30 for 30: Whole30 Edition

There were a lot of benefits from doing a Whole30. I definitely plan on doing another one soon, and trying to keep eating clean as much as possible in the mean time That being said, here are some of the things I learned/noticed/encountered over the last 30 days:

1. There are haters: there are people who are going to think the regimen you are on is ridiculous and unsustainable. They are right. But the building blocks of this diet are what gives it power. You see changes, sometimes drastic changes, in the way your body looks and feels, and the way you deal with cravings, temptation, at the like. And that sort of awareness is always a positive thing.
2. There are participators: there are people who will be 140% supportive of your goal . These are probably the same people who are positive and supportive the other 335 days out of the year. Use them as a resource, as motivation, and most of all, as guinea pigs for your new recipes.
3. There are couldn't care less-ers: these folks don't have any interest in hearing about what you're doing, how you're doing, or why you're doing it. They will continue to live in their processed food haze and pretend like you're not doing anything different. Until they see you lost 16.6 pounds in 30 days. And then you say TAKE THAT. Politely, of course.
4. Wheat makes your belly swell: I have had a belly forever. I hold most of my weight right in the middle, with relatively small (for my weight) arms and legs. Whole30 has been the only diet that attacked that issue in a way that I could see outwardly very quickly. 
5. You can make an excuse for anything: I made it through a wedding, a birthday outing at a club, and my own birthday without cheating. No cake. No booze. No dairy. No excuses. If you decide to do it, you're gonna do it. Otherwise you're cheating yourself and will always wonder "what if I hadn't eaten that?" 
6. I really do love to cook: I learned, with a lot of help from my friends and a few Whole30 compliant cookbooks (Well Fed and Well Fed 2), that I do love to cook. I've found ways to plan my meals so that I don't have to do a terrible amount of cooking during the week (and when I do, there is typically a crockpot involved or 20 minutes in the oven), and I am eating good, nourishing, tasty food. That's pretty damn satisfying.
7. Good meat and produce are expensive: I didn't even go the Whole Foods route. I stuck to things like Washington's Green Grocer deliveries, MOM's (MyOrganicMarket), and conventional meat from the grocery store, taking care to find all natural meat, and it was still expensive. That being said, it's cheaper than eating out all the time and feeling like crap. But I had to repeat that to myself every time I was at the checkout counter of the grocery store. 
8. My joints are less sore: I have had achilles and ankle problems for a while, and I noticed that I am much less stiff and swollen in these areas that in recent months. Bonus for sure.
9. I get less sleep but have more energy: I can't tell you how many times I had every intention of sleeping in but my body was not interested. It had all the rest it needed and was raring to go. My mind as well. It was nice on the week days, but annoying on the weekends. A small price to pay for mental and physical energy I suppose.
10. My vision has improved. It's sharper and colors seem brighter: correlation? No idea. But I noticed it.
11. Mental focus at work is better than ever: I can multitask like a maniac, but even this has improved over the past 30 days. I am able to retain information better and have noticed that I am generally less stressed out, even though professionally, life is BLOWING UP. 
12. Mental focus at the gym is also awesome: I can do more for longer. I don't get as fatigued and I am more aware of where my body is sore, stiff, loose, etc. 
13. Putting your adventure out there inspires people, even if they never tell you: I had a lot of people tell me that I have inspired them to do things they wouldn't normally do, like make their own almond butter, or start their own Whole30. I am hesitant to put a lot of myself out there but 
14. Don't put as much value on weight and size: I get that this is difficult, and I did weigh myself even though you're not supposed to, but that was because my pants were FALLING OFF and I needed to know. Just go with what makes you feel awesome, and if you think about it, eating garbage feels good at the time, but you pay for it later.
15. Understanding how to continue this program long term is hard: I feel like I might have some sort of Whole30 OCD or eating disorder because I went to the grocery store last night and wanted to get myself a single serving of birthday cake for tomorrow when I am giving myself a cheat day, and I couldn't do it because I was scared that it would undo EVERYTHING I've done the last 30 days. This all or nothing thinking sinks diets. I have decided that I will give myself a cheat meal/day every few weeks to stay sane, knowing that the cheats need to be "worth it." Soda because I want one = not worth it. Decadent chocolate dessert at a gourmet restaurant = worth it.
16. Temptation is everywhere. Be prepared for it: It is a side bar to #5, I know, but it bears repeating. You know when you're going out, or going to be surrounded by people who may not be the best influences. Eat beforehand, bring a snack, drink a mock-tail (seltzer and lime is my favorite) to avoid the whole "WHY AREN'T YOU DRINKING" questions, research the menu ahead of time, etc. 
17. This is easier to do when you have a group of people that understand what you are doing (#2 part 2): Find a buddy, whether it be via online Whole30 forums, someone who you know that is also interested in this sort of eating, even if it's not as strict as you're planning to do, that sort of thing. It helps to have someone on call when you're in the grocery store surrounded by everything you can't eat to keep you focused. 
18. You don't need to eat as much as you thought you did: Eating less processed foods means your body actually has to PROCESS them and break them into parts you can use, right? That means you stay fuller longer. Right?
19. Whole30 in the summer is probably pretty awesome because of the fresh produce: No explanation needed. Local and seasonal is great, but I can only eat so many sweet potatoes and greens.
20. If you are a lady, your lady cycle will change: I am all over the map in this area. Hopefully it will settle down or I'm going to just stand in front of the microwave and hope that it helps. 
21. I am in a much better mood all around: "Oh but MB you are so positive!" Not all the time kids. I've noticed less irritability and better mood regulation overall.
22. You get the chance to redefine what a "treat" is: A treat isn't something that you let yourself have regularly. It's something rare and decadent and enjoyable. If it doesn't fit that description, then it's not a treat; it's just crap that you eat. 
23. Don't underestimate the power of text messaging when you feel like you're gonna veer off course: Again - If you feel tempted REACH OUT. Someone will talk you down off the ledge if they are part of the group mentioned in #2.
24. My skin is much clearer: No sugar and lots of water means less zits. 
25. My nails are stronger and hair is shinier: Less sugar and more good, whole protein means your hair will rival the mane of a My Little Pony. True story.
26. Changing your paradigm every now and then is good for the mind, body and soul: Challenging yourself to do something is so much more fulfilling when you actually complete your goal. It gives you the confidence to do other things in your life you might not have thought possible. 
27. I am more in tune with when I am hungry vs. thirsty: Think you are hungry? DRINK MORE WATER. Wait 30 minutes. Reevaluate. I realized that coming home from the gym and eating wasn't about being hungry at all. I was thirsty, and the eating part came out of habit, and that's why I wasn't satisfied after I ate at that time of the evening. 
28. Don't let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn't do: As a general rule, I give people a shot when they have advice for me, but let me tell you, there are some crazy theories running around and you have to decide what lifestyle choices work for you. Don't be afraid to go your own way.
29. Eating, like anything, is a habit. Make it a positive one: You have to eat. Make eating about not just the consuming, but the planning, the preparation, and the way your body feels after eating. If you think about the ritual of eating, you take the time to appreciate your food and not just scarf it down.
30. As this ended the day after my birthday, I realize that this Whole30 was the best gift I could have given myself.

16+ pounds down and a new attitude. Whole30 MIC DROP!

BEFORE:

AFTER: