Saturday, August 16, 2014

Well - Whole30. I didn't finish it.

One of the hardest things about the Whole30 program is it is either all or nothing.  I felt, for sure, that this is what I needed to get me back on track after the summer splurges.  HOWEVER, after 10 days I realized it was not.  With the fear of failure, I set out to do this.  And I failed this Whole30.

I made it to day 10.  Days 2-4 were really tough - I was tired, I wasn't hungry, but I had the junk clearing my system and I knew what positives were coming.  Day 7 and 8 I had the energy I wanted back!  The aches and pains were beginning to subside and I didn't want to sleep all the time.  This is what I wanted all along!! I knew I could do it again!

Then came Day 10.  I made a choice to have a bit of wine with my friend and her extended family.  I didn't eat crazy things, I didn't drink a whole bottle.  I had a tasting and a few sips more.   And socialized and it was fabulous.

I don't think I needed a Whole30 to get me where I needed to be.   Instead I needed to commit myself to planning meals, food choices, not eating or drinking out of boredom or habit.  I needed to know that those choices give me the good feeling and energy I needed.  I needed to know that I can do this again without going crazy - that I'm not completely out of control.

So I came home, after being out with friend...and I made a healthy dinner.  And the next day, I got up and made all healthy choices and I've continued that.   It isn't that I won't be compliant or that I am a failure, but instead, I learned what lesson I needed to learn.


I failed at this Whole30, but I'm not a failure.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Zoodles!!

One of the recipes I have read most about in this Paleo world is Zoodles!  "Noodles" made from zucchini!  I always had an excuse (I didn't buy the spiralizer, I didn't have the vegetti, I can't cut them thin enough)

Last week I saw an article about using them with a Julienne Peeler.  BINGO!  My mandolin (a $3.99 mandolin from Aldi) has a julienne attachment.  I cut a medium size zucchini with this attachment and then boiled for just a few minutes in water and lemon juice.

Last night for dinner I had two pieces of cracklin chicken, zoodles with tomato basil sauce and shredded brussels sprouts and cabbage sauteed in coconut oil.  Yum!


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Whole 30 Again!

So this summer, I really indulged in a lot of treats... I enjoyed myself, but between the lack-of-exercise and the treats, my clothes are tight again and I feel not-so-good.  I am missing my endless energy and the feeling that I can accomplish anything!  My joints are aching again (pretty sure that is from my occasional glutening and the loads of sugar I've had) and this is not where I want to be.  I'm sleepy early in the evening and struggling to get out of bed each morning.  This is how I used to feel all the time, but it's not ok with me.  Now that I know HOW good I can feel, I want to feel that way again!


So I am in for another Whole30!   Whole 30 is simple - eat real food (meat, veggies, fruit, nuts and other healthy fats), prepare it yourself as much as possible and avoid a few non-negotiables (gluten, legumes, sweeteners of all kinds, alcohol and dairy).  Move daily and stay off the scale.  Eat 3 full meals and don't snack!

I have a few goals I am setting for myself and I am adding them here as an extra bit of accountability!

  • Eat breakfast every day.  This means planning ahead and getting out of bed.  I hope this helps me get back on track in two ways...out of bed on time AND starting the day with a healthy breakfast which will lead to less snacking/poor choices later in the day.
  • No drinking - even though this is one of the rules, I want to state this as my own personal goal.  We have been visiting lots of wineries and enjoying a lot of local Virginia wine, but that comes with a lot of empty calories AND leads me to snacking on things I know I shouldn't eat.  :)   So here it is.  No drinking.
  • Plan meals and shop with a purpose - throwing all the things in my cart is when I throw in the junk.  :) Adding a meal plan will help me make better choices too.  This also means cooking in bulk/larger portions and having leftovers on other days.   Today I am making NomNom Paleo's Cracklin Chicken to have some ready-to-go protein for a few meals this week.  Also, it will be delicious during football tonight for dinner instead of going out for wings! 

So there it is - stay tuned for lots of food photos as I move through the next 30 days!