Monday, September 29, 2014

Whole 30

So. Here I am......seven months since my last post. It has been a busy year. Lots of things coming and going. Why shouldn't a new eating plan be in the works for 2014 as well?


Fifteen days ago I started the Whole 30 program. I had a friend who was starting it and she challenged others to follow on Facebook so I said...why not? I am not an expert at this program by any means, but I must say I am beginning to adapt.


The Whole 30 program basically pushes the reset button on your daily eating habits. It strips out all of the unhealthy items so you can go back to the basics for 30 days to kick start your metabolism. I like the word "kick start" and "reset". This may be just a side effect of being in the IT profession for over 20 years. We use terms like that a lot.


But I digress, I am half way through this program and I must say that I am feeling pretty good! I am not as tired as I was before and I have more energy. Imagine that.....energy without slurping down ice cream, soda or cookies. This program strips all of that....and I mean ALL.....out. No sugar, dairy, legumes (beans, peanuts etc), grains or alcohol....yes....even booze......for 30 days. While I have been tempted to rob my local delicatessen of their largest wheel of cheddar, I have gradually lost that craving for everything cheesy. It was pretty bad there for awhile. Dairy is a huge part of my life and now not even a smidge of it for 30 days. Egads I thought.


Now I am finding myself not as hungry. Oh sure....I have hunger pangs just like everyone else, but I'm not as "ravenous". This whole thing has been quite interesting. It really has been a change to my system and I feel better for it.


To help the weight loss part of the program, it is really not specifically aimed at weight loss insomuch that it is a change in your foodie behaviors, I have started walking a lot more each week. I am hoping that as it kick starts my way of eating and thinking about food I drop some serious pounds too. I almost have to at this point. I have given up everything.....and I mean everything....that I loved to eat.


I am liking the way I feel and I look forward to the next 15 days with optimism and a change of heart about what I need to eat daily to make me feel happy and fulfilled.