repeat.
if you've done the whole thirty (or are currently doing it), you know what i'm talking about. but... my goodness, how this diet has changed my life.
and believe it or not: i still love eggs.
i turned thirty five in january and decided life was too short to keep living in a body that felt like it belonged to an elderly woman. so, i bit the bullet and pledged to live thirty days without my two best friends: bread and cheese (among many other things like sugar). little did i know what a profound impact it would have on my health.
for years i wondered if i had a gluten sensitivity... i've struggled with joint pain and inflammation since i had bella. there were many days i'd have a conversation with myself that sounded a lot like this:
"i wonder if i would feel better and have less aches and pains if i gave up gluten?"
"probably." (as i pull a loaf pan of warm, homemade bread out of the oven and stare at it longingly)
"it would be nice to feel better..." (still staring at it longingly)
"WHATEVS... nothing feels as good as bread tastes!" (as i cut a piece, slather it with butter and resolve that i can deal with shuffling around like an old lady as long as i can still eat warm bread... or bread in any form, at any temperature, who am i kidding?).
smart, right?
what i love about the whole thirty is that it really helps you see what food(s) effect how your body feels. everyone is different, and everyone chooses to live differently when the thirty days are up. for me, the changes i felt in my inflammation were totally worth continuing to eat the way i had been eating for those thirty days, with some minor changes/wiggle room (i'll explain more in a bit).
what i also love about the whole thirty is it really causes you to take a step back and look at your relationship with food. i had a couple of really stressful moments during my thirty days... and i realized how badly i wanted to reach for food to comfort me. so i loved how this program really helped me reprogram my body--but also my mind--in so many ways. i became very proactive at truly caring for myself... when i felt stressed, or had a bad day, i'd take a hot shower and make myself a cup of tea, talk to my husband or pray, instead of reaching for food.
and i REALLY love that i didn't have to count calories or keep track of points! i was able to choose healthy fats like avocado and olive oil over lower calorie, yet processed foods like granola bars or baked chips...because i wasn't just trying to achieve certain numbers for the day. there was so much freedom in that! the focus is on real, whole foods and that makes all the difference in the world. i wasn't starving my body, instead i was learning to fuel it with the right things. i really felt fuller on the whole thirty than i did before. my portions were immediately cut, and i found myself not even wanting seconds. it was pretty crazy, and really rewarding.
so, the final rundown: i've lost sixteen pounds so far, which is awesome. but also, not even the best part. my inflammation has totally changed. my taste in food and my cravings have changed. and i am learning what it means to fuel my body, not just feed it. is our grocery bill more expensive? yes. but, we weren't getting take out nearly as often (or, ever), so that cut down on costs AND even though family dinner time was sacred to us before, it became even more so. we feed the girls what we are eating and i refuse to make them anything different (which is what we normally did, but it is harder for kids to get used to eating changes... however, i just didn't make other food an option). they are quick to say they don't like certain foods, but we keep telling them they needed to at least have a bite because their food tastes and preferences are always changing. one of the most rewarding byproducts of our lifestyle change has been watching their palettes grow and change... not every meal is a huge hit (as many of you who follow me on social media saw with our teary refusal of "icky meatballs"!) but they are devouring things like cabbage soup (and even asked me if they could eat it for breakfast) and the other night they asked for seconds of salad. salad. nick and i didn't know whether to high five each other under the table or weep tears of joy. so i think we did both ;)
i will say this..there was a period of time my energy improved (maybe around week two?) but i was a little disappointed with how fatigued i still was after that. i have struggled with fatigue most of my life; i literally remember being in high school and getting so run down my doctors were testing me for mono. and, i had some stomach pains/cramping issues that were a little strange and my eczema started getting out of control (i'm still trying to get it healed). so there were a few things that were frustrating... especially because i had made so many drastic changes... but this was such a great springboard for me to a healthier lifestyle. and it reminded me that i can be super disciplined and accomplish things i never thought i would be able to. buttered bread has no power over me unless i allow it to. peace comes from not being controlled by anything. and i'll take peace over bread any day.
so what am i doing now? like i said, everyone is different and needs to find what works for them when the thirty days are over. i chose to transition into a paleo lifestyle which is similar to the whole thirty diet except you can add in things like maple syrup and honey which makes baking a lot easier (and more fun) :) we have had a few social gatherings the past couple of weekends and i've just tried to do the best i can... if dessert is offered, i'll have a couple of bites and be satisfied. i don't want to e controlled by food in either extreme, and some situations are unavoidable, especially when in a social setting. but i really haven't felt the need to run out to my favorite restaurant and get my favorite cheat meal. that has been the most shocking part of it all! i read the book "made to crave" by lysa terkeurst (highly recommend) and i love when she said "our bodies crave whatever we feed them". i have found that to be SO true. instead of craving crackers and cheese (although i do have my moments) i'm craving things like sautéed cabbage and roasted veggies. it really is crazy.
i've also started taking supplements through a company called plexus worldwide. if you're on facebook you've probably heard of them... they've been helping SO many people. i had started taking the probio5 (their probiotic) a few months ago, and it was SO crucial in eliminating my sweet tooth and helping me crave things other than sweets. because my energy was still low and i continued to struggle with fatigue even after the whole thirty, i decided to add in the plexus slim (pink drink) and their magnesium supplement, biocleanse. these products come in a bundle called the "triplex" and they're really targeted at helping with gut health, reduce inflammation and regulating blood sugar. i had heard so many testimonies of how these products helped give people their lives back, and i can honestly say after less than a month i wholeheartedly echo that sentiment. i will shout it from the rooftops to anyone who longs to feel better, just like i did: i LOVE these products (actually so much that i signed up to be an ambassador). not only are they all natural and plant based, but they really really work. and i am super passionate about the mission behind the company: helping people get healthy from the inside out. i'm sleeping better than i ever have before and am even able to be more patient with my kids, less stressed, more energy than i ever remember having, and just feeling so much better all around.
so, if you're wanting to feel better and considering making some lifestyle changes, here is a list of my top five essentials to have on hand as you start your new journey:
against all grain
this cookbook will change your life. danielle walker is the author behind the cookbook--she has a few others, too--and the website... i make her recipes almost daily. you have to like the food you're making, or else you won't stick with any of your changes! who likes gross food?! not me.
plexus products
these products are a complete game changer, i can tell you that from experience. i'm typing this post on what usually is my most exhausted day of the year; the monday after daylight savings... but not today! please contact me, or visit my website for more info... i'm really passionate about helping others live healthier, happier lives!
"made to crave"
by lysa terkeurst
as i mentioned, i picked up this book just as i was finishing my whole thirty, and i think i was done reading it in about two days ;) she had me laughing and dog-earing pages i wanted to re-read and tearing up all at the same time. great book. a good reminder that we are never alone in our struggles.
an efficient blender
i still need to get this... i have a bullet which i love, but my bigger blender is the hamilton beach cheapie--i think it cost $18--from walmart. it does the job, but not super well. but many paleo recipes require a good blender, so i'd recommend it (says the lady who doesn't have one) ;)
a few good friends
as with ANYTHING in life, these healthy changes are always easier when you're journeying alongside a friend...or a few of them. thankfully, i had several that were sharing recipes with me, encouraging me, checking in on my daily...which was super helpful. get in touch with someone who can help you, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable with them... authentic friendship is what life is all about. if you're nervous to tell people just how bad you feel, or just how much you love cheez-its, get in touch with me... i get it, and i will love you and encourage you!
i truly believe our health is central to our enjoyment in life and our participation in it. i'm so grateful the lord has me on this journey, am so humbled by what i've been learning, and i'm excited to see how it continues <3
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