Last Sunday I gave up grains, dairy, sweetners, and beans and legumes. I'd already given up alcohol over 3 years ago, or that would have been on the list, too. So, no bread, no pancakes, no bagels; no peanut butter and honey in my oatmeal; no oatmeal, either; no cheese and crackers; no sugar and half-and-half in my coffee; no soy anything. The list is long and initially it sounded like a lot, but you know what? It hasn't been bad at all! In fact, it's been amazing.
So what do I get to eat after you subtract all the 'fun' stuff? A LOT of vegetables. I've re-discovered sweet potatoes and roasted veggies and salads. I eat an avocado almost every day because I also eat healthy fats; nuts and seeds and olive and coconut oil; fruit - all kinds of fruit; eggs and meat and seafood. The list is amazingly delicious.
I can see where the prep and cooking time might be turn off for someone who doesn't like to cook and/or just doesn't have the knowledge and experience. If you live in a fast food world or think heating something in the microwave is cooking, this is going to take some getting used to. Those people would probably do well to learn to cook before they start the Whole30. For me, it was no problem as I find cooking a creative outlet and have been doing it for many years. In fact, I've already been introduced to so many new and delicious recipes (try this one! http://www.paleorunningmomma.com/caramelized-sweet-potato-apple-hash-browns/) it would have been worth it just for that.
OK, that's what goes in on the Whole30. Now I'd like to say a little about what comes out, because that's been a bit of a surprise. More urine, because I've been drinking a lot more water. I've actually experienced thirst for the first time in I can't remember when. Some gas, which I wasn't expecting, but that's now at a minimum. Less mucous - the morning ritual of honking like a flock of Canada geese has almost ended! And the great purge on day three. Now I know how an elephant must feel about 12 hours after eating at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
How do I feel? Great! Amazingly great. I'm moving around more, less aches and pains, better attitude. And I'm going to go ahead and admit this right now: I cheated. There's no weighing yourself on the Whole30 but I got on the scale on day six and found I had lost five pounds. Five pounds in six days for an almost 60 year old woman is nothing to sneeze at and I am one happy camper :-)
I started the Whole30 with the intention of fine tuning my body. Finding out if there were foods my body didn't tolerate well, maybe losing a few pounds. I may have discovered a new diet lifestyle. Stay tuned.
