Whole30: One Week Up

That’s right people, I’ve completed an entire week of Whole30. Are you proud of me? I’m proud of me! Woohoo, go me! I have 3 more weeks to go (21 more days), but I know I can do this.

Melissa and Dallas kindly gave me some homework to do. So here is Worksheet #2

Food for Thought – Self Reflection for modern eating

• I find myself craving sugar, bread or sweets when: When I’m stressed, or it’s after dinner and the kids are in bed. It’s mostly sweets though.
• Sometimes, I think I’m hungry, but I’m actually just: Bored or thirsty.  I have to ask myself “Could I go steamed broccoli and chicken right now?” If the answer is no, then it’s just a craving.  This question from Melissa really does work to help you distinguish if you are hungry or craving something else.
• When I’m craving sugar, I used to eat: sugary foods, like chocolate, cake (homemade – if that even justifies it), yogurt or fruit.
• During my whole30, I’m going to reach for: my water bottle, a hot tea or protein (like a hard boiled egg, or beef jerky) instead.
• When I eat sweet food like fruit, I notice (emotion, craving, etc): That I want more sugary foods.  Prior to Whole30 I can clearly see now that when I ate sugary foods, it was because I was stressed, and it was a way to calm myself. Now when I eat sweet foods like fruit, I enjoy the sweetness so much more, and I find that the portion of that fruit is satisfying and I don’t need anymore to satisfy my ‘sweet’ tooth.
• When I eat salty foods like nuts or olives, I notice (emotions, cravings etc): I feel more content/satisfied.
• I thought I’d miss eating/drinking: Cheese, hot chocolate, and chocolate, but I actually don’t miss it/them at all. (I miss the thought of them if anything).
• I didn’t think I’d like eating hard-boiled eggs but I’m actually enjoying it/them.
• I have the hardest time sticking to the Whole30 when I’m feeling tired, and really can’t be bothered cooking.
• I have the hardest time sticking to the Whole30 when I’m: Around people who aren’t doing the Whole30 and offer me the food they are eating.
• When I eat a good breakfast, I feel ready to tackle the rest of the day.
• When I prepare a healthy meal from scratch, I feel that I’ve achieved the impossible.  It makes me happy knowing that what I’m eating isn’t going to harm me, and it’s a bonus when the kids enjoy it too.
• Since I started my Whole30, I’ve noticed
  That is my exercise of sports performance: I have more sustainable energy, although my performance has decreased a little I’m not too worried about that at the moment.
  That my sleep is more sound, peaceful and full.
  That my energy levels have risen.
  That my emotions are more balanced.  I’m not short-tempered or snappy.
  That my recovery after exercise is a lot quicker & I feel more energized.
  That my body feels stronger and appeased.
  That my clothes fit the same
  That my condition (skin issues, allergies, digestive distress etc) have improved in such a short period of time.  My skin doesn’t feel as dry, and my constipation (which I have had for years) is gone! You have no idea how much this makes me happy.  Just goes to show that does all start with food.

Let me also tell you some other things about my 1st week.

• I’ve tried new recipes and whole30ified some favs.
• I have suffered some headaches (days 2 & 3)
• I’ve suffered from thirst, even after drinking 2L of water in a day.
• I have been bloated.  Day 6 was horrid.  Seriously it was like I was pregnant or something. But they did warn us that this was going to happen.
• I don’t have a need to snack/graze.
• I’ve tried a new workout (you’ll read all about that in tomorrow’s post)

One week down Three more to go.  I can do this.  I have the determination to get through this.  I will stick to my guns, and I will keep you up to date as that keeps me accountable.