Days 1 - 4

Over the past few months I have just felt horrible. I got this way after starting my first "big girl job" aka a solid paycheck working 9-5 (I also got into a relationship around this time too). Now, I'm not blaming those two things on my abadonment of healthy living, but it made it easier. I stopped working out and started eating poorly (Apparently, I can't eat as much as a full grown man without gaining weight .. who knew?), and things went south from there.

I went on Weight Watchers

I tried my own "low calorie" diet

I told myself I could just choose smarter choices and the weight should fall off and my health would naturally become better.

Alas, none of these worked, and I started to realize I have a problem with food. I depend on sugar and treats the most. I did some research on cleanses but all of them seemed really unhealthy to me (Drink only juice for a week? umm no thanks.). I needed something that was strict (so I wouldn't find any loopholes that would, in my mind, allow me to eat cake) but still healthy. Then I remembered seeing a pin on pinterest (my other unhealthy obsession) about the Whole30 program. I looked into it and it made sense to me. Protein, Vegetables, Fruits, natural/good fats? Seems logical to me. Plus, I really like their focus on eliminating the mental addiction to foods too. I know I have an emotional connection to my food and a dependence on it. I also know that I need to tame that dragon before I can ever be successful at living a healthy lifestyle..

So, here it goes! I started on September 15, 2014

STATS

Height: 5' 8" (Obviously, this won't change but just listing it as a reference)
Weight: 228.6

Measurements: (Taken on Day 3 at around 9PM)

Waist = 42"
Muffin Top area = 50"
Left Leg = 28.5"
Right Leg = 28"
Right Arm (bicep area) = 15"
Left Arm (bicep area) = 15"

Feeling/Problems

• Fat
• Mental Fatigue
• Physical Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Achiness (mostly in my back)
• Random knee pains
• Light-headed feelings
• Fogginess (especially in vision)
• Digestion problems
• Seasonal allergies (that seem to be around all year ...)

Day 1

Overall, good day. I prepared a lunch and extra food (I have class right after work) but of course I forgot it on the table! I was so annoyed, but I ended up eating fruit for breakfast (they prepare eggs with butter and nut oils at my work) and had a salad with a bunch of greens and a balsamic and olive oil dressing. Not too awful, but I'm not much of a salad person I am awful at making salads.

After class (I was starving because nothing there was Whole30 approved) I went home and ate what I had made for lunch which was seasoned chicken baked with a bunch of veggies and spices.

Feeling:

1. Positive
2. Optimistics
3. Determined
4. Foggy
5. Tired

Day 2

I remembed my lunch! Phew! This made eating a LOT easier. I felt good most of the day and still felt positive about starting the program. I have noticed that I can REALLY smell sweets. I'm like a shark smelling blood in the water from miles away. I think someone downstairs in my building had donuts this day .. just saying.

Around 6:00 on my way home I started getting cravings for different bad foods, mostly baked goods. This made me worry a little bit, but I remain determined!

Feeling :

1. Tired
2. Worried
3. Determined

Day 3

This day I was TIRED! I felt like I was living in a dream world, and not the good kind. I was foggy and a little grumpy. I did good though! I had my prepared lunch all ready to go (cauliflower pilaf and shrimp scampi). My team at work ordered pizza and I didn't even feel tempted (and I love me some pizza)! It was awesome!

After work I went to Whole Foods to stock up on more healthy stuff (mostly organic, grass fed, free-range, etc etc meats). I totally underestimated how much I would need last time I went shopping so I stocked up this time! The bagger at the checkout line was like "Oh! This is all for you??" Yea buddy! It is! #Whole30problems

I also made a really good stir-fry dinner with beef, egg, a bunch of veggies sauteed in coconut oil with some ground ginger and cinnamon. It was delicious! (BTW - Coconut Aminos are awesome .. seriously. Go get some.)

I also find myself habitually looking for something bad to eat. For example, I saw a tub of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream in the freeze, and I almost went to get a spoonful solely out of habit! It's like my brain completely forgot about the Whole30 and went on auto pilot .. Kind of scary. Junk food has taken over my brain!

Oh, and I have a pimple the size of Jupiter on my face. Not sure if it's Whole30 related, but I have a feeling it could be attributed to my body pushing out all the crap and only having good food to feed off of.

Feeling:

1. TIRED
2. Foggy
3. Little Grumpy
4. Determined
5. Accomplished

 Day 4

I woke up a little easier today than yesterday. According to the chart on Whole30.com I'm supposed to want to kill everything today (not the same for everyone). So far I feel fine. I'm a litte moody but not painfully moody. I don't really feel like doing anything. I kind of just want to be left alone just because.

The one thing I really need to work on is breakfast. I have been eating just fruit for breakfast. While this doesn't break any of the hardcore rules of Whole30 it is frowned upon since it keeps the pattern on eating sugar in the morning. Honestly, the fruit isn't really about the sugar. It's more that it's easy to grab in the morning and still tastes good. I just read the part in the book (It Starts With Food) that I should still be having protein and fat in the morning and shouldn't eat fruits and veggies by themself. Good to know! I'll have to start getting up earlier .. blah.

Feeling:

1. Tired
2. Blah
3. Kind of grumpy

So, that's it. I'm mostly keeping this for me. I think it'll help me evaluate how I'm feeling and help me stay determined. It will also help me follow my progress. IF someone stumbles upon this blog and it helps them regarding the Whole30 then that's awesome!