In our home, most know that we follow a paleo lifestyle about 90-95% of the time. For the past couple of weeks though, I was allowing myself to be more like an 80/20. However, for someone like me who has joint issues (Rheumatoid Arthritis); I have finally learned & accepted the fact that my body is highly sensitive to what I consume.
The average person can usually enjoy some froyo, grains, cupcake, beer, burger etc. from time to time; but I cannot. I will literally have a "food hangover" the next day and wake up in a tremendous amount of pain. It reached a point where it physically was a struggle for me to get my baby out of her crib in the mornings. Unacceptable. Some may think I am crazy & uptight when it comes to my lifestyle. I can't deny that, I have probably lost my marbles...but to me, it's worth it. I have a one and a half year old daughter that requires me to be on-point 24/7. And I am young. I want to feel young.
I am a week into the Whole30 challenge and have been feeling fabulous! Everyday into the challenge, I feel better and better. I am hoping this will give my body the reset that it desperately needed.
To those who are interested in giving it a try, I'd like to share a few tips that have worked for me:
- Before you even consider beginning, make sure you're head is in it. You've got to want it. You have to be so fed up with the aches, pains, and same routine that you can't stand to do it another day. Don't start something that you can't finish. You'll feel so good and accomplished when it is said and done.
- Meal prep. I had never prepped my meals in advance before, but I knew that I wouldn't last in this challenge if I had to cook a fresh plate for every single meal. Ain't nobody got time for that. Every Sunday,
wemy awesome hubby preps our meats for the week. Then, I will reheat them for lunch or dinner either on a skillet, grill, or in the oven (never the microwave). - Extra pointers for meal prepping:
- have lots of containers or ziploc bags before starting
- slightly undercook your beef as it will taste better when you have to reheat it throughout the week.
- Take your time cooking the meat. Cook it low & slow so it will taste good. Nobody lasts in this challenge if the food they're eating tastes like chewy rubber.
- I prefer eating my veggies in the same day that I cook them. They don't take long to cook at all; so as I cook my eggs in the morning, I will prepare my veggies for the day as well.
- If you are known for having little to no willpower, don't put yourself in tempting situations. Don't make dinner plans with friends/family for the next 30 days if you can't resist. Don't go to a party where you know you'll be tempted by booze, cake, etc. Thankfully, I am a pretty big loser already so I don't go to too many parties ;) But I was able to take my husband out for froyo today, and didn't have a single lick! My daughter was covered in froyo and I was so tempted to lick her face and tiny sticky fingers and polish off her cup...but, I didn't. That's willpower folks.
- If you get hungry, leave the house. Get outside. Take some carrots with you.
- Always have fresh veggies on hand. Don't ever let your fridge run low, or hunger & anger will set in and you'll cave.
- Drink at least a gallon of water every day.
- If you get hungry, drink water & get over it. You'll live.
- Get active. You'll start noticing results quickly when you eat clean. Being active in addition to this challenge will really make ya feel like a million bucks!
- Pray. I'd be lying if I said it hasn't helped me.
This challenge has made me realize how darn good healthy food really is. I feel good, and I am eating like a queen. Here are some pictures of the deliciousness that I get to enjoy everyday!
These jalapeno bites were almost considered cheating. Don't make them...you'll want to eat every one of them!
Always filling the plate up with a boat load of vegetables.
Even though I don't consume grains anymore, it doesn't mean I don't have a love for starch anymore. I have at least one sweet potato a day! I can't get enough. To which I have to say.....
Notice how I am not in the picture. I may have willpower, but that doesn't mean I wanted to smile for the camera. *jealous of these turds*
If you give this a-go, let me know! I would love to be support for you! Plus, it's always nice to know you're not alone in something like this. Let's be miserable healthier together!
