The change starts today

[oliruns]

My Whole30 starts today! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I have never eaten paleo, but I know this is something I have to do for me.

I don't plan to weigh in regularly, but I did get on the scale this morning and I was 146.3 - gulp. That is out of control! Here goes nothing, a journey to no more eczema, control over my IBS-C, and hopefully a smaller pant size to boot.

[Derval]

best of luck!

[oliruns]

Can someone analyze my eats today, good/bad/or areas to improve as I move through the next 29 days?

So day 1 is in the books...

Breakfast: 2 eggs, spinach dry sautéed, salsa, 1 cup watermelon and a pure coconut wrap. 2 cups of coffe black, and 24 oz water.

Lunch: Two hamburger patties with iceberg lettuce, and unsweetened iced tea mixed with seltzer.

Dinner: 4 oz wild sockeye salmon, green beans steamed. 24 oz of water.

Mid-afternoon, I was hungry so I had 2 schorr dill pickle spears.

Hoping I can manage the rest of the evening without anything else, but may have a packet of SeaSnax if I feel hungry?

[oliruns]

Ready to start day two!

I never got a hankering for that snack last night! Woohoo, since I know snacking is discouraged and I am trying to change my eating habits (read mindless eating, just because). I also, didn't experience any headache or "withdrawal" symptoms yesterday.

I have a six mile run on the calendar today - as a pre-run meal/fuel I had a pure coconut wrap, banana, and organic almond butter (the only ingredient is almonds) and black coffee, 24 oz of water. Waiting on some "things" and them gonna lace up the Adrenlines and get on this run.

I have a feeling today might not be as stellar as yesterday, but I am determined to keep plugging along. I'll be back later with the rest of my food stuff for the day.

Again, if you see anywhere that I need to improve please let me know, I want to be as successful as possible.

[Debbie B]

A couple of questions/thoughts...

What is a "pure coconut wrap"? Just wondering, as paleo-itized versions of other foods (i.e. a tortilla) are discouraged.

What are "SeaSnax"? Just review the ingredients very carefully!

You may want to save your water for between meals so that you aren't diluting stomach acid with your meals. Plus, water between my fill you up and make you less likely to snack :-)

Keep plugging away - you are doing well! I am starting day 7 and can tell you that the ups and downs get fewer and fewer!

[djoyce]

I assume your burgers are homemade. Compliant store bought are hard to come by.

Cheers

DJ

[Renee Kosowan]

If you are finding your evening energy is low maybe a bit more protein for dinner/meal 3. Especially if you are running 6miles regularly.

[oliruns]

Debbie both the coconut wraps and seasnax are endorsed (I guess) by whole30. I actually don't guzzle all my water ith meals, it is more spaced out. But I do typically have 24 oz with breakfast to counteract (in my mind) the effects of the caffeine dehydrating me a little.

Djoyce, the burgers were out.. I know prob not the best but were organic, grass-fed beef, with no oil on the grill top.

Renee, yesterday I felt great...today my run sucked! I cut it short, to be honest I'm not sure though if it was from low energy or due to sometime I have taken it very easy due to a recurrent calf injury. I have been hungry today, and for sure ate more fruit than probably recommended. I knew I felt great yesterday so I would probably be hungrier today and a little moody (not to mention the rude arrival of a certain visitor...sorry tmi).

[oliruns]

Another day in done! Yippee!

Today was slightly worse than yesterday, but not bad enough to ruin my day.

Breakfast: Banana, pure coconut wrap (whole30 approved), organic almond butter, 2 cups black coffee, water

Ran 3.5 miles (was supposed to be 6 but I just COULD NOT finish)

Lunch: 3 eggs, salsa, tropical fruit salad

I was ravenous today so I also ate 1 packet of freeze dried banana and 1 packet of freeze dried pineapple

Dinner: Ribeye steak, 2 servings of steamed peas, 1/2 yam

Hoping the giant dinner I ate will tide me over till bed, but if not I will have a handful of roasted nuts or a packet of SeaSnax (whole30 approved).

I already know I ate way too much fruit today, but I was so hungry my stomach was cramping, and not nearly enough veggies. Hoping to make minor tweaks to the volume and macros to reach a good balance in my diet.

[Derval]

You should print this up, stick it up in your kitchen and use it as a guide/aim for each meal. If you don't follow the guidelines you just won't feel great at all.

http://whole9life.com/book/ISWF-Meal-Planning-Template.pdf

Were the peas in your dinner regular garden peas? Only snow peas are allowed asfaik.

[oliruns]

The peas were snow peas. Thank you everyone for the feedback, all of your suggestions and areas to improve have been super helpful (please keep it coming).

Day three, ughhh.... I woke up this morning HUNGRY almost sick feeling hungry, and with a raging headache. Hoping today is not terrible!

Breakfast: 2 eggs, spinach, about a cup and a half watermelon, 2 cups of black coffee, lots of water.

Lunch: Freeze dried pineapple (I need to stop this), one dried peach (no sugar added), pure coconut wrap, chicken thigh, spicy guacamole packet.

Dinner: Baby back ribs ( sugar free BBQ spice rub), brussel sprouts.

***moving forward I will simply edit these morning posts with the rest of my meals, and an emotional recap of the day of sorts each night***

[Debbie B]

Today will be GREAT! Way to get the breakfast in!

[oliruns]

Day three coming to a close, what a rough day physically - I have felt sick all day, not to mention the angry headache I've had. Tomorrow has got to be better!

I was just reflecting on what has been the most challenging thing so far, and honestly it's the sugar! I never knew how many minimually processed foods have sugar in them...I guess I've been eating a lot more sugar than I thought, and soy. I thought by now I'd miss grains and legumes...not yet I guess. I also have realized that I eat a lot of fruit, I may need to cut back a little.

Moving into a full week, I have prepped some roasted butternut squash, golden beets, and sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper. I also, boiled about a dozen eggs for quick snacks (if needed) or to add to salads.

Three days completed, a little haggard but more determined to see the good on the other side of this!

[oliruns]

Ready to start day four! I slept pretty well last night, little sounds and noises didn't seem to wake me up as much (the puppy moving round his crate), this is progress. I did wake up feeling tired, and congested. Oh, and my skin is so frackin' itchy today. Headache from yesterday doesn't seem to be there anymore, yippee!

Meals

Breakfast: 2 eggs (dry scrambled), roasted butternut squash, tropical fruit salad

Lunch: Salad (1 heart of Romaine Lettuce, 2 Schorr pickle spears, roasted golden beets, roasted sweet potatoes, 2 hard boiled eggs), and a mini larabar in the car (Cashew Cookie)

Dinner: Roasted chicken (with garlic, lemon, rosemary and olive oil) approx 6 oz, broccolini steamed

Snack monster strikes again..... I had a bag of freeze dried cantaloupe and a palm of roasted almonds between lunch and dinner.

Work out: should be 2 mile run and appox 30 min of legs

**I will update the rest of my meals as they happen, hoping the snack monster doesn't visit today**

[oliruns]

Another day over! I think today was the best day yet. No stomach aches, no headache, just a little tired.

I did realize today that I may need to eat my lunch a little earlier... I wait till I am starving then I feel like I can't eat enough food to satisfy me.

I know I shouldn't snack between meals in order to re-wire my brain, so i think playing with the size of lunch and breakfast to keep me full until dinner. I'm getting better, but still getting the hang of all this!

[oliruns]

Wait, is it already day 5??? How did this happen?

I have to say that I feel great today; no headache, no neausea, not very tired. Did I say I feel pretty great today? Oh, I did.. well I do!

Meals:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, spinach (sauteed in olive oil), mushrooms (sauteed in olive oil with Garlic Gold), Hot Salsa

Lunch: Roasted Chicken breast (left over from last night's dinner), roasted golden beets, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and Tropical Fruit Salad

Dinner: Half spaghetti squash, tomato sauce with approx. 6 oz ground beef

** I will update meals through out the day**

Where are you on your Whole30? How are you feeling today?

[oliruns]

Day 5, day 5, the end of another day and still feeling great!

I think I figured out the secret to taming my inner snack monster, are you ready for it? Not to eat fruit with breakfast! Shocking, I know. Now, now I do still LOVE my fruit, so instead of go fruit crazy I have some with lunch - call it lunch dessert if you will.

Tell me how has your day been? How is your Whole30 going?

[oliruns]

20% of the Whole30.... crazy! Still feeling pretty good; great energy, no headaches, no nausea, sleeping well - if the puppy's tummy would settle I'd be sleeping great.

I did notice that I have lots of raised itchy spots on my chest, not really a typical rash, but I guess it could be a rash. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

Eats:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, dry sauteed spinach, Pure Coconut Curry flavor wrap (Whole30 approved), tropical fruit salad

A few things, I know yesterday I said I think to cut the snack monsters head off it is best for me not to eat fruit in the morning. Well, the fruit looked like it was "turning" and recycle comes today so I wanted to get rid of the fruit and container before recycle - and I HATE throwing away food. Also, I realize I have been eating these coconut wraps frequently. I bought two packets - plain and curry to try before starting Whole30, and will not waste so I have been incorporating them into my meals.

Lunch: Bag of Butter lettuce mix, left over meat sauce from dinner last night, spicy wholly guacamole packet. 1 bag of freeze dried pineapple and one packet of freeze dried banana.

I feel like a self fulfilling prophecy.... ate fruit with breakfast and the snack monster attacks. I'm certain it is in my head, but grrr....need to get a grip on this. I guess it could have been worse.

Dinner: Halibut cooked with onion, balsamic vinegar, and cherry tomatoes and steamed asparagus.

**I will continue to update through the day with my remaining meals**

[oliruns]

Day 7?!!!!? Really? I feel like a broken record, but I really am feeling better and better everyday! I'm learning a lot about my relationship to food and the "need" to eat or have junk - that by the way will just make my gluten allergic stomach sick. Still no more headaches, no nausea, sleeping pretty good!

I'm not going to lie this week has been tough, like really tough. I've been tempted every time I've run in the supermarket or Target, or heck even the gas station to just get a little treat. After all, I've been so good and diligent - I must deserve it! Wrong! I owe it to myself and my health to make it through these 30 days clean, no treats, no exceptions this is my health and the only body I will get. This isn't just a diet to me, this is how I hope to restore my health and get things back into balance. I'm looking forward to the next 21 days to see how things improve for me. I am certain that the rest of this month is going to be a challenge, but I am not backing down and I will not give up on myself.

On to the good stuff...food!

Breakfast: 2 eggs, banana (i just can't quit the fruit in the A.M. - this will be the death of me, joking), Almond Butter, 2 cups of black coffee

Lunch: 2 hard boiled eggs, roasted sweet potato, and roasted golden beet (maybe 1.5?) covered in Crystal Hot Sauce, 2 wedges of fresh Pineapple - to good not to eat, sweet and oh so acidic.

Dinner: Fritatta made with Mushrooms and spinach, steamed broccoli on the side.

So many eggs today... oopps....

[oliruns]

Day 10. WoooHooo!

I'm not sure I'll be updating my food log everyday, after taking this weekend to reflect on how things have gone the first week I have realized that I have become a little obsessive with logging my foods and looking at foods... this is not healthy for me, so I may take a step back from daily logging to enjoy this process and hopefully learn more about my relationship with food, and why I crave and eat what I do.

Any other September Whole30-ers out there? How are you doing 10 days in? Tougher than you expected, eaiser? What have you learned about yourself during the begining of this journey?