I’m proud to announce I made it through my first Whole30 challenge! Below I will outline the last nine days, my assessment of the challenge, and where I’m going next.
Day 22: Wednesday, April 8, 2020
I’ve been keeping a journal throughout this experience, and all I wrote for this day was “Still feeling very anxious.” My anxiety was very high for a few days, brought on by my trip to the grocery store, but sustained by my own fretting over trivial things. When I get overwhelmed, I find it’s best to throw myself into activities, which is what I did.
Dinner: Skillet Chicken Piccata from The Defined Dish (cookbook)
Day 23: Thursday, April 9, 2020
The school superintendent declared today “Do It Your Way Day,” so I was free to do things for myself for the day. This was a much-needed break from online teaching and my pent-up anxiety. In a move very much in line with my character, I made a to-do list for the day. It included things like: make garlic confit (pictured below), watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and finish a book.
I’m happy to report I was able to accomplish almost everything on my list for the day. My fun to-do list kept me motivated, as sometimes a day with nothing to do can be overwhelming.
Dinner: Crock Pot Picadillo from Skinnytaste
Day 24: Friday, April 10, 2020
I felt disappointed today because staying home was not how I planned to spend my Easter weekend. I know in the grand scheme of things staying home is not a great sacrifice, but it is particularly sad when you have to spend holidays away from family and friends.
Dinner: Roasted Salmon with Shrimp Remoulade from the Defined Dish
Day 25: Saturday, April 11, 2020
I stayed very busy on Saturday cooking and preparing for our (two person) Easter celebration. The day was also a success because we found toilet paper! We had stocked up just before everyone panicked and went out and bought it all, so I was not very worried about it. As my supply started to dwindle, however, I became more and more nervous. After looking in two stores without success, we finally found it, so I felt more relaxed. I never thought finding toilet paper would be the source of great relief, but that’s where we are right now.
Dinner: Greek Wings and Fries
Side Note: I use Greek dressing from one of my favorite restaurants: Crystal Beer Parlor. I marinate the wings in the dressing for 24 hours and cook them in the air fryer. Unfortunately, you cannot buy the dressing online, but you can buy it at Crystal Beer Parlor in Savannah.
Day 26: Sunday, April 12, 2020
Happy Easter! I happily prepared a Whole30 Easter feast today. My menu included:
- Beef Tenderloin
- Mashed Potatoes from The Defined Dish
- Golden Onion Sauce from No Crumbs Left (cookbook)
- Roasted Asparagus
- Deviled Eggs from The Defined Dish
Of all of the big holidays, Easter is probably the easiest to adapt to Whole30. I felt very satisfied being able to have mashed potatoes (made a bit differently than my Thanksgiving version, but still delicious), and a delicately roasted rare beef tenderloin. Deviled eggs are easy to adapt to Whole30, so I did not have to make many changes to have one of my Easter favorites. Yes, I skipped the coconut cake I made, but I really did not feel like I was missing out. There is always another coconut cake.
Side Note: Golden Onion Sauce is Teri Turner’s Whole30 version of gravy. It is made from caramelized onions, so it’s a little sweet, but a very delicious alternative to traditional gravy.
Day 27: Monday, April 13, 2020
After the holiday weekend, I did not feel like going “back to work.” While working from home was a novelty for a few weeks, I found myself really craving people. It’s really easy to sit in front of the computer all day and work, but it’s also very isolating. I tried, however, to just give myself some grace for the day and not beat myself up for my bad attitude.
Dinner: Easter Leftovers
Day 28: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
While I arrived at the grocery store for my weekly trip filled with anxiety (as usual), the trip was very efficient and I calmed down quickly. Now that I have a routine for the new normal, I am able to make a better grocery list and navigate the store more quickly. The store inventory has also been more consistent, so I’m able to follow my list without making up recipes on the fly while shopping. I used the afternoon to make chicken broth and chicken soup to put in the freezer. I find making soup very calming, so that also helped to quell my anxiety for the day.
Dinner: Easter Leftovers (again!)
Day 29: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
I am almost to the end of my Whole30! One of the things I noticed when looking back at my journal for the last week was that most of my entries focused on my mental state, but not my physical state. While I have been stressed and anxiety-ridden at times throughout the 30 days, my body could not feel better. I have energy and the best way to describe my physical state is buoyant. Thinking back on hangovers (both from food and alcohol) from before Whole30 makes me realize just how bad I felt, even if I wasn’t cognizant of it at the time. The energy boost that comes with Whole30 is certainly welcome, as it keeps me going even when my mind might want me to curl up in a ball and do nothing.
Dinner: Taco Spaghetti Squash Boats from The Defined Dish
Day 30: Thursday, April 16, 2020
Woo hoo! I made it to day 30, and I’m very proud of myself. I’m proud because I proved to myself that I can make it through stressful days, happy days, and just regular days without drinking, without treating myself to sugary foods, or without stuffing myself with pizza, pasta, or bread. Because I’ve gotten into such a groove with the program, I don’t feel relief that it’s over, but actually a bit sad. I feel so good and I do not want to let that feeling go.
Dinner: Chicken Shawarma from Chew Out Loud
Why I’m Now “All About” Whole30
If I’m being honest, I really only started the Whole30 to lose weight. I was not happy with the way I looked, and I’ve been on enough diets to know Whole30 would help me lose the weight that I wanted. While I don’t own a scale, I can tell from how my clothes now fit that I successfully accomplished my initial goal. I’m happy about that, but I’ve learned that Whole30 is about so much more than losing weight.
Non-Scale Victories
I know I’m starting to sound like an infomercial for Whole30, but the program really is just as powerful as Melissa Urban and the scores of Whole30 enthusiasts proclaim it to be. In Whole30 speak, the benefits outside of losing weight are called “non-scale victories.” My non-scale victories include:
- Improved mood
- Eagerness to get out of bed in the morning
- More energy
- Improved ability calm/soothe myself without food or alcohol
- Decreased hunger
- More thoughtful/aware when I want to eat/when I do eat
- Improved self-confidence
As I noted previously, I really did not understand how bad I felt until I did not feel that way anymore. For the past few months, I’ve been struggling through my workweek, and rewarding myself with drinks almost every night just for making it through the day. On the weekends, I would retreat whenever possible, indulging myself in foods that made me temporarily feel better. In retrospect, this behavior only worsened my mood and decreased my energy levels. Since beginning Whole30, I’ve been waking up easily before my alarm and I have happily engaged in projects around the house I know I would have dreaded previously. I’m also not wallowing in depression and sadness. I really cannot say enough positive things about how Whole30 has improved my mood. Yes, I’ve been anxious and upset at times (mostly because of things related to the Coronavirus), but I’ve been able to cope with these feelings in new ways (e.g. without food or alcohol).
It’s Not a Diet
Now that I’m nearing the re-introduction phase of Whole30, I am scared that I’m going to derail all of the work I’ve done by binging on non-compliant foods. While I don’t feel drawn to any particular foods or drinks at this time, I know situations will arise and I need to be prepared.
I sought support and answers in Melissa Urban’s book Food Freedom Forever. While I didn’t initially plan on buying any additional Whole30 reading material (the website is actually very comprehensive), I think understanding the right way to move away from Whole30 eating all the time is very important for me. One of the things Melissa addresses in the book is how Whole30, unlike traditional diets, is meant to break you from the diet-lose weight-binge-gain weight-diet again cycle. As someone who knows that cycle well, I’m feeling much more confident about life after Whole 30 since beginning the book.
To me, the first 30 days is actually the easiest part of the program. I love rules and guidelines and found them very comforting and easy to follow. I wasn’t hungry, I really didn’t crave non-compliant foods (other than wine), and I felt happy and confident throughout. Following the Whole30 to the “food freedom” stage, however, is something I know will be a challenge. Being able to eat what I want, when I want it, and not feel guilty? I don’t know that life, but I’d like to.
In the next few weeks I’m going to go through re-introduction and continue to wrap my mind around food freedom. Developing a whole new relationship with food will not happen easily, but I’m anxious to give it a try.
Should You Do Whole30?
Yes! You should first read up on the program, consult your doctor, and see if it’s right for you based on your personal health history, but, after that, you definitely should. First of all, it’s only 30 days. You really can do anything for 30 days- even not drink wine. Secondly, it’s a chance to feel better. Even if you feel good now. Even if you are thin. Even if you already eat a healthy diet. Even if you think it sounds like a fad and you hate fads. Just try it. I feel confident you will be surprised with the results.
I will be back in a few weeks with an update on re-introduction and the journey toward food freedom.
Cindy says
I’m so glad you feel successful with the program. Times are very stressful. I’m happy you could find something to help you feel better and losing weight is always fun.