As promised, I’m checking in with you guys after the completion of week one of The Whole 30 plan.  If you are new here, read why I decided to do a complete diet detox and why I chose this plan.   By checking in each week, YOU are holding me accountable for this detox.  ????  Yay, YOU!

Do you remember when I quoted the first sentence in The Whole 30 guide in last weeks post?

“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.”  (The Whole 30 Guide)

Science 101 – Dopamine and Your Brain

We all produce a chemical called dopamine in our brains.  It’s the “reward center.”  I’m not going to get into any extensive scientific research studies because, well, I’m not a scientist and I’m not claiming to be one. But, in a nutshell, this dopamine release tells the brain that whatever it just experienced is worth getting more of.    Dopamine is what causes “test” animals to keep ringing a bell in order to get a tasty treat.  It also affects moods.

Therefore, heroin (or any drug), as well as sugar, creates a surge of dopamine levels in our brains, and keeps us longing for more.  

 (The bell rang… ???? Science class is over. )   Moving right along….????????‍♀️

I’ve briefly mentioned before that someone whom I love to the bottom of my soul has fought and beat the heroin demon.  Obviously, if you, or you know someone who is a recovering addict, it is a day by day, one day at a time, thing.  She went through a very extensive detox and rehab program.  During her rehab, she was told that if she ever felt like using again, she is to reach for sugar.

Noodle THAT one around in your little old brain.

The Whole 30 – The Completion of Week One

I really should start this out by saying, although my diet wasn’t as bad at the typical American diet, I did get into some really, REALLY bad habits.  I’m not going to go into all of them, but let’s just say that I like my coffee warm and brown… NOT hot and black.  ☕️  And, the best go to quick easy meal was a frozen cheese pizza.  ????  Oh, and then there’s wine.  ????

Here are both of our thoughts from day-to-day.  I’m sure after this first week, we won’t be having any “symptoms” of detox so I won’t be breaking it down day by day.   Remember, I’m vegetarian and Deb is not, therefore I included her thoughts at the end of each of my days.

Day One – I thought I would be completely fine and not feel any odd side effects, as that’s what I have experienced in my past.  I felt almost a little shaky by afternoon.  I suspect that it was my sugar levels not spiking to the moon and back.  Remember… half of my morning cup of coffee was cream, ☕️  and of course, I drank it black.  Deb, however, felt nothing new.

Day Two – A massive headache appeared in the early afternoon hours that stuck around throughout the evening and all night long.  I’m not a pill taker.  After trying Peppermint essential oils all day, I finally caved and took ibuprofen.  It didn’t touch the headache. ???? I woke up Day 3 with the same dang throbbing pain.  Deb, however, felt nothing new.  

Day Three – Usually when doing something like this in the past, Day three is THE DAY.  It’s the day where the monster comes up from deep down within and the bitterness sets in.   I felt perfectly fine except the stupid headache lingered.  Deb, however, felt nothing new.

Day Four – Guess who woke up with a headache.  Yep…still me.  A very mild headache lasted until around noon and finally went away.  I felt perfectly fine other than that.  Deb felt nothing new.  

Day Five –  I started to get a little bored with the whole idea but I was basically fine with it all physically.  I was missing the sugar buzzes throughout the day from creamer in my coffee to the bites of candy and junk food.  But, I didn’t actually feel hungry.  Deb, however, was ready to commit homicide.  She had tears in her eyes and said she had lost all will to live.  It was bad.   

Day Six and Seven –  I felt very satisfied but really missed my sugar buzzes as I’m not used to the feeling of my blood sugar being level all day.  It still feels boring to me.  ????  That’s really the only way I can describe it.  Our food was not boring at all, I just “feel” boring inside.  Deb was “starving and feels dead inside.”  ????

Summing it All Up – The Completion of Week One

I think it is interesting how each of us had different problems at different times.  My detox was a gradual decline and Deb’s was an abrupt stop.  I’ve realized this week how much I actually depend on certain foods for comfort.  I had a pile of candy on my counter to give to our nephew when he stopped by earlier in the week.  I found myself walking through the kitchen and grabbing a piece out of pure habit.  (Don’t worry… I didn’t eat it.)  Oh…… and another thing. Computer boy pissed me off this past week. I was on the phone with 4 different people for over 1 1/2 hours trying to fix blog issues.  The first thing I wanted to do was reach a piece of candy when I hung up.

I hope those of you who are following The Whole 30 are hanging in there.  I’ve talked to some of you over on Instagram and Facebook.  You all seem to be in the same boat as I am.  Just a little bored with it all.  Let me know how it’s going for you in the comments below.  And, for those of you who are interested, it’s not at all too late to start.  ????  You can buy the book here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I pledge my love to you all.

Buh bye now, said in an old lady’s voice that is hoping to fall into a swimming pool filled with candy… and her mouth happens to be open.  ????

Danelle