My August Whole30 Challenge

Have I gone mad? Some may say “yes.”

I would be inclined to disagree, naturally. I think I’m fairly sane. =)

My First Whole 30

Back in April, I joined a good friend in a 30-Day challenge, a Whole 30 challenge, and I did it. I completed it. The whole thing!

I’ve never succeeded at anything like that before. It was difficult in the beginning but it soon got easier and for the rest of the month I started to discover that I felt better, I had more energy, my mood swings were better, and I was sleeping better, too. Not only that,  but I lost THIRTEEN pounds on that challenge–which is nothing short of amazing. But the best part was the feeling of accomplishment I had for actually sticking to it. I proved to myself that I am stronger than I think I am.

So that’s my first Whole30 testimonial. But why am I doing this again? 

1) I was trying to reintroduce food groups one at a time to watch for things my body doesn’t like and I pretty much messed it up in the first week. I will need to eliminate them all again to do that right the second time.

2) I haven’t been eating great lately. When you eat junk, you feel like junk. I need to purge the junk from my system. Again.

3) I have 48 more pounds to lose just to get into my healthy weight RANGE for my age and height–58 pounds to be happily in the middle of that healthy weight zone. The Whole 30 isn’t a weight loss plan, but it helps put my body in weight losing mode – so it’s a good place to start.

4) The first time I only focused on diet. This time I’d like to add in exercise, too. I want to get healthier and stronger, and feel better in my body.

5) It seems I’m not really great at sticking to the plan without an actual “challenge.”

For all those reasons I’m joining some friends for a 30-Day challenge from August 3rd – September 1st (which falls happily between our wedding anniversary and my birthday.) 😉 

What is the Whole 30?

The Whole 30 is an elimination diet in which you eliminate some of the most common problem causing foods as well as processed and altered foods for the purpose of clearing out all the junk and “rebooting” your system.

The short version is: No dairy, no grains, no legumes, no soy, no alcohol, no sugar – for thirty days. You could do 7, or 14, or 21, but honestly, you still feel pretty cruddy on Day 7, you’re just starting to feel pretty good on Day 14, and you’ve just gotten to the really great part on Day 21. So why not go one more week and two days and finish out a whole 30 Days of clean eating?

To Complete my August Whole30

I did well the first time but I did learn some things that will make this round better.

1.) Start weaning off the caffeine and sugar the week before to avoid going “cold turkey.”

2.) Better meal planning and prep will be super helpful!

3.) Warn my family and friends about Days 2-5. ;0)

4.) This time I have a food scale similar to this one, which isn’t required but will be very helpful.

5.) Activated charcoal supplements for at least the first week of the cleanse and plenty of fresh cilantro throughout the challenge to help absorb and remove toxins.

The main thing I need to work on is better meal planning and preparation. To that end, I’ll be doing Menu Plan Monday again, at least for a while, and sharing links for Whole 30 Recipes that I’m using. I’m hoping to do some bulk cooking and prepping on the weekends as well. One of my friends needs help in that area so I’m hoping we can do it together. =)

Ready, Set, Go!

So T-minus-7 days and counting! One week from today I’m back on the Whole30 Wagon and I’m actually kind of looking forward to it. Anyone else want to brave the next 30 days with me? =)