Here it is: the finish line.
The race is behind me, the sprint is over. But the marathon, the training, the how-am-I-going-to-turn-this-into-a-lifestyle mentality has just started. I may be stronger than any craving, more resilient than added sugar, more dedicated than a can of Coke, a block of cheese or a tempting bowl of chips and salsa, but I'm still going.
This is what makes Whole30 better than a diet. It's a lifestyle change that brings awareness into your life of what the food you consume does to your body. And while I may not live 100% Whole30 going forward, I'll definitely utilize a Paleo or Pale-almost method to keep my body on track.
With that said, here are some of the lessons I learned during my Whole30. Now, go forth and conquer.
Lessons Learned:1. When the Whole30 team tells you to clear out all the bad-for-you stuff from your pantry and fridge, do it.
Cravings creep up on you at the most unexpected times, but you don't have to succumb to them. And you can't fail if there's nothing there to tempt you.
Having a hard time throwing away and "wasting "all this food? Then don't. Donate unopened items to food banks, or have a friend come over and help you.
2. Don't wait until you're starving to eat.
Repeat after me: I have to eat to live.
I will say just this: you cannot survive on black coffee alone. When you're hungry, or hangry, you will make bad choices.
3. Take advantage of opportunities to prepare.
You are not going to just "have "time for this. You are going to have to make time. When you're whipping up dinner, can you cook a little extra and set it aside in tupperware for lunch tomorrow? What components can you reuse?
4. Bad habits with good foods are still bad habits.
Swapping your afternoon, sitting-in-front-of-the-tube binge food from chips & salsa to dried mango and cashews is still a bad idea, even when the foods are "healthy." Why is this? Because Whole30 is about more than just what you eat, it's about your relationship with what you eat.
5. Just because you bought it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Central Market, etc. doesn't mean that it's compliant.
Have I mentioned that sugar is in everything? Because it is in Ev.Ry.Thing. Check your ingredients. Then double-check them. Then Google, "Is __________ Whole30 compliant?" if you have any other questions.
6. You can do the whole Whole30 and still not drink enough water, not eat enough veggies, not get enough protein...
Choices. Choices. Choices. Make the right ones.
4. Bad habits with good foods are still bad habits.
Swapping your afternoon, sitting-in-front-of-the-tube binge food from chips & salsa to dried mango and cashews is still a bad idea, even when the foods are "healthy." Why is this? Because Whole30 is about more than just what you eat, it's about your relationship with what you eat.
5. Just because you bought it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Central Market, etc. doesn't mean that it's compliant.
Have I mentioned that sugar is in everything? Because it is in Ev.Ry.Thing. Check your ingredients. Then double-check them. Then Google, "Is __________ Whole30 compliant?" if you have any other questions.
6. You can do the whole Whole30 and still not drink enough water, not eat enough veggies, not get enough protein...
Choices. Choices. Choices. Make the right ones.
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