Whole30 – Snippets and Tidbits

Today is the first day of what my friend Jenny decreed, “Operation Air and Styrofoam”. (whole30)

It’s cold and raining and a generally blah kind of day. Sitting on my desk is a copy of the most recent “Taste of Home” cooking magazine with a photo of a chocolate peppermint cake and the words “Comfort and Joy” next to it. Nah, no marketing of emotions tied to foods there.

This is the season of eating. Stores are crammed with goodies to gift, goodies to make and food, food, food. However, my time off the wagon has led to inner ear fluid jostling around, elbow, knee and general joint pain, swelling of hands and feet, and a craving of all things butter (which I love above sugar, but I’m lactose intolerant). Thankfully, I’ve stayed at about the same weight so, I’m not having to peel off massive amounts above and beyond what I’d like to lose before going on tour and going to my daughter’s wedding. Actually, just in general I’d like to take this off, but those are my goal dates.

Bless my hubby for agreeing to be supportive. He even slipped in a little hint last night, which I appreciated. He was busy doing a few things and suggested I walk on the treadmill. But not in a “get your lazy butt on there woman” way. Just a simple, “You could watch TV, read or maybe take a walk. Whatever you want.” Maybe next time it will be, “Honey, I’ll do the dishes for you. You can do whatever you want. Maybe you’d like to take a walk!” Lol, just the trade-off of him doing the dishes in exchange for 30 minutes on the treadmill would be enough to motivate me. The treadmill is definitely the more enjoyable option.

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I let this post sit open on my desktop all day as a reminder, which worked great while I was working. When I went downstairs to make dinner, I did fine. But the knowledge that there was still birthday cake downstairs was overwhelming… sigh…I know.. I was weak. If it helps, it tasted great, but I felt crummy all evening.

Now that the cake-tease is gone, I’m sure I can last an entire day. 😀

Or, to be more precise, No junk!

For a month I’ll be sugarless, wheat-free, dairy-free and YIKES, alcohol free. *whimper* Not that I can’t live without alcohol, but a nice glass of wine in front of the fire is just so….. so…. SO. You know?

AND because I believe in challenges, I’ll also be attempting to eat Whole30/Paleo/low FODMAP to see if it makes a difference. I happened to stumble on a suggested food list for the FODMAP diet and was amazed to see quite a few of the foods that I find difficult (or impossible) to eat were listed as no-nos. Since I’m already being fairly restrictive, why not just go whole-hog (so to speak) and take it to the limit.

And for extra measure – and because I’m crazy this way- I’ve decided to do all this during one of the busiest times of the year for me…. CONCERT SEASON!!

I figure if I can pull it off now, then honestly, I can do it any time of the year. Truly, the only thing standing between me and clean eating is… well… me! My version of Thanksgiving is done (thanks to number 4!!) and I don’t have any plans to recreate her efforts, so I don’t have a holiday to deal with. The only upcoming culinary event would be Hubby’s birthday, which always contains some kind of adult beverage. And I could forgo that, but…nah…

So, who’s in with me?

I think I’ll start this on November 17th, although if I’m honest, I’m working it in now and slowly eliminating things from my pantry while doing some advanced planning to make life a bit more manageable for me.

On top of this, I’ve walked every day for the past five days and am starting to feel the “habit” forming of needing to get up and move some. Factor in a few days of weights and I think I’ll be in good shape for my trip to Austria. (and the tropics!!)

Now c’mon, how freaking awesome is this?? Admit it… it’s awesome!!

Tag: Whole30

Day 1

Goin’ all Whole30 and junk..