Whole 30 Week 4 Log

Here is my final post for my last week of my first Whole 30!
Day 22:

Holy Cow....today is day 22 for me!

I am shocked.  I really wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this.  But look at me!  Day 22....8 days to go!

I know this Whole 30 wasn't perfect....but it was pretty darn close!  I stayed on track.  Even when I went out with my girlfriends, I stayed on plan.  I did not have a drink.  I did not eat the pizza.  I had two people ask me if I wanted to go and have a glass of wine with them, and I said no thank you.  I felt that if I went out with them for a glass, I would have had a glass, so I stayed home.  As I am getting stronger, I will go with them...but have something else instead!

I stared to drink iced tea (unsweetened) and since I started, I find that I am not sleeping as well.  I have to be careful with caffeine and can't have it after late afternoon, because then I can't sleep!  So I decided that I would stick to tea in the morning, but then just water after that.

So far, I am so glad I did this!  I know this is something I can do!  I think after the 30 days, I am going to take a small break (a few days)....then go for another 30 days.  But for now, I am going to focus on the next 8 days!

Day 23:

M1: eggs and sausage

M2: shaved brussel sprouts, kahula pig, apple with almond butter

M3: Steak, broccoli, sweet potatoes, plantain chips

Day 23 was great!  I stayed compliant, felt good.  We went out for dinner, and I asked for no butter on anything, and had a sweet potato instead of fries.  My family started with the mozzarella sticks.  That was hard for me not to just have a bite, but I didn't!  I drank lots of water yesterday and stayed away from the iced tea because I am having trouble sleeping, but last night, I still had trouble.  I am tired, but I just can't fall asleep at night.  Last night I was still looking at my alarm clock at 2am.   I read another thread on the forum where someone suggested that they make sure they are eating enough veggies.  I admit that I do not have the full 1-3 servings at each meal.  

After dinner, I went to Trader Joes.  Found ghee, plantain chips, avocados, and a few other things to try that are compliant.  I am so glad we can have avocados!  I love them!

So, the end is near....only 7 days to go!

Day 24:

M1: 3 hardboiled eggs, apple/strawberrys

M2: avocado, plaintain chips, apple with almond butter, kahula pig with eggplant strata

M3:  Kahula pig, eggplant strata, pumpkin custard (pumpkin, bananas, coconut milk, eggs, spices, chopped pecans)

I know that the custard is technically not compliant, but I just wanted to try it.  It was good!  I put some in containers to have for breakfast for the next few days.

I'm still not sleeping, and I think I know why.  I have rheumatoid arthritis, and I am supposed to take an injection weekly of meds.  For the past few weeks, I have not taken it.  I am a horrible patient, and I know I need to be better about taking care of myself, but I also just wanted to see how long I could go with out it.  Well, I have found that I need to take it.  I have been having flare ups, and have been in more pain than I have been in a long time.  I went to renew my prescription, but my doctor wont renew it without getting my blood work done.  So, off to the lab either after work today, or first thing tomorrow morning.  I think that because my body has not been getting the right meds, the meds that were stored up are wearing off....and now I can't sleep.

So, back to the injections I go.  But the good news is even though I have not been sleeping, I am not as tired as I thought I would be!

Day 29:

Good morning!  Can you believe it?  I am on day 29!!!!  One more day to go!

I haven't been logging my meals every day, but I have been staying on track.  I know that preparation is key for me.  If I do not have some things made on the weekends, my meals tend to be heavy on the protein and fruit.  So this weekend, I made another pot of chocolate chili (Well Fed)  and I made some Eggs in Purgatory (from Nom Nom Paleo).  Those eggs were fantastic!  I had some for dinner last night and breakfast this morning.  Yum-o!

Sleep has started to get better....thank goodness!  Overall, I feel great!  I feel like I am in control of what I eat, and even though there are a lot of restricted foods, I am not upset about what I can eat.  There is something about being able to eat an entire avocado and bacon and sweet potatoes that make me happy....even if I can't have pasta and cheese!

So, here is to going strong for the last two days of this round!

Day 31!!!!

Yippee!  I did it!  I did a whole 30!  Today is day 31, and I finally got to weigh myself!

For the 30 days, I lost 9 pounds!

I know weight loss is not the main purpose of doing a whole 30, but I am very pleased with the 9 pounds!  Here are some other things I noticed:

• I don't have to have coffee every morning.  I am a type of coffee drinker who likes her flavored creamers.  Without the creamer, I didn't even want any.  
• I can drink tea without sweetener.  I have been replacing my morning coffee with iced tea or a hot tea.  No honey, no Truvia, no nothing!  Maybe I will attempt black coffee next!
• I can love the way I eat, and not feel guilty.  I've said it a million times, but when you can eat an entire avocado on top of your chili, you don't feel too deprived!  I love that I can have bacon, potatoes (although I stuck with just the sweet potatoes this round), and lots of other healthy fats, and it doesn't get you off plan!  No guilt!
• I love that I do not feel so bloated and tired.  My face does not look as puffy, and I am feeling better overall.
• I learned that I need to prep my food for the week.  If I don't, I am scraping together things and it can be easier to go off track.
• I learned that I am introducing new foods to my family.  My daughter has tried some of my meals, or the veggies that I make for myself when they get something that is not compliant.  I am still working on my son and husband.....but I am focusing on small steps for them!
• I am done with my whole 30, but I didn't run to grab the first bagel/muffin/donut/etc that I saw.  I am still eating the way I have been for the past 30 days.

Now that I am done with round 1, I am going to jump into round 2.  I know I should do some of the reintroduction....but I want to continue right now.  I am going to just take a meal or two to have a little something off plan, but I am going to stay 98% compliant until I restart Sunday or Monday.

I am so glad I did this.  It really has changed my life!