Tuesday 31 January 2017

Whole30 - 31 Days in

Well yesterday was the 30th day of doing this 'Whole30' way of eating.  Do I feel any different?  NO Have my energy levels increased? NO    Have my pain levels decreased? NO  Have I lost weight? Marginally, although this wasn't a goal, just a nice bonus.

Well either most people who embark on this must be on REALLY BAD diets to begin with or I am just immune to the effects.  I have read of people having such amazing results, it has really been disappointing not to really experience any.

There wasn't a huge change in the way I eat, just the complete elimination of some foods that I had already dramatically decreased in my diet years ago.

My energy levels are still at an all time low with lack of enthusiasm to boot.  Not so bad if it is a sunny day, but as most of winter is grey, that is somehow reflected in how I feel, no matter what I try to improve it.

I guess if I REALLY think about it, I have had less severe headaches and also of far less frequently during the course of the last month. That is a GOOD thing.  As for the rest of my pain, I haven't noticed a difference...perhaps a very small one, but I could be just imagining that as it isn't significant enough to think wow, look at the difference in my body pain chart that I coloured in 'before' and 'after'.

In fact today after vacuuming just one room, my levels are as high as they ever have been, the burning sensation all down my right side and to be honest I am feeling very despondent with it. I am just so fed up with hurting all the time.  This is my only place to really have a good 'moan' about the pain so this is where it has to be.

I was so hopeful.  Seems it doesn't really matter what I try to do, I am destined to have pain and I guess with that comes the lack of energy and enthusiasm for doing things.

This week is the re-introduction of some of the key foods eliminated.  I will go through with this as that is the whole point of the programme.

Legumes are first - I only really eat peas out of this food group so I don't think they probably have much effect, but I will go through each stage to just be sure.

Day 4 - Non gluten grains are re-introduced

Day 7 - Gluten or Dairy


Day 10 - Dairy or Gluten.

The days in between you return to the Whole30

It will be interesting to see if any of the above bring on the headaches as I have seen a general reduction in those so that is one good thing.


It has been suggested with chronic inflammatory pain conditions that all soy and nightshades also need to be eliminated.  I haven't had any soy during the last 30 days, but perhaps at some stage I will also try eliminating the nightshades as well for several months.  It will have to be after my trip to NZ now.

Just so this post isn't completely picture free I thought I would post some photos of my whimsical Wentworth Wooden puzzles.


Kitchen Cupboard


Books shelf









12 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear that the Whole30 diet did not have the desired effect you were hoping for, I have heard of such startling results. The wooden puzzles are a delight.

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    1. I keep reading about such startling results as well, I was so hopeful!

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  2. Dealing with pain even on the short term, I can't imagine living with it day after day, your life must be so difficult. Hope something works for you. Love the wooden puzzles.

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    1. Thank you for commenting on my 'moany' post - I try not to, but sometimes it just has to come out.

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  3. Your puzzles are impressive, too bad your results on the Whole 30 are not. I'm truly sorry it hasn't been much of an improvement.I pray you find something that will help get your pain level down.

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    1. The puzzles are fun. Thank you for your prayers, I am always hopeful and come April after I get back from NZ I will try also eliminating all nightshades as well to see if that makes any difference.

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  4. I'm sorry your experiment hasn't been as successful as you hoped. I'm on day 8 of eating no bread and my joints don't hurt as much as they did. Probably coincidence but. I'm keeping going for now x my friend has just been diagnosed with ME after years of suffering. She is gluten and lactose intolerant and eating wheat will cause her discomfort so she chooses to avoid it. But it's only a teeny tiny part of her illness

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts. I had virtually eliminated gluten from my diet before starting this - certainly had eliminated bread, and did have some relief from bloating, stomach problems and a 'heavy feeling' under the eyes by doing so. I do know quite a few people have had good success form eliminating gluten so it is worth trying.

      Good luck to you!

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  5. That is a bit, well more like a lot, disappointing after doing a Whole 30. I did one myself two years ago. My main goal was weight loss, which was very successful for me, and I have mostly maintained that. I definitely noticed less stiffness and heartburn was gone, as well as a few aches and pains.
    We did not do the reintroduction, we just continued on with a Paleo type eating plan.
    There is something called the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) that eliminates the nightshades as you mentioned, and also nuts and seeds, eggs and dairy. Another thing I thought I throw out there is Golden Paste. Don't know if you have heard of it, but it is made with Turmeric, (not Curcumin) oil and black pepper. There is an excellent group on Facebook called the Turmeric Users Group that was started by a Vet in Australia. Tons of anecdotal evidence of relief of pain for both animals and humans. I don't know if it would help in your situation, but I thought, well it can't hurt to mention it!
    I cannot imagine what you go through on a daily basis:-(

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    1. Thank you for this information Karen. I have heard a little bit about the use of Turmeric before, but not yet investigated it and I am willing to try most anything!

      We are only doing the re-introductions, partly because I want to ascertain whether gluten and dairy specifically have an adverse effect, especially as I am going to be away from home for six weeks. If have an idea I can know whether to definitely avoid or not. Once home again I will return to similar to what the Whole30 is, although will trip the AIP.

      Thank yo for your visit and comment.

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    2. https://www.facebook.com/groups/415313751866609/?fref=nf
      This is the link to the group, wanted to give you with right one, as there are several out there. It is well moderated by some lovely people. I'm not sure how much you can see without joining, or you may not be a Facebook person.
      Here is the website of the Vet that started the group. http://turmericlife.com.au/getting-started/

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    3. Thank you! I see my sister is a member - how funny! We live 12,000 miles apart, lead completely different lives and yet both suffer from very similar pain issues.

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