Whole30: Week One

Alright guys! It’s already been a week on the Whole30 nutrition plan!

Notice I didn’t say Whole30 “diet” – this is far from a diet in the common meaning of the term in my opinion. Rather, it is a change in nutritional choices. I’m not eating less by ANY means, just changing, improving, and being intentional in my food choices.

If you’re wondering What in the world is Whole30? go here

If you’re wondering Why in the world is she doing Whole30? go here

This is something I’m doing completely on my own free will, and was in no way sponsored or persuaded to do this. I want to work as hard on my nutrition as I do on my running because, let’s face it – nutrition is (a huge) part of running, performance, and life.

So, how is it going? Let’s dig in to my journal:

Day 1

Eating with Intention. 

I put the time and effort into my running and daily life, why not with food? I eat whatever I want, when I want and that has to change in order for me to feel my best. I will eat with intention. I will eat whole foods. REAL foods.

I did my research and grocery shopping and it starts today. Whole30. I am a little scared, but if it weren’t a little scary, what would be the point?

I can do this.

Breakfast!

Day 2

Woke up wanting a sweet breakfast as usual. I want to change that. Starting the day with a smoothie may be (pretty) healthy, but it just sets me up for craving sugar. all. day. long. I really wanted fruit. I paused. I made some coffee and wrote in my journal.

I had eggs, sweet potatoes, veggies, and spinach with salsa and avocado and some paleo turkey bacon instead of my usual smoothie. It was delicious!

I’ve discovered I can still eat A LOT! There are so many options!

Go-to for sweet tooth cravings: banana, walnuts, cinnamon.

Snack!

Day 3

Today I had Easter dinner with families and there was cake and ice cream galore! I would’ve normally had my fair share (and more) if it were 4 days ago! Proud of myself for instead eating more meat, veggies, and potatoes. I even brought my own food along in case there wasn’t anything available for me – but there was! Whole30 is less restricting than I thought.

I did eat more fruit than the Whole30 plan would’ve liked, but it was Easter!

Whole30-approved Easter dinner!

Day 4

I really want to adopt this way of eating as a lifestyle! It forces me to actually cook and prepare food. Read labels. Select food carefully. I LOVE the food. Real food is good food.

It’s hard looking at donuts and cupcakes, but worth it to feel good about my food choices.

I still think I’m eating too much fruit and having fruit before bed in lieu of my usual sugary snack binges… less fruit tomorrow…

Shopping!

Day 5

I have been cooking and eating really delicious food! And plenty of it! Still eating tons of fruit…

My new favorite non-sugary snack is sweet potato fries! Something I would’ve never discovered otherwise because I would’ve just grabbed some cookies or poured a bowl of cereal.

Had low energy today. I’m dealing with low iron but also attribute this in my decrease in sugar. Sugar hangover?

Sweet potato fries!

Day 6

I know I’ve said it already, but I am eating LOTS of delicious foods! I thought I would be eating less and hungry all the time, but that’s not the case at all! Today I made delicious tacos!

Still having low energy today.

My own Whole30 spin on Taco Tuesday!

Day 7

It’s getting better! Not that it’s been bad, but I’m getting used to chopping and cooking more, prepping and buying food, and, most importantly, EATING the food! I’ve been eating loads of food all along, but I’m starting to have the right mindset when eating all the food. 

I want to eat a little slower. I want to eat food with intention. I feel like I really succeeded in this today. I told myself – no bananas until after dinner – then I did it (they trigger my sugar cravings)! I felt good today.

My go-to snack!

So, I’ve had my ups and downs, but for the most part am not having a difficult time eating enjoyable meals and eating plenty of food. I am fortunate to work close to home (I walk to work!) so I do eat all my meals at home, which makes things way more convenient. Of course, there are currently a stack of Peeps and candy bars for sale 2 feet away from my work cube, so there’s that, but still (I never realized how much SUGAR everyone consumes as the ‘norm’ since starting this!)

I’ve never meal-prepped before, and thought the idea of it sounded really intimidating – preparing each meal for every day of the week!? But my version of meal-prepping is not creating entire meals, but simply prepping certain foods.

For example, I spent a few hours at the beginning of the week chopping. Chopping, chopping, and more chipping! CI chopped veggies and potatoes and meat (rotisserie chickens are my go-to). I also hard boiled about a dozen eggs and cooked some potatoes and meats for when I’m in a hurry. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. So, don’t let the word “meal-prepping” intimidate you… you don’t have to plan out every meal. Just chop some things up and quite literally “prep” for when you’re making meals! This is something I can’t believe I didn’t do before Whole30.

So, I’m still hanging in there and, yes, I do feel sudden urges to go buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies and immediately scarf down the entire box, but I just remember that I’ve committed to this 100% and it’s not impossible. There are people out there doing much more difficult things. I can commit to eating real food for 30 days (and beyond!).

Have you tried Whole30 or trying it now? How did it help you?