A Little Background:
After working hard two plus years ago to finally get the baby weight off, I knew that I did not want to start gaining. So, when I noticed my clothes were not fitting well this past summer, I began the road to regain my health by eating less, a lot less. I tried to eat what I needed and nothing more. I also started doing the 8 Minute Abs workout (free on YouTube) along with a periodic 15 Minutes of T-Tapp.
It was encouraging to start seeing results and I dropped the six pounds that I had gained by doing nothing more. (FYI, I did have the extra motivation of visiting family in Peru where they are not culturally shy about telling you if you’re heavier. I was trying to avoid that as it could hurt my very North American feelings.)
So, I was eating less and better, plus limited exercise for about two and a half months.
and then Whole30:
Several people in my extended family had started eating more whole foods to drop weight and be healthy. I had witnessed huge improvements in my brothers and more recently my parents. I have not seen my mom looking better, I do not think.
I decided to phone my oldest brother to talk about it as he is one of my biggest encouragers in the healthy living journey. He shared that he and his wife were in the midst of doing a Whole30 and seeing amazing results. It was then I decided to try it.
As I read the website and also the book, It Starts with Food, they suggest starting right this minute. That is what I did. It helped avoid that last huge meal and I was already eating limited sugar and pretty healthy anyway. I was excited to see what it might do for my weight loss, but more then that I was excited to break the sugar cravings and see how it might help with stomach issues that have been bugging me in the last few years.
Day one was November 2nd finishing on December 1st which means that I was doing Whole30 on Thanksgiving. No, I did not cheat. I was feeling too good at that time to change things.
The 30 days were not without challenges. I will admit too that because we live in Bolivia and can’t get everything mentioned on the website, I did make minor tweaks. I am hoping to have a few things brought down to help me with that as I can.
The Results (insert drum roll):
- I am sleeping better which means falling asleep quicker, not waking up, and getting up easier. Love this!
- My energy stays more level.
- My bathroom habits have improved (ahem!)
- I lost 6 pounds during this 30 days plus inches ( 1″ from waist, 1.5″ from hips, and 1.5″ from abdomen) too.
- I had to get out some of my skinnier clothing even some that did not fit me when I weighed five pounds less then I do now.
- Sugar has lost it’s hold at least as long as I keep it at bay.
- My stomach stayed pretty flat this month with no dairy or grains to puff it up!
- Have not noticed my almost chronic sore throat bothering me at all.
- My fingernails are stronger.
- The rest of my family is eating better too.
And Now:
Today is actually day 60 on Whole30. I did enjoy a few things on Christmas, but that was it. I am down another five pounds making it a total of 11 pounds. I plan to keep eating this way and move into a more Paleo approach as I reach my goal weight.
The goal of it all is health for my body and energy for doing what God has called me to do!
So, if you are looking to make some changes in 2013, I would research the Whole30, T-tapp workouts, 8 Minute Abs, and join MyFitnessPal website to track it all (Check with your doctor before you start anything) and see what you think.
First Sip 