Whole30- Day 31!!!

I successfully completed the Whole30 challenge! I am so excited I made it 30 days!

I went 30 days without eating sugars, sweeteners, alcohol, grains, legumes, dairy or any preservatives. 30 days ago, I was unsure if I could really go without these things for an entire 30 days. Before I began I thought I would just cut out some of the things, but the more I read about Whole30 I knew that you needed to be very strict in order to experience any changes at all. So,  I decided to dive in head first and do exactly as it was supposed to go. 

Now that the 30 days is over I look back and think that I chose a busy month to try my very first Whole30. I went to fall festivals, ballgames with tempting concession stand food, the pumpkin patch, and Halloween parties with plenty of sweets!! I know now that I can do this at any time if I was able to stay strong through all the temptation that has been in front of me. 

What Changed? 

So I knew that there would be physical affects after completing the challenge, but what I didn't know were the psychological changes that would occur. I feel like a different person than I did just 30 days ago! Crazy to think that the foods we eat (or don't eat) can have such an affect on your mind and body. 

The number ONE thing that I have noticed is how well I sleep!! I can't get over how much your diet can affect your sleep! I now fall asleep easily, sleep through the night and wake up feeling refreshed!! There are so many other small things that I have experienced I am sure I will forget to list them all. These are just a few that stand out in my mind: 

1. Clearer skin

2. NO more reflux!! 

3. So much more energy 

4. I no longer crave sugar 

5. I can live without cheese!! : ) 

6. Just all around in a better mood 

DID YOU LOSE WEIGHT? 

I know so many people do this for weight loss and that was not the case for me, I  was so tired of putting so much crap into my body and wanted to see if eating better foods would really make a difference in the way I felt. However, I did lose a little weight. My total weight loss for the Whole30 was 7 pounds. And that was with very little working out. I feel like my body looks the same from the minute I wake up in the morning until the time I go to bed at night (which is not how it used to be) I haven't once felt bloated during the last 30 days!! 

I can't believe I am posting these, but they are true un-photoshopped pictures. The first was taken the morning before I started the challenge and the second is the morning after I finished the Whole30. 

These photos are proof that the saying is true "Abs are made in the kitchen." I knew my abs were under there I just couldn't stay away from the junk food to reveal them!! I know there are many people that would not prefer to look so muscular, but for me I love it. So these photos are my motivation when I fall off the wagon again. 

SO WHAT'S NEXT? 

Over the course of the last 30 days people would ask me "So what will you do when your 30 days is over?" Well- I don't plan on stopping what I'm doing. I will however not be quite as strict. I have no intentions of going through a drive through and ordering a hamburger and greasy fries (and I can guarantee it would make me sick if I did). I plan to slowly incorporate some things back into my diet such as natural sweeteners like honey, vanilla extract, etc. (which were all off limits during the Whole30). I have missed an occasional glass of wine, cheese on a salad, and a piece of bread with dinner every now and then. But,  I have discovered so many foods that I never even thought about eating before and I have loved them!! These are things that I see myself cooking from now on. 

This was a lifestyle change for me not just a 30 day challenge. I will definitely have some of those foods I missed on occasion. But, I will continue to live the Whole30 lifestyle for the most part. I don't see why I would stop now with so many positive changes that I have noticed. I am eating great food, loving the changes in my body, and feeling wonderful! Why stop now?

Whole30: 20 Days In!!

Today is day 20 of my Whole30 challenge, that's 2/3 of the way through!  I can hardly believe I have made it to this point! To be honest- I did not see myself lasting this long with no sugar, wine, cheese, milk, etc. But, I have and I couldn't be more excited to finish out the next 10 days. It is not excitement because I want to have those things again, but more so to see what other changes I will experience in the final days of the Whole30.

Since I have cut out sugar completely I no longer crave that rush. I have found that I am satisfied after I eat a meal, where as I would normally need something sweet to end with or I felt unsatisfied. 

I have another 10 days to go and I feel like I could continue far past 30 days. So may of the things I have done over the last 20 days I will continue to implement from now on.  For instance, I have completely cured my "need" for creamer in my coffee and I'm loving using 100% pure coconut milk as a substitution. I have also discovered so many recipes that will become a part of my family's weekly menu. Here are a few pictures of some of the things that I have made and really loved!! 

Whole30 approved banana nut muffins!! There is absolutely no wheat or dairy in them!! 

Crock pot Salsa Chicken (with Whole30 approved salsa)

Caramelized bananas with almond butter and toasted pecans 

Hamburger with a sweet potato bun 

Homemade chicken soup topped with fresh cilantro and avocado 

I didn't cook this, but has come to be my favorite take out meal. Chipotle salad with chicken. (Most of the items on Chipotle's menu are Whole30 approved.  I can't believe I had only eaten there once before!

My Journey with Whole30 (so far)

I have decided to try and complete the Whole30 challenge! If you are unsure of what the challenge is take a look here Whole30 and it will give you all the information you need. The main part of the challenge is to stick to whole foods for 30 days! Essentially this means no bread, dairy, alcohol,  legumes or sugar (only naturally occurring sugars in fruit and vegetables), and absolutely no processed foods at all.

My decision to try the Whole30 came from a mix of different places. I have competed in fitness events, enjoyed working out, challenging myself to eat clean and try new recipes for as long as I can remember. However, I recently had a fitness photo shoot and limited myself from so many of my favorite foods.  After the photo shoot was over,  I went a little crazy with my eating habits and was seriously lacking motivation for going to the gym.  My body changed very quickly and I begin to hate the way I looked (this could have a lot to do with turning 30...I can see that metabolism isn't what it used to be). I couldn't find the motivation to step back in the gym and I kept eating donuts (literally) for breakfast. In my head I would say "This is the last time, tomorrow I will get back on track". Well, those tomorrows quickly turned into weeks and before I knew it- I had been eating terrible, I had not been in the gym in 2 and half months and had only taken a hand full of Pure Barre classes (and when I say a hand full- I mean 6).

I don't know what finally caused me to commit, but I believe it was just feeling unhealthy and knowing that I have so many things coming up in the next few months and I want to feel my best.
And, so 10 days ago I just said "Let's do this today." And here we are 10 days later.

What has been the hardest part? 

For me not eating wheat products and dairy has been the toughest thing.  You just don't realize how many things have wheat and dairy in them. I constantly check labels and have spent many hours in the kitchen preparing food and reading the back of boxes (and washing dishes).

You're supposed to eat 3 balanced meals a day, following the Whole30 meal plan, and avoid snacking. This is so different than what I am used to and what I usually preach to people. I am used to eating 6 small meals a day so this has been quite a challenge. I still sometimes snack, but the things I am snacking on now or so much more healthy than I was ever snacking on before.

What I Miss the most: And ALL of these I had at lest once a week (if not every day)
Wine
Coffee Creamer
Cheese
Chocolate Chip Cookies and Donuts
Gummy candy (gummy bears, worms)

I haven't experienced any weird headaches or side effects from any of the new foods I've tried. This has been surprisingly easier than I had thought it would be. I've read so many online post about how people felt awful the first few days/weeks and I was scared to experience those things, but thankfully I have yet to have any negative side effects. I think so much of this process has to do with your attitude. : ) It's 30 DAYS-NOT FOREVER!! You can do anything for 30 days!

10 Things I've Learned In 10 Days On Whole30

1. Everyday gets a little easier! I find that I have more energy each new day! 
2. I have become more organized! The first week I went to the grocery store 3 times! I was able to write out a grocery list this week and meal plan with everything I'll need for the entire week. 
3. Whole foods are much more expensive! However, we (my family) go out to eat a lot. So I am thinking that our grocery bill will still be less than the amount of money we were spending going out to dinner. 
4. I have already added so many new things to my pantry/refrigerator that I have never used before and discovered I really like them!! (chia seeds, coconut milk, dried cranberries, and many spices) 
5. I have cooked more and washed more dishes in the last 10 days than I probably have in the last month! 
6. Telling people that you are doing the challenge will help with encouragement and support!! I have many friends that not only want to try it, but have already started!
7. Black Coffee is really gross!! I miss creamer and sweetener like crazy-but have found that a little almond milk makes coffee much more enjoyable than just plain black coffee. 
8. I am sleeping so much better! I read this would happen, but was a little skeptical- I'm the person that has to take some type of medicine to help me sleep! No More!! : ) 
9. 30 days seems like a really long time in the beginning, but taking it one day at a time is a better perspective! I am now 1/3 of the way on my plan and have no doubts that I will finish strong. 
10. There is a plethora of information on the internet about Whole30!! You do not have to pay any money for any books for the Whole30 challenge. I have found myself reading something new about Whole30 several times a day! 

So here is to the next 3 weeks (well 20 days to be exact)!