30 things I learned from Whole30

Ok this is lengthy, but it's a month of reflection. Tips, food photos, and my results are included!

My mentality around Whole30 for a long time was, “That’s so unrealistic. Who can really eat like that?” You know what’s realistic though? Our country is dying from preventable disease and illness related to how we eat. I’ve had a Whole30 recipe board on Pinterest for over five years, and finally decided it was time. 

My eating pattern of healthy, treat, restrict myself, treat, reward myself with cake, eat salad….was ridiculous. I needed this focus. Changing my mindset from UGH, SUCH DEPRIVATION to WOW THIS IS HEALTHY AND WHAT MY BODY DESERVES! was crucial. 

For 30 days I did not track points or calories. I ate foods I enjoy, and ate when I was hungry. I drank lots of water. I worked out daily and lifted heavier. I slept like a ROCK. My skin is way softer, no more little bumps everywhere. I finished the Morning Meltdown 100 workout program in week 3 and ultimately I lost 6.2 lbs. Down to 179, my pre-babies, happy, healthy weight. I was 232 the day I had Roland, so this feels DANG good. My weight fluctuated from 186-189 for the last 6 months, so this was a game changer. 

Should you decide to try a Whole30 for yourself, I hope you find it as fulfilling as I did. I needed this. Happy Thanksgiving! I'm feeling so thankful for a new perspective. We only get one body. 

              
Three tips before we get into it: 

1. Read the book “It Starts With Food” first. The founders created this guide to explain WHY the Whole30 cuts out the things it does (because they aren’t good for you!), and helps you understand what to expect.

2. You need to cook. A lot. There are no fast food drive throughs for Whole30. (Though Chipotle is safe) If you’re reading my blog, you’re most likely a woman between the ages of 25 and 65, and it’s time for you to not be terrified of the kitchen. You can bake chicken breasts dipped in almond flour, and sauté some veggies in olive oil. I believe in you.

3. Don’t do it alone. I made a group on Facebook of fellow Whole30 grads and newbies like me who all started October 27^th. We rode the waves of headache together, shared recipes, struggles, and successes.

A glimpse at some of the delicious meals I had along the way are included throughout!

30 thoughts, in no particular order:

1. It’s really not that hard. Right from the website- “Fighting cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You have done harder things than this. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth—the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.”

 

Almond chicken and zoodle piccatta. My favorite. I even ate it for breakfast. 

2.  The foods that are eliminated are linked to chronic inflammation. Who knew legumes impact arthritis? After two weeks the mystery Achilles pain I had for 6 weeks, and the twinge I had in my back were GONE and have not returned…interesting.

3. “The Only way to slay your Sugar Dragon, is to starve it.”  I was a huge “everything in moderation” person but truly binged often and would just exercise to “balance” it out. The more sweet I had, the more I wanted it. Even Splenda sweet. 

4. The headaches week 1 were eye opening. I didn’t think I’d have such a “withdrawal” period as a self-proclaimed healthy person, but I did.

5.  You can put pretty much anything in a lettuce leaf.

Tasty egg bake baked in my skillet with baby kale, pork, sweet potato, and plantains. 

SO filling. 

6. I can survive children’s birthday parties full of yummy foods while doing Whole30. Nothing is impossible.

7.  I can survive happy hour with friends while doing Whole30. Hello, seltzer water+lime and fajitas sans wraps/cheese/sour cream/rice.

8. Rethink breakfast. Chili and guac is way more filling than a granola bar and a latte.

9. Stop overthinking. My friends who stressed about recipes had a hard time at first. Meat. Veggies. Eggs. Potatoes. Fruit. Nuts. The #sheetpanmethod is a godsend for prepping multiple meals at a time.

10. I can, in fact, live without sweetener in my coffee.

Chipotle has Whole30 compliant foods! Pork carnitas, regular salsa, guac, veggies, and lettuce. 

(no beans, cheese, sour cream, rice)

11.  I tried ONE OUNCE of flavored coffee on day 26, just a Caramel Starbucks Kcup, and had a headache for SIX HOURS. The headache came on almost instantly after my first sip. Crazy. Maybe because there is nothing natural about sugar free CARAMEL.

12. There is sugar in EVERYTHING. Mayo!? Check your labels.

Bunless burger with caramelized onions and guac. The best. 

13. Speaking of labels, this taught me to read INGREDIENTS, not just macros which is what my main focus has been on in the past. “Low carb? Ok cool, I’ll have that.” Not anymore.

14. OMG, strawberries taste like candy when you haven’t had a Twix for a month.

15. I spent $54 at WholeFoods week 1 for like 6 things, but that’s cheaper than a few trips to Starbucks.

Baked chicken with Primal Kitchen sugar free BBQ Sauce, potatoes, and asparagus. 

All on a sheetpan for 35 min at 375. 

16. We are not made to eat “Frankenfood”  How could I be so adamant about exclusively breastfeeding my children, not giving my dog cheap food,  and saying no to the flu shot...but I consistently was eating foods that don’t occur in nature? Because they kept my weight down and that’s all that mattered to me. Yeah I ate whole foods often, but I also ate a lot of fake sweeteners and stuff I can’t pronounce.

17. Studies have linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

18. Dairy is the #1 source of saturated fat in the American diet.

19. I can eat a burger without cheese on it and still feel satisfied.

20.  Veggies actually taste good.

21. There is literally no need to eat grains. Yeah this one surprised me. We’ve been fooled by the Food Pyramid and the gov’t label of “Heart Healthy Cheerios!” for too long. Healthy carbs= fruits and veggies.

22. Not stepping on the scale for 30 days is something I’ve never done before. It was hard for me. I wanted that “make sure it’s working” guarantee. I will admit, I checked on day 27 because I’m a girl, and well, some things can impact our weight.

23. Snacks should be satisfying that between meal hunger. Not relieving stress or filling up a period of boredom. You’re truly hungry if some leftover egg salad in a lettuce wrap will do the trick.

It felt so good not to worry about the calories and fat in a whole avocado. 

I ate them daily for the first two weeks. 

24.  Food messes with our hormones. I had no idea how driven by hormones we really are and how sugar messes it all up.

25.  I can exercise without eating 4 tbs of peanut butter first.

26.  I can go 30 days without peanut butter.

27. This is not a low carb diet. And I still lost 6.2 lbs. By decreasing inflammatory foods. Strawberries don't make us fat. Strawberry flavored fake stuff does. 

28. When all else fails, make a smoothie.

29. Eggs or leftover steak make a great post workout protein, we don’t need shakes full of crap. (Though I definitely missed the convenience at 5 AM and will go back to my vegan chocolate powder if it does not upset my stomach.)

30. The cycle of: Eat, feel guilt, feel shame, binge, restrict--is what many folks are suffering with. Rather than just consistently eating the foods our bodies were designed to eat, which is going to be my new focus. “Is this actually healthy for me? No? Ok, do I REALLY want it?...” I’m holding out for my Uncle’s pumpkin pie and a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry at Christmas as my “Can’t wait!” treats! 

You ready to try it?