The most quoted line in The Whole 30 book is this one:  “It is not hard.  Don’t you dare tell us this is hard.  Quitting heroin is hard.  Beating cancer is hard.  Drinking your coffee black is. Not. Hard.”

That is basically the first line in The Whole 30 guide, which touched me to the core.  We all know someone who has fought cancer.  Someone whom I love to the bottom of my soul has fought and won against the heroin demon.  I know that I can handle drinking my coffee black.  ????????‍♀️

Why I Need a Change

Let me first start out by saying, I’m not starting “The Whole 30” to specifically lose weight, although, deep down, I’m hoping that’s a side effect.  (15 pounds to be exact ????)  I’m using The Whole 30 as a jumpstart, because I have recently found myself addicted to junk food and all around I feel like shit.  ????  I need to give you a little background history.  A little less than 20 years ago, I found myself at the highest weight I’ve ever been.  Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t obese.  I was just at a weight that I found really uncomfortable for me.  Shopping for clothes was a major event because I didn’t feel good about myself. I wanted nothing to do with public functions because I didn’t really want to be seen by anyone.  I’m not even kidding.

I saw a bunch of girls start the Weight Watchers program where I worked.  It seemed like such an easy program because it put a “cap” on what I would be able eat.  The program encouraged me to make healthy choices with my meals.  BUT, I could eat ANYTHING I wanted to because nothing in Weight Watchers is “off-limits.”  (Just ask Oprah… ????)    Therefore, if we were planning to have pizza with friends, I could save enough points for that evening to eat a piece.  All in all, it took me about 6 months to lose 25-30 pounds.  Not only did I physically look better, but I felt better emotionally and physically.  I was at a healthy weight.

For 15 years, I followed the program and kept the weight off.  I modified it a little for maintenance.  I made sure I had half of my daily points remaining by dinner, and I would basically be able to eat whatever I wanted in the evenings.  Which also meant I could still drink my wine. ????  It worked so well for me.

What the Hell Happened?

Over the last couple of years, life got very stressful for many, many different reasons. That’s another day, another post.  It was so easy for us to just grab really quick foods.  And as you know “quick foods” are loaded with not only extra calories, but lots of sugar, salt, and your basic JUNK.  That sugar, salt, and basic junk are physically addicting.  (If you don’t believe that to be true, try getting off of it.  You’ll feel like shit.  ????)

Cut to present day.  I will start my day off completely prepared with the mindset that I’m going to jump back on my tried and true weight watchers program that I followed successfully for 15 years.    Come afternoon, I’m STARVING…and shaking….and just all around feel horrible.  All I want is something processed because nothing is filling that empty hole that is in my gut.  And that “empty hole” has a really loud voice that says, “If you just fill me with a few potato chips or some candy, this awful feeling will go away.”  And, that’s what happens.  I no longer feel “satisfied” eating healthy foods within my points range.  Fifteen years of following weight watchers worked.  Eating junk food has not.  ????

My Personal Issues with My Current Diet

My diet has caused not only some weight gain, but lots of other issues that have popped up over the last couple of years.  In The Whole 30 guide, the author explains what happens when you eat unhealthy foods.  It causes inflammation.  (This is nothing new to me but ….hello…my big “gut hole” has a huge mouth.)  I’m not going to go into all of that because you will have to read it all for yourself.  ???? But just know, inflammation is bad.  It causes lots of diseases.   The book has listed different types of problems one would have from inflammation.  (Page 7 from The Whole 30 Guide)

I am listing my particular problems here, because I want a true list.  I want to see which of these problems will disappear after 30 days.   Some of my issues are not listed in the book but are directly related to the other problems I am experiencing.

• Hypothyroidism
• Insomnia
• Allergies with non-stop post nasal drip
• Sinusitis
• Frequent headaches
• Reflux
• Joint pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• High Cholesterol
• Skin issues, red patches and dry areas

Why The Whole 30 Plan

I need to detox…plain and simple.  I need to detox from the sugar and chemicals that are in junk food.  I’ve toyed around with doing a juice cleanse.  I’ve, also, done a similar detox to The Whole 30 a few years back and felt fantastic.  But to be honest, I feel like The Whole 30 is the most realistic for me.  It’s basically how I ate for 15 years while on Weight Watchers, so I know it works.  I know my body responds really well and works to its fullest potential on a program such as this.

Plans After The Whole 30

My plan is to do The Whole 30 for obviously 30 days as a jumpstart starting tomorrow.  As I said above, I need to detox.  After the detox, I will go back on my tried and true Weight Watchers program.  It’s just the best fit for me.  Over the last couple days, I’ve read The Whole 30 guide, made notes, and browsed the recipes.  I have a menu planned for our first week and my grocery list made.

Why I’m Sharing This Information

To be honest, I’m writing this blog post for no one but myself.  Although, I encourage you all to follow along with me because I think it’s a great guide to getting us all on our way to feeling better in the new year.  I know if I have this written and published, I will stick to it, even if my “gut hole” is screaming. ????????‍♀️

My plan is to share with you each Monday regarding my particular feelings about The Whole 30 plan.  And, I want to let you know my own personal experiences.  I know the first week will be rough, but, thank God, Deb is following right along with me.   I remember the last detox we did.  On day three, we were so sleeeeeeeepy that neither of us could get out of our chairs.  ???? ????   Again, I’m NOT even kidding. ????

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog.  As you know I pledge my love to each and every one of you.  I will be talking more about my experiences over on Facebook and Instagram.  So, you can pop on over there if you would like.  I would love it.

Do you have any detox or change of diet goals planned for the new year?

Buh bye now, said in an old lady’s voice who is ready to see what this new year brings.  Buh bye, 2017…. buh bye now!  ????

Danelle

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