Whole30: What I'm Learning

28 days DONE. Feeling amazing. But more on that later..

I've learned SO much over the past 28 days. About myself, my marriage, and my God.

• It's only 30 days. I can do anything for 30 days.

• My Husband is an amazing, strong, dedicated, selfless man.  When I told him one day in the car that I wanted to do this 'Whole30' thing, he said to me "I don't know why you keep saying 'I', we're going to do this together." And it wasn't because he struggles the same way I do, but because he wanted to support me. He wanted to walk beside me in this journey and be the greatest support he can be.  I'm not going to say its the easiest thing to do as a married couple.  The beginning of this challenge was HARD. Cravings and detox pains were terrible and we both got a little snippy with each other.  But after a long, honest conversation, we were back on track and I was more than grateful to have the man that I do. Nick attended a beer tasting party, and didn't have one sip. He traveled to California for a whole week without slipping up once.  Everyday I was amazed to his dedication to this challenge, all for the sake of supporting his wife. His selflessness is just another testament to how God has molded Nick into the man he is today and I feel extremely blessed to be his wife. I couldn't have done this without him. My advice? Do this with somebody. A spouse, a BFF, a sibling, someone. If no one will do it with you: A. Call me. If you are reading my blog, I hope we are friends. B. Read blogs/forums. C. Read and Re-read "It starts with Food". 

• 3 meals, filled with veggies and protein, is enough to sustain me. I don't need snacks. I don't need dessert. When you eat whole foods, you are satisfied. If I'm not satisfied, I didn't eat enough.

Tostones Tacos. Best meal ever.

• In the same way, eating 3, large, delicious meals will not make me gain weight. No matter how many calories or 'WW points'. If you are eating whole foods, your body will thank you. (Note: I haven't weighed myself yet, its not allowed during the 30 days, but my clothes fit better than ever).

Chicken, artichoke, sweet potatoes. Easy and filling.

• I can live with no creamer in my coffee. I can live without wine on Fridays. I don't need a hershey kiss after every meal. I don't need diet coke. (But you better believe I am having a glass of wine on Day 31, people)

• You can say no to people. No to going out for drinks. No to the cupcakes. Its okay. It's only 30 days. 

• Social situations don't need to revolve around drinking. Guys, I attended my bestie's freaking ENGAGEMENT PARTY and didn't even toast with champs. It was just as amazing and magical without the booze.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Those who love you, will support you. We visited my sister and she accommodated every. single. meal. All because she loves me. (I have the best sister in the world though, your sister may not be as nice).

• There will be haters. Those who don't understand. Those who will say 'Oh-my-gosh I could NEVER do that!' or 'You are crazy for doing that!'..or the even 'Well remind me not to hang out with you for 30 days'. You have to ignore them and remember why you are doing this.  They don't understand. They never will. 

• When you fast from certain foods, you become more raw. You are more in tune with your emotions and for me, that means more in tune with my relationship with God.  Because my obsession with food/the scale was so strong, that was my main focus..my number 1 prayer to God everyday. Everything else was pushed aside.  Although I had to continually ask for His strength to make it through in the beginning, eventually the obsession with food went away and I could focus on other things..  Things/issues/sins that I haven't addressed for so long because my 'food cloud' was in the way.

• These raw emotions also brought a deep sense of joy. More on that in a later post...

• Meal prep stinks. Most Sundays I have to rush through my grad work in hopes to have enough time to plan, shop and prep. It STINKS but it is SO worth it. The rest of the week is a breeze. I will definitely keep doing this after Whole30.

• Eating whole foods is expensive. But I've decided it is something we have to commit to and make room in the budget for. (We didn't do all grass-fed and organic stuff. Cause we're not rich.)

Next post…The Final Results! Two more days, people. I. am. pumped.