My mind was cluttered because my body was cluttered. Yes, poor eating habits crept up on me and my body throwing my mind into a cluttered mess. Something had to give and it had to be something other than the elastic in my sweatpants!
I announced bravely to my husband that I would be doing an "eating plan" for 30-days. He balked slightly at the start and joined me on my journey very shortly after. The "Success Guide to the Whole30" really did make things simple.
What drew me to this particular "eating plan" was the direct 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, natural food like meat, vegetables and fruit."
"This is not a diet" and "I'm not lacking carbohydrates-I just get them from vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereal 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 about organic, grass-fed, pastured or free range... Eat. Good. Food."
The runaway eating train has been derailed. I feel good. I mean, really good. I'm well rested. I'm comfortable in my clothes (the ones that still fit). I'm energetic upon waking up and not exhausted when I crawl into bed at night. My eyes have a sparkle, my complexion is clear, my stomach hasn't been bloated in weeks and did I mention, I really sleep at night. No tossing and turning. No night sweats, no monthly cramps and my allergies seem to have gone on a hiatus.
I must confess I did have a slight headache for about the first week and then it just vanished. As suggested by the Success Guide, "Planning ahead is going to be the key to me staying on track." I found this to be the truest of all statements! When my schedule changed unexpectedly, my mind was saying, "what do I have time to eat?" when the reality was I already had done the shopping and it was just a matter of what would I take the time to prepare.
I came to realize I generally ate a sandwich for simplicity but actually preferred salad. Squeezing in 20 minutes of exercise a day became routine and a necessary part to the start of my day. Although suggested in lieu of dairy, I found out soy was the source of some extreme physical discomfort I was experiencing. Coconut milk in a can was a saving grace to drinking "black coffee." By the end of the 30 days I can proudly say I can drink coffee without all the bells and whistles and I like it!
I thought I'd miss eating beans, but I actually don't miss them at all. I didn't think I'd like eating turkey bacon based on previous experiences, but I found a brand (Applewood) that both my husband and I really enjoyed. The hardest time sticking to the Whole30 was skipping my evening adult beverage a pattern that my husband and I had fallen into and have since put aside.
Although I am familiar with a wide variety of spices, I was tickled to have used the following more than once over 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 keeping boiled eggs on hand was a nice time saver when I had to grab breakfast on the fly. I did not skip breakfast a single day!
I read lots of labels in order to purchase things that were in tune with the plan. I had no idea how sneaky sugar and corn products were. Let me just say, they are everywhere!
I did not take a multivitamin simply because I was eating loads of nutrient dense veggies. My favorites: Asparagus, Tomato, Cauliflower and Spinach.
I didn't get around to making the homemade mayo but intend to try it in the near future.
While eating like this required preparation I can't say that it was hard. In many ways it was easier simply because there was a plan. I got to try some new recipes and spices I had not personally cooked with before even though I had eaten them. I don't intend to eat everything I thought I'd miss as I don't have any particular cravings. I do intend to enjoy something with cheese on it in next few days. Not sure what it will be but I'm sure I'll come up with something creative.
Since my husband confessed he's feeling better than he has in months, I think we are on to something life-changing, sustainable and healthy. We've both learned some things that will stay with us forever. I forgot to mention, my husband has kicked his diet soda gremlin to the curb! I'm excited to have completed the Whole30 [http://revicomp.com/whole30-diet-reviews/] and feel it has fulfilled its promise: "Give us 30 days, and we can help you change the way you eat for the rest of your life."
I announced bravely to my husband that I would be doing an "eating plan" for 30-days. He balked slightly at the start and joined me on my journey very shortly after. The "Success Guide to the Whole30" really did make things simple.
What drew me to this particular "eating plan" was the direct 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, natural food like meat, vegetables and fruit."
"This is not a diet" and "I'm not lacking carbohydrates-I just get them from vegetables and fruits instead of bread, cereal 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 about organic, grass-fed, pastured or free range... Eat. Good. Food."
The runaway eating train has been derailed. I feel good. I mean, really good. I'm well rested. I'm comfortable in my clothes (the ones that still fit). I'm energetic upon waking up and not exhausted when I crawl into bed at night. My eyes have a sparkle, my complexion is clear, my stomach hasn't been bloated in weeks and did I mention, I really sleep at night. No tossing and turning. No night sweats, no monthly cramps and my allergies seem to have gone on a hiatus.
I must confess I did have a slight headache for about the first week and then it just vanished. As suggested by the Success Guide, "Planning ahead is going to be the key to me staying on track." I found this to be the truest of all statements! When my schedule changed unexpectedly, my mind was saying, "what do I have time to eat?" when the reality was I already had done the shopping and it was just a matter of what would I take the time to prepare.
I came to realize I generally ate a sandwich for simplicity but actually preferred salad. Squeezing in 20 minutes of exercise a day became routine and a necessary part to the start of my day. Although suggested in lieu of dairy, I found out soy was the source of some extreme physical discomfort I was experiencing. Coconut milk in a can was a saving grace to drinking "black coffee." By the end of the 30 days I can proudly say I can drink coffee without all the bells and whistles and I like it!
I thought I'd miss eating beans, but I actually don't miss them at all. I didn't think I'd like eating turkey bacon based on previous experiences, but I found a brand (Applewood) that both my husband and I really enjoyed. The hardest time sticking to the Whole30 was skipping my evening adult beverage a pattern that my husband and I had fallen into and have since put aside.
Although I am familiar with a wide variety of spices, I was tickled to have used the following more than once over 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 keeping boiled eggs on hand was a nice time saver when I had to grab breakfast on the fly. I did not skip breakfast a single day!
I read lots of labels in order to purchase things that were in tune with the plan. I had no idea how sneaky sugar and corn products were. Let me just say, they are everywhere!
I did not take a multivitamin simply because I was eating loads of nutrient dense veggies. My favorites: Asparagus, Tomato, Cauliflower and Spinach.
I didn't get around to making the homemade mayo but intend to try it in the near future.
While eating like this required preparation I can't say that it was hard. In many ways it was easier simply because there was a plan. I got to try some new recipes and spices I had not personally cooked with before even though I had eaten them. I don't intend to eat everything I thought I'd miss as I don't have any particular cravings. I do intend to enjoy something with cheese on it in next few days. Not sure what it will be but I'm sure I'll come up with something creative.
Since my husband confessed he's feeling better than he has in months, I think we are on to something life-changing, sustainable and healthy. We've both learned some things that will stay with us forever. I forgot to mention, my husband has kicked his diet soda gremlin to the curb! I'm excited to have completed the Whole30 [http://revicomp.com/whole30-diet-reviews/] and feel it has fulfilled its promise: "Give us 30 days, and we can help you change the way you eat for the rest of your life."
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