CaseyP 118 Posted January 14 I've completed a few whole 30s over the past couple years and wasn't really into doing another one- just looking for food freedom, but after the holidays (including my 50th birthday party), I really need a reset. I believe in Whole 30. I get the dropping everything "cold turkey" strategy, but I've never been able to do it - I always fail for several weeks, and have given up more times than I can count.. So instead of setting myself up for another fail, I figure I'll string my Whole 30 out, setting smaller goals at first and eventually get to where I'm actually doing Whole 30. This week: Drink lots more water, eat lots more veggies, avoid convenience stores and snack aisles, and do whatever it takes to stay off soda pop (my biggest vice and nemesis) Next week: all the above plus get some compliant sauces and seasonings prepped and focus on 100% home-prepared gluten-free/dairy-free meals Third week: get through weekend reunion (Jan 26-27) with minimal sugar, gluten, corn or dairy. Make sure I'm 2-3 meals ahead on planning and prepping, working toward 100% Whole30 compliant. Feb 3 - Hopefully by this time diving in 100% will be sort of a no-brainer and I'll be off and running for 30 more days. At the end of that, I'll add back rice and lentils (which I know I tolerate) and take out nuts and see if I do better with that. I want to think of this as a varying journey that will last at least a year or until I feel truly healthy. 1 Elizabeth33 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted January 15 After drinking my large glass of ACV water and half a caffiene pill, I headed to town realizing I would not be stopping for a Coke. I had a wave of panic and then a relief settled over me.... freedom from the time waste, expense, and sugar rush of addiction. One day down. I was not totally sugar free today, but all in all pretty good. I feel a tiny bit headachey and my muscles are antsy... not sure why. 2 Elizabeth33 and jenwestphal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted January 16 Day 2 with no Coke. It really is a habit, but I distracted myself with a photo app. Had soup for both breakfast and lunch. Both had rice, which is okay for now. I need to make some compliant salad dressing. Biked (stationary bike) 4.5 miles. 1 Elizabeth33 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elizabeth33 79 Posted January 17 Awesome on the cutting down. I completely understand where you are coming from. I should be starting Feb 1st if not sooner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted January 19 Awesome Elizabeth. Good luck. I feel I'm doing pretty good on this week's goals. I slipped once and ordered a Coke without thinking but didn't drink it all. Been making up for it with coffee and Nut Pod milk... I'd rather just get off caffeine in the afternoon. Today I thought of eating a candy bar as I passed my usual junk food stop but the thought actually turned my stomach, so I'm making progress!! 2 Elizabeth33 and jenwestphal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted January 21 I ate my last stack of (gluten-free) pancakes for a while. And put the bag of the quinoa/amaranth flour in the freezer. This week I've focused on getting more water, eaten veggies for breakfast lunch and dinner and mostly managed to go without Coke. I've been gluten-free and almost dairy-free. I've had considerably less pain in my neck, shoulders, and stomach and have a tiny bit more energy at the gym. I'm actually excited about going a little deeper next week. I already found some interesting compliant sauces, and made some mayo and did a ton of food prep this evening so I'm good to go for week two of my ease-in. This week is going to feel great, as I'm heading into really doing Whole 30 meals but not feeling like I've failed and have to start over if I slip. I know, I know... no slips, no cheats, no excuses.... I will get there and this is definitely the way for me to go. 1 Elizabeth33 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted January 24 Whoa.... Today was a total failure. Fear of success????? For one thing, I didn't have my meals planned and went to town more or less hungry and without a plan. That is what I'm supposed to be working on this week so I guess that proves I need to. Right now I'm trying to remedy that for the rest of the week... making up some borscht for breakfast and hard boiled eggs and coleslaw for lunch tomorrow. Will try to extend my workup to include plans for Friday too. And will need to plan ahead for my weekend out of town too. Hope everyone else is having a good time getting ready for your start! 1 Elizabeth33 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted February 1 The weekend reunion didn't go so gluten/dairy free Nor did the first part of this week..... I'm going to have to just jump in next week ready or not. Still thinking that Planning and Water are my biggest assets I need to focus on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearlgirl2017 149 Posted February 1 Good luck to you! Of course luck really has nothing to do with it. Plan, plan, plan... 1 CaseyP reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted February 4 Finally! I wasn't really planning on starting until tomorrow but yesterday and today I mostly stayed home and wasn't feeling great so ended up just eating my whole 30 prep food - so I'm going with it! Two days down. Can I say I have fallen in love with Spaghetti Squash? And have found out it freezes well, so yesterday I froze several individual servings of Sp Squash and cauliflower rice and today made mini frittatas that will be easy breakfast or lunch and cooked up a ton of ground turkey.... as in I will be sick of it pronto, but it will freeze well. 1 pearlgirl2017 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lorna from Canada 73 Posted February 4 @CaseyP I did not know you could freeze spaghetti squash - how do you do that? Take it out of its skin? I don't eat spag squash because Hubs is not a fan (he prefers zoodles) and I don't want to waste a whole squash. Sounds like you're really ready this time and are going to make it a whole Whole 30!! Woot! Good luck! It'll be over before you know it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted February 5 On 2/4/2019 at 8:16 AM, Lorna from Canada said: @CaseyP I did not know you could freeze spaghetti squash - how do you do that? Take it out of its skin? I don't eat spag squash because Hubs is not a fan (he prefers zoodles) and I don't want to waste a whole squash. I did not know you could either until the other day! I looked up "can I freeze cooked spaghetti squash" on Google and found several sites. I just baked it as usual and threw the leftovers in freezer bags of individual size servings. I haven't done it before so I can't exactly tell you yet how it turns out but from the internet it looked Hopeful Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaseyP 118 Posted February 5 I had a long break today so was able to come home and cook a hot lunch.... cabbage and sw potato stir fry with lime, cilantro and macademias (a splurge). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites