30 Days of Cray-Cray

[SouthernBeth]

My husband and I completed Day 4! He had his weird transition day yesterday and I think mine is today. Yikes!

For breakfast yesterday and today, I had egg 'muffins' with tomatoes, bell pepper, and bacon. Plus and apple or a banana and black coffee.

Lunch today I brought a tuna salad with EVOO, herbies, and tomatoes. Plus grapes and steamed cauliflower.

For dinner, my husband found a legit recipe for a 'meatza'! Basically a W30 meatloaf, flattened, with some basic tomato sauce and piled high with spinach, red peppers, olives, and green peppers. SO GOOD.

I attempted to whip coconut cream tonight. Epic fail. Will try again tomorrow. Also, steamed cauliflower smells weird. Especially when a bunch of 13 year olds point it out to you at lunch (I'm a teacher).

Bonne chance!!

[SouthernBeth]

Day 5 wore me out.

My husband has pushed through his 'bad' days, but I think I'm still in transition. Yesterday I was EXHAUSTED. I had a hard time dragging myself out of bed in the morning (though the lure of coffee and sweet potato hash helped) and after a short walk (only about a mile), a bit of cleaning, and a trip to the farmer's market, I was wiped out.

It worked out perfectly, I must say, because it gave me an excuse to refresh my Downton Abbey mind! I watched pretty much ALL of season 2 last night, and though I'm not proud, it was delightful.

My husband was out for the night, so I took the opportunity to cook some food I know he doesn't like. I whipped up some salmon cakes cooked in coconut oil, roasted brussel sprouts, and sauerkraut. It was delish. It was hard resisting the temptation to snack all night long, but I'm really proud to say that with all that time on the couch, I only had a few kale chips before dinner. Hooray me! before I would have dragged out old M&Ms, gone out for frozen yogurt, or made a few mugs of hot chocolate, so I'm kind of proud of myself.

My husband had an even better night. He was planning to go to a friend's last night for dinner and after explaining some restrictions, the friend thoughtfully cooked a compliant pot roast. My husband skipped the rolls, skipped all the soda they drank, refrained from scarfing Cheetos, and didn't smoke one cigarette. He brought some tomato juice and grapes so he'd have something in his hand, which helped a lot. I was impressed and proud!

For breakfast this morning we shared some locally raised chorizo, eggs, and some veggies. It was perfect. Off for another walk now, hope it doesn't wipe me out like yesterday's did, but at least I did all my lesson plans first!

[CrazyCow]

I have to say, your husband's night was like mine tonight. Actually, what I have been most impressed with over this weekend, is the supportiveness of anyone who hears "I've chopped sugar completely out this month". No mocking (I really was concerned about that--you should have heard some of the comments I got when I first shifted to paleo), and an surprising willingness to accommodate.

Would love to have locally raised chorizo--lucky you!

[SouthernBeth]

I have to say, your husband's night was like mine tonight. Actually, what I have been most impressed with over this weekend, is the supportiveness of anyone who hears "I've chopped sugar completely out this month". No mocking (I really was concerned about that--you should have heard some of the comments I got when I first shifted to paleo), and an surprising willingness to accommodate.

Would love to have locally raised chorizo--lucky you!

Most of our friends have responded the same way! It's been nice. My BIL kind of poked fun at us, but later mentioned that he might want to try this whole 'clean eating' thing (which he has yet to do). I think most people's reaction is kind of, 'good for you but I never could'. Which is exactly what my reaction would have been a few months ago. Glad I had a change of heart (or stomach?!)!

[SouthernBeth]

On Day 9! I'm proud that my husband and I have made it this far. I know that the timeline of what to expect said that the 'kill all the things' phase should have passed by now, but I'm right in the thick of it. Could be the time of the month, but all I can think about is junk food and I actually feel guilty about wanting it. Crazy!

Today I had some delicious leftover stew my husband made Monday night. Beef, kale, butternut squash and other veggies. Perfect on such a blustery day! My husband and I have been making breakfast together every day, but he'll go back to school next week and that will make it harder. Going to have to find a better method for breakfast!

We don't do CrossFit or any other crazy workout plans. Mostly just walks and I do yoga and some weights. Over time we'll make it more intense, but not now. Is that ok? Any other W30 yogis out there?

[CrazyCow]

We don't do CrossFit or any other crazy workout plans. Mostly just walks and I do yoga and some weights. Over time we'll make it more intense, but not now. Is that ok? Any other W30 yogis out there?

Me! Me! Actually, my husband is a Level 1 Crossfit Trainer, but I buck the trend and do endurance walks and yoga, for the most part. I do a 40mile walk every year for Breast Cancer, so from now till May each year I really get into the training regimen for that. To offset that kind of training, I'm at yoga 3x a week, all three classes are very different in their approach, too. I was at yoga last night, and I did find at Day 8 of W30 that I was more centered than I had been recently, and not nearly as sore today as I would be having pushed myself as I tend to do.

For me, Day 9 has been a not bad day, and I've got meals to get me through the weekend--hooray! How about you?

[SouthernBeth]

Me! Me! Actually, my husband is a Level 1 Crossfit Trainer, but I buck the trend and do endurance walks and yoga, for the most part.

For me, Day 9 has been a not bad day, and I've got meals to get me through the weekend--hooray! How about you?

Wow, that's impressive! Today has been a rough day. Haven't been hungry or anything, but that 'time' of the month came early and I'm going CRAZY. Like, want to run down the candy aisle, ripping open packages of chocolate and stuffing my face. It's been a rough day! At dinner tonight with my in-laws, I just stared at the dessert case from across the restaurant and died inside a little.

I'd like to add yoga to my morning routine, but I'm chickening out on getting up that early! Maybe next week.

[Megankwf]

I love yoga too! Ive been doing a lot of hot yoga lately. I tried crossfit for a bit, but it was so intense, it just stressed me out! But my hubby loves it Good for you for not indulging in that dessert case...it's a difficult thing to do! We went out to dinner last week and the couple next to us ordered a cheesecake on a chocolate cookie crust and salted caramel on top... this is seriously the best thing looking thing I have ever seen! But, I held strong and sipped my black coffee:) I can't believe I have made it this long with sugar...yay us!!! Keep hanging in there...

[CrazyCow]

Too funny, about the desserts. Completely know what you mean! Had a meeting yesterday afternoon, and cakes, crisps, sodas and all sorts were spread across the table. I could actually smell the sugar. And I'm not going to lie; it smelled wonderful. It made me a little twitchy, actually--not to take one, but to injure someone else in the room. Anyone that reached for the sweeties.

Then I spent the meeting not really paying attention to what I should have been but really paying attention to what was on the table. I reflected on my relationship with the cakes. In actuality it's a non-relationship: a month ago, I would have been participating in that meeting, and eating the table sweets without even thinking or realizing. EVEN though they were non-paleo--I would have figured 'it's just this once'. But I would just have been eating them because they were there--not good--and certainly more than one (ah, the variety!).

I am sure that I will enjoy a sweet now and again at the end of this reset. But I can guarantee that I will not do it mindlessly. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to take the time to be in the moment, enjoy the object of my affection (so to speak); to really savour it. It is my expectation that this will give me the freedom for a once in a blue moon treat to be just that: a treat.

End result for me yesterday is that my meeting was quite productive! At least for me and the Whole30

[SouthernBeth]

My husband and I were just talking about this mindless eating yesterday! Before W30, I really thought I had that under control. But now that I really do, I see how much I just grabbed things in front of me and ate them. It seems crazy. In my head I still 'reach' for nibbles, but I consciously stop myself and make a choice. It really blows my mind that I did it so often and STILL thought it was under control. Now, more than ever, it makes me feel like W30 was an excellent choice. Also because today I noticed my face was a bit thinner and my husband commented on my hips, that they seems smoother, like I'd lost weight.

We didn't start W30 to lose weight, but to 'reset'. In ISWF, they mention that weight loss is really just a by product. At first I scoffed at this idea, because, c'mon, don't I really want to lose a bunch? But now, on day 13, I feel great, I think about what I'm putting into my body more consciously, and that's worth more than any lost weight. The weight really is just a byproduct. Oh, how right the Hartwigs are!!

My mother-in-law cooked the whole family a big W30 meal today as our Sunday supper. It was so nice of her. I think she's trying to convince her husband to do it with her. They both had lapband surgery years ago, but he's still diabetic and she beat breast cancer only last year. Really, they have nothing to lose, and I think she sees that. I hope they do it, they'll see such great results! I think she's also trying to steer her other son and his wife towards healthier eating. They have a baby now and need to set a more positive example for her. The stuff they feed her makes me cringe, but then the things they feed themselves also makes me cringe!

Our big Sunday dinner was coconut chicken, mango slaw, fall harvest vegetable mash, tabbouleh (with cauliflower) and a spaghetti squash concoction. It was great! Now I'm off to cook up some sweet potato fritters for the week ahead. We can't decide what to eat for dinner, since we don't have any meat thawed and we're not too hungry. What do y'all eat when you need to but you're not super hungry??

[SouthernBeth]

Did I say 30 days? Because I think my husband and I might stretch this to a 45. Anyone else consider this?

Yesterday we both noticed we had lost some weight. It's weird how it's slowly happening and you're not paying attention. Then one day you realize your pants aren't so tight. It's very fulfilling! I've really noticed the change in my energy levels, too. It's crazy that I feel so level all day long, from wake up to bed time. And I am sleeping better. Than. Ever.

I was sharing a lot of this at lunch today with my coworkers at school. As I was talking, I could hear myself, and I thought, these people think I'm crazy. Of course, one asked, 'what do you even eat?' Ah! As I was eating my sloppy joes and mashed cauliflower, too (which is so delicious, maybe my favorite meal). Another told me her husband did the master cleanse and when it was over, went to Buffalo Wild Wings and pigged out, only to be sick for days. No kidding! I told her that I realize the irony in me telling you that the cleanse is insane, since I don't eat sugar, but good Lord, what else did he expect.

It was nice walking away from that thinking, I have tools to avoid that crazy pig out on wings when this W30 is done. Yay me! What a good moment to celebrate Day 15! Also, my husband bought a handheld lemon press thing, which I was preeeety stoked about. Tonight we had W30 chili with avocado and made some beef jerky-less Paleo packs for tomorrow (just to try them out). I have a big teacher meeting tomorrow that always has a ton of snack and beverages, so I thought it would be good to come prepared!

Anyone know of some W30 compliant beef jerky? I'll go check out the forum.

[CrazyCow]

I know exactly what you mean! I am feeling good and positive about so many aspects of this. Why would I want to change that? Over the past few days though, I have been evaluating what I would do differently in a particular meal if not on the whole30. There are less and less moments/meals where I think I would change something. It has been a revelation, to be honest.

From paleo days, we make a WICKED beef jerky in our dehydrator! The kids all love it, too. I will look back and post--to my recollection it is absolutely W30 compliant...

[CrazyCow]

Here it is! http://pinterest.com/pin/168533211025772474/

Hmm...I might have to make some myself! FYI if you don't have a dehydrator the cooker will work just fine; it just takes a bit longer. ;-)

[Derval]

Here it is! http://pinterest.com...33211025772474/

Hmm...I might have to make some myself! FYI if you don't have a dehydrator the cooker will work just fine; it just takes a bit longer. ;-)

Oh that's the one I make, I combine the wet & dry marinade ingredients though.

Wish my aminos would hurry up & arrive, they must be on the slow boat from America....

[Kaleena]

Also a yogini! I don't do crossfit either but I do yoga, dancing and body weight raining.

I was proud of my husband when he gave up Diet Pepsi. He had a 4L a day habit! I never thought I'd see the day. Of course he had no withdraw symptoms at all whereas I ate relatively okay before the whole30 and had the worst carb flu!

[SouthernBeth]

Also a yogini! I don't do crossfit either but I do yoga, dancing and body weight raining.

Oooo what's body weight raining? Day 18 here and feeling pretty good.mwe tried to eat out Wednesday and there must have been something weird in what I ate because yesterday I nearly threw up a few times at work. It was terrible. Now I know, though. Today I took a sick day and I'm waiting for the hubs to get home so we can make a yummy salad with leftover chicken from last night. Tonight I'm roasting a whole chicken and I can't wait! Yum yum.

[SouthernBeth]

I forgot to say thank you, CrazyCow for the jerky recipes!

I was just reading the thread on the forum about the crazy things people say to you once you tell them you're doing W30, or mention what you're not eating and how offended they get. It's very odd, though I'm SURE I did it some point, as well. I find it odd because I watch my bro-in-law and his wife eat out LITERALLY three meals a day (and we live in a small town in the South-- absolutely NO healthy options besides A steakhouse), drink liters and liters of soda, order food at dinner 'with not vegetables', and I never say a thing, even when they complain about being sick all the time or how they never have any money (though I'm sure I visibly cringe). Now they have a 9 month old and logic would dictate that they would want to eat better to provide a better example for their baby. Every time they feed her or they tell me about feeding her, I want to scream and shout, because I feel like they're setting her up to be obese and unhealthy, just like them. But I don't!

It breaks my heart. Babies are so innocent, she literally only eats what someone gives her and when what they're giving her is ALL fruit, or gravy, or mashed potatoes with butter, or mac 'n cheese baby food or 'yogurt balls', she isn't healthy. Whenever she is fussy, they stuff a bottle in their mouth and can't figure out why she spits up all the time (BECAUSE SHE'S FULL). If it was 1950, we could blame their ignorance and that the education for food just wasn't around. But now? Really? Kills me. When she throws a temper tantrum about broccoli when she's 2, my husband and I will be there, shaking our heads, because she's just following their example.

Sorry for the rant, but it's driving me insane. The baby is already always sick, just like them. And they still don't see the correlation between what they put in their bodies and how they feel. I felt this way long before W30, but changing our lifestyle has made it even more obvious that they need to change, too. It really is a life or death situation, just a slow, sickly, painful death, and I hate that my niece is already being condemned.

ANYHOW.

We had a delicious, locally raised slow-roasted chicken last night with some DELIGHTFUL roasted veggies last night. OMGGGG. I wanted to roll around in that chicken. I posted a picture to facebook, even, that said 'So what DO you even EAT??' THIS, crazies!

Since it would be a crying shame to let that carcass go to waste, it's simmering in the crockpot so we'll have some homemeade bone broth later today. Holy crap, waking up to that smell was heavenly.

The second half of W30, my husband and I made a commitment to working out more often. We're not hardcore crossfitters or anything (in fact, there is only one gym here, 25 minutes away, and it costs a bazillion dollars to join), but we've been power walking on the treadmill a lot and doing weights, and I do more yoga as well. I would like to run, but I get CRAZY bad side stitches, I got one yesterday actually just power walking. I slowed down a bit and walked uphill and it stopped. Anyone have any fixes for that? Since I've been getting them my whole life, even when I was really in shape, I know it's not because I haven't been running.

PS. In a moment of weakness this morning, I looked at my 'before' picture on my camera. Just wanted to see if my husband was right and I was in fact, getting smaller. I know I am, but that picture for sure confirmed it. I feel like I can see my muscles so much more in my back and arms, too (no inflammation!) so I can show off that hard work even more. What an incredible feeling to see that and also know I am not deprived, I'm not killing myself, and I'm happier than I have ever been. WOW!

[Derval]

I looked at my 'before' picture on my camera. Just wanted to see if my husband was right and I was in fact, getting smaller. I know I am, but that picture for sure confirmed it. I feel like I can see my muscles so much more in my back and arms, too (no inflammation!) so I can show off that hard work even more. What an incredible feeling to see that and also know I am not deprived, I'm not killing myself, and I'm happier than I have ever been. WOW!

Huzzah!!!

[SouthernBeth]

Day 20! Holy moly, only 10 official days left.

I was getting kind of nervous about W30 ending, so I read the chapter in ISWF about transitioning and I felt a whole lot better. They pretty much named everything I was feeling as totally normal, so, hooray for the Hartwigs totally knowing their stuff. I ordered The Paleo Solution a couple of days ago to help with the transition to Paleo and today I found a $25 gift card to Amazon, so I'm soooo buying Well Fed and Paleo Comfort Foods later today! Hooray! I read the reviews on both and it seems like a LOT of people who gave it low scores had no idea what they were getting in to, which is sort of amusing.

I read the blog post from my Daily30 newsletter today from The Clothes make the Girl about being your best self, and geeze, that came just at the right time. I was afraid my husband and I were getting too obsessed with numbers and food and muscles, when really, we should just focus on being the best version of ourselves and let the other things come with it. kind of like W30 changing your habits and weight loss just being a by-product. I was inspired, and today is so beautiful here in Arkansas that I suggested we take a walk outside (it's above 40 degrees, hooray!) which led to wanting to do some weights inside, which led me to doing a super tough Self magazine (don't judge me!) workout which led to me sitting here, munching on a po-wo snack (turkey burger and some LO roasted veggies-- yumtastic). I feel good, proud, and my legs are shaking. Great morning!

Later today we're heading to my in-laws for football and some W30 compliant chili! Gotta love my mother-in-law, trying to spread the word of W30 to her husband. I <3 three day weekends.

[aph]

I love 3 day weekends too!! SOunds like you guys are rocking your WH30! Congrats! I do yoga as well. Used to do all Crossfit. Now I do some cross fit, some yoga. I actually went through a year long teacher training program. Yoga really helped tame the type A crazy me!! Anyway, off to get a pastured chicken out of my freezer. You inspired me to make that for tomorrow!!

[CrazyCow]

You know it's the community here that just brings a smile to my face. I get tired of having to explain no this is not a DIET it's a RE-SET. I'm not doing anything crazy or 'out there', I'm taking some time to reacquaint myself with feeling good; feeling healthy--that's not a DIET. I don't feel this is a punitive phase we're all going through--that is what a DIET is. You then reward yourself with rubbish, and the cycle starts again.

I've had a crazy two weeks where I've been able to little more than check in periodically whilst I've been eating well, and still exercising well (pushing myself a teeeeeeny bit more each WO)--but I've so enjoyed knowing this is a shared experience. I, too, don't know what post 30 holds, if I will continue on for a W60 or W100, or if I will try a little this or that. Remains to be seen, and I suppose rereading ISWF is probably a good idea.

Southern Beth make sure you get Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo--her first book, to start. It's fantastic, and when I first began down the paleo road two years ago (or was it three?), her website and subsequently the book, was a food bible. Also check out lovely George Bryant the Civilized Caveman at civilizedcavemancooking.com -- he's got a new book, too.

Rock on the next 10 days!

[SouthernBeth]

. Southern Beth make sure you get Sarah Fragoso's Everyday Paleo--her first book, to start. It's fantastic, and when I first began down the paleo road two years ago (or was it three?), her website and subsequently the book, was a food bible. Also check out lovely George Bryant the Civilized Caveman at civilizedcavemancooking.com -- he's got a new book, too. Rock on the next 10 days!

I ordered Well Fed and Paleo Comfort Foods, but I saw that one and I might order it after pay day (can't spend ALL my money this month on Paleo books... right??). My husband and I were talking last night about moving to California in a couple of years (where I'm from originally) and that if we can be Paleo here, we can TOTALLY make it work there. It will be so. much. easier. Especially if we want to go out to eat! We're kind of left wanting here for places to eat out.

I think I decided last night, officially, to make this a W45. I may weigh myself on the 30th... just to see. Curiosity is going to get at me anyhow and I feel like sometimes I need to justify my food decisions to others with weight loss, which, I know, is silly. But whatevs. We'll see! I'm finally starting to get a handle on meal planning I think. Lunch has been by far the most obnoxious meal to plan, but I'm getting a lot better. In fact, I need to go hard cook some eggs to take with me!

Anyone have any tips for saving $$ on groceries? We're going to start ordering some stuff on Amazon (coconut flakes, ect) because they're hard to get and super expensive here and because we know we're in this for the long haul. But any rec's would be appreciated!

[SouthernBeth]

I think I am allergic to my school building.

I felt great this AM, but after being at school an hour or so, I started feeling pretty nauseous. For lunch I brought left over spaghetti squash with meat marinara and an apple, but I had NO appetite. I ate maybe a quarter cup and the apple. After lunch I felt way better, which was a relief. Dinner went off without a hitch-- plenty of an appetite for some Mexican-y chicken salad, bell peppers, and some roasted turnips.

In other news, I tried on a skirt to wear today and it was COMICALLY large. It was already a bit too big to begin with, but now? Holy cow. I probably have four inches of room. Solid!! Day 22 FTW!

[SouthernBeth]

Thursday! What a wonderful day of the week. I just got done with a super kick ass workout and I'm excited for the weekend! Is it ok if your work out is only 30 minutes, but it's high intensity? Just curious. I don't know how long CrossFit WODs last, but I was just wondering.

Today I brought a great salad (greens, carrots, roasted beets, bell pepper, HB eggs, and a mayo-italian dressing), but I don't know that I had enough protein. Something to remember for tomorrow. About to grab another egg and a sweet tater for a Post workout snack. Sloppy Joes with mashed cauliflower and turnips tonight!! Hoorah!

I'm kind of sad that W30 is almost over, though we'll be transitioning to Paleo. But I DID spread the Good Food Word today to a coworker. He's tried Atkins and did well on that but he hasn't been thrilled with the way his diet has been going recently, so I suggested he look into W30. Here's hoping!

[SouthernBeth]

Feeling quite melancholy today for external and internal reasons. I've been having some cravings this afternoon for sweets, so I skipped a snack I brought with nuts and dried mango, just in case. And no fruit with dinner (which I don't normally do anyhow)! I'm going to kick the sugar dragon's butt these last five days!

I can't believe how hard I thought these 30 days would be and how painless and, dare I say it, FUN they've turned out to be. What an amazing experience to participate in! I've had a bit of anxiety about transitioning out to Paleo, enough that I may stick it out another 15 days, but I know I have to transition out at some point. My husband is already talking about having a beer for the Superbowl! Oh, the horror! I don't think I'm ready to imbibe, it may set off a chain reaction and I'm scared.

The beautiful part about all this is that W30 is always there when you need it to fall back on. Like a really sturdy, healthy best friend! What an awesome feeling! Hope everyone else is having a good Friday!