Has anyone ever tried the Whole30?

[StuffNPuff]

I had a hysterectomy and a couple years later I quit smoking.  So there's an extra 50lbs tacked on to this middle aged body....and I want it gone! 🙂

I also understand that in order to do this I MUST give up Pepsi (which was harder to quit than smoking), my chocolate chip cookies...etc.  *sniffsniff*

I also know that my willpower sucks monkeyballs and the only way I'm going to accomplish any lifestyle change is to have everything I need to do in writing and organized out for me or I will stress out and just go get a big mac.

So my daughter, who knows me and how I am, told me about The Whole30, everything needed is free on their website, which was a GREAT help to my pocketbook...but the question still remains..does it work?

I read some reviews on Amazon, you can buy the book if you want but it's not necessary I guess all the info is on their site? (Wish someone would've told me before I bought the book)...but I still need to know if it really helps before I try this...

Anyone have some info?  

[Mermaid3011]

@StuffNPuff

I hadnt heard about The Whole 30 but just looked at the website and it looks pretty similar to the book I just bought and love! www.thedietfix.com

The messages are similar. 

80% of weightloss depend on how you eat. Don't be a slave to your body scale, but measure and weigh exactly what you eat and write it down. It's proven that people lose 50% more weight if they keep a food diary. 

Now another message that thedietfix.com gave me is: don't be afraid or shy to ask for help from your GP. Being overweight is a health risk and if your GP is any good, he/she will be happy to support your lifestyle change with medication that will help you reach your goal. 

I for example happened to switch my antidepressant from one that made me gain weight (even ever so slightly) to Wellbutrin, that has a negative weight effect. It's the same drug that is also given to people who want to stop smoking and works in your brain by cutting out those cravings, the addictive part of smoking. And it also works for food. I am sure it would have made things much easier for you when you gave up smoking (and Pepsi).

It was MUCH MUCH easier to change the way I eat and like my new lifestyle with my doctor's help / my new meds. 

Especially visceral fat tissue (around the middle) is not good for our health and it doesnt always have to be  a fight or even worse: a radical weight loss surgery. 

The FDA in the US has just approved a new weightloss medication called Contrave. It's a combination of Wellbutrin (mentioned above) and a second drug that helps losing weight and cuts the cravings. 

There is also Saxenda that just came out. Originally for Diabetics, but is now also approved for weightloss. The problem: it is a daily injection and that can put people off. The company who brought it out is working on an oral solution though, that may be ready for the market in 2017/2018.

So... all I am saying is: as long as you give you best, it's not a shame to ask for help. Your support network includes your health team. Nutrionists. GP etc. 

[klrenn]

Hi!

My husband and I did a Whole30, and now follow a less strict version of it.  It was the best thing we've ever done for our health.  He lost 45lbs  (I didn't do it for weight loss, but to identify allergies)

I highly recommend it.  It is a pain at first because of all the label reading, but it is worth it because you definitely learn a lot about what's in the foods you eat.  Also, don't just focus on what you can't eat on the program, the way the meals are structured is important to keep your energy levels even and keep you from being overly hungry.

Good luck!

[JennieH]

I just finished my first Whole30 on June 3 and I have to say that I really loved it. I feel like at the beginning I was a person with little willpower, and one of the things I liked about Whole30 was that I didn't really have to exercise willpower when making choices about moderation. You just can't eat X. End of story.

The first couple weeks I definitely didn't feel better, and some days even felt worse than before I started. But then by the third week I started to notice differences in the way I felt. It just felt *good* in a way that's hard to pinpoint. My energy wasn't through the roof, but it was even and my outlook and disposition were better. I was more optimistic. I ended up losing 10 pounds and a bunch of inches. My pants are loose and I'm feeling great. 

This weekend I tried out not eating Whole30 and I just didn't feel great, so now I'm back to eating Whole30 as much as possible, essentially whenever I'm preparing my own food, which is most of the time. 

My biggest tip is to prepare as much food as possible for the week in one batch. I always made sure to have some hardboiled eggs, roasted veggies, washed lettuce, cut up veggies and cooked sweet potatoes in the fridge. It was incredibly helpful to have everything ready to go and all I had to do was assemble. Keep it simple. 

I think it's totally worth it to get the book, or check it out from the library. I've spent lots of time with it and made a bunch of the recipes in it, so for me it was worth the investment. 

[charlibets]

I just learned about the Whole30 this past weekend.  I've been following the Zero Belly Diet and it has been working pretty well, but I'm intrigued to try the Whole30, to take it a bit further for clean eating.  I have some things going on in the next month that would make it hard to comply so I'm planning on doing it in September.

[mandyw12786]

I started doing the Whole 30 at the end of June, and I am currently on day 23.  I can honestly say that I have never felt better in my life.  I feel energetic all the time!  I still have a long way to go to get to the weight I would ideally want to be, but it has totally changed my outlook on how I look at food.  Here are a couple of tips that I think will help you be successful with this, if you decide to go any further:

1. Have a partner to do the plan with.  I am doing this with my husband.  His doctor recommended it for some health issues that started to develop.  I  was very skeptical at first, because depending on how you ate before it is a very extreme change.  Having him by my side through this journey really helped me stay strong and get past the days were I was craving ice cream so bad I was about to crack.  He helped me find something that helped me kick those cravings.  (Frozen bananas, coconut milk, and frozen pineapple blended together make a great "ice cream" substitute ;o) ).  

2. Have an open mind and keep telling yourself it is only 30 days.  You will feel like crap the first few days because of the withdraw from the foods you were used to eating.  Keep pushing through those tough days, it will all be worth it by the end of week 2...I promise!

3. Make sure you check all labels!!!  I was shocked to find that my favorite seasoning, garlic salt, had sugar and soy products in it.  I mean who would have ever thought it wasn't just garlic and salt!  Your first trip to the grocery store will take a long time, but it will amaze you all the bad things that are in foods that are "good" for you.

4. Get adventurous with your fruit and veggie choices.  My husband and I try and change it up so we don't get bored.  We get our staples of blueberries, strawberries, peppers, squash, and onions but we always through in something new for us to experiment with.  You will be surprised what you really like.  My husband went from hating all fruit to loving Cherries, Plums, Blueberries, and Strawberries.

5. Get yourself a spiralizer.  This fun kitchen tool helps  you cut veggies and potatoes into thin ribbons that when cooked resemble the texture of pasta!  I'm an italian girl who loves her pasta and this was truely a life saver.  We love doing bolognese with zuccini.

I hope you decide to give it a try.  I promise you will feel great as you move through the plan.  I also hope these little tips help you out a little if you do start on this journey!

Good luck!

[charlibets]

I'm almost to the end of my first Whole30 - doing it with my husband.  I've only lost 4-5 pounds, but my clothes fit looser and I feel very good.  I plan to do the reintroduction schedule and then go back to do it again.  It is an excellent plan for breaking bad food habits and also evaluating which foods might be problematic in a variety of ways.

[Bobbinyc]

@mandyw12786  Your post is inspiring. I'd love to try Whole30, but the site doesn't give much detail and the bookstore near me didn't have it.  I'm eating organic, lots of veggies, and feel much better than before.  What else does whole30 involve?  

Thanks.

[charlibets]

Basis rules of Whole30 can be found here:

http://whole30.com/downloads/official-whole30-program-rules.pdf

I bought the book because I found a good deal.  It's nice to have for explanations, recipes, etc.  But you can do it by just following the basic rules.

We are just about done with reintroduction and will take a break before doing it again.  But even during a break we'll be keeping some of the standards.  The no sugar added rule is a big wakeup call...sugar is everywhere if you choose to ignore it.  

[Bobbinyc]

Thanks charlibets.  I understand there is also an introductory phase?  No?

I also wonder, why no beans or lentils and yes to meat?  

Thanks again.

[charlibets]

No.  Not really any kind of intro phase...unless you count just getting ready.  They do recommend getting rid of all the stuff you can't have and having a well stocked pantry of the things you can have.  If I have one complaint about the Whole30 it's a total lack of convenience....you have to be prepared.  But basically you start on day 1 and go on from there.  There is a reintroduction phase at the end that can take up to a couple of weeks if you do it right.

Legumes are out because they are a type of food that cause problems for people with a sensitivity to them. So they are out so that you can reintroduce them later and see if you do have a problem with them.

[wheresanita]

I've been a fan of the Whole 30 for several years. It is not about weight loss. It's about eliminating processed foods, sugar, dairy, grain, legumes..for many people one or all of these can cause you to just not feel your best. You eliminate it all for 30 days and then conduct a structured reintroduction phase so you can determine what foods are troublsome for you. If you "follow the rules" then you also do not step on the scale for 30 days. Many people do lose weight, many lose inches and many find that other problems are resolved. You no longer crave sugar, joint stiffness is reduces, Acne clears up. Hair and nails look better. You generally just feel better. During the reintroduction phase you pick one thing to add in. For instance dairy. Add milk/cream to your coffee. Have cheese on your salad. Try a yogurt that has no other added ingredients and add your own fruit. Try this for a few days and see how you feel. Sinuses getting 'goopy'? Belly feeling bloated? Dairy may be an issue for you. Then go "clean" for a few days and try adding something else. Try adding legumes. Does your belly feel bloated or your joints feel more stiff? Then perhaps legumes don't agree with you. After the 30 days you have to be disciplined in your reintroductions. If you go out and have pizza, wine and ice cream on day 31 and feel crappy afterwards you won't know whicc food is the culprit. 

All the info is available at Whole30.com and they have a super supportive community if you decide to give it a go. 

[charlibets]

That is a great synopsis wheresanita.  I would just add that there is a really nice facebook group called Whole30 ladies if anyone is looking for support, meal ideas, questions answered, etc.  There is also an official Whole30 group there and a separate Whole30 Recipes group.

[juliejuliejulie]

I totally agree with Wheresanita!

I do think its really helpful to read the book, It Starts with Food. It's easier to avoid eating things you're craving if you understand why you aren't eating them!

And you can always just borrow the book from your library for free, save yourself some money~

[knewso]

I did the whole30, not for weight loss, but to lower my THS levels. I'll start by saying that it was difficult for me, but it did lower my THS levels significantly. I took the challenge in Nov, which wasn't the best idea since my family is really big on Thanksgiving. I didn't weigh myself due to the fact that scales are evil 😉 but I did notice a change in the way I felt and how my clothes fit. I now also look at food much differently. I did break the "no snacking rule" because I have always eaten 6 small meals for as long as I can remember. I did enjoy the whole30 and plan on doing it again in March!

[Inga]

I feel your pain LOL, I am 53, hypothyroid, postmenopausal and had a hysterectomy at 42. Now I easily maintain around 115 on my 5'6" frame. I have friends who swear by Whole30 but I don't get the logic behind it and I don't eat meat. My plan is much easier, I have been lowfat vegan for years now, I eat fruit and vegies and occasional nuts and seeds. I don't read labels because I don't buy stuff in packages, carrying a few bananas and a baggie of celery with me is pretty effortless. 😉

[Nettievonne]

It is a body reset- give up dairy, grains, all added sugars (to include natural and artificial), legumes, MSG, carrageenan, and sulfites. Eat meat, seafood, nuts, eggs, veggies, fruits, and healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocado oil, etc. for 30 days. They recommend meats that are grass-fed, but also tell you not to kill your budget- just buy the best you can. It is nearly impossible to eat out and remain compliant, so cooking at home is the best. You are never hungry and you don't count calories. Your meals consist of protein, veggies, and healthy fats, and some fruit if you need something sweet. After 30 days, slowly reintroduce the foods one by one and see if you have reactions to them. Sadly, I have found that dairy makes me bloat, have tummy problems, and have sinus issues. I used to say that everything is better with cheese, so obviously I am in mourning about that. Eating white bread bloats me up as well, and brings back knee pain. I haven't tried whole grains yet. Sugar just makes me feel like crap. I have lost a total of 36 pounds since January, when I did a Whole30. I am currently doing another now. My chronic hives, which I've had for over 10 years, almost never flares anymore, the bumps on the backs of my arms go away, and I just feel better when I am eating good, non-processed food. Yes, it is hard sometimes, but I really feel that it is worth it, to me at least. Definitely check out the Whole 30 website, as all the information you need is on there for free. There are docs you can download to your phone to make grocery shopping easier. The one I use the most tells all the sneaky names used for sugar. Prepare for it by reading up on the guidelines, and making sure you have lots of eggs, nuts, etc. for snacks so you don't give in to junk food. You may feel like garbage for the first few days if you were used to eating a lot of processed foods and sugars. Try it once!