Whole 30 - what??

(this is pretty long, so thanks if you read it all the way through!)

So, I have a friend who, three months ago started this insanely strict eating plan called Whole 30.  She did it and had incredible results.  Another friend started it a month ago and also had incredible results.  I decided that I needed to try it, which is completely unlike me to go on "diets," but I figured it couldn't hurt anything!  Here is my journey so far.

While on the Whole 30, you cannot consume: added sugar, alcohol (not just beer or wine, you can't use it for cooking or consume any sugar alcohols), grains, legumes, dairy, carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.  Yeah.  Intense.  It's been tough at times, but it has mostly been psychological.  One of the most interesting things I have learned so far is how my body tries to trick me into snacking.  I didn't realize how much I actually picked and snacked until doing this.  Even now, every night, my stomach is yearning for those cheez-its or popcorn.  It's not because I am hungry, it's because my body is telling me that I should be eating it.  It's habit.

On their website, www.whole30.com, you can find a timeline of feelings, processes, etc that you will most likely experience.

Day 1: It was amazing.  I was so empowered by the great choices I was making all day I was on top of the world.

Days 2-3: The Hangover.  Basically, all of the crap you crammed in your mouth leading up to your start day (guilty, party of me), is making you feel like death.  It's almost like a withdrawal.  Headaches, fatigue and just a general feeling of blah.  My day 2, I had a mini breakdown.  I also had a slight headache both days.

Days 4-5: Kill.All.Things.  You're on edge, you want to throat punch everyone who smiles at you and you just hate life.  I, thankfully, did not have these angry feelings!

Days 6-7: I just want to take a nap.  Yeah, that was me.  I was just exhausted!

Days 8-9: For the love of Gosling, my pants are TIGHTER!  What happens is this: your body is adjusting to the new and wonderful foods that you are filling it with.  You can also have some bloating, constipation or diarrhea.  

Days 10-11: (I am currently on Day 10) The Hardest Days.  This is where most people quit the program.  By now, I've had eggs every day, sometimes multiple times, the newness has worn off and pretty much everywhere I look I see the things that I CANNOT have.  Ugh.  I just want to go off the wagon and shove handfuls of cheez-its into my mouth and follow it up with an 8-pack of pepsi currently in the fridge.  Yeah.  I've got it bad.  I've got that itch.

Days 12-15: Boundless Energy.  Apparently, I turn into Tigger and am bouncing everywhere.  We'll see about that.

Days 16-27: Tiger Blood!  This is where energy is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes are fitting better, workouts are stronger.  I'm dying to get to Days 16-27!

(Interlude) Day 21: I am so over this.  I love the way I am feeling and looking, but if I have to see one more egg I will go postal!

Day 28: 28 is as good as 30, right?  No.  I committed to 30 days and I am going to go 30 days!

Days 29-30: HolyOprahIt'sAlmostOverWhatAmIGoingToEatNow?!?!?!?!  Panic mode.  What am I going to do after this is done?  I don't want to instantly gain back every pound and inch that I spent 30 days losing.  30 days of pining away for a cherry pepsi or Starbucks or cookie or corn or a big, buttery piece of bread.  How will I stay on track?  What will I eat?  The rules are out the door as soon as I am done with this.

Day 31: Deep breathing.  And maybe some ice cream.  I'm not sure that I will continue to go by every single rule, but I intend to keep a health eating lifestyle going.  I feel that, with food, it's about moderation, not completely cutting it all out (unless you've got a food allergy or health condition that requires you to do so).