what whole 30 taught me

It was before Christmas when I tried my first (and thus far my only) attempt at Whole 30.

If you’re unfamiliar with Whole 30, you can learn more about it on the Whole 30 website.  Basically it’s just a program that helps you to manage what good foods go in your body and what bad foods stay out.  It’s a 30 day plan to kick sugar and processed foods out of your diet and to break food habits you might need help overcoming.

Why did I try Whole 30?

I don’t have a neat and tidy answer.

I had been thinking about it off and on for several years.  I’ve had friends who would commit to the Whole 30 plan (which lasts – you know – 30 days) and they’ve sung its praises.  They’ve talked about feeling more energized.  Feeling more alert.

But maybe a better question for me to answer instead of why did I try Whole 30 is why did I wait so long to ever try it?

That’s easier for me to explain.

Frankly, it seemed hard.

Unnecessary.

Too self-sacrificing, self-restricting.

I just didn’t want to.

I don’t like depriving myself of food I like.

I love sugar and dessert.

So much of our family’s ideas of celebrations center around a meal and cooking.

I thought it was pointless.

Somehow, though, I let the idea loll around in my mind longer this time, for some reason.  

Then my friends Jane and Walter were over at our house for dinner.  They’ve done the Whole 30 system multiple times.  Worked through the process in various ways.  Frequently return to it as a regular lifestyle.

They shared their results.  Better food choices.  More aware of how their body was feeling and reacting to those food choices.  Sleeping better.  Skin clear and bright.

I guess the timing was right.  The stars were aligning.

London said she wanted to try it.

So I was on an edge and I guess I just dove off.

And, like so many personal life challenges, what I learned was less to the point and more around the edges.

I learned that  . . .

1. Thirty days is not actually all that long.

2. I have the ability to look at food – food I love – and say the words, “No thank you.”

3. It’s not that painful to say no.

4. I can do hard things.  (No, this isn’t THAT hard, if we’re comparing it to say – childbirth or wisdom teeth extraction or a 15 mile hike uphill – but is IS hard in its own way.)

5. I have self control.  (Who knew?)

6. A buddy, a comrade, goes a very long way toward success.  In this venture I had London and my friend Hilary.

7. Accountability is key.  Publicly declaring I was trying it.  Telling my friends.  Those acts made me less likely to sneak a cinnamon roll or place butter all over my veggies.

8. Encouragement is paramount.

9. I thought I was living a more healthy life than I actually am.

10. My kid has stamina too.

I don’t think I’ll be on Whole 30 all the time.  I still love desserts and I like celebrating with food.  The prep work was time consuming and the lack of flexibility was challenging for a busy life.  All things in moderation is more my style for the long term.

But I learned good habits.  I am sad to say that my skin and my sleep were both better without sugar.  Which is a crying shame because I still actually do like sugar.  And bread.  

But I’m glad I did it.

I’m glad I proved to me that I could finish what I started.  Stay on task.  Refrain when I needed to.

Have you tried Whole 30 – or another health or eating plan that was a challenge and a help to you?

___________________________________