Whole 30 Wrap-Up Plus 2 Weeks

I kept meaning to write up my final feelings about the Whole30, but then I really felt like it didn't really end. And I didn't want to write a "The End" blog because that meant that I could go back to eating like crap and feeling yucky. So, I just put it off. So funny how in the beginning you hate the Whole 30 and can't imagine how you will make it through 30 days. And then by the end you know you don't really want to go back to eating the way you did before. I hadn't really realized how much crap I was eating. The funny thing was that my crap intake was not really at meals, it was the snacking! Chips or pretzels, some cheese, some of the kid's snacks. And the bread - lots and lots of bread. Now that the Whole 30 is over I really look at all those foods differently. I don't stay away from them all together, but I think of them as treats - special foods, not everyday snacks. 

By the end of my Whole 30 I was sleeping better, my clothes were fitting better, and I was feeling good. I did notice some definite changes in my digestion and that was great because I have had some stomach issues in the past. I also did have quite a bit more energy. In the beginning of the program I felt like I was eating often to keep up my energy, but by the end I was eating a lot less often and maintaining the same energy levels. Amazing what eating "real" food will do to you. I did take some before and after photos, but those will not be posted on the internet for obvious reasons! But I definitely noticed a difference overall. So, for those reasons it was definitely worth it. 

What did the Whole 30 really teach me? I can eat like that at least 80% of the time. I can eat Paleo Monday-Friday and then eat "modified Paleo" on the weekends. This allows me to not stress or miss out on going out with the family and feeling like I can eat at whatever restaurant we go to. For me, that was one of the most difficult parts of the month. I have always planned our weekly menus so I only have to grocery shop once a week, so that change wasn't that much different, but now I have a whole wealth of new favorite meals to make. And I am having fun finding ways to adapt some of my pre-Whole 30 recipes to make them paleo - who knew that spaghetti over zoodles would be something I would actually enjoy?!? So, moving forward that is my plan - staying to the program as much as possible during the week, but accepting that I want to enjoy my time with friends and family on the weekend. 

Luckily the re-integration period was not too difficult for me. We celebrated my first official day off the Whole 30 with an amazingly indulgent meal out at Morton's Steakhouse. I had bread, dairy, and sugar all at the meal, but didn't suffer any really side effects. But, in the weeks since I have noticed how some foods definitely change my system. Bread will definitely be a treat from now on and not a daily food. Also, I think limiting my cheese moving forward would be a good idea. I just don't think that it is worth it most of the time. And everyone knows we should limit sugar, but I am going to be less strict about the "sauces" that contain sugar that I use in cooking. The homemade Worcestershire sauce was good, but a little too much work, so I will probably switch back to regular now. 

So, Whole 30 plus two weeks has been a great learning experience. I have really changed how I eat and I think I can plan on continuing this journey. I don't know that I will want to do another Whole 30, but who knows? Maybe someday I will feel the need for another detox. For now I will be happy with my accomplishments and my ability to be more mindful about the foods I eat.