You guys. I have something like 20 more days worth of vacation and adventure to share with you but the real life can't wait. I want to share with you everything that's going on now... well, now.
You all have seemed really interested in my Whole30 paleo "detox" so here's an update.
Let's start with the struggles:
Socially it's been hard. Really hard. Though my actual cravings for alcohol have chilled out, I miss having a glass of wine while cooking dinner for friends. And let's face it - I bond with my friends over food and drink and with my options being so limited I just haven't been going out at all - my social life has taken quite a hit. Jeremy and I went to a raw food restaurant but even they use lots of corn and agave in their food and dressings, leaving my options limited. I had a strong celery, cilantro, lime and salt drink in place of booze. But still. A date night just isn't the same without a little something to take the edge off a long work week. Also, while it's nice to be cooking and enjoying the creativity in the kitchen I miss being able to pick up a couple of tacos from my favorite taco joint down the street when I've had a long and emotional work day.
My outlook on food has definitely shifted. Now food is something that nourishes and fuels my body. Every bite I take is making me healthier. This is fantastic - but I miss the raw desire and satisfaction that comes with eating something really delicious like a piece of dark chile chocolate, or a piece of pizza covered in local mushrooms and truffle oil, or a salted caramel gelato. But the thing is, I was taking those things for granted. I wasn't even really tasting the food I love the most.
My energy levels are stabilizing but this week has been a little sleep-deprived with going to bed around 11PM and waking up between 5AM and 5:30AM. Jeremy has had to go in to work early this week and we enjoy waking up together - I cook breakfast and he makes the coffee. But even so, the early hours have been a little brutal.
The worst part of my week, food-wise, was when I dropped a plate of delicious and expensive leftover cod and cauliflower "rice" pilaf on the kitchen floor. I was so sad about it about being clumsy and ruining a meal I was really looking forward to.
But now on to the good things:
It's getting easier. A lot easier. The novelty of it all has absolutely worn off but in a good way. Eating lots of veggies, fruit, fish and eggs just seems like a given now. A way of life. I can hardly remember what it was like before. (Does this mean I've been brainwashed?) A "slip" isn't even a consideration - it's pretty easy to physically choose not to eat something but I keep looking forward Day 31 when this is all over.
Physically, I'm feeling great. I've had zero bloating even *ahem* during that time of the month. Also, before embarking on the Whole30 I was feeling like my body was super sensitive to what I thought was a combination of salt and the soaring summer temperatures outside. I would notice swelling in my fingers and feet to the point where it was painful to wear my rings and certain strappy shoes at the end of the day. But now I'm still eating the same amount of salt (if not more to season all the savory food I'm cooking) and very little to no swelling.
My workouts are solid. I've been pushing hard and at my maximum heart rate for shorter but more intense workouts. If you're interested, I've been doing Zuzana Light's workouts starting at #1, along with hot yoga and some weight lifting. The Zuzana workouts last anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes and if you push hard and eat right that's all you need. That said, I would like to integrate some lower intensity (not hot) yoga or long walks in to my daily routine just to keep from sitting at my desk all day.
Finally, my skin. I've always had pretty nice skin but these days it feels straight-up radiant. I feel like a glittery teeny-bopper vampire sparkling in the sun. So that's nice.
Here is my food chart:
Click on the image to see a larger version in Flickr.
I haven't enjoyed recording everything I eat this week but I think it's important for the continued success of this experiment. I can see I've been relying heavily on smoothies which Whole9Life doesn't entirely condone - but I'm going to blame that on the summer heat and a busy schedule. We're also eating a lot of fruit but it's in season for the summer and makes sense. If we continue to eat a more paleo-style diet after the Whole30 we'll be eating less fruit through the winter, I'm sure. It's important to note here that I cook each meal with at least 1/2 - 1 tablespoon of healthy fat like Whole30 approved ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil - this ensures I'm getting enough calories with a lean diet of fish, veggies, fruit and eggs.
Let me know if you have any questions and I'll answer them to the best of my ability!
Related:
• More information on the details of my paleo style "detox"
• Days 1-8
You inspired me to try the Whole30. I'm on day 8 and so far I LOVE it. Just wanted say thanks for the introduction to whole30!
ReplyDeleteA - I'm so glad to hear it! Thanks for sharing! Have you read It Starts With Food yet? It's pretty amazing and will only make you feel that much better about taking part in the Whole30.
ReplyDeleteI love how you said you felt like you were sort of taking food for granted before and not really tasting it. I feel like I do that now. That's such a huge thing: to truly appreciate our food, understand what it does for our bodies, to really know what we're putting into our bodies, and to understand what works for us and make us the most happy.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to having some wine after this is over won't kill you, but just the fact that you're purposely not drinking it for this project is inspiring (it's something I wouldn't want to give up).
I am curious, though, have you found that you're starting to get tired of certain foods at all? It seems like you eat a lot of tilapia and eggs, for example. I feel like I would get sick of them after a while (but that's just me).
Francine - What I love about the Whole30 approach is that it really focuses on what good food is doing for you - healing your intestines (which in return strengthens your immune system), reduces inflammation, is good for your hormones (like insulin and leptin) and promotes a healthy psychological response (like kicking cravings and unhealthy triggers). And when it comes to eating things that are less healthy it's about admitting why you're doing it: because it's delicious. Not because it's "not going to kill you" or because you had a bad day. Simply because its delicious and you're going to enjoy it to its fullest.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have been able to come to some of the conclusions I'm making without drinking the wine. And I will be drinking again after its over. Because wine is delicious.
And yes - being educated on what food does for us (good and bad) is so so so important. Knowledge is power!
I'm not sick of certain foods. Again, I've shifted to this point of view where food is nourishment. When I eat it's because I'm hungry and at that point anything tastes good. I eat lots of eggs and tilapia and green smoothies because I like eating eggs and tilapia and green smoothies. It also helps to cook with lots of spices and in a variety of ways. I bet if you tracked what you ate you'd find that you eat a lot of the same things too (even without being on a strict diet).
But I'll admit - it would be a lot easier if I ate more animals.
question for you miss kathleen... have you been eating more fish than you used to post-whole30? i noticed you've been eating it a lot at breakfast, is that weird for you?
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about the whole eat for nourishment vs pleasure thing. When I was dating marc and he ate for nourishment, I would always think 'oh what a sad life' but at the same time, I love putting good food in me, and when i cook at home, i make all my recipes more 'boring'. My ex never wanted to eat half my meals because compared to his frozen pizza or chicken wings, my food was gross and healthy. Guess it's really all about perspective. I feel like i was getting to a point but now i can't remember...
I think life's too short and you should enjoy the things you love (as long as whatever you love isn't harmful) so if you love your glass of wine, then have your wine, there's always a balance you have to find.
i love your updates and being a stalker, seeing what you eat every day.
I seriously feel like I would have no problem with the food part, but it's the no wine or beer I just can't comprehend. To rationalize depriving myself of something so beloved (responsibly beloved, that is) there would have to be some momentous payoff, like I'm guaranteed to never get another pimple for life. Or something liike that. I respect your dedication!
ReplyDeleteEmily - I'm definitely eating fish a lot more as I do the Whole30. It's not weird to eat it for breakfast. In a way my meals have lost a lot cultural connotation. Which takes us to meals for nourishment vs. pleasure. Let me say: I get loads of pleasure from the food I'm currently eating. I feel pleasure in the fact that I'm not bloated. The food I make tastes fantastic and that gives me pleasure. I also take pleasure in knowing that I'm doing the best thing possible for my health right now.
ReplyDeleteThe kind of pleasure I miss is the cultural kind of pleasure that comes with wine & chocolate, bonding over dinner out with friends and family.
Life is too short - but I think by doing a "reset" for 30 days I'm going to learn invaluable things about food and my health that will make me live longer and will allow be to BETTER enjoy the things I love that are maybe less healthy. I also think it's going to teach me to really love the things that make me MORE healthy.
I don't believe that "good" food has to be balanced by "bad" food, just like I don't believe that all the days Jeremy and I in love with each other need to be balanced by days we hate each other. Just like I told Francine above - I will drink wine when this is over but not because I'm seeking balance. I'll drink wine because it is delicious and I enjoy it.
And if I die or find out that I'm pregnant tomorrow I don't think I will regret not drinking for the past 17 days. Just like I will never regret a workout or meditation. It's just nearly impossible to regret not partaking in something that makes you less healthy when health is one of your number one priorities.
Ashley - I was drinking 2+ glasses of wine every single night before starting the Whole30. Even before vacation. I think it was not being able to comprehend depriving myself of something so beloved for just 30 days that made me finally dive in headfirst. I'm not going to say that I was an alcoholic but I had / have a very strong attachment to wine and beer. I've even started bargaining with myself that I'll have just one glass here and there before my 30 days is up but still follow the food part to a T. And that kind of bargaining is what pushes me to NOT have a glass. It's JUST 30 days.
ReplyDeleteThe momentous payoff may happen on Day 31 when I have one glass of wine and thoroughly enjoy, taste and appreciate every single sip.
I am REALLY enjoying these posts! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIf recording everything is a ball ache try an app called myfitnesspal. Its instrumental in losing weight (I lost 18 pounds so far using it) but what it really does is make you more aware of what you are putting in to your body and realise all the stuff that you shouldn't have been putting in, that you snack WAY more than you ever think you do and so on.
ReplyDeleteIts really easy to use because you can put recipes and meals in and just click on them to add to your diary. I've let it slip this past week or so as I've had crazy days that have ended at around midnight and up with the children around six (trying to get brand/product re-launch done before I hit 30 on Sunday) but I'll be heading back to it soon just because I miss the feeling of control and accountability to myself. I meant to say, you can also scan your foods in with their barcodes which is pretty handy and you get nutritional values of your meals too. (Hard sell done... I don't work for them, honest)
you're gonna have that one glass of wine on day 31 and be drunk off your ass!
ReplyDeleteAmanda - You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteNicole - I've used MyFitnessPal before! It takes me FOREVER to look up and load all the ingredients I use but I've recommended it as a tool for friends wanting to lose weight (simply to get the concept of calories in vs. calories out in mind).
I think my aversion to writing everything down is more mental. I want to be able to eat a banana without writing it down! Ha.
Emily - Ha! Yes. I'm going to be such a cheap date.
I love that you were drinking 2+ glasses of wine a night because I pretty much do too. I don't feel that is bad - red wine has lots of good stuff in it.
ReplyDeleteFor me, dairy is the biggest offender for bloating. I eat very little dairy (it's definitely not a daily addition in my diet). Also, if I overdo the fruit and veggies - there is such a thing as too much fiber!
You're doing a really great job on keeping up with this healthy regimen . i need to get on that!
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about Paleo? The recipes look SO delicious. I wouldn't go full out (Paleo/Whole 30) because I'd hate food and I'm okay with loving all food and understanding and balancing/counteracting how it engages me (ie, I LOVE fruit, I'm not a meat eater, not a huge tofu fan...I can give up wine, but it is seriously a "give up"). All to say. I've seen photos of food on your blog that make me want to cook. I'd be way ahead of the game if I cooked more and ate out less. That's a small, but significant victory for me.
ReplyDeleteLove that you stuck this out.
Bernadette