Losing weight with the Whole30
How to approach the program when you have a weight-loss goal.
What to know about weight loss and the Whole30
Maybe you came to Whole30 hoping to see a change on the scale. We respect that. But the Whole30 offers life-changing results that go well beyond weight loss. We offer the kind of transformation that can’t be measured by any scale.
Whole30 is different from anything you’ve done before. You won’t count or restrict calories, skip meals, or eliminate carbs. There are no pills, powders, or shakes required. You’ll eat real, whole food, tuning into your body for cues. In fact, the rules ask you to stay off the scale and away from the tape measure for 30 days.
You’ll eliminate commonly problematic foods for 30 days, then reintroduce those foods to see how they work for you. The program will help you identify food sensitivities; empower you to create new habits to support your health goals; and create a relationship with food that feels balanced, sustainable, and meaningful.
You won’t find calorie counts on our recipes, before-and-afters on our Instagram, or tips for losing weight in our articles. You might have come to the Whole30 wanting to lose weight, and we honor that intention. But we invite you to spend a month experiencing all of the other dramatic transformations the program can bring.
The benefits are endless once you figure out the foods that work best for you. Participants report improvements in energy, sleep, digestion, cravings, mood, skin, chronic pain, allergies, self-confidence, and more—factors that can’t be quantified by the scale.
Give us 30 Days
Your Whole30 goals are as unique as you are, and everyone comes to the program for different reasons. But millions of people just like you have experienced life-changing results on the Whole30. The program can work for you, too—all we ask is that you trust the process. Give yourself a 30-day (and well-deserved) break from your preoccupation with the scale. Discover the benefits our program, support, and community can deliver.
Find inspiration in Whole30 success stories from people just like you.
Do the Whole30
Inspired by the stories of Whole30 success and ready to start your journey? Sign up for informative emails, delicious Whole30-compatible recipes, and lots of advice on maximizing your dietary self-experiment.
Do the Original Whole30 Do the Plant-Based Whole30Learn more about the Whole30 and weight loss
Dig deeper into the intersection between weight loss and the Whole30 with these helpful resources
A note from Melissa Urban
The Whole30 Mindset Checklist
Give me Whole30 weight-loss hacks
I need a calorie-tracking intervention
Should I stay on the Whole30 to lose more weight?
Why we quit publishing before and after photos.
An important note about Whole30 contraindications
The Whole30 is contraindicated (not recommended) for those with a history of disordered eating, diagnosed or otherwise. There are other programs and approaches specifically designed by healthcare professionals that are likely better suited for your mental health and recovery, with far fewer risk factors than the Whole30.
If this is your context and you still wish to explore the Whole30, we first encourage you to discuss the program with your eating disorder counselor, therapist, or qualified healthcare provider. It is imperative you and your therapist have a plan before you embark upon any elimination program, including the Whole30. Follow all of your healthcare provider’s recommendations, even if that includes modifying the rules, duration, or structure of the program. Your doctor or therapist’s recommendations always take priority.
For more, see our interview with Dr. Emily Deans on the Whole30 and disordered eating.
