The Whole 30. Half Way Through
"Eat moderate portions of meat, seafood, and eggs; lots of vegetables; some fruit; plenty of natural fats; and herbs, spices, and seasonings. Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronounceable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed " - description of the program on the oficial website www.whole30.com.
I am dreaming of cupcakes and whiskey on the rocks. The smell of processed food gives me vertigo. I want to make out with a brick of cheese and dive into a pool of hummus. To be honest though, all of this is not true. A week ago I was craving everything I am not allowed to have that I would not even crave on a normal day. That's how your mind works. Once you tell it no, that's the only thing it will focus on. I am sure if I was doing a no-meat diet, instead of sugary treats that would be available in abundance I would be ready to kill for a chicken kebab.
But let's talk about the Whole 30. What is it? It is a program that you follow for 30 days. The creators claim that it is designed to improve your health, increase energy levels, get rid of inflammation and clear your skin. If you just want to lose weight, don't do it because that's not the point, however the weightless can be a side effect. I am not sure I necessarily feel any major changes rather than just feeling lighter since I did lose a few pounds. Maybe, it's because I do usually go for healthier foods anyway, or, maybe, it is just too soon to tell. No matter what, eating fruits, veggies, meat, seafood and chicken doesn't sound like a bad idea and I stay full with plenty of products to choose from. When you do the Whole 30 you get a balanced diet without additives and all the bad stuff that we all know about. but still consume (aka alcohol).
I've done the Whole 30 last year, turns out exactly in April. I do not remember this program "changing my life" as it is claimed on the website, but it did help me realize that sugar is everywhere. It is disguised under so many labels - corn syrup, fructose, cane juice, malt syrup, etc. Put it like this: if the food comes in a bag or a can it probably has sugar. Isn't it crazy? Play a little game with yourself and start reading the labels when you shop. You would be amazed what we put in our bodies.
One of the program's rules is: if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. Basically, the rules make it pretty hard to not eat well and healthy foods during the program.. Also, you can't bend the rules and make a cauliflower crust pizza because that's the whole point of the program - to change your eating habits and realize that food is the fuel for your body. Eat to live, don't live to eat. If you think of food as fuel, of course you want the purest and most efficient there is, right? During the Whole 30 that's exactly what you are consuming.
Now, I've noticed, the further in the program I get the easier it is. The food choices that I make daily now are turning into a habit, a routine rather than a challenge. Of course, I would love to go and have a glass of wine by the Chicago river or bite into a juicy medium rare burger with french fries. But I don't have to. And I know I will be OK if I don't for another couple of weeks. And for now I am going to keep recording my progress and will share the full recap when I am finished with the program. 14 days standing strong! Have you guys ever done any diets like this?
