An article by Whole9′s own Robin Strathdee, for all of you participating in our January Whole30®.
The fine folks of CrossFit Springfield (my home gym, and a Whole30 Nutrition Partner) recently wrapped up their first Whole30® program. As a part of their kick-off meeting I was asked to provide a little perspective on what participants could expect during their 30 days. As I sat and tried to come up with a paragraph that would cover all the key elements, I noticed some trends in the emails, comments and personal accounts I was getting. That led me to create what the CF Springfield Whole30er’s came to know as The Timeline.
As with any process that involves personal experience, your results may vary, but it’s my hope that this timeline will give you a hint (and a chuckle) at what you can expect.
Day 1: So what’s the big deal?
It’s 3 p.m. on day 1. You had a guilt-free plate of steak and eggs for breakfast, breezed through the morning with coffee and coconut cream by your side, and had a nice big salad for lunch. Your body is telling you it’ snack time, so you grab a handful of almonds and an apple and head back to your desk to finish out your day. You’ve got a slow cooker full of chili infusing your kitchen with a heavenly smell, and right now you can’t see why anyone thinks this is hard.
This delusion is somewhat akin to the first episode of any given reality show on which the contestants are herded together and forced to live in one house. At the end of the first episode, everyone can just tell they are going to be best friends for life. Those of us on the other side of the screen know better, though, don’t we? No one really believes this mess to be true, but everyone humors it… because how long can it last, really?
The truth is that you’re feeling empowered by making one good choice after another, all day long. And you should! Take note of that Rock Star feeling, stash it away and bring it back out when days get rough. Because rest assured that after a lifetime of suboptimal choices, things are going to have to get worse before they can get better.
Speaking of rough…
Days 2-3: The Hangover.
The alarm rings on day 2 and you pop out of bed expecting the same kind of Charlie Sheen winning feeling you had yesterday. Instead, you get the other side of Charlie…you know – the pounding-head-cross-eyed-can’t-see-straight side. You know you didn’t down a fifth of tequila in your sleep, so what the heck happened?!
Remember the pre Whole30 bender you went on? Pizza, cookies, Jim Beam, jelly beans (oh, the jelly beans)? Yeah. This is when it comes back to bite you in the butt. (And the head.) And it is definitely true that the amount of suck you experience in this phase is directly proportional to the amount of crap you consumed before you began the program. Especially if you consumed it consistently. This phase is especially hard for the habitual Diet Coke (and Diet Dr. Pepper here in my part of the world) drinkers. You know who you are.
Many Whole30ers report headaches, fatigue, and general malaise during this part of the program. This, my friends, is completely normal. Your body is working its way through a whole host of junk it stored from the foods (or food-like-products) you used to eat. This process lasts a day for some folks, but for others it can take a few days longer. Relax, drink a lot of water, and keep making good choices. And do your best to earn the sympathy and support from friends and family, because…
Days 4-5: Kill ALL the things!
Day 4 dawns and you tentatively step out of bed, expecting to feel like you took a strike from Thor’s hammer in the temple. Instead, your head is surprisingly clear. Your limbs all feel functional. This could be a good day! You walk into the kitchen and as you’re greeted by the smiling face of your significant other you are suddenly overcome…with the desire to punch them in the face for smiling this early in the morning. Congratulations! You’ve made it to day 4.
Now, I have no clue why this phase happens, or why it happens here (and not on, say, day 14).* I just know that it happens. Often. Even experienced Whole30ers (myself included) go through this phase. Every nerve is lit, temperance is non-existent and the only solution to the problem seems to be to Kill All of the Things.
This phase, too, will pass. Beg your spouse, children, parents, co-workers, for patience and forgiveness – as nicely as you can (and no, “shut up and leave me alone!” does not count as nice). Take a deep breath and eat some sweet potatoes. I promise, you’ll feel better soon.
*It’s probably because your brain is never very happy when you tell it that it CAN’T have something, and take it out of it’s habitual and accustomed comfort zone. An unhappy brain is a stressed brain, an anxious brain, a fearful brain. No to mention your hormones are desperately trying to keep up with your new food choices, your gut is trying to heal, you’ve had a headache for the last three days, and you REALLY MISS YOUR DIET COKE. So yeah, maybe we do know why this is happening now…
Days 6-7: I just want a nap…
Okay, so its day 6 and you made it through the last phase without smiting anyone. The thing is, today you don’t feel like you could smite anyone if your life depended on it! It’s 10 am and all you can think about is crawling under your desk for a catnap. As the day drags on, the surface of your desk is morphing, from hard wooden surface to snuggly warm pillow, right before your eyes. You hit the gym, but only halfheartedly, unable to face the barbell with any kind of conviction. You crawl into bed at 8 p.m. only to drag yourself out eleven hours later feeling no more rested than you did the night before.
So what’s the deal?! Isn’t eating like this supposed to increase energy levels? Yes…in the long run. Right now, you’re body is learning that it can’t rely on all those easy access energy sources it used to know and love. Gone are the days of cinnamon crunch muffins and Frappuccinos. Now your body is learning to efficiently burn fat and protein as its fuel sources, and that takes more effort – and some time. If you can hold out just a bit longer, you’ll definitely reap the benefits. (Besides, you could probably use a day off from the gym anyway, right?)
Days 8-15: Boundless energy! Now give me a damn Twinkie.
Hurray! The slump is over! Your energy levels are better than normal – you’re downright Tigger the bouncing tiger! But something weird is happening. You’re dreaming. Not crazy nightmare or strange surrealist dreams, either. Incredibly normal and realistic dreams – about donuts. Or Twinkies. Or Snickers.* In your mind, sometimes you get caught and feel guilty. Sometimes you just brazenly eat the contraband. But then, the feelings start following you into the waking hours. Suddenly, you’re craving things you don’t even like. (For me, it’s Diet Coke and Twinkies, for Melissa Hartwig, it was fast-food cheeseburgers!) Your co-workers; heads transform into giant Girl Scout Cookies as you gaze on in disbelief. Seriously, you’ve almost hit the halfway mark, and now this?!
All joking aside, though, this phase gets really intense and for some people. This is the part of the program where our minds try to drive us back to the comfort of the foods we used to know. Our food relationships are deeply rooted and strongly reinforced throughout the course of our lives and breaking through them is really big deal. Journaling can be especially enlightening and helpful during this phase, and helpful for reflection later. Take some time to jot down what you’re craving, how you’re feeling and what tools you’re using to work through the cravings.
*The cravings people get, and the dreams they often have, rival those of pregnancy. One person told me they craved pickles and Doritos (together) during this phase!
Days 16-28: Tiger Blood
Goodbye cravings, hello Tiger Blood! This must be what everyone is talking about! You’ve hit the downhill slope of your Whole30 and life is beautiful. Your energy is through the roof, you’ve kicked the cravings, you’re experimenting with new, delicious food, and you’ve finally got the time to notice that your clothes fit better, your workouts are stronger, and you are generally more awesome. There’s not much more to say about this phase – go and enjoy it!
Day 29: HolyOprahIt’sAlmostOverWhatAmIGoingToEatNow?!?!?!
It’s day 29, and you’re still rocking. You cruise through the day and as you crawl into bed you have a small thought that then grows into full-blown cold-sweat panic. Holy crap. Tomorrow is day 30. The last day. What the hell are you going to do after that?! You worked so hard, fought through all the anger, the naps, the cravings to get to the awesome you’re feeling now. The rules have been your backbone, your lifeline, your excuse for being “that person” in social situations. Are you just going to give them up on day 31? No. You firmly resolve that there will be no deviation on day 31. If it ain’t broke…
It’s totally normal to feel a twinge of panic as your Whole30 comes to a close. For the past month, you’ve lived, breathed, and literally eaten the rules. You feel incredible in your new high-octane body. It’s natural to hesitate at the thought of making any changes – even if the change is a return to what was “normal” for you before. And, the truth is, you don’t have to go back to the way you used to eat. But keep in mind that the Whole30 was intended to be a reset, an introduction into the world of Good Food. I know it’s scary, but keep an open mind, okay?
Day 31: Deep breathing. And maybe some ice cream.
Your sanity returned at some point on day 30 and you realized that eventually, you will have to come out of your perfect Whole30 bubble. Try as you may, you won’t always be able to make life fit inside the Whole30 rules. Does that mean you’re headed off-road at 90 miles per hour? No. But it does mean that you’ll give the reintroduction protocol (in It Starts With Food) the same attention you gave the last 30 days and be honest with yourself about your reactions – physical and emotional – to food. And tonight, that might just mean a bowl of ice cream. And that’s OK.
We don’t expect you to live your life Whole365. We do expect you to take what you’ve learned and use the information to really evaluate how the foods you were eating before make you feel now that you’ve eliminated them (and any of their negative effects) from your body. We do expect you to listen to the feedback your body and mind give you and change your food relationships. Make conscious choices about when and how to go off-plan and, when you do, enjoy it!
Your Mileage May Vary
Of course, no two people’s Whole30 experience is the same, and you may find you breeze past some of these phases while being stuck in others for longer than you anticipated. Either way, we hope you use The Timeline to help you prepare for your first Whole30, or to look back on after your Whole30 and reflect on whether we were more right than wrong here.
Have you done a Whole30? How spot-on is our Timeline? Want to propose a new phase, or modify a phase we’ve written about above? Share it in comments!
Good stuff. Thanks Robin!
Thanks! This will come in handy. I did my first Whole30 at the end of October and took to it like a duck to water. My husband was so impressed with how great I felt and my increased energy, he said he’d do it too. We started on 1/1 and already I can tell he’s thinking, “I’m still tired,” “this isn’t working,” and “if she asks me one more time how I’m feeling, I’m going to ….” (In my own defense, “I’m fine” is not an adequate response to questions about any physical changes/symptoms and whether he’s getting enough to eat.)
I’m afraid he’s expecting instant success and disappointed that he’s not turning somersaults after two days. Hopefully this will help him see he’s not alone.
Thanks, at day two I wondered why I felt like I had the flu. I’ve been aching all over. But I know things are working because of that. Thanks for the “what to expect” article. It really helps!
Great post! This is so exactly what I have experienced before and am experiencing on day 3 now. I especially like the part about your struggle with staying compliant being directly proportional to how much junk you were eating before. So true!
Wait, wait, wait, Jim Beam Jelly Beans?!?!
Good to know all this though, I’ll be sure to warn my husband before day 4-5!
Joanna – hopefully this will help him find patience with the process. It takes time, but he’ll get there!
Sara – I wish! Jim Beam AND Jelly Beans ;0)
Great article Robin. I can relate to the boundless energy now give me a damn twinkie phase. This is usually where the wheels come off for me.
I am at the end of day 3, and experiencing dizziness, and hot flashes. Seriously. Like feverish, then gone. And even though it’s only day 3, I’m definitely Kill All The Things/Cry All The Things today. However, I did make it through a rehearsal dinner managing only to eat on plan and not have any cake!
I started on the 26th. Damn, that twinkie sounds good. I’m dreaming of dark chocolate and coffee with cream. Lots of cream. I’m grateful to know it’s just a phase and I’m not going crazy.
Savage cravings for diet coke & chewing gum. Amazing how dependent I am on zero calorie pick me ups. Doing Whole30 to kick damaging sweetener intake.
This was really helpful; thank you. I’ve only done a challenge like this twice before but I always forget about how terrible the beginning is! I’ve felt like I’m “in a fog” the past two days and my boyfriend (who is doing it with me) says the same thing– exhaustion, hunger, etc. And I’ve been tempted many times a day to eat all the holiday treats our clients have brought into the salon… so tough to avoid!! To add to your point of that energy after a week or so… I’m so excited to get to that point because I remember exactly how that feels! You feel like gold!!
Thanks again
I started the Whole30 life change on the 1st because one of my Doctors suggested it. First off I’m a guy, and I’m having hot flashes, all night, everynight. (caused by one of the many drugs I’m taking) If you google them you obviously are directed toward’s Women’s health sites but I’m not sure if the physiology is the same. Another Doctor says there is a pill (I dont want to take more pills.) So I’m wondering if there are any other guys with pc, or does anyone know if the hot flashes would be the same causation? The reason I’m getting them is, I’m living my life on LHRH agonist’s for prostate cancer . And my estrogen level is higher than my testoserone (which should be 350 and is down to 10). I’ve removed all the suggested foods,(coffee,peppers, etc) which helped alot, but still they persist. Any thoughts would be so appreciated.
I started the W30 on Jan 1 and so far have been loving it! But the reason I’m here now is because I had an event yesterday morning that sounds JUST LIKE ERICA’S!! Whew. It’s explainable then. I’ve been on vacation at home so getting tons of good sleep, I got up about 9:30 and went into the kitchen to make breakfast. I noticed that I was lightheaded and remembered to step carefully in my slippery slippers. Got the breakfast over to the coffee table (I know, I know), ate it, and then this weird WHOOSH of feeling – not hot, not cold, but just weird, started up at my head and went down my whole body. I’m too old for hot flashes, but even back then I never once had a hot flash due to menopause so this might have been one lurking) It scared me (even tho I have had anxiety attacks before, last was 3-4 years ago), so I called 911 and got taken in ambulance to hospital where they figured out it was anxiety, nothing else with heart etc. was wrong.
Does this sound normal for 3 days in? I was also going to research the side effects of some fruity rooibos tea I’ve been drinking, but maybe this is the answer.
One more note about the hospital: it was amazing that when I sent my daughter to get me something to eat from the cafeteria, they actually served a lettuce wrapped burger AND a bowl of roasted brussels sprouts!! Very cool!
For me, on day 2 I had a lot of joint pain (mostly in my hands) and woke up with a sore knee several times that night. Day 3 there was a little wisp of a headache in the evening and more joint pain. Day 4 was a little worse headache all day. It’s the evening of day 4 now and I’m feeling pretty good. My biggest problem lately is sleeping through the night. I’m menopausal and hot flashes wake me up then I can’t get back to sleep, over and over again. Drives me crazy.
I’m also hungrier than normally and thirsty.
I am on Day 2. I felt great yesterday. Woke up today with a sore throat and heartburn. I’ve had the heartburn issue for almost the whole day. I don’t know if it’s a side effect from the diet in general or if it’s one particular thing that I am eating. I wonder if it has something to do with the acid in the tomatoes, vinegar, olives…etc. Anyone else experience anything like this?
I started my 2nd attempt at the Whole30 the 2nd of January with my CrossFit affiliate here in Djibouti, Africa. I am on day 4 now and after reading this article Im glad to see that the way I was feeling on day 2 and 3 is normal. The night of day 2 I had a pounding headache (maybe migraine) until I finally fell asleep at 2AM. I don’t remember it being that bad during my first attempt, which I made it to day 25 and caved because of the lack of nutritious food in the dining facility here. This time I am buying extra food outside of the dining facility for those days when there is only cheese covered broccoli and fried everything available. I will make it 30 days and then some.
@RGE DDS
I did exprience some heart burn as well. I think its just a part of the process of your body getting used to healthy real foods and expelling the junk from your system.I eat tomatoes, olives, vinegar and oil, etc. now and no longer get the heart burn.
Another thing that has started to happen which also happened last time around day 4 and 5 is that my dreams are very vivid. In the past I hardly ever dream and if I do they are very short and barely memorable.
What is the proof that “your body is working its way through a whole host of junk it stored from the foods (or food-like-products) you used to eat”? What “junk” gets “stored”?
@Josh
Thanks for the input! Nice to know someone else had the same problem. GOOD LUCK!
Steve, so sorry to hear about your discomfort. I am a 43 year old, not even close to menopause, woman and I have had several periods of my life where I had severe night sweats. Once because of medication I was taking, several times for no apparent reason. The only concrete advice I can offer is try taking magnesium, and possibly B vitamins. For coping strategies, since I live in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, I suggest layers of blankets rather than one big comforter, so you can add and subtract blankets during the night easily, and keeping a big cup of ice water near the bed. I also kept a spritzer of rose water by my bed for evaporative cooling, but I am sure plain water would be fine too and more manly. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.
Steve, one other thought, When you suddenly cut carbohydrates you can increase Aldesterone, an adrenal hormone, that is also involved in water balance. And also you can lose a bit of potassium. Maybe eating a bit more sweet potato and banana would help? If suddenly cutting carbs is the issue than a bit more carb and some potassium seem like something worth trying. I am not a doctor though, so of course talk to your doctor first.
OH MY. I thought I was so rockin’ because on day 4 I felt great, without any rage, etc. Well, today I just screamed at my children for chewing too loudly! I am some kind of angry! Ay yi yi! Glad tomorrow us day 6!!
This is very helpful because even though I was already off gluten and ate mostly whole foods anyway (I have Celiac) .I am having some w/d symptoms and the joint pain I already suffer seems to have ramped up quite a bit . This is Day 4 for me.
I felt pretty weepy on Day 2, but I figured that was just because I was mourning the loss of my happy hour beverage.
I confess I miss the half and half in my coffee more than anything else. I had already given up dairy for a year after my diagnosis and had been enjoying “getting it back” it again.
But I’ll do anything to reduce inflammation and pain, so I am trying this W30 once more. I did it back in November and felt better. Should have stuck with it. I went all crazy over the holidays.
Thanks for posting this!
Rachael, Thanks so much 4 the info. I see the doc. in 2 weeks, but nothing you suggested sounds dangerous, My wife says we have everything you mentioned so i’m starting right now.
again thank you so much.
Steve
My husband and I are on Day 3. The first two days were a breeze, and today is fine cravings-wise, but after our morning workout we’re both totally beat this afternoon. I wonder if, because we were pretty paleo to begin with, we skipped the “kill all the things” stage?
Although… we deviated a good amount over the four Christmases and giant NYE celebration we had, and even when eating regularly we still had beer a few times a week (hey, I work for a craft brewery and get two cases of it a month for free!) and we ate some full fat dairy. It will be interesting to see how this continues. Good thing the lack of energy fell upon a gloomy Saturday, at the very least.
BTW, the salmon cakes from It Starts with Food are AMAZING! Love them.
This is really in setting expectations. We’re on Day 5 and all I want to do is sleep. Luckily no real cravings (yet) but I do miss my piccolo latte in the morning.
Day 2, and I’m here because I needed some support. If I close my eyes, I see sweets. And I know in a few days I’m going to be Hulking out with sugar-deprivation-fueled rage. But I’m already thinking of how I can tinker with the formula to make it part of a lifestyle change.
Day 3 was the KILL ALL THINGS for me. Day 4 found me having horrific cravings.. chips, CHEESE.. oh how I miss my cheese, a Breve Latte….( I miss you friend:) but I endured, went snowshoeing and settled for a post workout snack of applesauce and canned pumpkin
I’m on Day 5 and feeling pretty great. I haven’t noticed any of the effects you mentioned up to Day 5, but I did feel weak/tired in the legs at my Strongman training session today. Pushing the Prowler and pulling the sleds killed. That said, I’m having my first night with a bunch of friends who will be drinking and I will not. Looking forward to going to bed clean and waking up refreshed to a great Sunday… not only am I off work again but it’s my day off training. To recovery!
Day 6 here. I never had the headache thank goodness. Right now tho I want a treat! Apparently, it’s a no-no & called SWYPO. It’s only some dates, coconut milk, unsweetened cocoa & a tiny bit of vanilla. I am bummed… Also my legs feel like lead weights.
The first three days or so are spot on with this article. Last week I felt sluggish, achy, and very flu-like all over. At this point, my ‘kill all the things’ phase hasn’t manifested itself except last night’s hangry phase when I was hungry and the grocery store was out of everything, so we had to make another trip. At one point I think I muttered to my wife “just give me a GD snickers ” and she was not pleased. But over all, I think I’ve reached the boundless energy phase with a desire for a kit kat a bit sooner, so hopefully I’ll reach the tiger blood phase soon, too.
Cathi and Erica –
ER trips are definitely not a normal part of Whole30 symptoms, but a bit of blood sugar dysregulation in the first few days is, especially upon waking. Make sure to check in with your doctor before you start anything new, and as you’re going through this process. As long as you are eating enough food, and not restricting carbohydrates on purpose, the sugar regulation should settle itself soon.
I’m on day 6. I woke up today feeling like I can’t eat another “heavy” meal with meat or eggs again. Eating 3 meals a day with so much protein is making me nauseated. Any suggestions?
I am so glad I just reread the timeline. I am on Day 7 and feel like Rip Van Winkle coming out of a 72 hour coma. I am indeed feeling a bit more chipper this afternoon!
IrishHeart- use coconut milk in your coffee, it replaces creamer very easily!
Day 4 SUCKED! I felt like I had the flu. Headache, “hollow/echoing” feeling in my head, stomachache, the “# 3s”, exhaustion. I almost fell asleep on my desk – not good as I am a teacher. Slept 11 hours that night and I’ve felt great since! I still have the “3s”, but from what I’ve read, it’s my gut healing itself. Can’t wait for that to be over. I’m really loving how I feel so far. Even my chronic mystery hip pain has mostly gone away for the first time in 6 months. I have 3 more weeks to go, so it’s nice to know what I’m up against. Thanks for the timeline!
A thank you shout out to DEVANN
Thanks so much for the suggestion. Yes, I have been using the coconut milk all along, and while it is better than drinking it black, it still is not quite “cream” for me. Good thing I love coconut.
My husband and I are cracking up over gchat while reading this article in our respective offices!
This timeline was pretty spot-on for the both of us. I’ve been blogging through our experience and that has really helped, especially through the “Boundless Energy, Now Give Me A Damn Twinkie! phase
(R.I.P Twinkie)
We are now on Day #16 and the Tiger Blood is beginning to flow!
Thanks again for posting this!
Looks like I’m a huge outlier here becaue I had a complete opposite experience from everyone else. prior to my W30 I had gone from eating paleo to eating AWFUL for about 4 months and I had been feeling sluggish, irritable, down right miserable to sum it up. I couldn’t take it anymore and decided that I had to clean up my diet right away by doing W30. I woke up on day 2 feeling energtic, motivated, and cheerful! It was as if one day of eating clean completely reset my body! I didn’t experience any cravings for my old foods and instead craved things like steak and carrots. I felt that way the entire 30 days. Hope more people can experience a W30 the way I did. It made me never want to go off track again!
Day 4 was like clockwork, my poor children didn’t realize Mom was going to lose it. My patience which is pretty level was definitley put to test Yesterday. It was worse than PMS for sure. Although I feel great today. I have Type 1 Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease (hypothyroid), this eating style is keeping my Blood sugars even and normal, and I have lowered my insulin doses. I can’t say enough of this way of eating. Day 5 and going strong!
holy sweet baby moses. day 5. please tell me it really will get better.
No headaches during the first phase. It was almost like I had more energy in the beginning though I didn’t care for food at all. Day 14-18 I haven’t been able to sleep or have energy playing into a lack of patience that I don’t think I’ve had the past 18 days. Today is day 18, though the craving is there, it isn’t for food I’ve never had before or sweets it’s hard to describe what it is i’m craving, I guess the best way is that I just want anything but what I cook.
Hey Liz – I’m LADA type 1 with hypothyroid. I’ve been able to lessen my basal insulin day by day and my body seems to adjust (down to 70% w whole30 started on 1/1). I don’t think I’ve ever had better blood glucose numbers, particularly after fasting. Is this what you’re experiencing?
I am on day 25, and slept 10.5 hours last night. Is this normal?
I haven’t had a hard time with this program at all, but for other people in my life it’s difficult.
I am ashamed to say that I have gained 4 lbs…what am I doing wrong?
I am only on day four, but I made it successfully through a weekend road trip with my two girlfriends. We all pretty much ate healthy, which helped me a lot. We even went to Olive Garden! Wow! I ordered off of the gluten free menu, and got the skewers, which was basically veggies, chicken and steak. I know it probably wasn’t completely “healthy”, but I think it was my best option at OG. I feel pretty good today, albeit a little tired. I actually experienced the “kill all things” day on my very first day. Is that unusual? I normally eat pretty paleo, but before starting Whole30 I had enjoyed a LOT of dark chocolate and coffee (a friend made me a flourless chocolate cake for my birthday last week, and I think I ate most of it within two days…). I am assuming that this is why day one was so bad. One thing I’ve done differently is that I’ve been drinking “peach detox” tea by Yogi since the first day. I’m wondering if this helped me to get rid of the junk in my system more quickly?? I cannot believe how much I am loving olives…so glad they are on the menu!
I am on Day 3 today and experiencing the headache that started yesterday PLUS the body aches and fatigue. I thought the body aches and fatigue were bad enough with sugar….but this has become an all over body ache and just want to sleep. I have also begun the “kill all of the things’ today as well….wanted to really get into it with my boss first thing this morning for something he said yesterday afternoon! Stewed on it the whole night! Decided to just stay in my office….would be safest.
But making food choices that are great and planning is first and foremost! The cravings have been funny in that if I look at a bag of tortilla chips, my mounth actually can taste them!! It has been so weird this type of craving!
Having a few appetite issues now in that I just don’t feel like eating. I am not really hungry and it seems that my meal schedule is really off.
I need to get back to exercising…..
Thanks for the timeline… and for explaining why (on day 6) I keep eyeing the dark, hidden and surely comfortable place that is under my desk at work with longing for a nap.
So this timeline is way off for me. I am on day 10 currently. Day one was horrible very tired (partly due to the fact I cut out caffiene too, No coffee for this girl). Day 2-8 I felt tons of energy and great. Day 9 I felt a little tired and today, Day 10 I just can’t wait to get home and go to bed. I am also really hungry on for Day 9 and 10 and craving biscuts and gravy & Starbucks! These are really pregnancy cravings and comfort foods. I am also dying to bake something…I have to say I think I thought about it at least a dozen times today.
I think everyones body is different and will react differently depending on their lifestyle before Paleo too. I ate all the same foods (like grass fed beef, veggies, and coconut milk). Now I am just using alot more cocount and coconut byproducts. I am waiting for this amazing feeling and the cravings to stop!
I hear you Jamie! I’m doing my 3rd whole30 and I’ve been feeling dead tired from about day 4 onward. I’m wondering if I’m missing something essential this time around. Although on my second W30 I got sick on day 5 and it took me almost 3 months to get well again.
I started taking B12 but it’s not helping. I wonder if anyone has any tips except for coffee.
@ Jamie, you are so right when you say everyone’s body is different. This timeline is very general and only parts of it apply to most people. Occasionally people even hit Day 30 and still don’t feel the magic so they take it an extra week or more. It all just depends on your body and history.
@ Karen B and Jamie, my best advice is to make sure you’re eating enough food, add some starchy carbs like sweet potatoes or squash, and just stick with it. Sometimes the energy doesn’t hit until Day 29.
This is so helpful! I feel pretty awful right now being on day 3. Terrible headaches and I feel like I’m walking through mud. Normally I’m a naturally fast walker (walking anywhere), and I noticed that I’m walking about 50% slower if not more, just to the mailbox! Hopefully I perk up again soon! This is definitely a detox for me, though, I am a terrible eater – not high fat stuff or huge quantities, but mainly just junk. My head does feel clearer though, except for the headache. Anyway, thanks for the article! I shall continue!
I am on day 3 and while I haven’t at all experienced “the hangover” symptoms at all, the biggest thing I’ve noticed is that my appetite is completely gone. I’m not craving sugar or carbs which is good, but I’m also not craving any food, period. Is that at all normal or has anyone else experienced anything like this? I finally just forced myself to down a glass of water with some carrots and small apple but it’s midafternoon and I haven’t yet felt hungry today. I know everyone experiences their whole30 differently but I was just a little concerned.
omg! that was sooo acurate on day 10 i had a dream about chocolate cupcakes.. i hate chocolate cupcakes but just the taste of dairy and sugar enticed me in the dream….i ate three in the dream and right afterward i was in a full tilt panic, the dream felt so real i thought i had really eaten them. then when i woke up and realized it was a dream i was so relived. then on day 15 i couldn’t stand it someone offered me a cliff bar at the gym and i almost took it. i wanted it soooo badly!! then on day 16 a friend came to school with a batch of whats called slutty brownies which are brownies on the bottom and soft cookie on top and an oreo baked in the middle and i was so depressed looking at it knowing i couldnt have it. i am currently on day 18 and i feel no physical difference. my clothes aren’t fitting any differently and my energy isnt up! i have been following this thing like a religion and i just dont feel it. all i really want is some pineapple.
I am on Day 19 now and honestly those cravings only lasted two days, but I still do not feel the energy and even went back to black coffee on day 14 because I was so tired. I think having two young kids, working full time, and all the kids activies also make me tired reguardless of any diet I may be one. I have to say my goal was to loose 6-7 pounds and I lost 3.5 pounds so far. Besides the few pounds I lost the only difference is really my skin. I notice after a few breakouts from the first week or so its much smoother and clear. I think since the weight loss is very slow and I have not seen too may changes I am going to celebrate and then continue the journey for another 30 days. I am going by Dr. Cordain’s rule of 85:15 this next 30 days. Which he says is 3 meals a week not Paleo. I think this is actually the lifestyle I want to keep up. TIP: I was very gassy and bloated. I found out it was due to apricots. Just wanted to share incase someones else is also experiencing it. After I discovered this this diet was so much easier to do for me.
I’m now on day 3 of my whole30. I was thinking… ” I don’t have any symptoms.” but then it dawned on me I’ve cried to my husband the last two nights. I’m 21 weeks pregnant and I’m hoping to kick the sugar dragon to the curb! So far so good. I feel like I’m 100% satisfied after meals and my performance at the gym seems better. Right now the main obstacle is when I’m out to dinner with friends/family. I can power through it though! Feels great to be eating really good nutrient dense foods for my baby.
Hi,
I am on day 56 on my Whole90. I startede as a Whole30, but I was hooked so I decided to add two month. I had been living the paleo lifestyle about 3 years, but I had fallen in to the “healthy” paleo dessert and substitute trap, so this was a needed kick in the butt, and I had been a real eye opener.
By the time my 30 days was up, I had lost 5 lbs and 7 centimeters (sorry i´m danish so I´m on the metricsystem), it doesn´t sound like much, but the before and after pictures speeks volumens. I will post them at the end of my journey. Besides the wightloss I gained musclemass, and I could suddenly deadlift 40 lbs more with in only two weeks, I had been on a standstill for about 6 month. In squat, benchpress and hipthruster I also improved a lot.
My skin is looking fantastic, it wasn´t looking bad before, but my pores are smaller and everyone (even people I don´t know) tell me that I have a glow. My cellulite has just about halved in the 30 days. I have a consistent energy level from the time I get uo till I go to sleep.
And here comes the but…… I hope you can help me. In the last few weeks I could see that I was bloated, but then I saw that I was gaining weight at my stomach and my hips, I took it pretty calm and decided that I was propably just retaining water or something like that. But after two weeks it hadn´t become any better, almost the oppotite, so this morning I decided to step un the scale and measure my body. I had gained about 9 lbs in two weeks and 5 cm on my hips and stomach. Luckely Whole9 has made me not panic about it, but I still wonder if I have to change something.
For you to help me you have to know a little about my story, because I think that might have something to do with it. A month before I startede my whole30, I broke up with my boyfriend of 6 years, we own an appartment together, that he is now buying. I moved out after two weeks, and I had 6 weeks of living with friends and familiy, till I just got my new place. At the same time I startede a new job, as a pregraduate research student, a fulltime job. I am in med school, taking a year off to do research on lung cancer. I work out 5-6 times a week, I weightlift 4 times and take 2 spinningclasses. Besides this a have a loft of projects that I am involved in, so I´m on the go a lot.
So my thoughts on me weight gain is that my body has been under a lot of stress, and all the stresshoirmones are causing this rather drastic weight gain. Besides I might have been adding a little to much fruit the last couple of weeks, so I have been getting more then one piece a day. I have not been sleeping enough at all!!!
I have decided to take a look at the meal template again to makesure that I am doing everything like I should – but I cant think of anything that would cause this.
I have to focus on getting my 8 hours.
I am going to cut back on my training to 4 times a week.
I am going to eat fruit once a day at lunch.
I have to drink more water I think.
Is there anything else you think would help me. I love the program, and how I has changed my perspective on a lot of things, but I also want to get toned and lose weight, so I hope someone has some input.
Thanks for all your great stories on your experiences with Wole9.
-Lykke
I agree – depending how much junk you were eating before the Whole 30 determines how adversely you react the first few days. Before I went on the Whole 30, I was eating gluten free already (I have gluten intolerance), so my grain intake was already relatively low, and because of this I was pretty much not eating any processed food. I’ve been on it for a week now, and didn’t have many adverse reactions at all. The first couple of days, I was craving sweets (and cheese) but didn’t give in, and I was also pretty tired by 8:30/9:00. However, I have been waking up before my alarm, or the minute it goes off, and I noticed last night after working out with my trainer at the gym (the workout seriously kicked my butt) that I seriously had a ton of energy afterward to do my cardio. Also my energy level is consistent throughout the day, and so far, no more mood swings! I am sooooo grateful, and I know my staff, family, and friends are too! Everyone at work is jealous of my amazing food, and of course, I have to tell them why
Hang in there everyone, we can all be healthier, faster, and stronger 
I’m on day 13. Having not read this before now, I’m glad to see that days 6-7 are supposed to be sluggish, because from days 5 until maybe yesterday I’d feel like passing out by noon. So much so that I’ve mentioned it to a few people, asking them if they thought it had anything to do with the “detox” I was doing (they aren’t familiar with Whole30). Now that I’e read that, I’m glad to know it’s all a part of the process. However I have yet to hit the “feeling energized” stage. I did wake up feeling more awake today than usual, so I’m hoping this is the upswing to feeling more energetic. I haven’t weighed myself because they don’t want you to weigh while doing the Whole30, and I’m glad for it. I rely too heavily on what the number says on the scale as a determining factor for my overall health, when we all know that it’s not an indicator at all as to what is going on inside of us. After my 30 days are up, I’ll ease myself into a Paleo lifestyle (used to do it but allowed too much “stuff” in, so I’m doing the Whole30 to clean myself up before going back to it). Can’t believe I’m already almost halfway though!
Hello! A question, overall, about the viability of completing a Whole30 without the ability to eat starchy carbs. (And a bit of a long post)
Am considering the Whole 30. Have copious time to cook, and some access to fairly regular shopping for ingredients. The only barrier would be energy. So the lack of sweet potatoes, etc. would be a bit worrying. No carbs includes: Sweet potatoes, potatoes, nut butters (probably including coconut butter?), and fruits. (These seem to be used often as “energy-boosters” or “just-in-case”, but, unfortunately, I cannot consume any of these.)
At the moment, my diet is more or less “Paleo” without fruits or starches for the most part. Green vegetables, and warm, healthy (fresh, well-prepared) protein makes a very large difference in my energy levels.
However, all my food is generally 60%-80% prepared for me at this point, and have been not eating quite enough within the past few days, so energy with cooking has been a bit of an issue.
With the Whole30 and choice shifts along with it, I might have to prepare most foods by hand. I have access to a medium-sized skillet and small saucepan. It seems oven-based recipes are quite prevalent (and potentially convenient). Would a dutch oven or something similar be useful in replicating some oven-based recipes? Obtaining an actual oven?
Budgeting is somewhat of an issue, but health is a much more important issue, so any suggestions helping with the preparation of foods (foods, equipment, herbs, spices, methods) or generally low-energy, even if they’d cost a bit extra to implement would be helpful.
The Whole30 does look very good, and am very interested in implementing it at this point; just want to plan ahead, so I don’t fall short on energy for food preparation, as that will probably be the main factor determining success and viability throughout.
Thank you!
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Green vegetables, and warm, healthy (fresh, well-prepared) protein make* a large difference
A crockpot or slow cooker could help with preparing meals. You can put meat and veg in the same pot and it will cook without any work at all. You can find a crockpot or slow cooker at any normal department store or discount store and they usually have them used at the Salvation Army stores or Goodwill too. Salts and Spices help with flavor and I imagine depending where you live, you can find less expensive options that are sold in bags instead of bottles and sometimes drug stores have them on sale too as well as Walmart, Target, discount stores like TJ’s, Ross, factory outlets, etc.
My Day 1 is tomorrow, and I’m just finishing up It Starts With Food, but I’m sure it said heavy cream from organically pastured cows is ok, so people bemoaning the loss of creamer in their coffee just need to go get some! Mine’s in the fridge.
This has actually been an invaluable resource for me during my whole 30. There have come a decent amount of moments of doubt where I thought I just must be doing something wrong, because my energy levels were low for the first two weeks. I had a particularly bad day where I felt like eveything was going wrong in my body, low energy, headache etc. and then I remembered this chart- I looked it up again and low and behold day 7, this is normal. It helped me relax. I also got pretty sick about a week in, thought I was getting a cold, runny nose, achy, headache, but no sore throat- but looking back I think it was just my body clearing out. I really did go through all of these stages, some of them on the exact days too.At the end of the craving phase I saw a ramekin with a napkin sticking out of it and totally thought it was a cupcake.
Now, day 18 and I feel awesome. My cravings are totally gone- I have been planning a (non paleo) bake sale/fundraiser for the past two days and not been moved a bit by the recipes and pictures I’m looking up. Hello Tiger blood! I feel so awesome and energetic- I went on my first bike ride yesterday and did ten miles no problem! And no more naps! I’m really enjoying myself- not to mention the fifteen things I have learned about my body and mind and why I crave food and what works just as well. But out of all of this, I must say it is amazing to have the feeling of craving just lifted. I’ve struggled with it a lot and it is just…gone. Thank you. And thank you for posting this, next whole 30 I’ll print it out