The day after – Reflections on my first Whole30

So here I am, the day after my first Whole30. I made it!

The challenges

Having to make all of my meals, from scratch: I couldn’t rely on premade foods. Most had terrible ingredients that were absolutely not compliant with the challenge. Before Whole30 (like I’ve mentioned in a previous post), I used to buy my breakfast and lunch at work, AND could eat restaurant food for supper up to 5 times a week. Appalling!

Finding compliant ingredients: It’s quite the eye opener when you read labels to see how many things have sugar (and the other fancy names it goes by) and other undesirable ingredients (such as soy and gluten). Spice mixes I loved I couldn’t have because of these issues. I couldn’t find any compliant store bought broth or almond milk. Realizing that some of the things that pass as “healthy” can be quite far from it.

Trying new recipes that didn’t turn out as delicious as I expected them to be: However, once I relaxed and kept things simple, oh man was the food ever so tasty!! In fact, many of the meals I made during the challenge will absolutely stay in regular rotation!

When I got emotional or stressed, I couldn’t turn to food: I had no idea that I was a stress eater or emotional eater. Seriously! It became evident to me that I was during this process. And being a single mom of a teenager, having recently (October 11, 2014) lost my father whom I dearly loved, and having my mother move in with us – God knows I’ve been experiencing stress!! So what did I do? I just took better care of myself. Getting new lovely scented shower gels. Buying a perfume scent that I used to wear in my early twenties that I really liked and wearing it to bed, just for me. Watching my Big Bang Theory DVDs. Hiding out in my room once in a while. Reading.

The easiest

Eating the delicious food that I was making!: Eating so much restaurant food had left me unimpressed with food. I kept wanting tasty things. But you know what? I’ve come to realize that restaurant food isn’t as tasty as one would expect.

I didn’t have to count calories or limit portions: As long as you eat real food, your body pretty much does that on its own. It’s very difficult to binge on meat and vegetables. Your body is satisfied quicker than it would if you binged on pizza, chips, chocolate, and other “treats”. Go figure!

Resisting cravings: Really! I had them. Sometimes, they were quite intense. However, I was SO much stronger than them. I don’t know why. I suppose I was ready. And I think that reading It Starts With Food before undertaking the Whole30 probably helped. Knowing why and how we react to food the way we do makes it easier to control cravings – in my opinion.

The results

I don’t think I’ve felt the “magic” as strongly as I had expected. However, here is a list of subtle changes:

·    My joints hurt less.

·    I’ve only taken my heartburn medication 3 times (I think) during the whole month. I used to take it every other day.

·    I’m extremely proud of myself to have made it through this challenge! It’s about time I start treating myself with love!

·    My face looks different. I can’t quite explain how. It’s subtle. But I see it. Less bloated maybe?

·    My daughter and my mom both got colds, but I didn’t, even though we all live in the same house.

·    I don’t get the same afternoon “want to nap” feeling as strongly as I did.

·    I don’t feel the need to eat between meals.

·    When I’m hungry, it’s not the hurting kind of hungry. It’s just a matter of fact “hey it’s been more than 3 or 4 hours since I last ate, I should probably eat something” kind of hungry.

·    I don’t use food for comfort, reward, or stress management.

·    I understand the difference between hunger and cravings.

·    I’ve inspired a few people around me to incorporate some of my healthier meals into their meal rotation.

·    I haven’t eaten restaurant food in 30 days.

·    I have a bigger good food recipe repertoire.

  

Weight loss:                   11.8 lbs

Centimetres lost:            Arm – 2 cm

                                       Chest – 6 cm
                                       Waist – 2.5 cm
                                       Hips – 2.5 cm
                                       Thigh – 2.5 cm

What’s next?

Reintroduction, that’s what.

So for the next two weeks, I will reintroduce food categories I’ve eliminated one at a time to see how my body reacts to them.

First, grains (wheat, rye, or barley). Then dairy. Then other grains (like rice and corn). Then legumes (although I’m not a super huge fan, so I don’t mind not bringing them back into my diet – they weren’t there much anyway).

But no matter what, I will most likely eat a Paleo diet most of the time.

I want to keep the good habits I’ve developed during this challenge. I want to keep making my meals from scratch. The difference, if I’m invited to the restaurant or to eat at friends or family’s homes, I won’t worry about what will be served. In restaurants, I can make the healthiest choice possible within the limits of the menu (with possible modifications if needed – yes, I will be THAT woman).

 
So there you have it. This was my first Whole30 journey. I expect to do it again, maybe yearly, or every 6 months. We shall see.

 

 

Day 30

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 3 sausages, a mango, and a black coffee

Lunch: 3 turkey patties with ranch dressing, steamed carrots and broccoli, and a clementine

Supper: chicken wings and crudités, and mixed berries

Day 29 – More protein!

OK, so yesterday I was VERY hungry. It felt like I could not get enough food into me. I was ravenous at every meal and got hungry before it was time to eat again. Possible reason? I think it may be the baked potatoes. I think I may be having them too often. I actually had two of them yesterday. One at breakfast, and one after my supper. So, today I’m avoiding them. It might also be not enough protein.

Breakfast: 3 hard-boiled eggs, a banana, pistachios, and a black coffee. (I really like this breakfast at work combination)

Lunch: chicken and kale soup, shrimp, green beans, a cucumber, and a pear.

Supper: turkey patties with homemade ranch dressing, steamed carrots and broccoli, olives, and mixed berries

The steamed carrots tasted soooo sweet! I don’t remember carrots being so sweet! It was almost sickening. I ate them because I made them. But I’d rather eat them raw. I was wondering if my palate changed at all during the Whole 30. Diets usually made me “suffer”. But the food has been so good, it hasn’t been a pain to be Whole 30.

Day 28

I think that I’ve figured out how to deal with my constipation issues – eating mixed berries at every supper. Since I’ve started, things have been better in that area.

Breakfast: baked potato, 2 hard-boiled eggs, banana, pistachios, and a black coffee

Lunch: spaghetti sauce, olives, a pickle, and a clementine

Supper: leftover pork Italian sausages with onions, yellow bell peppers, button mushrooms over zoodles, and mixed berries. And a baked potato.

I don’t know why, I was extra hungry today.

Day 27

Breakfast: leftover brochette, hard-boiled egg, banana, pistachios, and a black coffee

Lunch: leftover pork Italian sausage with onions, yellow bell peppers, button mushrooms over zoodles, and a clementine

Supper: bacon and eggs, fried baked potato with green onions, mixed berries

Day 26 - Inspiring others?

Well, it looks like the people around me are starting to get curious about what I'm doing. Maybe it's because I keep raving about how delicious the food I've been eating is. I've started a Whole 30 food photo album on Facebook. And I'm just so happy to talk about it when asked.

I'm finally to the point where some of the meals I've been making will certainly be part of my regular meal rotation. My go to "comfort" foods. So very different than what I used to eat.

I haven't had restaurant food in 26 days, unless you count hard boiled eggs, bananas and black coffee as restaurant food. I certainly don't.

Breakfast: chicken wings and a black coffee. I probably should have more, but I wasn't all that hungry today.

Lunch: leftover turkey patties and homemade ranch dressing (Yum!!), green beans, and a cucumber

Supper: pork Italian sausage, onions, yellow bell peppers, button mushrooms over zoodles, mixed berries for desert

The hardest thing to date, making food for every meal. I went from hardly ever cooking to pretty much cooking for every meal. It's tiring. The easiest thing, eating what I'm allowed to eat. Simple foods are so tasty! I haven't felt this excited about food in years!

Day 25 - Food!!

I made a super tasty breakfast! I wasn't expecting it to be soooo good! It was so simple! I'm so excited by food at the moment! Today, I'm not missing the food I can't have on the Whole 30. I'm too busy enjoying the food I CAN have!

I seem to be experiencing a bit of constipation... I know, gross. But if this is a side effect of doing the Whole 30, I should be writing about it. I've been feeling off in this department for the past few days. I was fine at the beginning...

Breakfast: hash of leftover beef patty and baked potato fried in ghee with green onions topped with a sunny side up egg. Yummy!!!

Lunch: a Larabar (I wasn't that hungry because I had a late breakfast)

Supper: chicken brochette, baked potato, pickles, baked apple with almond butter and coconut oil.

Day 24 - I can't wait to have the leftovers!

Oh man my supper was tasty!! I can't wait to have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow!!

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, bacon, cherries, and a black coffee

Lunch: leftover chicken wings, cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes.

Supper: ground turkey patties with homemade ranch dressing, baked potato, and olives.

Day 23 - Chick N wings!

I treated myself to some chicken wings tonight. Man were they ever tasty!! I boiled them to make sure they were well cooked. Then I covered them in avocado oil, salt and pepper, and baked them in the oven.

Only 7 days left! Today I was planning the day 31 binge. Terrible! I shouldn't be thinking that way. I need to re-read the reintroduction part.

This morning I met with a colleague of mine who was considering doing a whole 30, but felt a little overwhelmed by it. I think I was able to appease some of her concerns. My advice to her: read the book, keep meals simple, and do your best for the organic grass fed mystical food. :) In our area, it's difficult to find that mystical food. And when you do, it's often double or triple the price of the conventional stuff. But conventional stuff is still healthier than most take outs. :)

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, a banana, pistachios, and a black coffee.

Lunch: leftover deconstructed cabbage roll

Supper: chicken wings, roasted potato medallions, and cherries.

Day 21 and 22 – Losing momentum… mentally

OK, so it appears as though I’m losing momentum with the blogging. I’m tired! But not a physical tired. Mentally tired. So many things going on around me that are affecting me. But they're all things beyond my control. I just have to learn to let go of feeling responsible for other people’s lives.

I’m also starting to feel tired over preparing all of my meals from scratch. I was so far from that before Whole 30. I’ve been making pretty much ALL of my meals (except for 4) myself. That’s 62 meals! I used to order out about 5 evenings a week and would buy my breakfast and lunches at work. Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of myself over it. But I’m also getting tired. Basically, I went from being fed to feeding myself.

At lunch today, we were discussing relationships and all. I’m the only one from my work buddies who is still single. Well, to my surprise, they were saying that I’m somewhat intimidating. That men probably wouldn’t approach me because I’m too pretty and they probably think I must already be taken or that I would reject them. And that if they dare approach me and get to know me, they realize that I’m “too good” for them. That they’d never be the man I deserve. (This was coming from three friends: two female and one male.) If this is true, that is so odd to me! Here I am, somewhat struggling with self-esteem issues, but I’m projecting strength, confidence, and beauty? Go figure!

So I went on the date tonight. It was lovely! We met up at 8. The first time we looked at the clock, it was 9:46. The conversation was easy. I love that! I wanted to cancel the date tonight. But boy am I ever happy I went! I don't know if I'll see him again. But regardless, it was a lovely evening!

Day 21

Breakfast: hash of leftover steak and roasted vegetables topped with an egg over easy.

Lunch: pork Italian sausage over zoodles, and olives

Supper: 2 scrambled eggs and bacon, and a pomelo


Day 22

Breakfast: 2 hard-boiled eggs, a banana, a handful of pistachios, and a black coffee

Lunch: leftover pork Italian sausage, bacon, cucumbers, and an apple.

Supper: deconstructed cabbage roll, and prunes

Day 19 and 20

Day 19 – Mrs. Moody
Man am I ever moody today! I was moody yesterday also. I don’t think it’s food related though. I think it’s just life. A general fatigue. I’m struggling with giving up everything and going back to my “comfort foods”. I guess this is the psychological part of the challenge. When I’m feeling stressed and upset the way I am now, I turn to junk food. Now I can’t. I have to face the feelings. Ugh!!

I’m feeling emotionally drained.

Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with green onions, “baked” apple with almond butter, a black coffee.

Lunch: Spaghetti sauce, a pear, and a handful of roasted pistachios

Supper: roasted chicken, potatoes, and sauerkraut.


Day 20 – Really?! Two thirds done!

I can’t believe I’ve stuck to the Whole 30 for this long. Looks like I’ll be able to succeed… There’s no way I’m giving up now after having come this far!

I’m feeling a little better today, not as emotional. I’m letting go of the things that got me so emotional in the first place. At least, for now.

My mom took care of supper last night, which was nice. So as it was cooking, I went to take a long shower. Afterwards, I got into my pjs and put on some White Musk Body Shop perfume oil. I used to wear it in my late teens/early twenties. The old familiar smell made me feel good. I might just do the same tonight. The comfort of familiarity. I think I need to get more of that. My life has changed soooo much over the years, and especially in the past two years!

So far, the biggest effect the Whole 30 is having on me is psychological. And I’m very happy about that! I used to turn to food for comfort. And it is so evident to me now going through this. But now that I can’t, I have to find other ways to cope. So smells and other things it is! ;)

I have a date Thursday evening with a new guy. I’m not expecting anything at all to come from it. I’m only hoping for a nice evening of chitchatting. It should help me get over the whole Mr. D thing. I’m starting to let that go also. Mr. D was a guy I dated for a month around the holidays. I really liked this guy. And he seemed to really like me. But it looks like he may have been less than honest. So unfortunately, I have to let go of the guy I thought he was. 

I was going to take January off from dating and just focus on getting through the Whole 30. I definitely needed to do that at the beginning. But I’m starting to feel more comfortable with the process, so I’ve opened myself up again to dating.

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, a banana, a handful of pistachios, and a black coffee.

Lunch: Chicken and kale soup, roast chicken, and a mango.

Supper: Sirloin steak, roasted vegetables, olives, and strawberries

Days 17 and 18 - Meat and Kambucha

I was too tired yesterday to write my blog post. But it was an uneventful day.

Day 17

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, fried baked potato, and gross bacon (it was expired yuk!)

Lunch: leftover chicken wings, pomelo, green beans

Supper: chocolate cashew Larabar, man.. I don't remember the rest....

Day 18

Today I went to Whole Foods and bought meat and kambucha. I got the grape flavoured kambucha. Very tasty!

Breakfast: 3 egg omelet with green onions and mushrooms, 2 plums, black coffee

Lunch: leftover pot roast, potatoes and carrots, a dill pickle, grape Kambucha

Supper: a couple of hamburger patties, fried onions, pickles, cucumbers, Kambucha, and a banana before all of that on the drive home (we were late getting home)

I don't know what it is, but I'm so tired!! My mom thought I had a fever because my face is red and my eyes look like I'm sick. Ugh! Hoping to get a good night's sleep!!

Day 16 - Something's going on...

There’s a stirring inside of me. I’m starting to feel the urge to exercise. Not to the point where I’ll be doing it today or tomorrow… but it’s starting. As if my body is asking to see what it would feel like to move more. Could it be a Whole 30 side effect? Tiger blood? So far, I haven’t done any exercise. (My journey has been all about the food.) Unless you count getting up off of my butt to make my meals and using a super heavy cast iron skillet exercise… So that has to be a good thing. Right?

So, I’m thinking kettle bells for the “lift heavy things” part of my future exercise routine. Those exercises look like fun. Swinging a kettle bell! Woohoo! And of course, walking. But man is it hard to motivate myself to go out into the dead of a cold winter! And I don’t like gyms. Seems weird to me to be walking or biking in place. So either I toughen myself up to the cold, or I sign up to a gym… Or, I guess I could just dance in my living room… Yeah, maybe that’s what I’ll do when it’s too cold to go outside. :)

Breakfast: 2 eggs microwaved with onion, celery, and green peppers, “baked” apple with almond butter, and a black coffee.

Lunch: leftover pot roast, fresh green beans.

Supper: chicken wings, baked potato medallion fries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles. Later on, a plumb

Day 15 - Half way there!

I can’t believe it! I’ve been on the Whole30 for a full 15 days! I’ve eaten and drank only what’s allowed every single day! Tired or not. Bored or not. Tempted or not. Where is this strength coming from?!? I had no idea I could be this determined. I mean, I know I’m strong. I prove it to myself all the time going through life, taking care of things, and being fairly successful. But I don’t think I’ve ever been so good at taking care of myself. It’s about freakin’ time!

The thing is, I’ve been single for years! (Seems like forever sometimes.) The only serious relationship I had that lasted more than a few months was with my daughter’s father. We were friends for about 2 years, then we were a couple for about 6 or 7 years. I ended that relationship about 13 years ago, and nothing more than a few months with any guy since then. Since I was a little girl, I’ve been waiting to find “my true love”. And I guess in a way, I’ve felt all my life that once I’d find him, THEN life will be worth it and I could start taking care of myself for him, and taking care of him. I know: pathetic.

I have no idea why I started feeling that way. But I truly remember being little, maybe 8 or 9 years old, laying in my twin bed daydreaming about the day I would finally be loved. (And it’s not because my parents didn’t love me. I know they did. Very much so.)

So I guess now something has switched inside me where I finally stop waiting for him and start taking care of me. Build it and they will come? lol Anyway, regardless of what happens on the romantic front, I know that I really need to take care of myself in every way. Like I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I’m 40 years old now. Built up “abuse” that I’ve put my body through all of these years with the terrible non-food I was ingesting was bound to start manifesting itself soon in ways other than being over weight if I didn’t make these changes. I don’t want a long UNHEALTHY life full of pain and regret.

I don’t know if it’s psychological or real, but it seems that my face has changed a bit. I’m noticing my cheekbones. Seems like I haven’t seen them in a while. I look at myself in the mirror. It looks like a different version of me. I don’t think anyone else notices though. But in my eyes, I look different.

I forgot to mention; since the beginning of this Whole 30, I’ve been drinking my coffee black. It was hard the first few coffees. I didn’t like it much. But being free from headaches made the bad taste worth it. Now, after 13 days of black coffee, I’m pretty much used to it. I was actually considering this morning that I will drink it like this from now on. Not because I truly enjoy the taste, but because it’s healthier for me to drink it black. No more milk and sugar.

Breakfast: “baked” apple with almond butter, and a black coffee.

Lunch: Leftover pork chop, baked potato, and broccoli.

Supper: Tilapia, zoodles, half a pomelo.

Day 14 - Rough start

So my day started off rough. I rushed to get my breakfast and lunch ready before work. But it was ok.

Breakfast: 3 scrambled eggs with mushrooms and green onions

Lunch: spaghetti sauce, a cucumber, and a banana

Supper: pork chop, baked potato, broccoli

It will be a short post tonight. Tired.

Day 13 - Meh

My day went well, but my evening was kind of blah. I felt a bit of food fatigue tonight. Instead of making a proper supper, I nibbled on random things.

Breakfast: Leftover pot roast with potatoes and carrots

Lunch: leftover Italian sausage, a tomato, and green beans

Snack: banana and almonds

Supper: a few slices of procuitto, a "baked" apple, a cashew Larabar

I'm just tired.

Day 12 - Still going strong

So today was a good day. I felt a bit of hunger today, but nothing I couldn't endure. It was weird though because I felt full after eating, but felt pretty hungry before meals. Oh well, one of those days...

Ed came back from parental leave today. So I got my Christy back, Ed is back, and Paul, well... he's always around. :) I love my work peeps! They make being at work that much better! The best part, we're all trying to take better care of ourselves through food. So it was a lovely lunch table today. We all had different versions of what we consider healthy. Good food and laughs; what more can a girl ask for!

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, sausage, and green beans

Lunch: leftover pork chop, a small baked potato with ghee, green beans, and a banana

Supper: pot roast with carrots and potatoes, and a "baked" apple. 

"Baked" apple
Melt a teaspoon of coconut oil in a glass microwave safe container.
Peel (optional) and dice an apple.
Add cinnamon to taste, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Mix.
Cook covered in the microwave for 2 minutes and 15 seconds.


So I'm pretty happy with myself that I stuck to two fruit servings today. During this part (day 11 to 20), I want to reduce my fruit intake and increase my vegetable intake. In the last part, I want to drop to one serving of fruit a day. That is supposed to help me with my weight loss.

Tonight, I'll attempt to make almond milk. The almonds have been soaking. Hopefully, it will be a success and will make my coffee that much better tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Day 11 - A Struggle!

Oh man it was tough today! Sooo many cravings! Chips, cola, candy, chocolate, pizza, Chinese food. I wanted it all! BUT!! I didn't give in. I know I've said it before, but I really have no idea where this determination is coming from. I also dreamed of frozen French fries. I don't even like them. But I wanted them in my dream!

I tried Kambucha for the first time today. Citrus flavour. It was ok. Tasted a bit like alcohol.

Tonight I was late in having supper. But man was it ever tasty and made me happy I resisted to temptation! I made pork Italian sausage over a bed of zoodles. Simple but freakin' good! I found a new spice mix at Whole Foods that is Whole 30 compliant. It tasted like Italian sausage in a typical pesto (with parmesan cheese) over regular noodles. I was very grumpy until I ate that supper.

Breakfast: mushroom and green onion omelette, and sausages.

Lunch: hamburger patty, sausage, and a pomelo. (I really should have had vegetables)

Supper: pork Italian sausage over a bed of zoodles. Bowl of mixed berries.

Today I had a bit of heartburn. I had to take my medication. It was the first time taking it in 11 days. Not bad. I wonder if the Kambucha is to blame.

Anyway, I'm tired. I won't get to bed too late.

Day 10 - Dreaming of icing

Last night I had a dream that I mindlessly put my finger in cupcake icing and had to start my Whole 30 from the beginning! Boy was I glad it was just a dream!!

It's late. I'm tired. I'm sad. I shouldn't stay up so late watching movies. I always get like this when I do. Well, especially watching them alone.

Anyway, enough with the self pity.

It was a bit tougher today. I really was very aware of all of the food I couldn't have. And I was craving ordinary things. Like toast. Sandwiches. Soft drinks. Chips. BUT, I resisted! I can't believe I'm doing so well with the dedication. Maybe the book It Starts With Food secretly hypnotizes people into complying?... lol

Breakfast: bacon and eggs, and a banana

Lunch: disappointing soup, mediocre thawed berries

Supper: a couple of hamburger patties, cucumber, tomato, pickle, and a couple slices of cantaloupe

I cleaned my room. Organized all of my clothes and all of my dresser drawers. It will feel awesome getting ready in the morning! I didn't get a chance to get to my computer area. That will be the plan for tomorrow.

Good night!

Day 9 – Mrs. Poutykins

So I’m moody today. Not quite sure what to blame: Whole 30 or PMS… Or a number of any other things that bother me in my life (relationship status, living situation, mourning my dad’s passing, boredom, messy room, messy computer area, too much clutter in the house).

Huh… now that I wrote all of those possible reasons down, I know that there are a couple of things that I can take care of right away…

OK! Here’s the plan for this weekend (mood changing from moody to inspired!): I will start with cleaning up my room tonight. Yes! This wild and crazy lady will stay in on a Friday night to clean her room, even though my daughter will be going to her dad’s! Party animal I tell ya! I will take care of all the loose ends I didn’t take care of since I switched in October from my big room (which I gave to my mother for a few months since she moved in with me after my dad’s passing) to my tiny room.

1. Reorganize my dresser drawers.
2. Reorganize my closet.
3. Create a weekly wardrobe and only leave those clothes up in my tiny closet. (Tanks for the inspiration, Christy!)
4. Whatever doesn’t belong in my room, I will take out of my room. (It’s so small, I can’t afford the real estate!)
5. Change the sheets.
6. Dust and vacuum. 

Saturday, I will work on my computer area. Yes! I’ll go into more detail about that tomorrow.

Neat and tidy environment = clear mind!

The food

So again, a few cravings, but nothing that I couldn’t overcome.

Breakfast: 3 egg, mushroom, and green onion omelet, and a small coffee.

Lunch: leftover pork chop and apple sauce, green beans, olives, and a banana.

Supper: chicken fajitas served in romaine lettuce leaves, with salsa and avocado.

Day 8 - Kill all things?

I started out my day rushed and stuck in traffic. Even though I was late to work, I was very perky this morning. I was in a great mood! However later this evening, I started feeling sorry for myself and started feeling a little sad. I wouldn't say that it's a "kill all things", because normally I'm not that aggressive. I usually take these moods out on myself.

Now it could be that I am just moody. Afterall, my period is only four days away. So I may just be PMS-ing. Tonight I was craving pizza. The stress and cold made me crave the fatty cheesy goodness that is pizza. But of course, I did not give in. Seriously! I'm feeling more determined this time than ever.

Breakfast: scrambled egg and green onions, sausages, and cherries.

Lunch: spaghetti sauce, a tomato, a couple of dill pickles.

Snack: banana, apple, and a handful of almonds.

Supper: pork chop, salsa, avocado chunks, green beans, cauliflower rice, olives, cherries.

I was disappointed with the cauliflower rice. I'd rather have regularly prepared cauliflower (steamed or boiled). Oh well, now I know...

Day 7 - cravings

So on day 7 I had a few cravings. Chinese food, cola, candy, bread. But I resisted them all. Like I said, I'm feeling stronger than my cravings. AND that's even in my PMS week! Go me!!

Breakfast: coffee, leftover veal scallops, baked potato, and broccoli, grapes.

Lunch: leftover shrimp and zoodles, cucumber, and an apple.

Snack: banana

Supper: spaghetti sauce over zoodles, cherries, a couple of slices of prosciutto, olives.

Day 6 - Prouder by the minute!

Ok, I am actually becoming prouder of myself by the minute! Day 6 and I'm still holding up!!! In the past, I would have quit by now. I don't know what has come over me, but I like it!!

I had a stressful day with car issues right around lunch time. I was driving home because I had forgotten my lunch and I had forgotten to turn off my hair-straightening iron. So I was hungry. When I was done at the garage, my buddy that I was driving home suggested that we go to lunch together. I politely declined. I knew I had a perfectly good lunch waiting for me at home. So once I got home, starved, I devoured my lunch.

I'm still getting cravings. Nothing I can't beat though! GO ME! :D

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and green onions, a dill pickle, and a pear.

Lunch: last night's leftovers supper, olives, and a banana.

Supper: shrimp on zoodles. For desert, the apple treat I've been making, but this time I added a pear.

Ok, tired. Good night!

Day 5 - Another good day!

My friend Christy was back at work today!! I was so happy! She was off on maternity leave for a year. Man I missed having her at work! So just that made my day!

Food wise? Everything was good.

Breakfast: fried up some green onions to which I added 3 scrambled eggs. Also had a tomato and grapes.

Lunch: spaghetti sauce, a couple of dill pickles, and a banana.

Snack: a handful of almonds.

Supper: veal scallops, a small baked potato, broccoli, and a couple diced apples in melted coconut oil, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg. Cooked in the microwave. So delicious!!

I'm doing well. Don't get me wrong, I've been having cravings, but I'm feeling much stronger than they are!

Hopefully, I'll be able to stay as strong until the end!

Day 4 - calm and content

Well, this was a good day on all fronts. Feeling better emotionally. Almost over what was bothering me.

Breakfast: oh man it was good! I fried up last night's leftover steak and potatoes, scrambled egg on top, a couple of dill pickles, and fresh cherries.

Snack after shoveling ice and snow from my driveway: banana and a handful of almonds.

Lunch: spaghetti sauce, olives, strawberries.

Snack: Apple

Supper: leftover chicken, carrots with the It Starts With Food ranch dressing, olives, apples.

I had many fruit today and not enough veggies. I must do better tomorrow.

Good night!

Day 3 - A bit better

So today was a bit better day. Still feeling a little emotional, but it has nothing to do with food.

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, pork sausages, tomatoes, and a banana

Lunch: chicken and kale soup.

Snack: cherries

Supper: rib eye steak, potato, green beans, dill pickles, and strawberries.

Oh man it was so good to have a tasty supper! I was getting very discouraged over my meals. I was dreading them, and I have just started this journey.

I didn't have a headache today. Probably because I had a coffee this morning. I had it with coconut milk. I prefer almond milk, even though I don't really like almond milk in my coffee. But it's better than nothing and I'm sure I'll get used to it. I'm having only one coffee a day. I used to have two. And I also used to drink cola. So I'm definitely doing better.

As I'm looking over my meals, I'm noticing that I'm not having enough good fats. I must work on that!

Well, good night!

Day 2 – Unprepared and disappointed

Today I felt unprepared and I was disappointed with food, and other personal stuff. But here, I concentrate more on the food.

I had a decent breakfast. Pretty much the same as yesterday, but without the potatoes, and I had a couple of clementines instead of the strawberries.

For lunch today, I had brought last night’s left overs. I didn’t eat it. I was actually dreading it. I kept fantasizing about steak instead of the Asian beef and broccoli I had brought. So what did I do? I didn’t eat it. I tried to go out and see if there was anything Whole 30 compliant at the little food place in the building… well… considering it wasn’t a very busy day (most people took the day off), they didn’t have their usual fare out. So I grabbed a little bag of cashews and an apple, and I ate the olives I brought in my lunch.

Yeah, I think I’m going to get back to basics that I know I like, at least for a little while. And maybe experiment over weekends with new recipes. The rest of the time, I will stick with what I know.

During this little food hunt, I came to the realization that it will be very difficult to succeed on this program unless I prepare… Duh!

This weekend, I’ll make a big batch of spaghetti sauce. I know I like that. Eating it as is or over zoodles will be a sure hit with me. Besides that, I’ll stick to regular uncomplicated food like chicken, steak, pork chops. You know, grill and serve type stuff.

I finally took my measurements, weight and photos last night. I’ve decided not to share them right now. I’m not ready for people to know my stats. I’ll obviously report on any difference at the end of the program, but until then, my stats will remain my secret. Let’s just say that I have much weight and inches to get rid of!

I had a terrible headache this morning that actually started yesterday afternoon. I think part of it had to do with caffeine withdrawal. But a kind co-worker let me use some of her nut milk, so I went to get a coffee (which I normally take with milk and 3 sugar packets.. I know… ) and just had it with the nut milk. Well, it wasn’t as enjoyable as with sugar, but I felt like it still hit the spot. Hopefully, I’ll be getting over the sugar dragon soon.

You know, I’m used to giving in to my whims and desires. Being disciplined is difficult for me. Big time! But I feel like I really MUST see this through! I need to prove to myself that I’m a capable adult who loves and cares about herself enough to be uncomfortable for a while. Even if there’s a “trantrum-ing” toddler inside yelling and throwing a fit on the ground to have the food it can’t have, even if it doesn’t really want it. You can’t tell me what to do! Oh yes I can, me! I am the boss of you, me! And I’m doing this for your own good, me! (sorry you had to witness that. I can be so misbehaved sometimes! Hehe)

Tonight I wasn't going risk it. Skillet chicken thighs and roasted vegetables. Well, I was disappointed. The chicken thighs were very fatty. Unpleasant. Ugh!

I almost bought candy. Almost bough pop. More of a mindless type of attraction to the food though. I'm unhappy and stressed. So maybe that's it.

Anyway, although I already want to give up, I really have to see this through. If for nothing else than to show myself some love!

Well, that’s it for this post. Hopefully I’ll have a calmer tastier tomorrow.

Day 1

Ok, so day 1 was hard. Why? Well, considering that I didn't have a coffee today (no caffeine) I have a headache.

We went to visit one of my aunts. She made margaritas. I didn't have one. She makes awesome margaritas!

After supper, my daughter took out chocolate. I went upstairs to take a bath. 

So I did well. I know I did. But the day wasn't as sunshine and rainbows as I thought it would be. I'm sticking with it though. I told way too many people about it. Ha! 

Breakfast: scrambled eggs, potatoes with onions and red bell peppers, double smoked bacon from a local butcher, strawberries, and herbal tea. 

Lunch: homemade chicken and kale soup, olives, and a small banana. 

Supper: Asian beef and broccoli from It Starts With Food. 

I probably could have had a better day with my meals if I had eaten a bit more fat. I'll try to do better tomorrow. 

Today's cravings included soda, candy, and booze.  

I am supposed to take down my stats today. I'm actually writing this post on my iPhone from my tub. I'll try to be disciplined and take photos, measurements, and weigh myself after. But right now I'm soaking in my grumpiness. >:(