I finished the Whole30!

My mind was messed up because my body was messed up. Yes, bad eating habits took over me and my body, throwing my mind into a messy mess. Something had to give and it had to be something other than the elastic on my sweatpants!

I bravely announced to my husband that I would be doing a “meal plan” for 30 days. He balked a bit at first and joined me on my journey soon after. The “Whole30 Success Guide” really made things simple.

What drew me to this particular “eating plan” was the no-nonsense, no-nonsense nature of the program. Here are a few things that told me this was THE one for me:

“I eat real food, fresh and natural food like meat, vegetables and fruits.”

“This is not a diet” and “I am not lacking in carbohydrates, I only get them from vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereals and pasta.”

“Your only job for the next 30 days is to focus on making good food choices. You don’t need to weigh or measure, you don’t need to count calories, you don’t need to stress over organic, grass-fed foods.” , grazing or free… Eat. Good. food”.

The runaway food train has gone off the rails. I feel good. I mean, Really well. I am well rested. I feel comfortable in my clothes (the ones that still fit me). I am energetic upon waking up and not exhausted when I get into bed at night. My eyes have a sparkle, my complexion is fair, my stomach hasn’t been bloated in weeks, and did I mention I actually sleep at night? No tossing and turning. No night sweats, no monthly cramps and my allergies seem to have gone on hiatus.

I must confess that I had a slight headache for the first week and then it went away. As suggested in the Success Guide, “Planning ahead is going to be the key to staying on track.” I found this to be the truest of all statements! When my schedule changed unexpectedly, my mind was like, “What do I have time to eat?” when the reality was that I had already done the shopping and it was just a matter of what I would take the time to prepare.

I realized that I usually ate a sandwich for simplicity, but I actually preferred the salad. Squeezing in 20 minutes of exercise a day became routine and a necessary part of starting my day. Although it was suggested instead of dairy, I found soy to be the source of some extreme physical discomfort I was experiencing. The canned coconut milk was a saving grace for drinking “black coffee”. At the end of the 30 days, I can proudly say that I can drink coffee without all the bells and whistles, and I like it!

I thought I would miss eating beans, but I really don’t miss them at all. I didn’t think I’d like to eat turkey bacon based on previous experiences, but I found a brand (apple wood) which both my husband and I enjoyed very much. The hardest time sticking to Whole30 was skipping my adult beverage at night, a pattern my husband and I had fallen into and have since shelved.

Although I am familiar with a wide variety of spices, I have been pleased to have used the following more than once in the last 30 days: allspice, basil, bay leaves, black pepper, cayenne, chili powder, cinnamon, curry, cumin , Garlic , Marjoram, Mustard (dry), Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Rosemary, Salt, Thyme, Vanilla and Vinegar.

• I enjoyed my best MUFAs (Monounsaturated Fats): Avocado, Olives and Olive Oil.
• I found that having boiled eggs on hand was a nice time saver when I had to have breakfast on the go. I didn’t skip breakfast a single day!
• I read a lot of labels to buy things that were in sync with the plan. I had no idea how misleading the sugar and corn products were. Let me tell you, they are everywhere!
• I did not take a multivitamin simply because I was eating a lot of nutrient-dense vegetables. My favourites: Asparagus, Tomato, Cauliflower and Spinach.
• I didn’t get to make the homemade mayonnaise, but I intend to try it in the near future.

While eating like this required preparation, I can’t say it was difficult. In many ways it was easier simply because there was a plan. I got to try some new recipes and spices that he hadn’t personally cooked with before, although he had eaten them. I don’t intend to eat everything I thought I would miss as I don’t have any particular cravings. I intend to enjoy something with cheese in the next few days. I’m not sure what it will be, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something creative.

Since my husband confessed that he feels better than he has in months, I think we are in for something life-changing, sustainable, and healthy. We have both learned some things that will stay with us forever. I forgot to mention that my husband has kicked his diet soda gremlin to the curb! I’m excited to have completed Whole30 and feel like he’s kept his promise to: “Give us 30 days and we can help you change the way you eat for the rest of your life.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old is gone, the new is here! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Clearly looking forward to healthy days and restful nights. ~ Kim

Radiant. Ready. Receptive. Changing. Excited. Mindful.