just felt amazing. I ended up doing over 100 days sugar free, no dairy for 18 months, very rarely ate bread etc. In among that time I would do 30 days stints of proper w30, sometimes 15 days etc just for a boost and lived a sort of ‘drunken caveman’ existence; paleo food but wine at the weekends haha
 

then I suppose I grew tired of it. Covid really affected us in the Uk, we all had it in our family and I’m sure I had long covid symptoms too. But more it was the impact on our lives and because I work in a school office, the impact on everything we do at work. After doing lots of reintroductions over time, I know exactly what I shouldn’t have, but the last six months I have just had it anyway. I find myself now, tired, gained weight, and a bit ‘meh’ generally with life. This round feels like my first round in a way. I had worse detox this round than any other. 
 

this cold/virus I have had, I just feel like I can’t shift it. I feel exhausted as well. We don’t technically do covid testing now here but I wonder if it is that, a new wave of it. There are still covid cases everywhere, we just don’t treat it any different to a bad cold. 
 

I love cooking, I find when I’m struggling it’s usually because my meals haven’t been exciting so I would love to share recipes if you have any favourites. This week I’m going to do some crispy Caribbean pork belly with mashed sweet potato, I am really enjoying tray bake (the Americans call them ‘sheet pan’ ) recipes so chicken thighs, mini potatoes, winter veg all oven roasted in one tray; I bought some cod loin which I will wrap in bacon and oven bake; and I do just love a simple roast dinner as well. I have been saving chicken bones in my freezer so I have enough to make a good stock for a soup as well this week. 
 

I love yoga, I envy you as a yoga instructor. I know that for me yoga means self care and I really do try to do it but life sometimes gets in the way. We are having some work done in our house and I am having a huge skylight put in so I can practice underneath it, I can’t wait! I love to run but as I am getting older I am finding it harder and I don’t know if it is benefitting me as much as eg. Strength training would, but I’m addicted to it so I can’t stop (yet!) 

[Rebecca001]

Day 20- and I still feel exhausted and viral! Thought I was over the worst of it yesterday however I have been worse today, really tired and fuzzy head and really really grouchy and irritable. I know it’s not w30 related but it’s really sapping my motivation as the whole point of doing this is to feel better not worse! So I have had firm words with myself today because if I break my w30 I’ll feel even more crappy tomorrow. 
 

I made comfort food- baked ham, roast sweet potato in the fat saved from my pork belly yesterday, lots of veg, and I stewed some apple which I ate after my dinner. I feel really bloated now but at least my urge to completely self sabotage has gone. 
 

I wanted to run tomorrow but the way I feel now, I don’t think I will be well enough. I don’t actually have much actual cold symptoms, just exhaustion and sneezing. 
 

Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. I’m already thinking that I’m going to continue after the 30 days as I haven’t actually had much improvement. I do feel like once I shift this I will find that the tiger blood is there though. I am sure i have lost a few pounds as my clothes are fitting better and my waist is definitely more trim. It’s my sons and husband’s birthday (s) on 29th and 30th sept so my plan was always to finish them which is why I started a few days early, but I actually am thinking I might not want to. 

[Rebecca001]

Day 21. Woke up feeling a bit better today. Went for a run, and made good time, there were some points where I was flying along (and others where I was huffing and puffing!) I think my tigerblood is fighting against my virus. Now though this afternoon I feel quite tired and not well again, and am sneezing again. 
 

we have spent the extra bank holiday doing jobs Around the house, watching the queen’s funeral, and prepping for the week ahead. I’m going to have a hot bath now and warm myself up a bit. I’ve cooked a chicken for the week for lunches and convenient protein, made mayo, and made a lamb stew for tonight which I will have with leftover veg from yesterdays roast. 
 

I’m determined to get to the gym this week so I’ve booked 6am classes for Tuesday and Thursday. 

 

[Rebecca001]

Day 24. 
I have had a horrible horrible week. My son has been very ill with a vomiting bug and ended up in hospital being rehydrated. Plus alongside that, my husband learned his company is making redundancies and we’ve had 2 stressful days waiting for more info. I have had a tough time at work and I am really close to leaving my job as it is so stressful. 
 

however: my food while it has not been perfect (not anywhere near enough veg, and today I didn’t eat at all til 6pm) and generally badly planned, badly executed… I remained 100% compliant. No turning to food to make me feel better. I am so proud of myself. 
 

we have been invited to a meal on Saturday night which will be nice but also difficult to stay on track. I am happy not to drink but it’s hard when food is being cooked for you. 

[BarbaraV7]

Hi Rebecca

I've been MIA but stayed on track as well. 

Oh my goodness, what you're going through sounds like a nightmare week. I hope your son is back home & feeling better?

I feel like this virus & cough has left my body but I'm still very low on energy though.

So to hopefully help you a bit... Here are a couple of recipes I love cause they're quick & easy but also family favourites and so so fast to prep and serve. For the kids I will always cook a bit of rice; wholegrain or jasmin. This recipe contains chilli which I omit when cooking for the whole family.

Spicy Ginger Cashew Chicken

 

Best cashew chicken recipe and it's whole30 and paleo! This easy dinner is a family favorite- we can't get enough of this delicious and easy to make cashew chicken! Save this recipe for whole30 meal prep this week. 

INFO  Cook Time 15 minutes  Prep Time 10 minutes  Servings servings MetricUS Imperial  Course Main Dish

INGREDIENTS Chicken 3 large chicken breasts cut in 1" cubes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 head broccoli 1/2 large yellow onion 1 cup raw cashews 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds to taste 1/4 cup cilantro to taste Sauce 1/2 cup coconut aminos 1/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup soft medjool dates pitted, about 4 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

1. Cut chicken breasts into 1" cubes. Heat a skillet over medium heat on the stove and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook chicken in skillet for about 5-8 minutes (stirring on occasion) until just cooked through- when a piece is cut in half, there won't be any pink left. 
2. Chop broccoli and onion into bite size pieces and transfer chicken to a plate. Add broccoli and onion into skillet and cook with a drizzle of olive oil until just soft, but not mushy. 
3. In a blender puree ingredients for sauce until completely smooth, then pour over chicken. Stir in cashews, sesame seeds, and cilantro and serve. 

Nutrition Facts Spicy Ginger Cashew Chicken   Amount Per Serving  Calories 258Calories from Fat 45   % Daily Value* Total Fat 5g8% Saturated Fat 1g5% Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 49mg16% Sodium 900mg38% Potassium 258mg7% Total Carbohydrates 32g11% Dietary Fiber 9g36% Sugars 13g Protein 22g44%   Vitamin A6% Vitamin C71% Calcium3% Iron7% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

I hope you'll find your energy back & things will work out and can only get better!

We hosted a dinner party last weekend & it wasn't bad at all for me as I prepared it well to make sure to include Whole 30 friendly meals.

I made Brussels sprouts wrapped in bacon with a dark dip sauce on the side (made from nut butter, balsamic vinegar, etc...), pimentos del padron with sea salt. For the main dish sirloin with a dressing consisting of pomegranate, chilli, fresh lemon juice, sesame oil,...

Let me know if you'd like more recipes. 

I also make a bolognese spaghetti sauce & I'll eat it with zoodles & a spiralled carrot.

 

Take care & hang in there. We are nearly there!

Do you have an idea what you will introduce back into your diet? I might try dairy as I think it's been a trigger for a long time. Next one will definitely be wine ;-)

 

Barbara

 

 

 

[Rebecca001]

That recipe sounds delicious! Thank you. 
I am not what I will reintroduce first. Normally it’s wine, but I am really enjoying being alcohol free. It’s my husbands birthday next Friday so I feel there is pressure on me to drink, but I don’t really want to.

it sounds weird but I miss my scales and I am finding it hard not tracking my food, so actually that might be what I reintroduce. I’m not missing any actual foods so I will probably keep going a bit, but I am worried I may have actually gained weight as I have eaten so well! So maybe I will continue this, but track my calories and see what happens 

[BarbaraV7]

Hi Rebecca,

You’re most welcome!

I’m making it again tomorrow. Getting lots of protein in my body might hopefully help me lose some weight…?

I understand how you feel. I’ve also not felt the need nor been wanting to drink except for this weekend. I’m getting a bit frustrated because I feel like I haven’t lost any weight except for the water retention. It kinda doesn’t make sense either, eating super healthy, I try not to eat anything after 8pm to give my body the rest to digest for at least 12 hours. 
I drink water with ACV in the am… it’s frustrating but still I want to come back after next weekend for another round.

I’m going to give myself “a break” from Wednesday through Sunday evening. Besides wine, I’ll try to watch what I’m eating but we’ll be away for a wedding so you can’t control whatever is on your plate when you eat out, as per my last week experience… I’ll be back on Monday for another round & thanks for the tip. Tracking my food might be a good idea.

maybe I should do that as well.

what do you usually eat for breakfast? I’m getting a bit bored with my chia pudding or sweet potato & avo toast.

I’m not much of an eggs person in the am & I love fruits.

I’ve been wondering if I eat too much fruit but then again I always eat it with a crunch of toasted nuts or nut butter, sweet potato or chia pudding…  

a friend of mine is doing a similar diet but she’s not allowed to eat any form of potato. Maybe I should cut back as well. 
 

take care & enjoy Sunday!

Barbara 

 

[Rebecca001]

Some people do cut out potatoes and other nightshades (eg tomato, pepper, aubergine) but that feels too restrictive for me, and i love tomatoes 

breakfasts- I like a chia pots too. I make kind with chia, coconut canned milk, frozen fruit, raisins. I make 2 or 3 days worth in advance in boxes in the fridge. I also make ratatouille, portion into boxes, then in the morning make a little dip in the mixture and crack an egg in, then microwave the whole thing until the sauce is hot and the egg is cooked.