CaseyD Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 It's about time I write in this section.... Let me just start by saying, the Whole30 has changed my life. Now, let me detail this in what will likely be a painfully long post: I did the big August Whole30. It was my 3rd attempt at doing a perfect Whole30, but the first time I succeeded. On August 31, I ate out at a restaurant and had french fries with soy in the seasoning. No ill effect noticed, but not very tasty, either. On Sept. 1, I went right back into Whole30-clean-eating mode, continuing on with a fellow-Whole30er I met here a few months ago. Her name is Donna and she's my inspiration, really. One could learn a lot from her! I stayed complaint with Whole30 until September 22, when at a birthday party, I just got fed up. I didn't bring enough food with me (long story) and I didn't feel it was worth being hungry the whole rest of the day, as this was the longest kid's bday party ever. I wound up eating baked beans and ketchup. Both were organic with no high fructose corn syrup (yes, my rebellious self read the containers first). Even in my frustrated state, I couldn't really justify going too crazy. Later, I made paleo pumpkin muffins. I felt miserable and angry over stupid things the whole next day from the sugar. It was absolutely not worth it. I got back on board immediately, then it fizzed away. As in, I started eating white potatoes that came with our co-op produce basket. I think I was done with my Whole30 finally, and that was just the reality. I thought I needed a Whole60, but today I have realized that I learned what I needed from this. I learned to listen to my body and respect what it is telling me. I also can now say I am paleo. Sure, my pants are looser. I'm actually down a couple sizes. I fit in the smallest of my pre-pregnancy clothes (I was up 2 sizes). Have I weighed myself? No, because I just don't care what I weigh. My skin is clearing up. My hair actually looks better. My digestive track is finally feeling better (after some extra tweaking of my diet). I don't have weekly migraines anymore. I don't even have headaches. During my last period, I had virtually no pms symptoms. I have tons more energy. I recover from exercise much faster (this used to be a big problem). I sleep better (although I have a weird issue with waking up for 2 hours in the night). I feel calmer. My depression symptoms have vanished - literally, I feel like I am cured of something I've dealt with for decades. My weird, unexplained joint pain is gone. I crushed two fingers last year and had lasting effects from the injury - now any pain in them is gone. Shyness I've always seemed to have is lifting - I actively seek out social situations now and don't feel overwhelmed. I don't eat away emotions, I work through them instead. I feel alive - really, beautifully alive. I am now a better mom, a better wife, and a better friend. But, the absolute best part - the lesson I just realized I've learned - is that I can now eat to live instead of living to eat. Since I was a kid, I've had an obsession with body image. While I've made great strides this year, I can't deny that there was still a weird, unhealthy obsessiveness going on with food. But, now I can honestly say that I love myself so unconditionally that I just want to put what feels right in it. To me, that's the definition of healthy eating. Not necessarily eating a perfectly clean-Whole30 compliant diet, but eating natural foods that help you to be your best, respecting what your body tells you, and separating your self-worth from food. The Whole30 was like the diving board hovering above the pool that is the rest of my life. I stepped up on it several times before, thinking I was ready to jump in but ultimately backing away for one reason or another. Today, I jumped in and I have to say, the water is absolutely perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derval Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 What a great read, love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridget Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 awesome ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanniemae Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Ive had a similar experience with social situations. Congrats : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee Lee Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 So happy for you, Casey! I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnRunner Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Great read, makes me want to keep clipping along so I can see similar tranformations in myself. Only on Day 3 and the skin is clearing up which amazes me. Food really affects us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homerfrizzell Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyhoward Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Loved this! Congrats to you. Love your analogy too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceRF Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 This is inspiring. I am way to cautious to hope for anything close to that. I would love for my shyness to go away and my relationship with food to change. It's only day 2 for me, but here's hoping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-Marie Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 What a beautiful success story. Truly inspiring! Congratulations on all of the success! My favorite line from your story is "I feel alive, really beautifully alive " Amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara Phillips Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks for sharing your story! I pray I can stay strong like you and finish this and figure out a real way to eat. I would love to see my shyness and a lot of other symptoms you described disappear from my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiffany Precissi Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 This is very inspirational. Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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