I have tried a lot of diets in my day. I mean, a lot! I've counted my points on Weight Watchers. I've taken handfuls of pills on programs like HerbalLife or Advocare. I've drank SlimFast for breakfast. I've tried meal-replacement shakes, Garcinia Cambogia, and various detox home remedies. I feel like I've been looking for "the" diet plan that holds the secrets to weight loss for the past 10 years of my life.
A few of those plans actually do work. I had success with Weight Watchers in my twenties. I currently use a few Advocare products and believe in them as a company. And I know, like we all realize, that healthy eating and regular exercise are the main keys to maintaining a healthy weight. Most of the time.
What I am finding now in my mid-thirties is that losing weight has become more difficult then ever. I nursed my youngest for nearly 23 months and I was so excited when I finally got my body "back" to be able to eat what I wanted or try something new to lose the weight I needed to. But in the past two months I have actually gained weight, despite eating better and working out more. It has been very frustrating, to say the least. I know some of this could be attributed to hormones and my body adjusting after being pregnant and nursing for almost two years. But still...I feel like I don't know my own body anymore.
All of this has lead me to the decision that I need a fresh start. A renewal or reset, if you will. I want to reset my body to the point where I can figure out what works for it and doesn't anymore. What foods make me feel good and look good and what foods do the opposite. I also want to see how my body feels without the toxins, sugars and garbage I feed into it whether I realize I do or not. I want to see how I am supposed to feel.
After some research and reading, I have decided to try the "Whole30" program. Their claim is "let us change your life" and I have read countless stories and testimonies about how this program has done just that. It has changed peoples' lives. To be honest, I could use some change. I want to change these habits, addictions and patterns I've spent the last 10 years creating that have done nothing but hurt my health. Whether it be portion control, night time snacking, my sweet tooth, or my tendency at emotional eating - it ALL needs to change.
What I'm taking away from my research on "Whole30" so far, is that not only is this a physical challenge, but it's also a mental and emotional one as well. Probably more so then physical! I am going to have to use a lot of self-control. I am going to have to show self-restraint. I am going to have to commit. Completely commit! There is no cheating on this plan. I am going to go through a variety of mental, emotional and physical reactions as my body isn't fed what it has become used to and resets itself.
I've read many people say the first week is the hardest. Some claim to be straight up mean the first 7 days. My poor family...can we all make it through this alive!? Well we are sure going to see. We are going to see how I feel, think, sleep, act, and look after 30 days of no sugar, grains, dairy, alcohol, peanuts or soy. I also have to deprive myself of legumes. Legumes! I'm not sure how I will manage that one, but I will give it my best shot! Ha.
Thankfully my husband has agreed to do this with me starting in a few weeks. This program encourages you to take time and read a book that really teaches you about food and how it affects you in all aspects, good and bad. They want you to take the time to plan for this and take it seriously. So that is what we are going to do. Read, plan, organize and prepare for what I hope is a life-changing experience.
My biggest fears with starting this are 1) how to do it with 3 children and 2) if I am really capable. Of course I think this will be good for my kids. I'm sure it will introduce them to more vegetables and will set a good example to them of real healthy eating. But I'm not going to make my kids never have a treat for 30 days. My kids eat pretty healthy already...healthier then myself, so I already feel pretty good about that. But I still have room for improvement so this will help me with that. It will help me be more creative in my meal planning and I hope they see a Mama who feels, thinks, sleeps and looks healthier at the end of all of this. But it will be hard to completely cut out grains with my kids. They love side dishes...like most children do. Sure they eat their meat and veggies, but that side of organic mac and cheese, potatoes with butter, cheese or gravy or some form of rice would be really hard for them. So that is a decision I still have to make...whether or not I continue to cook for them like normal and Adam and I have our "Whole30" meals (which I know is more work) or if we all do this together.
The other fear I mentioned, if I am really capable of doing this....that is my biggest fear if I'm honest. Food and I have a long-standing, unhealthy relationship. My issues with no self-control and little self-restraint show themselves the most in my eating. And I have a husband with the same problem. We aren't much of a support to each other in this area. But you know...I feel like I'm up for the challenge. I want to prove myself wrong. I want to prove I CAN do this. It's 30 days! I can do this. We can do this together. I want to finally look back and say proudly, "I really did it. It was hard, but I stuck with it and look at these results."
Whole30 tells you to throw out your scale for the month. Weight loss is not the main focus here, but the overall health of your body, mind and spirit are what to look at. The exciting part is, not only have I heard people lose weight doing this, but they feel incredible. They sleep better. They think clearer. They have a ton more energy. Their skin is healthier. They lose inches, not just pounds. Their life feels completely changed.
After these 30 days, it's up to each of us to decide what to do from there. The hope is that you feel so great that you WANT to keep it going. That it comes more naturally and it's something you desire to do. It won't feel like a punishment. Or some add back each type of food group at a time to see what kind of negative reaction they see, if any. Or who knows...some probably get to day 31 and go find themselves the nearest McDonalds. I can't say for sure what I will do on day 31 but I sure hope I follow in the footsteps of the thousands of people that have genuinely changed from this program.
So here I go. As soon as my book arrives, I will begin the process of reading, planning and preparing for February 23rd. That is our "go" day. Pray for me...really. I will need it! And better yet...join me? Everything is more fun, less terrifying, and goes faster when you have friends and family to support you. We could do this together and whatever challenge you are facing either mentally, emotionally or physically..,maybe this could be the answer. There's no money to pay, memberships to join, pills to pop, shakes to blend or unknown, potentially dangerous side-effects. It's just clean eating and living for 30 days. Who knows...it could be the most important 30 days of our life.
Let's do it!
~KDM
2/4/2015
No comments:
Post a Comment