MattD Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 After thinking about doing it for almost 2 years now, I am starting my Whole30 next week. I had my first flirtation with the paleo lifestyle thanks to Cordain & Robb Wolf in Summer 2011. After reading the books and blogs I knew this was the right way to eat & live! I managed to do really well up until the cold months when I fell back into the SAD lifestyle. I went back to eating poorly and lost all the progress I made. Spring 2012 I recommitted to being healthy again and took the knowledge of my failures. To gain some inspiration I read the Primal Blueprint and followed Mark Sisson's take on the primal lifestyle. I enjoyed the flexibility of the 80/20 philosophy, but once November hit again I was falling back into my old habits. Now with 2 years experience of knowing my own pitfalls and weaknesses, I am very optimistic about going through this program. My biggest setbacks seem to be 1. cheating when I am not prepared, 2. not having much support, and 3. dealing with seasonal affective disorder triggered by cold weather. Unfortunately, my wife is not at all interested in eating this way. She is an extremely picky eater and although I wish I could have a partner in this challenge I just know I can't count on her. Because of this I have always skipped the "cleaning out the pantry" step that seems essential to setting yourself up for success. My downward spirals always seem to be triggered by a Poptart or bowl of sugary cereal that I wish wasn't even in my house! It is also pretty clear to me that I suffer from some degree of seasonal affective disorder. I live in a place that can have very long winters and although I am aware of the problem I just can't seem to get through a winter without being depressed and using bad food as an outlet. It is a trend I just can't ignore anymore. The good news here that that I have sought out professional help to deal with this and break the cycle once & for all. I am optimistic that the Whole30 program and the support system here will be just what I need to stay on track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beets Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Hi Matt. It's tricky when your partner isn't totally on board. My husband will go along with meat + veg meals. He is even cutting down on his not insignificant sugary drink consumption. But he won't go whole hog. (Which is doubly frustrating because he has an autoimmune disorder--sarcoidosis--and would really benefit.) But I take what I can get. I do all the shopping and cooking so at least I have control over that. My husband will occasionally buy himself junk. I ask him to hide it. Funny thing is, when I really quit sugar in Feb (vs my previous attempts when I'd allow a "cheat" or allow honey or maple syrup or whatever) I wasn't craving it! My husband chowed a box of really nice chocolate next to me. I could smell it but did t want it. Then we got into March. My son turned five. There was St Patty's Day. I drank too much wine the other night. So now my eating is all over the place again. But I k ow I can get back to that non-craving place. Maybe you and your wife can find some compromises? In the past I've, for ex, baked a pot in the microwave for my husband while I've eaten a giant salad. I'm starting April 1. I also have mood issues. And I also know that you can't wait for conditions to be perfect to make changes. You are doing this for yourself! Maybe when your wife sees how fabulous you are feeling she will also make some changes. This has happened in our house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jtandi Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 welcome mark! My spouse is in love with his SAD...especially pizza and sweets...I did clean out our pantry and he slowly added back, but there is a designated compliant cupboard and the other one is non-compliant. The kids still eat mostly non-compliant, too. He has been respective in that I asked him not to bring any cookies/cakes/etc in the house and for the most part he has held to that! Good luck! It's doable!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 Thanks for the replies. I am going to try the compliant/nc sections of my fridge, freezer & cupboard. I'm still worried about the creep factor over time, but I think I'll be able to get through 30 days as long as I plan well! I find that when I am focused, the only thing that would allow me to cheat is not having access to good food when I'm hungry, so as long as I stock up I should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFholly Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Hey Matt D. I'm in for another Whole30 starting tomorrow (April 3) and stopped and read your post cos it sounded so much like me. I'm a bit the opposite and tend to thrive in winter (love cold weather) though I suffer from SAD in a big way at the same time... Odd, I know. Coming into our Australian winter soon, so it's a perfect time to start. Would like to have some online support, and you seem to be on the same wave length as me. I've read a lot of books and blogs and know this is the lifestyle for me - however sticking to it is hard. I'd like to use this Whole30 to kick start better eating again. Happy to have a online mate to bounce off. Good luck tomorrow. Holly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteevans321 Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 New on Whole 30 Forum. Thinking of starting the program. Looking forward to hear more from you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexgem Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I'm starting tomorrow too, and my husband isn't on board with me (though he has agreed to eat what I eat for dinner as long as he can have whatever he wants for breakfasts & snacks and he buys lunch at his work). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Aslibekyan Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Matt, Holly, and lexgem-- I'm with you guys. Starting tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolo's Travels Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Hello guys, first timer in the forum, please count me in! Good luck everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 Just got back from out of town.. I was already excited to start tomorrow, but after seeing all your guys' posts I'm really pumped! Went shopping tonight and I'm planning my meals now. I think my wife might actually try this out with me! Good luck everyone - looking forward to reading your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy G Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Hi Everyone! I just finished my first Whole30 yesterday and have found that I need to extend it so I am doing a Whole60. I didn't use the forum the first time because I was so overwhelmed just trying to figure out the Whole30 alone. I blogged during my entire Whole30 posting daily about how I was feeling and what I was eating and then did a wrap-up post for this first Whole30. So today is my first day of my second Whole30 and think I am ready to get more involved in the forums. Can't wait to get to know all of you and learn even more than I have already!!! Missy -- healthloveandyoga.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy G Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I'm starting tomorrow too, and my husband isn't on board with me (though he has agreed to eat what I eat for dinner as long as he can have whatever he wants for breakfasts & snacks and he buys lunch at his work). I just finished my first Whole30 and it sounds like I was in the same boat as you. My husband worried about his breakfast and lunch but ate what I put in front of him for dinner. During my Whole30, he lost 8 pounds without doing anything other than changing that one dinner So maybe your husband will be convinced after! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cristina Rowan Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Hi, I started yesterday....food wise I felt ok, but had a headache all day ! probably missing my diet coke. I feel better today, but I have only had breakfast so far My Husband and I have been pescetarians for the last 3 years, but after getting advice here, I am back on the meat, taking it slowly. My husband is working far from home this week. But when I told him I was going into this diet/lifestyle change, he said he didnt want to go back to meat, so I told him it was ok. I have been cooking for myself and the kids, feeling guilty for giving them unhealthy food, but I hope sooner than later we all are gonna be eating healthier. I also suffer from SAD, during the winter I go into hiibernation mode, and I crave carbs more than ever ! but Spring is here now (or kinda) so I have come out hibernation and I feel Im in a better place for change. I want to give up my meds (antidepressants) so hopefully I will be able to do that soon too. Im taking one day at a time...last night I just told myself...day 1 over, 29 to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy G Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Just checking in to see how everyone's day 1 went?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Days 1 & 2 in the bank and going strong. How is everyone doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cristina Rowan Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Im doing pretty ok...Im happy that I dont feel hungry in between meals...and no carb flu yet...fingers crossed I wont have any ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Raznick Plaisance Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Glad I stumbled on this tonight! I started on 4/3 also. Husband not on board but supportive and he and the kids know they have to eat what I make for dinner so everyone is getting whole30 for dinner. Sugar carvings are bad tonight- but reading the book has helped me be rational about the cravings and the short term payoff that the ice cream gives versus the long term reward of getting the junk out of my system so I brushed my teeth got ready for bed and hopped in here for distraction- feels like a huge victory ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Glad I stumbled on this tonight! I started on 4/3 also. Husband not on board but supportive and he and the kids know they have to eat what I make for dinner so everyone is getting whole30 for dinner. Sugar carvings are bad tonight- but reading the book has helped me be rational about the cravings and the short term payoff that the ice cream gives versus the long term reward of getting the junk out of my system so I brushed my teeth got ready for bed and hopped in here for distraction- feels like a huge victory ;-) Seems like so much of the first two weeks will be figuring out ways to become victorious over our old habits. Congrats on your latest victory My family's weekly shopping trip in the grocery store was the hardest time for me so far. All those delightful sugary snacks lurking around each corner. My saving grace is that I can't just rip open a box of cup cakes right then & there - without looks like a crazy man of course! I'm really looking forward to getting past these 2 weeks.. my energy levels are still pretty low and the mornings are filled with snooze button presses I'm a little worried that I will lose faith if energy levels don't improve by day 14, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cristina Rowan Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 I havent found the trips to the supermarket that hard...I tell myself...how colourful junk food looks like ! and it's colourful cos it needs to make you look at it and good food doesnt need to be colourful cos it's healthier I havent felt a massive surge in energy, my energy levels used to be determined by the amout of carbs I ate or if I took or not the glucophage tablets (helps to make the job of the insulin more efficient) but I can say I am energetic enough now, by avoiding carbs, I am not chancing to feel sleepy if I have overdone the carbs. The only bad food I miss is chocolate My only issue is that I dont feel I have lost weight yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 Day 23 for everyone here! How is it going? I still haven't had that 'ah hah' moment of increased energy, but I am loving the Whole30 so far. I love the 3 satisfying meals a day and the acceptance that snacks just aren't something I do anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattD Posted May 2, 2013 Author Share Posted May 2, 2013 Day 30 for this group. Congrats to everyone for making it through! What are your plans for day 31 & beyond? I'm still deciding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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