Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Off & Runnin' -or- There's No Place Like Home

     I did my last "major" Whole30 reintroduction with legumes on Sunday/Monday. I had some peanut butter and a couple servings of beans. Neither one had much of an effect that I noticed. I've become so in love with cashew and almond butters that I can pretty much ignore peanut butter. Occasional beans are no big deal--I never did eat them all that often.
     I'm leaving in a few days for a 15-day vacation in Europe. So I'm off & runnin' with taking my best choices on a major road trip. I'll have much to report when I get back home, and I'm sure, based on past travel experiences, that I will be ecstatic to be home to get back to my healthy (W30) eating.
     I experienced one of my favorite benefits of W30 on Monday morning. A friend went clothes shopping with me (she's a saint, I'm not a shopper) and I was treating myself to something new as a reward for completing W30. For the first time in 2+ decades, I was able to buy regular-sized clothes (Size L) in a regular (not plus size) store. No Xs involved!!! Major joy. And I LOVE the top I bought, can't wait to wear it on my trip.
     Thanks to all who have shared this journey with me and supported me along the way!
          Love, love, love,
               Leta

Saturday, July 9, 2016

The Build-Up was Better than the Actual Event

     Whole 30 reintroduction continues. Day 7, Thursday, was the day to give gluten a shot. I had a piece of blueberry coffee cake late morning, and at long last, after 37 days without, I had a beer in the evening. Neither one had an immediate effect. However, the sweetness of the coffee cake made me realize that I don't want to re-awaken sugar cravings. It was good, but not good enough to risk that. And, sad to say, as much as I thought I was missing beer, it really was just OK. Both items made me feel fat. And after a month of not feeling that feeling, I really do not like it. I'm not saying I'm giving up sweets or beer for life, but I will certainly consider indulging much more carefully in the future.
     On to Friday, whereupon in the evening, I had the 2nd beer (otherwise I ate W30 for the day). I also had a massage in the afternoon, which usually makes my body, and especially my left hip, quite happy. Alas, my left hip ached all night Friday night, so I have to acknowledge that gluten is a "thang" for me to avoid. Bummer, I must say, because that's probably been my favorite "food group."
     On Saturday, as I got moving through my day, my hip ache went away, thank goodness. This Whole 30 adventure has brought up the interesting internal discussion of what food is worth what. Before W30, beer and sweets, as shown by my behavior, was worth any aggravation, even though I never went crazy on either one. Now, post W30, neither is worth a night of aching, or several nights, or the physical limitations that come from a chronic ache.
      Next introduction is legumes on Day 10...


Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Whole 30 Re-Introduction Continues (Grains)

     On day 4 (Monday), I had non-gluten grains in the form of corn (corn chips) and rice. My left hip and leg were a bit sore on Tuesday and Tuesday night, but I'm not sure if it was the grains or the fact that I did way more walking on Monday than I usually do. I have been told in the past to avoid corn, and a while back, I stopped eating (almost daily) Fritos and noticed within a few days a big improvement in my body soreness level. So more experimentation is worthy relative to corn. Rice I can take or leave, so I'm not that concerned about its effect. I did not have any noticeable gastro-intestinal effects from the grains.
     I am also working on the consciousness of believing I'm fat no matter what I weigh. I have a wonderful support system to help me change that belief, and progress is being made.
     Next reintroduction is gluten on day 7, Thursday. I have purchased two cans of beer (rather than a whole six-pack, ain't that impressive!?!?) and will probably also give some form of dough a try.
     More to discover...
          Leta

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Whole 30 Postscript: Days 1-3

     My first re-introduction was non-gluten alcohol on day 1. That went just fine. I made up a new drink: 1 shot tequila, 1 lime wedge, 2 shots mango juice, coconut seltzer water. Refreshing! I had two of those Friday evening and had no ill or unusual effects from the tequila.
     I decided to go hog-wild and weigh myself on day 3, just out of curiosity. Please note that I have been heavy (some charts would say "obese") most of my life, so I have this self-image that I'm fat no matter what I weigh. My clothes have become too large over the course of the Whole 30, so I was hoping for a 10-pound loss if I was wildly lucky. OMG, I lost 20 (TWENTY!!) pounds!!! I haven't seen the scale needle stop at this number for 27 years! I was flabbergasted, because, given my self-image as fat, I had no conception that the loss could be that big. Let's just say that did make my day. And it will probably be a LOOOONG time before I weigh myself again, as I don't generally think it's a good thing for me to do. 20 pounds, no wonder I'm feeling better!
     I don't know if there has ever been a time in my life where I did not eat out at a restaurant for a whole month, but that was the case for me in June. My husband and I went out to a Thai restaurant on Sunday night (day 3). I had a chicken/veggie/cashew stir-fry, sticking with pretty clean food and no rice. It was really nice to dine out.
     Next up on my reintroduction is non-gluten grains, such as rice, oatmeal, or corn, on day 4.
         Lighter & healthier still,
                Leta

Friday, July 1, 2016

Whole 30: Days 28-30

     I did it! Made the Whole 30! I feel awesome in every way. Most importantly, I've learned a lot about food and how I am able to eat to support my well-being. I do not intend to stay "Whole 30 perfect," but most of the foods I avoided this month are no longer "calling to me." Except beer, of course (big smile)--it is, after all, summer, and I'm going to Ireland in July!

Day 28: B: HFVJ, 2 eggs, 2 sausage patties
              L: apple w almond butter
              D: chicken salad, squash, applesauce
Day 29: B: HFVJ, cashews & macadamia nuts
              L: tuna salad w lettuce wraps
              D: chicken chowder, 1 mango, blackberries
Day 30: B: HFVJ, 2 eggs, 2 sausage patties
              L: apple & celery w cashew butter, macadamia nuts
              D: Thai chicken, cherries

     Looking ahead to the W30 reintroducion schedule, on Friday (today) I get to have non-gluten alcohol, in this case tequila (beer comes later because it contains gluten). I'll report on how that goes.
     Grateful for great health,
              Leta