AmyB's Whole...Something

[AmyB]

Welp, guess it's time for me to move on over to the Post-Whole30 side. This is Day 36 for me, but I accidentally had 2 slips. Not terrible, but I could've done better.

• On Day 34 (Saturday), I went to Smashburger. I had been devoted about making all of my meals for the entire Whole30, and I just needed a break. You all know how that feels, I'm sure. Anyway, got a burger with no bun, plus lettuce, tomato, pickle, and avocado. The problem was the sweet potato smash fries (smasherfries? I don't know what they were called) - they were clearly cooked in LOTS of oil and frankly smelled kind of funky. I still ate them and probably shouldn't have. No ill physical effects; just guilt from making a less than stellar choice.
  
• Yesterday at the grocery store, there was LOTS of meat on sale at the butcher counter. It's a pretty decent store, and while I knew that the meat was maybe not the *best* ever, it was still pretty decent, and I decided to take advantage. Well, I forgot about how breakfast sausage usually contains all manner of unnecessary stuff, and had happily chowed down on 3 patties containing sugar before I thought to read the package.
  

So...I'm going to let both of those go. I think I got a little cocky about my success. I am still going to eat the sausage because I'm trying to spend a bit more wisely. I guess I won't say that I'm on a WholeWhatever right now because of that, but I will continue trying to eat as cleanly and as well as I can and keep nourishing myself before and after my WOs. I still have the goal of not *overtly* eating grains, dairy, sugar, alcohol, soy, or legumes until May 26, making it a "whole"55 for me.

I still have some skin and scalp issues that need improvement, but I am using less body lotion, which I am pleased about. Also have some physical goals of increased strength and reduced inflammation in joints and muscles. Still feeling pretty positive with a stable mood. I haven't weighed myself because...I don't care, but I did take a few photos on Day 2, and will take some "after" photos as well.

[Tom Denham]

You're doing fine.

[LadyM]

Where's the big meat sale? I haven't gone grocery shopping yet this week.

[AmyB]

D&W on Parkview had many things at the butcher counter on sale. I got bulk sausage, hot Italian sausage links, chicken breast ("Smart Chicken" - whatever that means. I prefer my chicken not be smarter than me, thanks), and ground beef. This is all with the "Yes" card that they offer...I saved over $20 on the stuff I bought.

[LadyM]

Good to know, thanks! I thought it might be D&W by the way you described it. . . .

[AmyB]

Those guys are always so nice! They get excited when you order bacon. I love it.

[LadyM]

The fishmongers are always super nice and helpful, too.

[AmyB]

After photos: I'm not going to post them because a) I'm terrible at photography and b ) I'm in my undies, but I saw ab definition, and that's nice. Healthy on purpose, hot by accident.

Today I made a rookie mistake and did not bring enough to eat at work. Chicken never works for me for lunch - when will I learn?? Just let myself feel hungry, drink water, deep breathing...no reason to panic.

There are two things at my office job that were problematic for me that I feel I've conquered: 1) free hot chocolate that is dispensed from a machine. Guaranteed it contains HFCS, soy lethicin, artificial color, etc. etc. Nothing good in there, just sweet poison. 2) These little tater tots with cheese in the middle that they serve at breakfast. I could always taste that they were freezer burned and cooked in rancid oil, but that never stopped me. So long, skeezy tater tots of doom! Glad to say goodbye to those things and enjoy my real food. Burgers with spinach and red peppers in them tomorrow for lunch, plus asparagus and sweet potato. So nice to look forward to healthy things. I'm also looking forward to kicking arse at strength workouts this week.

[LadyM]

After photos: I'm not going to post them because a) I'm terrible at photography and b ) I'm in my undies, but I saw ab definition, and that's nice. Healthy on purpose, hot by accident.

Love this!

Congrats on all the great gains you've made--and with resisting poisons. Ab definition is my dream. You inspire me!

[Jtandi]

I think you're doing awesome! when my run was over I felt guilty over everything I ate, too. I've found that every time I eat off I do it intentionally and enjoy it. that's the point, right? that we change not just what we eat but our relationship with what we eat? I have gotten to a point where I do have 2 squares of dark chocolate every night. but I don't eat them standing in the kitchen hiding behind the cupboard like I use to. I ate chips and salsa on Cinco De Mayo. other than that I've been pretty much compliant. and I eat goat cheese (found that cow's milk dairy causes me serious problems). I just weighed again after another 30 days and I was positive I had gained back all the weight I lost and gained back all my inches. I had lost another 2.2 lbs and down another inch from hips and bust, 1/2 inch from waist. I will do another whole30 in June (my plan is 3x a year) to re-set, but right now I'm finally at a place where I'm happy with my choices!

[Nadia B]

Abs of steel, yea yea!

I suck at planning lunch and sometimes end up with running home hungry. If I get hungry I just go and buy an avocado and eat it with the spoon. Hits the spot every time.

Chicken is a salad meat really, however I am actually craving chicken lately. Maybe because it's summer and eating lamb and beef feels a bit odd.

Wishing you new PRs

[AmyB]

Thanks for all the support, everyone! Chicken is definitely a salad meat, and that's where it was - on top of a big Greek-esque salad, with some avo and a whole sweet potato, too..I just should've had something else with it. My appetite is a little unpredictable sometimes, so I am still working with that. It's all good.

[LadyM]

Thanks for all the support, everyone! Chicken is definitely a salad meat, and that's where it was - on top of a big Greek-esque salad, with some avo and a whole sweet potato, too..I just should've had something else with it. My appetite is a little unpredictable sometimes, so I am still working with that. It's all good.

I just think chicken doesn't cut it anymore. Or maybe it takes a whole lot more added fat to make it work. I had the same problem with chicken for lunch yesterday.

[Emma]

Cheesy tater tots could be hard to pass up! It is amazing how many different choices we are all making. My fear is that if I go out and eat one meal like my old ways, I'll feel cruddy and seek out more. But, that might just be a fear. We had a beer the other night and the next day my stomach was unhappy and I found myself looking forward to getting a clean day behind me.

Becoming accidentally hot - that's what I've been wishing for years -just wake up and ka-boom. Smiling. It's happening to you!! (Though it isn't really just an overnight thing)

[AmyB]

Let's see, it's day...42. Last week I learned that my (wonderful, amazing) roomie will be moving away to NJ in a couple of months. I was really sad to hear this, but happy for her. I also began discussing the strong possibility of going into business with another massage therapist friend of mine. Plus, I am having Dude Problems. So I've felt excited, scared, sad, vulnerable, etc. this week. Even though I've gotten SO much better at identifying my feelings and what I actually need, I still have eaten several bowls of frozen fruit (cherries or mango) with coconut milk in the evenings. Clearly, this is just for comfort. A couple of times I tried the "phone a friend" trick, but no one answered, and I hate talking on the phone anyway. I have not eaten anything that's technically non-compliant, I have just eaten things for reasons that are non-compliant. I am proud of myself for at least not turning to wine or ice cream.

Another thing that went well: last Sunday's Weekly Cook-up. I cooked plenty of meat on the grill and had pre-made salads and veggies all ready to go. I had everything I needed, and that felt great. I know I was eating plenty of healthy foods. It's nice when you just figure it out and it gets easy. This is the longest I have ever gone without the "not allowed" foods, so even though I need to work on my fruit and coco milk issue, I think I am still doing ok. *deep breath*

[Nadia B]

Sorry to read about the rommie and DP.

I think that you've made major step with analyzing "why" part before reaching for food. Moreover you tried to deal with it with the phone trick. So much work instead of just mindlessly grabbing a bowl of ice-cream. Fantastic! You should be proud indeed.

Good luck with new business opportunity!

[LadyM]

The way I see it is we're never going to be perfect on all fronts all at once--for long, anyway--so, as Nadia said, it's worthwhile to see progress where we can. I got my spoon stuck in the coconut butter last night and I ate three apples after dinner. WTH? This sort of thing used to be a daily occurrence for me; now it seems to have dwindled to once a month.

OK, so phoning a friend isn't really comfort to you. Is there anything else that would bring you comfort besides food in these times when you reach for the fruit and coconut milk? Or, can you just give yourself permission to enjoy it right now?

[AmyB]

Thanks, Ladies...I agree that my progress is in fact progress. LadyM, I did in fact just give myself permission to enjoy my cocomilk&fruit and was just trying to be nice to myself about it. I remembered last night that I still have my anatomy coloring book from massage school and some nice colored pencils. I always found that a soothing activity, so I set it out and will try reaching for that and a cup of tea instead.

This morning someone brought in bagels and pastries - not even a little bit tempted. I'm enjoying my container of eggs, sausage, leeks, cabbage, and a small hunk of avo. Sometimes I just want to dramatically sweep the boxes of bagels to the ground with my arm and yell, "It's a trick! Run away - you're being poisoned!"

[AmyB]

Day 44. Belly full of bacon, cabbage, leeks, and eggs...YUM. I burned the bacon a little, though. Oops.

What was good about yesterday is that I only had one apple and a few almonds. No coconut milk at all. And I didn't eat anything after dinner, which was sausage, a whole sweet potato, and a pile of random raw veggies (snap peas, zucchini, etc.). I just drank more water. In addition to being a comfort craving, I think sometimes I'm just thirsty when I think I want that frozen fruit w/cm.

What was less than ideal about yesterday: my back squat and deadlift are exactly the same as they were 3 months ago, and my strict press only increased by 3 lbs. I'm bummed about that. Really looking forward to some strength gains. I discussed some supplemental exercises that I should be doing with 2 coaches, and am contemplating just eating more, period. That's a slippery slope, though, because I am not really hungry between meals. Sigh. You know what, if not meeting my strength goals is my biggest problem right now, I'm extremely fortunate.

[Nadia B]

Amy, please teach me to write concise post

This is what I figured out too with the thirst/hunger. We are confusing those two feelings sometimes. I really like making flavored water or iced herbal tea for the after dinner times.

Eating more in general? Extra bacon slice

[AmyB]

Amy, please teach me to write concise post

This is what I figured out too with the thirst/hunger. We are confusing those two feelings sometimes. I really like making flavored water or iced herbal tea for the after dinner times.

Eating more in general? Extra bacon slice

Haha, Nadia, I love the story-telling style that you bring to your log. It make you unique. I am right there with ya on the extra bacon slice! Yummmm! In fact, my nickname at CrossFit is Bacon. I've been trying to get people to stop calling me that, but I think it's probably here to stay.

[Nadia B]

Ahah best. Is that what B stands for in your username?