On January 3rd, Tim and I started the
Whole30 program. In short, the diet is 30 days long and you do not eat any of the following:
- Processed foods
- Sugar or sweeteners (including honey)
- Soy
- Legumes
- Dairy
- Grains
- Peanuts
- Alcohol
Before starting the program we had really cut down on our processed food and dairy consumption. As a family we really don't eat a lot of added sugar outside of special occasions. We thought we would do pretty well with the diet but didn't have any major expectations.
Our results ...
Tim lost 15 pounds over the course of the 30 days, I lost seven. Around day 14 he felt really good and definitely noticed a difference in his body's ability to fight off cold/flu symptoms (he does not have a spleen so usually a cold ends with antibiotics). During the program he was able to fight two colds on his own. Both of us felt like our best days were days 10-20. In that time frame we had quite a bit of energy and were happy to continue on the program. I noticed that I no longer had any bumps on the back of my arms at this time, a pretty tell tale sign of allergies.
On any given day we would mention something that sounded good to eat. We never gave in though. I did not realize how many times I take a bite of what I'm preparing for the girls or finish off their food for them. Honestly, I think those calories were probably enough to equal a full size snack on a daily basis. Days 20-30 we both started to feel like we would rather not eat than come up with things that we could eat. Meal planning was pretty vital and when I didn't take the time to do so it became a bit frustrating.
I missed rice the most, Tim missed bread.
Prior to the program Tim knew he had a confirmed milk allergy. However, he would still have milk from time to time. A few mornings after finishing the Whole30 he wanted to try a small bit of milk in his coffee. I added maybe two tablespoons to his coffee and with the first sip he was able to feel his throat getting itchy. By not having any milk for 30 days it really seemed to amplify the allergy.
As for me post Whole30, I haven't noticed when things effect me negatively. But, I haven't consumed a large amount of anything not Whole30 in one setting either. I also ended up with a sinus infection right after the program and have just felt kinda crummy over all. That's made it hard to tell if my low energy days are from adding in foods to my diet or from fighting the infection. One thing I know for sure, I feel really guilty when I do eat things that aren't Whole30 approved now. Mostly sugars and processed foods. I don't think that's a bad thing but, I do need to find a balance in what I think is ok for me. I have three pounds to go to get to my goal (pre-kid) weight. Once my sinus infection clears up I'm hoping that three pounds will drop off with the addition of exercise. Ashamedly I did not exercise at all while on the Whole30. Meal planning took all of the extra energy I had and unfortunately it takes A LOT to motivate me to work out. Even though I always feel great after and I'm glad I did it when I do.
Would I do the Whole30 again? No, I would do a Whole20. At 20 days I felt good and had lost all the weight that I would loose in the 30 days. Tim would not do it again. He says he now knows what he needs to cut out and would just stick to eating more protein and less processed foods to loose extra weight. Apparently I need a goal and a reason to avoid the roll of IKEA cookies that are in my pantry. Not sure how those ended up in my house, a weak moment before the program I suppose.
I think this is a great way for people to realize how food effects them on the physical and emotional side. I'm definitely an emotional and bored eater. I'm trying to focus in on that now and not eat when I am not hungry.
Have you done a Whole30? How did you "come off" the diet? Share your tips in the comments!
