Whole30: Round 2

I'm doing the Whole30®.

Again.



Well, not until January. But if I tell you guys now, I can't change my mind. And if I put it out there now, I can get focused. I can stop eating all these sweets. Damn holiday sweets. This time, I'm not doing the Whole30 alone. I have a partner in crime -- two, actually. We are taking down that sugar "addiction" once and for all.

And again, I'm not saying the Whole30 is for everyone. And I'm not telling you to do it. If you don't judge my food choices, I won't judge your choices. But if you're reading this and you want to join us, then this post is for you. While I won't be only blogging about the Whole30, I will be doing a few posts for those that are interested. And if you need any support (and trust me, you will), then I'm here to help. I might need some help myself.

(Did you follow my previous Whole45? Read from the beginning here, about my sugar issues here, and my final results here.)

Why do I want to do this again? Why do I want to eliminate so many foods when eating real food is hard enough? Well, there are many reasons, but probably the biggest one -- I feel like I'm addicted to sugar. I thought I was good-to-go after my first Whole30. I figured I wouldn't have too many issues. And that I wouldn't really care to consume much sugar. And I didn't, at first...

But, I've been adding sugar to my coffee again. And I've been making treats. I can say it's because Christmas is coming, or because I feel the need to provide recipes for "healthy" treats, or because I want to make cookies for Christmas gifts. But...I have a problem. I am (still) addicted to sugar.

Even now, that's kind of hard to admit. I don't want to be judged. (You know what, let's just pretend this is my first Whole30. Then you guys can't judge me.)

Since my Whole45 ended, it started with chocolate. Then maple syrup in my coffee. Then more chocolate. Then I ate a piece of peanut butter pie, made with dairy. I know dairy causes issues for me. But the pie was there. It was free. Why not eat it? It was a healthy version. But really, the specific food or treat doesn't matter. We can have an argument about moderation. We can say I should just allow myself these treats. And one day, I can. And I will. Right now though, I'm on a mission -- a mission to break away from the hold of sugar. Because right now, moderation isn't working for me.

There is no purpose for this. They are just beautiful. And delicious.

For the last few weeks, I've been feeling down and my energy level has decreased. Stress has something to do with it, but I know that veering too far off the Whole30 track has not helped. I did 45 days the first time, but I needed to go longer. I need longer to break free of the need for sugar. I need longer for my body to heal. I need longer to experiment with food, how it affects me, and what, if anything, I am better off avoiding long-term.

So, my journey is not over. Not by a long shot. I need the constraints of the Whole30 program. I need something to push me. To keep control. To focus. For whatever reason, the Whole30 kept me on track. Some people don't do well with rules and guidelines. I prefer them. (Well, maybe not with everything in life. I do like to be spontaneous.) But when it comes to working out, and when it comes to food, at this moment in my life, I need the rules.

And I know that Dallas and Melissa Hartwig aren't going to come to my house and berate me if I happen to go off course. But when I follow a program, I will know. I will know when I eat that cookie or make banana ice cream or just take one little bite of that cake. And that perfectionist in me, won't let me do it. Because I know I need this. My body need this. My mind needs this. My whole being needs this right now.

This time, though, I'm not looking at it as restriction. Or elimination. Or any of those stress-inducing words. Because stressing over what I can and cannot eat doesn't help. And while I don't expect it to be any easier this time (especially since I'm considering the auto-immune protocol), I do plan on going in with a different mindset.

I'm eating foods that I know are good for me. Foods that make me feel good. Foods that don't affect me negatively. And, because I can't do it any other way, foods that I enjoy. All Whole30 complaint, of course.

So, January 1st (or 2nd, depending on how late I stay up on New Year's Eve), it is on.

Who's in?





Anyone else planning on doing a Whole30 or similar program? Or do you have any food or lifestyle changes you are making in the New Year?


Get the book, It Starts with Food, HERE.