Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Whole 30

For a whole 30-days.

 

I was challenged to participate in the Whole30 plan. I have been struggling with different things related to health and the extra weight I am sloshing around with me. Weight that doesn't seem to move, ankles that swell at the end of the day regardless of the amount of water I am drinking or activity I am doing. I feel puffy, and fluffy and not happy.

I was willing to try anything.

And here is the program:

Eat Real Food. Eat meat, seafood, tons of vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of good fats from fruits, oils, nuts and seeds. Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronouncable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed at all because they're totally natural and unprocessed.

Avoid for the next 30 days:

  • Do not consume sugar of any kind, real or artificial.
  • Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.
  • Do not eat grains.
  • Do not eat legumes.
  • Do not eat dairy.
  • Do not eat carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.
  • Do not try to recreate baked goods, junk foods or treats with 'approved' ingredients.
And lastly, you are NOT allowed to step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program.




And so I began. For 18-days, it was a fairly solid, and surprisingly easy journey.

 

I felt happier, lighter and I noticed that my tastes became clarified, and my sense of smell radically improved. It was pretty cool when I put in a swim suit and it was not as snug as it had been. My energy levels increased.

And, my ankles were not swelling. My ankles had been swelling to the point of pain. And NOTHING I did, would eliminate that pain.

 

This past weekend, I was not prepared for the events of the day. As a result, I ate quite a bit of gluten -- you know the fast and easy food. And Monday night, my ankles were swollen and stiff and in pain. UGH!

 

All things being the same, the gluten and/or processing in the foods of the weekend splurge caused my body to feel puffy, bloated, swollen and heavy. I did not feel good at all.

 

 

I would definitely conclude that I have some serious gluten intolerances. As a result, I am recommencing my Whole30 Challenge. Over the next 30-Days, I will be eliminating the junk and seeing what happens. I am also participating (vicariously) in the YMCAs 6-week weight loss challenge that started this week. I say vicariously, because this is about me and not a team. I am running and swimming and cycling.

 

This process is to see what happens, to find what I may be allergic or have sensitivities to, and how I feel. It is about getting healthy, which is so much more than a number on the scale. And while some of you are cringing about the food elimination, it is only 30-days.

 

Who's in? Anyone care to join me?