Whole 30 Program

Background:

I have been a little stagnant in my weight-loss after my most recent child (for a bazillion and half reasons - namely hitting the exercise too hard too early and then getting knocked out sick for a large chunk and spending FOREVER recovering and such - oh and learning a whole new lifestyle that is improving my body function, but I digress).  As I have begun upping my activity again I realized I probably needed to "tweak" my food plan.  The catch is that I have never really tried to do such a thing.  In college I would just have to work-out regularly to lose weight - I could eat whatever I wanted.  After my first few kiddos I had to work-out regularly and cut out sweets.  Now. . .well now as I'm dealing with more kiddos and getting older, it is time to get serious.  So I decided to try this meal plan for the following reasons:

1) I like meat, fruits, and vegetables, and that is what you eat.

2) There are no caloric restrictions.  (Which is great because I HATE trying to count calories.  I hate how it is so vague, especially if you make your meals from scratch - which I do, and especially if you have trouble determining if you ate a portion or 1.5 portions or just the whole pan!!)

3) Reading this book with all the "sciency-stuff" makes it sound kinda believable so far (but I am generally a sucker and I will be the first to admit it).

Side Note: I really DO TRY to feed my kids and myself and hubby REAL food - not necessarily organic (although some things I definitely do buy organic) but just real food that I cooked, not something I bought all processed and warmed up in some fashion.  Now, don't think I am amazing, we sometimes have crackers and frozen pizza, but I really do TRY to make real meals.  The catch is that thus far I have been swayed in food choice mostly by cost and general reception (which is often not good by silly kids - you know how kids can love a meal one time and hate it the next).

In any case, cost is still influencing me some so at this time it is only myself on the "plan" and I am cooking "regular meals" for everyone else.  This way they cannot complain (anymore than they normally do) and I do not have to take out a small loan in order to bring enough fruits, vegetables, and meat into the house.  (the three things that cost the most on my shopping list!!)  In any case, I am hopeful that I will learn some new skills in cooking and maybe my family will see my food and try some and like it and I will incorporate more vegetables into our regular menu.  And MAYBE my husband would want to try the plan with me. . .if it ends up really well (let's just shoot for the moon, right?) but first I have to survive the next 30 days before coming to too many conclusions and setting my plans in concrete.

FYI, it basically works like this:

Don't eat these things
1) sugar (in any form - from pure honey to chemical crazy form that no one can pronounce)
2) dairy
3) grains (or beans)
4) alcohol (even for cooking)

Do eat these things
1) protein at every meal - palm size, or two palms worth
2) two vegetables (or most of the rest of your plate full - around the protein)
3) fat (like avocado, coconut oil, olives, etc)
4) fruit (sometimes, not necessary, but you do not have to avoid it)

There are lots of clarifications and what-not on the website.  I'm still learning things better, but that is the "plan" in a nutshell.

Following is my journal (thoughts and reactions) for this experience.

Day 1

1) Yay, MEAT!!

2) So maybe starting on a Friday was not the most brilliant move ever.  (As I try to fast from meat on Fridays as a penance and remembrance of Christ's passion.)  I may or may not have consumed three catfish fillets along with at least half a dozen eggs (not all at once) and of course various other fruits and vegetables.

3) Eating this kind of diet means the meals are MOST COLORFUL and that definitely makes my eyes happy.

4) It feels funny to be cooking with all these fruits and vegetables that I LIKE but would not normally buy or consume as I would tell myself they are too expensive or no one else in the family would care for them.

5) I had a bit of a headache today because I skipped my coffee (what is coffee if you cannot flavor it with artificial junk to make it taste really yummy?!?!)  But in the afternoon I had an epiphany.  I just warmed up about a quarter-cup and threw in some coconut milk.  It was not amazing, but I could gulp it down and my headache left.  Thank God!

Day 2

1) I just had steak for dinner.  This is the BEST DIET EVER!!

2) I am starting to like cooking more as I really love vegetables, but did not realize how much until I am eating so many more of them now (and have a good excuse to do so).  It is really great to cook something SO GOOD!

3) A half-cup of coffee with coconut milk actually did not taste so bad today.  Amazing how quickly I adapt.  Perhaps tomorrow I will try a full cup!

(P.S. Coffee is obviously ok for this diet - as long as it does not have added sugar or milk or what-not.)

Day 3

1) I AM SO FULL after each meal!  This whole eating a bunch of protein is some serious stuff.

2) The coffee with coconut milk to sweeten was pretty good this morning, but I drank a whole cup and had a tummy ache.  I used to always drink my coffee with my toast and I wonder if the toast filled my stomach so the coffee did not bother me as much.  This morning I had two boiled eggs and a tomato along with a mix of cooked cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli.  (I was in a hurry to get done for Mass, so I needed something quick - and I had made the cooked veggies last night.)

3) It dawned on me today (Sunday) that technically the components of the Eucharist (bread and wine) are off-limits on this plan, but as my good friend said this morning, "You are looking for a meal plan, not a religion!"  So I have no guilt over receiving the Eucharist as often as I go to church.  God is bigger than any diet :)

Day 4

1) I made a cake today for a baby shower - homemade, and frosted it.  I did not lick the bowl or my fingers.  Who knew I could do that?  (It actually was not that hard - I just said to myself, "no tasting.")

2) The other day when I was exercising I could smell garlic and onions in my sweat.  That was a new one for me.  Boy, I am growing to love garlic and onions.

3) My favorite "dessert" snack is banana with some almond butter.  I ate it at the baby shower and I honestly enjoyed it immensely and felt better than if I had eaten cake!  Brilliant!

Day 5

The toughest part of this "meal plan" for me is taking the time to prepare my own food and then sit down and eat it.  I find myself getting everyone else food and doing all those other time-sensitive things and then suddenly it is bedtime and I have to do this and that and nowhere in there was there time to prepare food for my own consumption and nowhere in there did I stop to eat anything.  And suddenly I am having a hard time FUNCTIONING (let alone avoiding all the non-approved-food-looking-like items that are all over my kitchen!!)  So, although it is one of the tenants of this diet, to try and sit down to meals and to avoid snacking if possible, I have discovered that if snacking allows me to survive those crazy times that come up (usually dinner - when we have late afternoon and/or evening activities) then that is how it is going to be for me.  I do not live in a perfect world with plenty of time for mouth-watering food to be prepared for my consumption exactly on time.  So, while I am aiming to have my meals ready so I can sit down and eat with the family, I am cutting myself some slack and as long as the foods I put in my mouth are approved, a "snacking dinner" as I run around feeding the kids and the baby, and shuttling kiddos to and from Aikido, could be a reality for me.

Day 6

Breakfast:  I have been eating generally the same breakfast (up until 6 days ago) for the past several years.  It consisted of two slices of my homemade wheat bread, toasted, with natural peanut butter and all-fruit jam on top.  To drink was a cup of coffee with a good dose of coffeemate creamer.  The past six months or so I started adding a couple of fried eggs on top of the toast and had recently marveled at how that seemed like the perfect breakfast for me as it tasted good (I love toast with my coffee) and it filled me up!  I really "felt" full all morning.  

Part of the joy of having a set breakfast means no thinking is required in the morning!!  Now I am struggling to find a new norm and I think I am on my way.  The past few days I have made three fried eggs and joined them with an avocado and a tomato.  This morning I added mushrooms, too, since I had some and I REALLY like mushrooms.  It was most delicious.  And my coconut milk-flavored coffee went right along with it.  Although my tummy did not feel as full as my with my previous breakfast, I was sufficiently nourished enough to make it till early lunch, so I think I'm going to call this a win!

Day 8

1) My cutting boards and knives are out and dirty ALL THE TIME.  They have never seen so much action!

2) The coconut milk in coffee was just not doing it this morning.  I think I will check the store for almond milk today.

Day 9

I managed to force my husband into a compliment about this "meal plan."  I told him I know he was not really excited for or against it, but I was probably going to need a cheerleader before I was over.  He said, "Mary, you are so strong and motivated I am not surprised when you do the impossible, I just expect it."

Day 10

It is Mothers' Day and the desserts are everywhere!!  My kingdom for a piece of cake!!  (No, I did not actually eat any cake, but it is definitely my favorite dessert and I am planning to have some the day on Day 31!!)

Day 12

I miss peanut butter and jelly toast!!!

Day 13

I think my brain is feeling a little clearer.  (Or maybe my regular life stress is just slowing down a bit so there is not so much to remember and be concerned about.)

Day 14

I am HUNGRY!!  I am not a great cook to begin with (mostly because I just have so little free time to cook during a typical day) and trying to keep cooking for my family and then go crazy and cook for myself (and not just "regular edible" cooking, but "serious cooking" with all these vegetables and spices and such) is really doing me in!  But I'm stubborn.  I think that is what is keeping me going here.  In any case, often I hit a mealtime and I have no idea what I'm going to eat. . . which is totally not what you are supposed to do on this "diet" but hello, that is my life sometimes!  I suppose I will figure out more quick foods as I go, but in the mean time I am often just hungry.

Day 17

I fit in some clothes that I did not fit in when I started.  That was nice.  But I'm still grumpy :)

Day 18

I am not excited to eat.  The food is not bad, but I do miss the comfort of food I am familiar with - especially my breakfast of choice - toast with peanut butter and jelly and coffee with lots of HORRIBLE-FOR-YOU chemicals (also known as coffee creamer) that make it taste really good.

Day 19

I am in a "first timers" group for this diet and many people have finished and go on and on about how they have no cravings and feel so great.  Granted I have not finished yet, but at this point I can easily say I HAVE LOTS OF CRAVINGS!!  I am addicted to worthless collections of chemicals and false ingredients that we call "food" AND I'M NOT READY TO QUIT YET!!  The only thing keeping me from consuming these items is the fact that I would have to start over again on Day 1 if I do.  I want to give this diet a "fair chance" so I'm doing it right.  But let me tell you - the minute I'd one I'm going to be filling my face with forbidden food!

Day 23

Today I'm thinking about if/how I can maintain this "eating pattern" and how to adapt it for my children/husband.  I definitely notice that I am feeling much better in many aspects.  I do not "crash" during the day and I just generally "feel" better.  My only struggle is that I am used to turning to sweets to deal with stress and without that outlet. . . well, momma gets a little grumpy sometimes, but the kids take it well and are quite forgiving/understanding so far.

Anyhow, I'm not sure how to keep it going as buying enough meat for everyone to eat "enough" each meal seems overwhelming, but I think I just need to readjust my thinking and make little changes here and there.

Day 26

Last night I informed some of my friends at our bi-weekly meetings about how my "diet" was going.  Although I am sure they are impressed with my drive to try this (I think!), not ONE gave any sort of encouragement or congratulations when I mentioned I had lost at least 10lbs and a couple clothing sizes (a rough estimate).  All I got in response was a few comments about how I probably would gain it right back.  Talk about disappointing!  My husband defended them as being practical women who saw "the big picture."  Basically saying that 10lbs really does not matter much as we all have husbands that love us and great lives, so we should eat what we want and just be happy!  And while he has a good point, I do not think we should just "let ourselves go" because we are married.  I was chastised a bit, though as some of this is for vanity reasons.  I do not like feeling "big" or "overweight."  Not that I have ever been skinny, but I my aim is strong and moving toward lean (or at least not all bulging out of my clothes and flappy all over).  But I also think we should be as healthy as possible as well - that is just good stewardship of the bodies God has given us!  While reading all the "sciency background" on this eating plan- some of it made a lot of sense, but some of it was kind-of "you have been told this in the past, but that is just wrong, here is what is really true" and that part was a bit hard to believe, but the proof is in the trial.  I have lost weight on this eating plan and I have felt better.  Now to decide what to do about it for the future.

Day 29

1) The end is almost here, but I am not sure how to get off the ride!  Fortunately that is apparently what they have in mind.  I really should have read the book FIRST probably. . . I am only 60% through it today - haha, right?  I skimmed some parts beforehand (where I had specific questions) and got the gist of it, but I have yet to finish the book.  In any case, it apparently talks about "ending" but really it calls it "reintroduction" of foods - this is particularly geared toward foods that your body might not like so much.  That was not really a concern of mine going into this diet.  Other than ice cream, I could eat almost anything and be fine.  But now that I've gone 30 days of "clean eating" I am tempted to do a slow reintroduction.  Maybe these things really were bothering me and I just did not notice because I tend to be distracted a lot (imagine that) during the day.

2) So basically I am going to add one thing back to my diet (like dairy - a few servings for the day) and then go back to the whole 30 diet for a few days and consider how I feel.  Then I will try another food for a day and then go back to whole 30 and consider and so on until I've discovered how each food affects me (at least that is how I am thinking it works, I could be wrong as I've gleaned this info from the whole 30 website and have not read about it in the book yet).

3) The takeaway:  There is one meal that I have "created" and am quite pleased with now and I plan to keep it in my daily plan (as long as I have the ingredients in the kitchen).  It is basically sauteed mushrooms and an onion with four or five scrambled eggs, along with tomatoes and an avocado on top.  I have REALLY grown to like it (and the baby does, too - bonus!) however, it does take a bit to prepare and can make things a little crazy at breakfast time.  So I am tempted to make it my lunch go-to and bring back my traditional breakfast (of two slices of homemade bread, toasted, with peanut butter and jelly, and two fried eggs on top - oh and coffee with that ABSOLUTELY-HORRIBLE-FOR-YOU coffee creamer).  But maybe those things (like bread and peanut butter and the sugar in my creamer) will make me feel sick (and I will actually notice) and then I will just keep eating what I consider my "power meal" for breakfast every day.

The Results:  (Day 31)

*Over 10lbs lost (10.8 to be exact) which is not that exciting, but ever pound is a step in the right direction.

*13 inches lost overall from hips, waist, thighs, etc.

Conclusion:

Although I was tempted to start reintroducing things, I feel today that I want to keep going with the plan as it is.  I have finally made it about two-thirds of the way through the book about this meal plan (as linked above) and it mentions that some people need to do a Whole 45 or Whole 60 to find the results they are looking for - namely freedom from cravings and just feeling all-around better about their body.  Since I've made it this far and see so many improvements, I cannot help but think a little more could be better!  I almost made it to my goal weight before getting pregnant this last time - I was within 10lbs of it.  Now I am 30lbs off still (but I should note that this is a weight I have not weighed since I was probably in middle school - maybe high school - in any case, it is 25 lbs less than I weighed on my wedding day - just to give you some context - I've always been on the "bigger side" but that does not mean I am not striving for more!)  Although it feels good to have baggy clothing again and I know breastfeeding is going to make my pounds stick a little more than most, I feel this eating plan is a good tool for me to reach my goals, while nurturing my health (as the foods I am eating now are definitely helping maintain my milk supply).

My number one concern: the cost.  I usually feed my family of 8 lots of beans, bread, pasta, etc as it is cheap!!  Meat is more expensive and does not go as far.  Plus eating more vegetables adds up, too!  We generally have always kept quite a bit of fruit in the house (our number one snack is an apple, an orange, or a banana) but serving two vegetables at a meal - even just for one adult (as I was the only one on the plan - I fed everyone else the usual fair) really adds up!  But God-willing we can readjust the budget and make this a reality.  I definitely see it as a good investment!

So there ya go, as of today I'm still rocking out the Whole 30 meal plan.  But I'm going to go ahead and publish this post.  Perhaps I will come back and edit as I continue on this journey.