Day 23...and beyond

Day 23...I don't remember what I ate, probably eggs, asparagus, chicken, berries, sweet potato, etc.  Those were my go to items.  I did make it through the day.  After that, I was done.  I was out of town, it was Memorial Day, it was nice out and I didn't care if I was eating Whole 30. It wasn't because I was craving something or starving, it was because I just didn't care.

My main goal was to make it 21 days, so I did succeed at that but I didn't make it the 30 days.  I had a tinge of disappointment in myself but overall I wasn't upset that I didn't make it the entire 30 days.  I am proud of what I accomplished and did learn a few things that I will take away from it.

Let's start with the cons.  I will preface this with saying that it may not be fair to make these assessments given that I didn't finish the entire program, maybe things would've been different, but this is how I felt after 23 days.

• The cost.  It's expensive to do this program.  Grass fed, organic meat is spendy.  I didn't buy everything organic but for the most part I stuck to that philosophy.  And the space in wallet proved that. 
• I'm a planner, I love cooking but this took both to a whole new level.  When I eat paleo/low carb I am use to a fair amount of planning but this was much more in depth.  I didn't mind doing this but going out of town a majority of the time, made it difficult. It literally consumed me.  
• Where was the boost in energy and feeling better?  I did feel a bit better, the carb brain fog was gone but I didn't feel a lot of the great things people talked about.  This was the most disappointing.  Maybe I needed to do it longer than 30 days to find success.  
• The numbers.  Ok, I know.  This was not supposed to be about losing weight.  But lets be honest, I have a lot of lbs to lose.  After sticking to this for 23 days and only losing about 10lbs is a big fat disappointment.  I've lost 10lbs from pooping before, changing what I was putting in my body, should've made more of a change. 
• I don't know that this a con but just a general observation.  I think I ate too many sweet potatoes and to curb hunger, I upped fats instead of veggies.  May have hindered me.  

The pros

• Snacking.  My outlook on snacking has changed.  I try to only snack when I'm hungry, really hungry.  Not bored or because food is around, but because my body needs it.  It's still hard.  Snacking and grazing is mindless but doing the Whole 30 made me super aware of this and is something I will carry with me going forward.  
• Experimenting.  I'm much more open and less scared to experiment with new foods or use foods in ways I hadn't in the past.  Like making ranch dressing out of cashews.  
• I felt good because I knew I was putting good food in my body.  
• I'll take away a lot of good recipes and cooking methods.  
• The book, It Starts with Food, has a ton of great info that I will continue to look back on.  

So, would I do the W30 again?  Probably not.  I loved it while I was doing it, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but overall it wasn't worth the time, money and energy.  Maybe a Whole 3 or Whole 7.  However, I would recommend that every/anyone try it for themselves, I don't think one eating plan is right for everyone!  

What's next?  I am going to go back to Paleo/Primal/low carb which is very similar to W30 but I will have some cheese in my diet.  This is the 3rd time I've given up dairy and have not noticed any difference.  So, it stays!  I just want to make good choices with my dairy, it's terrifying what's in some of it.  I also plan to start T25--eek! The modified exercises obviously.  My journey continues....

Day 22

Breakfast:  Green beans and half of a sweet potato 

Lunch:  Chicken, avo, raspberries

Dinner:  eggs, bacon, avo, brussel sprouts, strawberries

Current ailments:  neck pain—so annoying! 

Feeling:  Super sleepy and hungry again

Something weird is going on, I just don’t feel right.  I’m thinking it is my cycle, ovulation/PMS maybe?  I am craving everything possible.  I’m not losing anything; I’ve actually gained a pound.  But clothes do fit a little better.  It’s just weird.

One thing I was hoping for was that my face would clear up, I don’t have acne and people always comment on how nice my skin is but without makeup and when I’m looking close up in the mirror, there is a lot red and bumpy areas.  I always attributed it to the crap I ate.  Maybe it’s not from that or maybe it is and I just don’t have all the shit out of my system yet. 

I want to eat everything.  

Day 21

Breakfast:  Green beans and half of a sweet potato 

Snack:  Applesauce, almonds, olives

Lunch:  Chicken, asparagus, strawberries

Dinner:  Carnitas, guac, lettuce

Current ailments:  neck pain--worse

Feeling:  Sleepy, hungry

I was really hungry today, needed to snack.  I was starving all day.  And I wanted to eat whatever I wanted.  Wondering if it has to do with the time it is in my cycle?  I don’t know. 

I was super excited to make Chicken with Caramelized Shallots for dinner but forgot that I was walking with Kelly so I had to hit Chipotle instead.  Hope to make it tomorrow night. 

Right now is kind of a lull in the program, the excitement is gone and it’s not quite the challenge it was the first 2 weeks.  I need to get back to trying new recipes; I eat a lot of the same things mostly because it’s easy.  I’m looking forward to it being done and taking what I've learned and incorporating it into “normal” life.  I’ll add cheese back in right away and see how I feel, if it doesn't affect me, it’s staying! 

I put on a pair of pants today that I forgot I had, they've always been a little loose on me but today they were ginormous, I had to roll them just so I could wear them.  My rings are also becoming very loose, my thumb ring actually fell off last week.  Good signs I guess.

I’m bored.

Day 20

Breakfast:  Green beans and a couple nuts—I know, wtf?

Lunch:  Chicken, asparagus, raspberries

Dinner:  3 scrambled eggs on half of a sweet potato topped with avo and bacon crumbles (SO good)

Current ailments:  neck pain

Feeling:  super tired and my sinuses are acting up

Not too much to report today, not feeling the best with sinuses and allergies.  I again didn’t want breakfast.  I had to force myself to eat. 

They say in the book that you will start dreaming about the bad food and start imagining seeing it.  I thought they were crazy.  But I totally dreamt about Hy-Vee pull apart dinner rolls, I can give or take bread but those things are my ish.  Slathered in butter.  Might be better than sex.  Just kidding. No I’m not.  And then there was a juicy cheeseburger in a grilled bun.  Apparently I miss bread…only when I’m sleeping though because when I’m awake I don’t miss it. 

I’m sick of my neck hurting.

Days 16, 17, 18, 19

Day 16, 17, 18, 19

Breakfast:  Larabar

Lunch:  Carnitas, guac and lettuce

Dinner:  Chicken and sweet potato, turkey wrapped avo

Breakfast:  Eggs, green beans and raspberries

Snack: Macadamia nuts

Lunch:  none

Dinner:  Steak on the grill and asparagus

Breakfast/Lunch:  Chicken and sweet potato

Dinner:  Bacon wrapped sweet potato

Snacks:  Cheese, raspberries, couple cookies

Breakfast/Lunch:  None

Dinner:  Chicken, sweet potato, asparagus

The last few days have been crazy.  Friday I was NOT hungry, couldn’t force myself to eat to save my life.  Hence the Larabar for breakfast.  I spent the weekend at Dane’s and thought I had brought/prepared enough food but didn't.  The weekend was eye opening for me, I need to prep a lot better when I’m going to be out of my comfort zone. 

I did have some drinks on Saturday and some cheese on Sunday and a cookie or two.  It was one of those things that I just didn’t feel bad or care.  I’m not stopping the Whole 30, I still really like it and don’t even think of it like a 30 day plan anymore.  More like this is my new way of living.  I’m not going to re-start the 30 days, I will probably add a couple days on since I had a mini setback but I’m not beating myself up about it.  It was worth it, I had such a fabulous weekend. 

Dane is uber supportive and that is really helpful but having someone who loves you the way you are and who eats whatever he wants, can be difficult but he motivates me to want to be better and is totally on board with eating Paleo with me so that’s exciting.

I will be going back up there this weekend so it’s a good chance for me to try planning and prepping again.  I’m already thinking of meals we can do and how I can combat being out of sorts.  I need to focus on how I can ensure I’m doing 3 meals a day and forcing myself to eat at least something even if I’m not hungry.  There definitely won’t be any drinking involved, that was a fun lapse this weekend but not worth the calories.  I’m thinking maybe I’ll send Dane my meal plan before I go up there so he can help me stick to it and we’re prepared for the weekend. 

I’m out of sorts but still kickin! 

Day 15

Breakfast:  Leftover grilled hamburger with green beans/ghee

Lunch:  Whole foods salad bar (romaine, spinach, kale, unprocessed turkey, carrots, zucchini, peas, almonds and olive oil/lemon dressing), raspberries

Dinner:  Leftover steak with eggs and asparagus, raspberries

Current ailments:  knee pain, arm rash is back

Feeling:  Worse headache all day

Reflecting on my worries from day 1

·         Eating within an hour of waking up—this still proves to be difficult and about half the time I’m eating at work, it’s just not worth the nausea for me to eat within in a hour of waking up.  I’m eating much earlier than I was pre-W30 so I’m doing what I can. 

·         Not weighing myself for 30 days—I’m horrible at this one.  Personally I think they are bat shit crazy for saying you can’t weigh yourself.  Weighed in today, down 12 lbs.  Wearing jeans today—they’re tighter than when I started.  Makes so much sense?!

·         Headaches—the true headaches for me didn’t start until this week, all week I had one and they progressively got worse.  Thankfully none were that bad that it affected my day but still annoying. 

·         Sugar—I am pleasantly surprised with this one.  Probably because I’m still eating fruit but it hasn’t been that difficult giving it up.  Dairy is much harder.

·         Work—I’m proud of myself for taking myself out of situations at work where I may be tempted.  It’s meant more eating lunch at my desk and having a lot of self control—why does everyone have candy at their desk?  Jerks. 

·         Snacking—Overall, I’ve done pretty good with this one.  There were a couple days where I needed to snack because I could tell my blood sugar was super low.  That was always during the day.  I’m great at night, no snacking needed.  This has probably been the most eye opening for me.  Not snacking unless you’re really hungry makes me hyper-aware of how much mindless eating I do and how habitual it is.  I hope, hope, hope to keep this new rule when I’m done with the Whole 30.  It’s such a good feeling only eating when you’re hungry. 

I think I’m a little behind on their timeline, I’m wondering if it’s because I had SO much crap in my system it took longer for the detox to start and everything to get out of my system.  The last couple days I definitely felt crappy, headache, runny nose, nauseous, etc.  I kept wondering where it was the first week…now I know.  Still, much better than I expected. 

I haven’t had the ah-hah oh my gosh this is the best thing ever quite yet.  I hear that comes in the last part of the plan.  I notice I have a bit more energy, the brain fog is pretty much gone but I don’t feel that much different than I did before.  Just little things.  Which is better than nothing. 

I have no plans of giving up or stopping and my goal is to still continue this type of eating, adding in good cheese 90% of the time and have some cheats the other 10%.  When I’m done with this, I would like to start working out again.  I feel like I will be ready to combine the two once I’m done with the 30 days.

I remember days 1-5, I was seriously thinking how the f*&^ am I going to make 30 days?!  Those were the slowest days of my entire life. I remember thinking there's no way I'm going to last 30 days, this is taking forever.  Now I'm half way there and it's flying by.  Keeping yourself busy and getting a lot of sleep has been very helpful.  

I’m half way there!

Day 14

Breakfast:  scrambled eggs with bacon bits and brussel sprouts

Lunch:  Leftover hamburger with guac, 3 strawberries and asparagus

Dinner:  Ribeye on the grill, half of a sweet potato, salad with ACV, applesauce with cinnamon

Current ailments:  knee pain

Feeling:  Headache all day, woke up very nauseous, bloated after lunch

·         They have a section on the website that runs through the days and what you will probably be feeling like.  They said around days 8-9 your pants will likely be tighter…um, check!  The below paragraph outlines exactly what is happening with me right now, it just took me a few more days to get to this part. 

“The enzymes that digest your food and the millions of bacteria that live in your gut are adjusting to your new intake of meat and vegetables, and the lack of easy-access sugars.  This is something they do naturally, and these adjustments have contributed to humanity’s ability to flourish throughout our history.  However, these adjustments can be a bit… uncomfortable. Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or all three may appear as your gut starts to heal, rebalance, and process this new food effectively. The good news is that most people find this phase passes relatively quickly, and their pants are easy to button again within a week or so.”

·         I heard when you switch to this eating plan; your nails grow faster and are healthier.  Lies.  I think my nails are growing even slower if that’s possible.

·         I’ve always drank a ton of water but I’ve upped it even more.  With feeling so bloated and constipated, I’ve made myself believe drinking more water will help. 

·         They brought in Qdoba for lunch at work today.  I love Qdoba.  Usually when we have it, I’m overjoyed because I can eat low carb—chicken, lettuce, guac and cheese.  I went online to see if I could at least have the chicken, no go.  I could’ve done the lettuce and guac.  I made my lunch prior to it coming and ate at my desk to not be tempted by it.  It was a little torturous but still I had no desire to cheat.  Even when I saw the 4 huge bags of their salty, amazing chips and 2 trays of brownies and cookies. 

I’m a peeing machine. 

Day 13

Breakfast:  3 eggs with bacon bits and green  beans

Lunch: Leftover porkbelly carnitas

Dinner:  Hamburger, sweet potato, ¼ of an avo, asparagus, applesauce with cinnamon

Current ailments:  knee pain

Take aways:  I feel like I’m not eating enough veggies—I have them with almost every meal but I still feel like it’s not enough. 

Feeling:  Headache, tired, bloated after eating dinner, constipated

·         The bloating after eating is back, wtf?  GO AWAY and it’s almost always after dinners

·         Headache persisted until I fell asleep

·         I need to go back and look at what is causing me to be bloated and constipated.  Over it.

I feel gross. 

Day 12

Breakfast:  3 Eggs over spinach, a couple macadamia nuts

Lunch: Turkey wrapped avo, asparagus, strawberries, ¼ of Larabar

Dinner:  Porkbelly carnitas, banana with a little cashew butter

Current ailments:  knee pain

Take aways:  I think the cherry Larabar is what gave me indigestion/heart burn last week because I had a little bit today and felt the same way.  So, no cherries maybe?  It’s my favorite one too, of course. 

Feeling:  Bloated in the evening

·         Yesterday and today were the first times I really felt different about my body, like I could notice a change.  I feel like my face is thinner.  But then I got super bloated at night and felt like large marge again. 

·         Tonight was the first time I wasn’t hungry for dinner.  I’m not sure why but my stomach wasn’t growling, I didn’t feel like eating but I did.  I just didn’t eat that much. I was really hungry at lunch and ate plenty then so maybe that’s why?

·         I don’t know what it is, but I really don’t think that this is that hard.  My guess is that it’s because I’m still eating things I really enjoy—I love avo and sweet potatoes, I’d eat asparagus every day if I could and I still get some fruit.  And I do think planning is key.  That doesn’t mean that I stick to my meal plan every day, I switch it up based on my mood or what’s going on but I have a good idea of what I need to prep and plan for. 

·         I walked/ran after work today.

·         My taste buds are starting to change!  When I ate strawberries for lunch and then red/orange peppers for dinner…they both tasted so potent and different than they have in the past. 

I miss Coors Light.  

Day 11

Breakfast:  Brunch at Wiseacre—fruit, eggs, ham, bacon, sausage

Lunch/Dinner:  Burger Jones--Burger with avo, bacon and egg, sweet potato fries

Current ailments:  knee pain, arm rash

Take aways:  I’m really becoming aware of mindless eating or I should say the urge to mindless eat.  I’m stopping myself from doing it but it creeps in my mind all the time…when I’m NOT hungry.  Crazy.

Feeling:  Good, a little tired and lots of cramping from my period

·         I made it through days 10 and 11. 

·         It’s Mother’s Day, I knew that today would consist of eating out and I wouldn’t stick to the program to a “T”.  With that said, I think I still kicked ass. 

·         Wiseacre for Mother’s Day brunch.  I did really good except for a bite of an amazing mini doughnut and a bite of their custard ice cream.  Of course I wanted to eat all the fun stuff but it wasn’t crazy hard not to.  I can’t wait to go back there for a cheat meal.  It was SO SO good. 

·         The day was a lot of running around and odd timing of things so we ate lunch/dinner around 2:00 at Burger Jones; thankfully I was full the entire night. 

·         Not great that I didn’t get my 3 meals in but I know that every day is not going to be like that and I cannot stop living for 30 days, that’s not realistic.  And ok, maybe I didn’t need the sweet potato fries. 

·         My tummy was not happy around 9:30 when I was going to sleep.  Good to know the cleanse is working. 

I love food. 

Day 10

Breakfast:  Eggs over sweet potato

Lunch:  Leftover steak, mushrooms half and of an avo, strawberries and celery stick with cashew butter

Dinner:  2 hamburger patties from Culvers topped with half an avo and a couple banana slices with cashew butter

Current ailments:  knee pain, upper back pain, arm rash

Take aways:  Didn’t eat very many veggies today, can tell too--feel more bloated

Feeling:  Good, a little tired and lots of cramping from my period

They say days 10 and 11 are the most popular days that people quit.  I feel pretty confident that I am not quitting, I have no desire to.  I’m really starting to listen to my body.  I’m noticing when I’m actually hungry and when I just want to eat.  It’s such an easy habit to grab something to eat when little things trigger it. 

Didn’t quit on day 10!

Day 9

Breakfast:  Chicken and cooked carrots

Snack:  green olives and nuts

Lunch:  steak and mushroom soup

Dinner:  3 eggs over spinach

Snack:  olives, couple pieces of pineapple and an apple

Current ailments:  knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain

Take aways:  I enjoy eating something other than eggs for breakfast, may have to do it more often

Feeling:  Was exhausted by 9:30

I was hungry almost all day today, attribute it to my period.  I went walking with a friend and after I was starving and tired.  When I got home I was so hungry I had to have a snack before I went to bed.  I was asleep by 10:00.  Not too much to report today. 

Am I done yet?

Day 8

Breakfast:  Leftover twice baked sweet potatoes, 2 eggs

Snack:  Banana and handful of green olives

Lunch:  Chicken, avocado, asparagus, half of a Larabar

Dinner:  Carnitas, guac, lettuce, applesauce (unsweetened) sprinkle of cinnamon

Current ailments:  knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain

Take aways:  need to bulk up on breakfast—maybe add some meat

Feeling:  Bad indigestion around 3:00—haven’t had any this entire cleanse banana maybe?

·         I woke up in time to eat at home, almost early enough to work out before work but not quite there.  I was just happy to be up when I was. 

·         I have a strange rash on my arm, it itches.  I’m thinking detox side effect?

·         I was starving this morning, starving.  It wasn’t the same hunger I’ve add the first few days which was more hunger pains and probably due to not over eating my stomach is shrinking, this is I’m just straight up hungry.  I do believe I know why—it’s almost period time.  Typically the week leading up to it, I am ravenous, I will eat a toddler if they’re in arms reach.  As soon as I get my period, I go opposite, typically have no appetite.  I was surprised yesterday I wasn’t hungrier since I’m about 4 days out from beast day.  But it’s here today.  I’m going to allow myself snacks as needed, Whole 30 approved of course. I know from doing Paleo before and researching, your period does some crazy shit to your body the hunger typically comes from your hormones being out of whack.  

·         Ok.  I caved.  I had to.  I weighed myself this morning.  After my shitty day yesterday, I needed some motivation and I wanted to see if I’m what I’m doing is working.  I can tell a teenie tiny bit in my clothes but other than that, I feel bloated all the time so was pleasantly surprised to see I’m down 8lbs. 

I made it through week 1! 

Day 7

Breakfast:  Leftover twice baked sweet potatoes, 2 eggs, carrots

Lunch:  Leftover grilled hamburger, avo, asparagus, cream mush soup, apple

Dinner:  Chicken with romaine and spinach and ranch dressing (no appetite)

Current ailments:  My teeth are still so sensitive, jaw, knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain, stomach pains

Take aways:  I don’t know.  I’m annoyed today.

Feeling:  Lethargic today, small headache, irritable, about 2:00 I started sweating like crazy—not because I was hot, it was just sweat.  Strange. Bloated.

Another day of not eating within an hour of waking up.  I’m eating within 1.5 hours so it’s not too bad but it’s still not following the plan.  Every time I go off carbs, I get to a point where I don’t want to eat anything and that’s what’s happening today.  I get hungry but I don’t even feel like eating.  I’m just not feeling the plan today, I know I’m not going to cheat but I think because I don’t feel great it makes me not care. 

I want cheese. 

Day 6

Breakfast:  Twice baked sweet potatoes and asparagus

Lunch:  Leftover grilled hamburger with avocado, mushroom soup, carrots and a small kiwi

Dinner:  Grilled chicken breast mixed with mushrooms and green beans and a drizzle of ranch, couple small bites of a Larabar

Current ailments:  Jaw and knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain

Take aways:  I think I do better when I don’t do green veggies in the morning, craving water more which is close to impossible since I drink a ton already (80-100oz a day).  But I will listen to my body and drink more.

Feeling:  Headache, my teeth are super sensitive—wtf?, a little flu-like and feverish, nothing major could just be PMS too-always get flu-like before the beast comes to town

I took a Benadryl last night and was passed out by 8:45, thinking I would definitely be able to get up and work out.  Ah nope.  Couldn't even get up in time to eat breakfast at home.  I need to let go of feeling guilty for not working out and realize that my body is definitely detoxing and telling me it needs rest.  The good news is that I have more energy during the day and am less hungry between and during meals.  

I'm thirsty. 

Day 5

Breakfast:  Twice baked sweet potatoes and green beans

Lunch:  Leftover Spinach and Artichoke chicken, asparagus and raspberries

Dinner:  Steak salad with strawberries, red onions, ranch dressing, mushroom soup (run, don’t walk and make both of these recipes!)

Current ailments:  Jaw and knee pain, neck pain, upper back pain

Take aways: Should have added another egg (or 2) at breakfast, one was not enough and I was hungry at 11:00, had a couple mac nuts and cashews, again this little snack helped the hunger pains.

Feeling:  Still super tough getting up in the morning but didn’t get sleepy at work like I usually do

I woke up too late to eat at home so I did not eat within the hour of waking.  Oh well.

Not having a little treat after lunch is a hard habit to break.  Every time I’m done with lunch I want a laffy taffy or piece of chocolate. 

TMI alert!  I have not been going to the bathroom (#2) as much as I thought I would—I think it has to do with being a little blocked from all the good food I’ve been eating.  Usually when I go on an eating plan, I am super regular.  This seems to happen every time I eliminate dairy.  Again, hoping this passes. 

I have been lucky with the recipes I've found; they have all been SO good.  The twice baked sweet potatoes were a flop in the fact that two of the shells stuck to the pan.  Sidenote-wax and parchment paper are apparently not the same.  But, it still tastes good.  The only grill at my disposal is a charcoal one, no thanks.  I love grilling, LOVE it, so it’s been tough not having a gas one.  I did make a steak stove top yesterday and it turned out really, really good.  I let the pan heat up for a while before I put the ghee and steak in which created a perfect crust. 

I want a laffy taffy. 

Day 4

Breakfast:  Leftover artichoke/spinach chicken

Lunch:  Steak, eggs, green beans, strawberries

Dinner:  Grilled hamburger, sweet potato, brussel sprouts with pancetta

Current ailments:  Jaw and knee pain, neck pain

Take aways:

·         I’ve done a lot of eating plans, cleanses, detoxes, etc.  This one by far requires the most planning and prepping.  I spent a ton of time prepping and cooking, good news is that I’m set for the next week or so and everything I made tastes super good! 

·         I thought I would be eating a ton of fruit to get that sweet fix but I’m not.  I usually have it with lunch or dinner or both but I don’t find myself wanting it all the time.

• Eating breakfast was ok this morning, I wonder if the eggs make it more difficult?  

Feeling:

·         I could not stop sleeping in the morning, I woke up and ate breakfast and then slept on an off until 11:30.  Even then, I had to force myself to get out of bed.  Once I was up and got going, I felt awake and I had a little more energy. 

·         I can tell the carb brain fog is making its way out. 

·         My stomach seems to hurt and bloat after every meal, did some research, apparently it’s just my stomach getting used to the new, clean food and getting rid of the bad bacteria in there.  This happens every time I go off dairy.  I’m hoping it passes. 

·         Hunger pains/stomach growling is decreasing.  Woohoo!

Day 4 is usually one of the toughies and it was abnormally fine for me.  Easiest day so far. 

I’m almost on board.  

Day 3

Breakfast:  2 fried eggs (with ghee) over half of a sweet potato, asparagus

Lunch:  Turkey wrapped avo and sweet potato with ghee, raspberries
Snack:  4:00--a couple cashews, beef jerkey, bite of a Larabar

Dinner:  Herb crusted chicken breast, green beans, bite of cake

Take aways: I think about food a lot.  Mostly because I'm on this plan, I'm always thinking about what I have to do next, I wish I could eat that, I'm jealous that other people can eat whatever they want.  Dicks.   

Current ailments:  Jaw and knee pain, neck pain

Feeling:  Bad stomach pain and bloating for most of the day, little bit of a headache

The wedding wasn't as difficult as I anticipated, once I accepted the fact that I didn't have a lot of options, I ate what I could.  I didn't eat the buttermilk, bacon, mashed potatoes which were amazeballs but I did have a bite of the cake.  When I looked at the menu and saw that the wedding cake was almond flavored I about peed.  I love almond flavoring.  LOVE.  Thankfully I wasn't a fan of the cake and only took a bite.

I did snack again between lunch and dinner.  Dinner wasn't until 6:00 and I ate lunch at 12:00, I needed something.  I feel really guilty when I snack but I'm just starting so I need to give myself a break.

I didn't get 5 hours in between my breakfast and lunch, it was a rushed day with looking at houses and leaving for the wedding I had to eat quickly and close together.

I want to snack.

Day 2

Breakfast:  3 eggs on a bed of spinach, a sprinkle of celtic sea salt, lemon water

Snack around 11:  8 cashews and 8 olives

Lunch:  Turkey wrapped avo and sweet potato with ghee, rasperries and strawberries

Dinner:  Spinach/Art Stuffed Chicken, steamed asparagus with ghee, kiwi

Take aways:  Need to try going to bed earlier and see if that helps my issue with getting up, slept through my alarm for 20 minutes this morning.  

Current ailments:  Jaw and knee pain, super tired, constant twitching in my thumb, dizzy

Feeling:  I was in major starvation/low blood sugar mode around 10:30, by 11 I felt faint so I ate some fat and immediately felt better.  I am having a really hard time eating in the morning, I actually puked on my plate a little this morning, literally. Crabby and lethargic, teenie tiny headache.  I suspect I'm slowly getting the detox symptoms, guessing by day 4/5 I'll be a full blow bitch and possibly question hitting up OCB.

I have a wedding tomorrow, I'm really nervous about what food will be served, I will bring some jerkey and nuts in case I'm really limited in my options.  I know the food will not be organic/grass fed but that's the world we live in and I will have to make the best choices with what I'm given.

I'm hungry.   

Day 1

I’m doing the Whole 30, originally it was going to be the Whole 21. I wanted a 21 day plan and I wanted to be done before Memorial Day weekend.  I’m shooting for the 30 days but depending on what Memorial Day weekend brings; it may only be 21 days.  I need to journal as I go through the process and I’m a much faster typer than I am a writer so I thought I would dust off the ol’ bloggy blog. 

I was terrified to start the Whole 30, I’ve been on a “eat whatever I want” binge for a couple weeks.  My biggest concerns/fears:

·         Eating within an hour of waking up. For as long as I can remember, it takes me several hours before I can eat anything in the morning or a hellish case of nausea ensues.  Even brushing of the teeth brings about a gag or two.  I did ok this morning but the last 5 bites or so were rough; it was tough keeping it down.  I hope this gets better as the days go on.

·         Not weighing myself for 30 days.  What?  That’s silly.  I weigh myself all the time.  I’m not a person that has a bad relationship with the scale.  I’m just always curious depending on what I’ve eaten and how I feel, what the number says.  Plus, watching the numbers go down is always a motivator to keep me going.  But, I’ve committed to this plan so bye bye scale, I need to listen to my body and not go by a number. 

·         Headaches.  I’m a chronic headache sufferer.  Sometimes they aren’t that bad and sometimes they make me question whether life is worth living.  I’ve detoxed/cleansed before and am familiar with the headaches that can come with them.  My saving grace is that I know they will pass. 

·         Sugar.  The little bastard is addicting and I’m an addict.   Haven’t always been but within the last year, it got me. 

·         Work.  Currently sitting our breakroom is the following:  M&M’s, pretzels, Pringles, popcorn, cookies, licorice, chips, cheese, pizza and more.  There is candy everywhere in this office.  People constantly bring treats in.  When I’m stressed at work, it’s so easy to console myself with food. 

·         Snacking.  I’m a daytime snacker, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  But my snacks are almost always good—I stick to cheese, nuts and fruit.  And I don’t over consume, but I like my snacks.  I’m committed to allowing myself a Whole 30 approved item for a snack for the first few days until I get my meal portions figured out.  With my blood sugar, PCSO, insulin issues…if I get too hungry, I can get really sick.

I did my grocery shopping last night.  I’m not going to lie, it was stressful.  It took 4 stores and $200 but I think I’m set, for the first week at least.  The most eye opening part?  Meat.  Trying to find meat that was just meat was annoying.  And buying grass fed/organic meat?  Dear lord.  Time to start working the pole so I can afford it.  Whole Foods was out of their sugar free bacon but I did buy some, it’s organic and has trace amounts of sugar, I’m doing what I can.  Target sells grass fed red meat now, much cheaper than WF.  I’m going to look into other options for buying red meat, I don’t like that stress!

I was on a workout kick for about 2 months, getting up almost every morning and working out before work.  I am not sure how that happened because I hate getting up early but once I started, it worked.  I haven’t been for 2 weeks.  We started summer hours at work which means I work 30 minutes earlier which means I’m already getting up earlier and would have to get up even earlier, ew, so I’m not sure what to do now.  I do miss working out..maybe go back once I’m use to my new hours and the eating plan.  Don’t want to do too much at once. 

My goal in doing this program:  I wanted to do something before summer really gets going to feel better and give my body a break from all the crap I’ve put in it.  To get my PCOS and insulin in check.  And of course, to continue my constant weight loss battle.  After the 30 days I want to get back to eating right 90% of the time.  I’m realistic. I am a foodie.  I love chips, guac and beer on a patio in the summer (or always).  I love trying new restaurants. I love cheese.  I want to go back to eating paleo/Whole 30ish with a splash of good dairy 90% of the time and then indulge 10% of the time.  I want to live my life and not let food and my weight control it.  I hope by doing this program it will become a way of life for me instead of just a 30 day cleanse. 

Breakfast:  1 strip of bacon, 3 eggs, asparagus with ghee and a sprinkle of celtic sea salt, lemon water

Lunch:  Salad with carrots, avocado, turkey, apple cider vin dressing & sweet potato with ghee

Dinner:  Carnitas with lettuce and guac (Chipotle) forgot I was babysitting so I had to switch my plan up a bit and needed something fast.  I learned from Good Cheap Eats that Chipotle has 4 ingredients that are soy free—carnitas, lettuce, guac and salsa.  So I thought that was a safe bet in a pinch. Had some strawberries and a bite of jerkey I wanted to try. 

Take aways:  I didn’t snack AT ALL (miracle), Need more fat for breakfast, get up earlier (puke) to allow more time for cooking and prepping my lunch, more protein at lunch, figure out a way to combat the urge to have something sweet after lunch at work, oh em geee I love ghee! 

Current ailments:  elbow and knee joints hurt, jaw pain, ridiculously tired, cravings

Feeling:  Tinge of hunger at 9:30, extremely tired (I blame the hideous weather for this one), hungry in the afternoon starting at 2:00—not starving but much hungrier than the morning by 5:00 I was in major starvation mode.  I’ll need more protein at lunch. 

I survived day 1.