Whole30: Complete!

September 11, 2018

I did it! I survived the last 30 days without grains, legumes, added sugar, alcohol and dairy. Minus the slip up on rice bran oil and a little sugar in some chicken sausage, I was able to stick with the Whole30 plan. It was challenging at times but a good test of will power and self-control.
Technically, it's still another 10 days on the Whole30 meal plan while I slowly reintroduce the food groups I avoided. The plan is to have one day of reintroduction of one food group and then two days back to the Whole30 while I observe my body's reaction to the food. So far, there hasn't been any issues with the legume group. Tomorrow is dairy day but I'm most excited for gluten-free grains because I've missed rice and corn.
Observations:

  • Sinus congestion and insomnia issues were sporadic. They were good days and bad days so I don't think being on the Whole30 resolved these issues. 
  • Realized I don't eat nearly enough vegetables as I should, even on this meal plan. I could have made vegetables more the focus of my meals and will try to make it a goal to eat more. 
  • I only once got disgustingly full but that was when I ate out at a Mexican restaurant for Taco Tuesday. (I felt disgustingly full for probably all of July so this was a nice change not to feel like I was overeating and therefore never getting hungry but still eating too much all the time (oh, vacation). 
  • I read that people generally feel more upbeat and happy while on the Whole30. I didn't notice a real difference but I would say I'm generally an upbeat person anyway. 
  • I really missed the social aspect of drinking with friends but didn't miss the hangovers. Did find non-alcohol related activities with friends to partake in: roller skating, bingo and a trip to a carnival. 
  • It's been fun cooking all these meals but I'm looking forward to not stressing out about what I can and can't eat. It's getting pretty cumbersome now.
  • Having a vegetable spiralizer is pretty necessary on this journey. I have fun noodling zucchini, onions and sweet potato. 
  • I've enjoyed this food experiment and might do the 30 days again but will most likely stick with it for a week when I feel the need to eat cleanly like after a holiday or vacation. 
  • Check out my Whole30 Pinterest Board for recipe ideas and articles that helped me
Whole30 by the Numbers:
  • 4 dozen eggs
  • 1 quart of extra virgin olive oil
  • 12+ avocados
  • 30 cans of sparkling water (my favorite is the ginger lemon trader joe's brand)
  • 21 different recipes
  • 4 meals eaten out at restaurants
  • 4 packs of frozen cauliflower rice
  • 2 packs of paleo bacon
Favorite Recipes on Week 4:

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