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.

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!

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!