Looking to start a whole30 - advice needed
Christie0428
Posts: 221 Member
Hi Paleo friends,
I am thinking about starting a Whole30 on my own starting March 1st to re-start my weight loss/motivation. What do I need to know/do? I don't have a book and don't have time to get one and read it before then. I know the basic idea: no grains, no dairy, no legumes, no processed sugar. What am i missing?
I am thinking about starting a Whole30 on my own starting March 1st to re-start my weight loss/motivation. What do I need to know/do? I don't have a book and don't have time to get one and read it before then. I know the basic idea: no grains, no dairy, no legumes, no processed sugar. What am i missing?
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Replies
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You don't need the book, although I definitely recommend picking it up at some point. In the meantime, most everything you need is available in the whole9life website.
The program itself:
http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/
What to expect:
http://whole9life.com/2013/01/whole30-timeline/
My advice is to make sure you plan out your weekly meals ahead of time, make sure you have snacks on hand (travel bottles of homemade salad dressing doesn't hurt either) and do some batch cooking on the weekends so things are "quick and easy" during the week. Otherwise you will likely find yourself hungry but too tired to put in much effort for a whole30 meal after work, and that is just an invitation for settling for something off plan.
Check out theclothesmakethegirl.com recipes too, they are almost all Whole 30 approved.0 -
You don't need the book, although I definitely recommend picking it up at some point. In the meantime, most everything you need is available in the whole9life website.
The program itself:
http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/
What to expect:
http://whole9life.com/2013/01/whole30-timeline/
My advice is to make sure you plan out your weekly meals ahead of time, make sure you have snacks on hand (travel bottles of homemade salad dressing doesn't hurt either) and do some batch cooking on the weekends so things are "quick and easy" during the week. Otherwise you will likely find yourself hungry but too tired to put in much effort for a whole30 meal after work, and that is just an invitation for settling for something off plan.
Check out theclothesmakethegirl.com recipes too, they are almost all Whole 30 approved.
Ditto! Being prepared is my #1 piece of advice! And just go for it!0 -
It can be tough! But it is worth it to know you made better choices for yourself. DEF check out Whole30.com!! and be prepared to read every lable although most of what you will eat wont have one
I had to try a few times before I managed an entire 30 days, but felt a real sense of accomplishment when I did it!
Good Luck!0 -
You don't need the book, although I definitely recommend picking it up at some point. In the meantime, most everything you need is available in the whole9life website.
The program itself:
http://whole9life.com/2012/08/the-whole30-program/
What to expect:
http://whole9life.com/2013/01/whole30-timeline/
My advice is to make sure you plan out your weekly meals ahead of time, make sure you have snacks on hand (travel bottles of homemade salad dressing doesn't hurt either) and do some batch cooking on the weekends so things are "quick and easy" during the week. Otherwise you will likely find yourself hungry but too tired to put in much effort for a whole30 meal after work, and that is just an invitation for settling for something off plan.
Check out theclothesmakethegirl.com recipes too, they are almost all Whole 30 approved.
Thank you, this is really helpful! I basically prepare most of our meals on weekends and portion them out for the week ahead any way and I use *very* little processed food. I make my own salad dressing from olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper (sometimes garlic if I have the time and am feeling motivated). I don't eat anything that says "natual flavoring" since I learned this is really code for MSG.
I am looking forward to reading up on this these sites and getting ready to start on March 1st!
my goal is to lose weight, and obviously feel better so the next question is: do I count/limit calories or not? measure portions, or just monitor satiety feelings? ...the answer may be on the websites, i'll check them out.0 -
my goal is to lose weight, and obviously feel better so the next question is: do I count/limit calories or not? measure portions, or just monitor satiety feelings? ...the answer may be on the websites, i'll check them out.
They highly recommend not tracking at all. Part of the plan is to get back in touch with your body's signals.
Tracking food and trying to intake certain levels of marcos or calories hinders that. I'd recommend stepping away from the food tracker for the month.0 -
my goal is to lose weight, and obviously feel better so the next question is: do I count/limit calories or not? measure portions, or just monitor satiety feelings? ...the answer may be on the websites, i'll check them out.
They highly recommend not tracking at all. Part of the plan is to get back in touch with your body's signals.
Tracking food and trying to intake certain levels of marcos or calories hinders that. I'd recommend stepping away from the food tracker for the month.
http://whole9life.com/2013/02/you-count-more-than-your-calories-do/ <-- yes they do recommend not logging at all. I logged during mine but wish i didn't because i was so obsessive over it all... now i dont log but still eat paleo and i feel so free!
what the others said, planning ahead is key. I'm a huge fan of crock pot meals or when in a pinch i always have eggs or ground beef and assorted veggies to season up either: mexican (chili powder), greek (lemon juice, garlic, s&p), indian (coconut milk and curry), italian (italian seasonings and garlic), or american (s&p served with some homemade ketchup...like a burger sorta)...0 -
They highly recommend not tracking at all. Part of the plan is to get back in touch with your body's signals.
Tracking food and trying to intake certain levels of marcos or calories hinders that. I'd recommend stepping away from the food tracker for the month.
I agree with this! I went crazy while tracking, obsessed over every number. This obsession was so unhealthy for me as my mind was on food constantly! I was so paranoid over hitting my macros!0 -
Sounds like you're pretty set to go then! The Whole 30 is a lot easier for someone who has already cut out most processed food, is making their own meals and batch cooking already. I was paleo for 6 mths when I tried my first one and didn't find it much more of an adjustment to what I was already doing, besides cutting out wine!
I wouldn't track your calories while you're doing it, it tends to make people obsessive. One of the best things about eating this way is that if you're being honest with yourself and following the guidelines, you won't need to worry about them anyways. Just eat when you're hungry. It can be tough at first if you've been logging for awhile, but trust me as the weeks go by and you realize you're still making progress, it gets much easier
Good luck!0 -
I'm on day 24 of Whole 30. Fats are really important and you need lots of them other wise you feel tired and weird. I think you should track you food....not to count calories but to keep track of fats....you need a lot more than you think plus you can compare good and bad days to see whats working for you. I found and am still finding I have lots of highs and lows . Feel free to ask me questions.
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I'm just finishing up week one of my first Whole30. I have found the website very helpful and clear. I did subscribe to the daily newletter, and so far I am finding the tips and suggestions I receive through that more than enough.
As others have suggested, I did do a fair bit of food preparation before I started and plan on continuing that each weekend.
I have been tracking - I find it helpful to confirm I'm getting the right balance - and getting enough calories, especially when I follow the suggestion of no snacks.
Good luck with your journey.0 -
I'm on day 11, so far so good. I don't have the book. There is a LOT of good info on the whole30 website, I definitely recommend reading the forums there - lots of good info and links to other sites.
Make sure you're prepared, plan your food and you'll be fine.0 -
Good Luck! I am starting the whole30 challenge on Monday (I am going away for the weekend). I hope I can do this!0
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Just a follow up, I started yesterday... I needed the weekend to shop and prepare food. Day 2 and so far so good!!0
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Just a follow up, I started yesterday... I needed the weekend to shop and prepare food. Day 2 and so far so good!!
I'm just about done day 23, only 7 to go - smooth sailing! :bigsmile:
Best advise - plan, plan, and plan! :laugh: Seems like you have that covered, good luck!0
