15 Things I Learned From The Whole 30

resDenim Top: ShopBop | Lipstick: YSL | Whole 30 Book: Amazon

Tomorrow is officially Day 30 of my Whole 30 journey (yay!)!! While I know this post is a little premature, I have other posts scheduled for this week and today ended up working out as my best day to post this one! Plus, I am on cloud nine knowing I am so close to the end. This journey has been a challenging (notice I didn’t say hard) one, but I am so glad  that I gave it my all and completed it. My body, my mind, my gut and my waistline all thank me for it. 

As I get closer and closer to Day 30, I realize just how badly my body needed this reset. That it was almost begging for it if you will. If you’re new to LtoL and are not sure what The Whole 30 is, then you can read my post on it here. 

15 Things I Learned From The Whole 30

I Needed A Good Booty Kicking In The Health Department

Before The Whole 30, I thought I was really healthy and I preached the 80/20 rule. When in reality, I realized I really wasn’t that healthy and I was living more like a 60/40. While you would consider what I was eating a lot of the time before this as “healthy”, I did have a lot of unhealthy habits. For example, a bottle of wine with my dinner, eating half (if not more) of Colton’s fries with my healthy dinner, and convincing myself that I deserved a “healthy” cookie (or two) after every dinner. A few years ago, I was much more strict with my diet and saw amazing results and I think in the past year or two, I started to let things slide a little bit too much. I needed these past 30 Days to kick my booty in shape and get me back on track. 

The Whole 30 and My Social Life Didn’t Mix Well

Having a social life with The Whole 30 really put a damper on my social life and I definitely became even more of a home body than I already am. Going out and staying out late just wasn’t fun and going to dinner with a big group to El Tiempo, as I watched everyone have margaritas, chips and queso was not my idea of a good time. I definitely became a hermit during the whole process. Poor Colton. 

 Added Sugar Ruins Everything 

It’s also in everything. In the Whole 30, you get really good at reading labels and it is kind of shocking to see that added sugar is in almost everything. Since cutting it out though, it’s crazy how much sweeter all natural foods taste. For example, strawberries, watermelon and almost all fruit tastes as sweet as candy to me. It’s like I am just tasting everything better. Even my black coffee  tastes better. It’s really strange to taste food as it is supposed to be tasted as opposed to having added sugar to it. 

 Foods Primary Purpose Is Fuel. It’s Supposed To Give You Energy!

After eating, you should never feel tired, bloated and wanting to take a nap. Foods primary purpose is to give you the energy you need to tackle the day, not to make you miserable and in need of a food coma. Since the Whole 30, I have had a crazy amount of energy, especially after eating. Almost like I have had a burst of caffeine. I no longer feel sluggish after eating and instead feel crazy energized. In the book, they call this Tiger Blood and it really has been my favorite part! The energy is astounding. 

Giving Up Bread/Grains Really Wasn’t That Bad

I already do not eat a ton of bread/grains, but the reason it was so easy to give up, is because there are so many great substitutions for them.  There is a healthy alternative to almost everything. Whether it’s porridge instead of my oatmeal or spaghetti squash instead of pasta, it really wasn’t that bad.  

My Diet Before Was Killing My Stomach

As I have mentioned before, over and over throughout this process, something I was eating before was seriously disturbing my gut. Since cutting out Dairy, Grains, Legumes and Added Sugar, all of my previous stomach problems have vanished. 

 Cooking and Meal Prepping Gets Easier 

By week two, I got into a routine with my meal prepping and it actually became really easy. The first Sunday I spent 3 hours meals prepping and by week two, I cut that time in half. You just start to figure out what it is you like, how much you actually eat and just how great leftovers really are. 

The First Week & The Last Week Are The Hardest

The first week, all you can think about is the weeks to come and how hard it is going to be. This is the hangover period and it has you questioning starting the whole program in the first place. Then the last week is really hard because you are kind of over having to say “no” to everything. You start to really miss your social life and in your mind you think you’re “basically done” when you’re really not. 

Thank The Good Lord For Lar Bars 

Whenever I was out of meals or on the go, Lar Bars were my saving grace. They are all natural and Whole 30 approved bars that got me through some seriously hard times. 

The Whole 30 Saved Me Money 

While my grocery bill increased, I saved a lot of money by not eating out and by not drinking. We cooked at home a lot more and when we did eat out, we saved money by not ordering appetizers (most are not Whole 30 approved) and by not ordering any wine which ranges from around $12-$15 a glass. 

It Was The Best Beach Body Diet 

If you are wanting to get in shape for the beach this summer, then The Whole 30 will be your best friend. While I didn’t do the program to lose weight, I did indeed lose weight. Around 7 lbs to be exact. Since starting the program, everything from my face, to my stomach and my thighs has slimmed down.

I Really Don’t Need That Glass Of Wine 

Before The Whole 30, I think I was drinking when it was unnecessary. I was drinking just because I thought it was what I was supposed to be doing. When in reality, a glass of Perrier is just fine. Wine is just extra carbs and calories my body really doesn’t need. Since the Whole 30, I kind of look at wine as a special occasion and honestly prefer water over it. I’ve also loved not waking up with that pounding headache… 

What You Eat Effects Your Sleep 

Since Week 3 of The Whole 30, I have slept better than ever. I fall asleep fast and sleep harder. Before starting, I would lay in bed awake thinking of a million things, but now when I am tired – I am tired. 

Sweet Potatoes Are Everything 

I’m pretty sure I ate sweet potatoes with almost every meal and I crave them like they are candy. Since I was not eating the same amount of carbs my body was used too, I really needed my sweet potatoes in order to get the right amount of good carbs my body needed. Especially on days when I was working out. From putting sweet potatoes in my breakfast casserole, to roasting them and baking them, I had sweet potatoes at almost every meal. 

It Really Wasn’t That Hard

If you remember in my first Whole 30 post, I quoted the book when they said “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. You won’t get any coddling, and you won’t get any sympathy for your ‘struggles’.”

Well, they were right. It wasn’t that hard. There are things in my life that I have done or gone through that were way harder than giving up dairy, grains, sugar and alcohol for a few weeks. If you put your mind to it and really want it, the program will be easier than you think. The benefits and the way I feel totally override just how hard I thought it was going to be. 

With that being said, as I mentioned yesterday, I did cheat once with alcohol. It was during my last week (remember I said the last week is the hardest) and I caved into the pressure. The good news? The moment I cheated and had my first sip, I didn’t want the rest. I realized it wasn’t worth it and couldn’t even finish half. That moment of realizing I really didn’t want it made the whole program worth it for me.

So what is my plan post Whole 30?

I’m probably going to continue eating this way. I’ve loved the way my body has reacted to cutting out the things that I did and I am not ready to give that up. While I am looking forward to not being so strict, I do want to continue eating paleo and continue to take everything I have learned during this process about food with me. Especially when eating out. The Whole 30 Book also has a re introductory program where I slowly introduce foods back into my diet. 

Would I do the Whole 30 again?

Absolutely. The program really is a “body reset”, so if I ever feel as if I have gotten off track in the future, completing The Whole 30 again will always be an option. I’d love to do it again before the wedding, but if there is not a good time, I will definitely do it for the two weeks leading up to it! 

If you have any questions regarding The Whole 30 or if you want to share your Whole 30 experience with me, please comment below! I would love to hear from all of you! 

Thank you guys for following me on this journey! 

xo,

Lauren 

SHOP THE POST