A little over a month ago, I had a really rough day. I couldn’t walk straight, my head was all over the place and I got really, REALLY scared about what was going on. I told Aunt Sarah, and she asked what I’d had to eat that day. The answer was… not much.
I shared about my food intolerances last month, but I didn’t get around to telling you something that had happened over Labor Day weekend. I had a gall bladder attack. The first time since I went to the ER two years ago. and I was so emotionally distraught over it. I’d made each decision on my own – the ice cream, the cheese… I made every choice. But I responded by avoiding all food.
It was a Friday. By Sunday, I had made my decision, and stocked up. I was going to start Whole 30. I’d been researching it, and it seemed like a really good move for where I was at.
Can I just say that I NEVER finish anything that I start? Haha. I knew that, so I didn’t make my Whole 30 journey very public. I wrote about it a few times on Instagram, but aside from that I didn’t publicize it.
But I made it. I finished Whole 30, and I am SO PROUD of myself. Here’s what I learned:
- I can eat the same thing every day. Literally. Eggs with peppers + chicken apple sausage for breakfast, and either a Trader Joe’s Chili Lime burger w/guac or chicken + asparagus for lunch or dinner.
- There is SO MUCH freedom in restriction. So much so that after two days off of Whole30… I’m starting again. I suddenly had ALL THE CHOICES IN THE WORLD and couldn’t figure out what to eat. Don’t want to go back to that.
- Avoiding sugar isn’t as awful as you’d think. There were definitely days when I wanted a cookie. Right now, I could probably eat either a cookie or a BIG SCOOP of cookie DOUGH (which is actually better than cookies, can I get an amen??) but I don’t NEED to have it. I will survive without it.
- Creamer isn’t as important as the experience of handcrafted espresso beverages. When I finally got the creamer back, I was slightly underwhelmed. What I was REALLY missing was the opportunity to get mochas. Mochas are my ultimate love language, I guess.
- Food affects my emotions. Aside from the few days leading up to and through my period (which are just the worst, no matter what), I FELT emotionally well. I felt less irritable or cranky or sad. I just felt better.
- Eating food is the secret to losing weight…. but eating the RIGHT food. I KNOW I KNOW… I’m not supposed to weigh myself on Whole 30, but I did because I was SO SCARED I’d be gaining tons of weight because I was eating more often. But I didn’t! I actually lost about 11 lbs (which means total I’ve lost 54 lbs). I just need to work on eating the correct foods.
- Coconut oil has a lot of calories. Ghee doesn’t. Just saying.
- WHOLE 30 IS FREAKING EXPENSIVE. I’ve started to figure out what foods I really like (mashed sweet potatoes, hello!) so going to the store is a little easier… it also helps that I basically cannot purchase anything that is within the inner aisles of the grocery store, just what’s on the outside in the produce and meat areas. But you know what? I’m okay with that.
- Like I mentioned.. today I went to the store and stocked up on Whole30 approved foods, because tomorrow I’m going at it again.
Have you done Whole 30? Tell me.Â
ps sorry not sorry this post has no pictures.
