Day 30, Whole30

Day 30

What a great experience the Whole30 has been for my husband, and for myself. That 30 days went way faster than I was expecting it to!

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that I like a challenge. I need a challenge. I get bored. I get off track. Occasionally, I need to press the restart button in a different way. I’ve said this several times, and it remains to be true.

Doing the Whole30 was exactly what I was needing to fight my snacking demons and establish some new habits in my constant journey to a healthier me.

Yesterday was great! I spent some time with my mom in the morning, and I spent the afternoon running a few errands.

Last night, I went to one of the craziest parties that I have been to in a long time. I can’t even begin to explain it all. A friend of mine bought last nights party at an auction when we went to a Drag Queen show several weeks ago.

Last night’s party involved lots of drinks, snacks, a Drag Queen performance, a stripper and an old house that I don’t know where to start with on the description (unfinished, lots of antiques, missing walls, taxidermy, cobwebs, art, fake grass in the backyard, lots of old wicker and metal chairs in the backyard, small).  I haven’t laughed that hard since we went to the Drag Queen show. The host of the party is part of a Late Night Comedy/Theatre Group, and he and his friends know how to have a good time.

I took my own hot tea because I knew a lot of the party would be outside around the fire pit (that was sitting on fake grass….Fire Hazard??).  I had a great time. I went with a large group of friends, and this is Madi. Here mom and I are friends, and she and my daughter, Tess are good friends. We had to send my daughter a picture to say….”Wish you were here!”

I had a blast and I felt like I was celebrating my 30 days!!

 

My Gut

In my last two post, I mentioned some issues I’ve had with my digestive system (I had diarrhea) during my Whole30 journey. I’ve seen my doctor, I’ve searched the web for answers, and I’ve reread pages and pages of the Whole30, and It Starts With Food. I’m not nearly intelligent enough to be able to convey to you in words what I’ve read, what I’ve understood and what I’ve retained, but in a nutshell, not all bodies digest healthy, clean, whole foods in the same manner. Apparently, it is possible to have too much fiber in ones diet, it is possible for some otherwise “healthy” foods to irritate the walls of ones digestive tract, and raw nuts do not agree with everyone.

Fiber

After discussing what I was eating with my doctor, she suggested that I might be consuming too much fiber, which can result in abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. If you think this might be an issue for you, you can read more for yourself about Soluble and Insoluble Fiber.

Nightshades

Have you ever heard of Nightshades? I had not, but they are discussed in both The Whole30 and It Starts With Food. They are allowed on the Whole30, but it is suggested that they can be related to chronic pain and joint pain. Some of these foods, according to The Whole30, can be problematic for those with increased gut permeability.

“Nightshades are a group of plants that contain compounds that may be inflammatory in certain populations.” ..The Whole30

Some of the nightshades listed in the Whole30….(There are several. I’m listing only the ones that I was eating fairly regularly), bell peppers, potatoes (but not sweet potatoes), tomatoes, and spices such as cayenne, chili powder, paprika and red pepper.

Raw Nuts

Some people just can’t eat em!

Five days ago, I started taking a Probiotic. Two days ago, I cut out some of the foods that I’ve listed above. For two days, I’ve been “regular”. Thanks goodness! Now, whether it is the Probiotic, or cutting out certain foods, I’ll have to figure out, but for now, I just hope to continue to be “regular”. Yay! Happy Gut!

 

I’m in no hurry to reintroduce any foods, and I don’t want to until I’m “regular” for several days anyhow. It wouldn’t do me any good to reintroduce foods and see how my body reacts until I know my body is digesting the food that I am eating, properly.

This 30 day journey was about our health and developing healthy habits. Weight loss would be an added benefit, and because I read through the book, I knew that it was not going to be a priority for me. I was nervous to be freely eating all of that meat and healthy fats, and not gain weight, but I kept my faith and trusted the plan.

I have weighed 172 (I was at my goal weight of 160 in 2013)) for over a year and a half now. I knew that if I saw 169 at the end of this, I would be happy.

Mike’s Weight Loss…18 lbs. Yay Mike!!

My Weight Loss…6 lbs. I’ll take it! I weigh 166.

Mike would like to lose 15 more pounds. I would like to lose 6 more pounds and get back to my goal weight.

Honestly, I like to count points. I was eager to get back to tracking, and knowing how many points I’m eating. I feel more in control when I do that, and less guilty about what I’m eating, no matter what the food might be.

Knowing that I am eating whole foods, and tracking, gives me confidence that these 6 pounds will come off.

I’ll do a full blog on our overall experience this weekend. I know you’re thinking….what else could this woman possibly have to say after 30 blog post? But I’m a talker, so I have a lot more to say! Some of it, likely repetitive, but I can’t help myself.

I’m off to spend some much needed girl time with a couple of friends. Wine, in small sips, will be involved. Apparently, out of all of the things that I gave up for 30 days…..Dairy, Sugar, Grains, Legumes and Alcohol, Alcohol is at the top of my list to get a taste of. Priorities, people.

In all seriousness, I just hope it doesn’t trigger any cravings!

Here are yesterday’s eats…..

Breakfast – 4 PPV

Egg Muffins with Grapes

 

Lunch – 6 PPV

No Bean Chili over a bed of Roasted Butternut Squash, topped with Chopped Avocado

 

Dinner – 8 PPV

I didn’t know if there might be food that I could eat at the party or not, so I ate a small dinner, then ended up passing on any party food.

Tuna Salad, Carrots, Plantain Chips, Apple with SunButter

 

Weight Watcher’s Points Plus

I can eat 26 PPV a day.

I can earn Activity Points by doing exercise, and eat them if I choose.

I have an allowance of 49 extra points that I can dip into throughout the week if I choose.

I should drink a minimum of 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

My Weight Watcher Week Begins on Friday’s

 

Breakfast = 4

Lunch = 6

Dinner = 8

Total = 18

 

Exercise = none

Activity Points Earned for the Day = 0

Activity Points Earned This Week = 7

Activity Points Remaining This Week = 7

How many ounces of water I drank for the day = 80

Remaining points from my 49 Points Allowance =  35

 

This is What I Will Accomplish in 2015

I will choose one occasion per month for Social Drinking (um..this is a work in progress)

I will go no more than two days in a row without exercise. (I’ve done “two a day’s” to make up, and slacked lately)

I will track every single day of the entire year. (I’ve only NOT tracked a few weekends this year.)

I will not be tracking my food while doing the Whole30.

I will run in a minimum of six 5K’s. Five down, One to go!

 

“love the life you live, live the life you love”