Day 21: I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream, But I'm Having Steak #Whole30

August 30, 2015

This week's 3rd flavor at The Creme Stop is my favorite: peanut butter.  Ice cream commercials are all over the TV.  I'm hot, grumpy, nervous, worried, and stressed and I WANT ICE CREAM.  But I settled for tomatoes, cucumbers, and diced steak dressed with O&V.   It wasn't what I wanted, but it was good and filling.

Today at church, my friend, Heidi, complimented my appearance.  Then my mom raved over the fact that it is obvious that I have lost weight.  While I'm not having that burst of energy I was counting on, I am finding it isn't as hard to get out of bed in the morning, and it is harder to stay asleep while napping.  Now, if only my skin would clear up.

I know this is worth it.  I know I'll be proud of myself when I make it to day 30.  Everyday is a struggle, I won't lie.  Every day I try to find a reason to throw in the towel.  But I'm glad I didn't.  It will be worth it in the end.

Days 19 and 20: Isn't It Over Yet? #Whole30

August 29, 2015

Weekends on Whole30 are the worst!   I want the normal weekend foods:  pizza, chips, ice cream, Breakfast burritos, donuts.  Instead, I ate cashews for breakfast because once again I didn't feel like cooking.  I had a chicken chopped salad at Subway for lunch. It was good, but it needed cheese and pickles.  Plus Ranch dressing instead of oil and vinegar would have rocked.  Dinner was beef, cabbage and potatoes dressed with garlic, oil, and vinegar.  It was good, but would have been better with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray instead of O&V.

I feel good about myself for eating whole foods.  But I'm really bored.  Ten more days + the reintroduction faze is a long time.  Better than 30, but still.

The hardest part of this is eating healthy during this stressful time in my life.  My brother and dad's health issues, money concerns, leaving a job I've been at 12 years and starting a totally new career, as well as my own health issues makes me want to stress eat big time.  But I guess if I can stick to it in times of stress, I can do it anytime. That's a good feeling.

Days 15, 16, 17, and 18: Down Hill Slope #Whole30

August 27, 2015

I'm over half way there now. I hasn't been easy, but I'm glad I've stuck with it.  Still no changes, except in my weight, though.  I can tell I've lost some...not sure how much since I'm not allowed to weigh myself.  But my skin still isn't clear and I'm still tired a lot.  Of course, in all fairness, with the stress of my dad being in the hospital and needing his aortic valve replaced, maybe my fatigue is worse then it would be otherwise.

I'll tell you....with all the problems this week it was really hard to stick with the plan.  Especially since I was taken to lunch 4 times, by my wonderful friends, to celebrate my new job.  I got salads each time and all were delicious.  And staying on plan made it taste even better (no guilty aftertaste).  Then, my co-workers had a snack day at work for my friend, Margie's birthday and my farewell.  It stretched over 2 days. It was hard, but I didn't eat anything. 

So 12 more days, then I can slowly start reintroducing food to see how it effects me.  It will be so nice to just have some cheese on my salad.  Seriously...it's the little things....

Day 14: Sixteen More Days????!!!!! #Whole30

August 23, 2015

I'm just not feeling this right now.  My skin isn't clearing up.  I'm not getting a burst of energy.  I think I might have lost weight but since I'm not permitted to weigh myself, who knows.  I'm so ready for this to be over.  I honestly thought I would wake up one day and feel terrific.  It just hasn't happened yet.  And with all the stress in my life right now, I don't know if I'd recognize it if it did happen.

I really want to quit.   Really really really badly. If I hadn't told people I was doing this and if it weren't for this blog, I would.   It just doesn't seem worth it right now.  Maybe when it is over, I'll feel differently.  But right now I'm having a big ole pity party.  I hope I can do 16 more days of this.  Not looking forward to it, though.

Days 12 & 13: Can I Give Up Yet? #Whole30

August 22, 2015




Unfortunately, the last few days have gone back to being rough.  I don't know if it is the plan, itself, or the stress level in my life.  But I am not happy with this plan at all today.

I know I have too much on my plate (pardon the pun) right now.  Starting a new job on 9/1, my son starting college 8/24, my husband needs hearing aids to the tune of $4500+, the heating element went out in our dryer, Paul's truck needs a new rocker panel, trying to decide on insurance plans, my brother's ongoing health issues, etc etc.  Then, yesterday, I got a call at work that my dad fell and was going to the ER.  Well, he was admitted for observation, which has now extended to a stay until at least Monday, when they can do a nuclear stress test.  They think he has angina, but might need to have a heart cath, stents, or bypass surgery. Dad is terrified.  Mom was to have knee replacement surgery 9/11, but I believe that is going to be put on hold.  So I'm upset and stressed and just want to eat something.  Yeah..I know..its not all about me...but I can't help how I feel.

Going home from the hospital last night, Paul had me drive him to Dunkin Donuts for coffee. He proceeded to eat 2 chocolate iced donuts in front of me.  If that isn't grounds for divorce, I don't know what is!!!

The last thing I want to focus on right now is eating healthy.  But I stuck to the plan today, in spite of my desire to quit.  I only had time for a banana for breakfast, but I got a chicken chopped salad with oil and vinegar at Subway for lunch.  After coming home from the hospital, tonight, I made Paul and Jonathan pulled pork barbeque sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.  I saluted tomatoes, zucchini and mushrooms in olive oil and garlic and poured it over scrambled eggs.  I still want pizza.

So, I hope tomorrow will bring a better attitude.  Cause right now I really want to say screw it and give up.  :(

Days 9, 10, and 11: Bored But Better #Whole30

August 20, 2015

Fortunately, the last 3 days haven't been as rough.   Honestly, I'm still bored with my lack of choices, but I have been so busy that I really haven't cared whether I eat or not.  And that is a major first.  However, I'm not certain if it is just because I've been so busy or if this is Whole 30 at its best.  I guess we shall see.

I accepted a new job offer on Monday.  It is very exciting and I wanted desperately to go out to eat to celebrate.  I really wanted to quit Whole 30 and just start over again in a couple of weeks.  But I didn't and I'm so proud of myself.  My dear friend, Sue, took me out for lunch today and, again, I wanted so badly to go off plan. But I got a grilled chicken salad with oil/vinegar on the side, and it was delicious.  The taste of victory over my desires was even better.  

It will be a challenge to stay on track over the next week as several of my co-workers want to take me out to eat before I leave.  But I'll stick to the plan.  My health is more important then my stomach.  Hey, maybe that should be my new mantra.  I'll get it printed up on some T-shirts.  ;)

Day 8: I Think I Can, I Think I Can....But Do I Want To? #Whole30

August 17, 2015

Today, I really wanted to give up.  Well....not give up...postpone.  I wanted to chuck it for now and start again in October.  Maybe, November.  But I didn't.  I stayed on track.  It wasn't easy because I am so sick of chicken right now I could cry--and I just made up a big batch of chicken.  Fortunately, I'm doing a beef roast in the Crockpot on Wednesday, so that will change things up again. I believe I'll boil some shrimp this week, as well.

I THINK my pants were loser today.  I'm not 100% certain, but I think they were a little baggy around the belly.  I certainly hope so. If I can't have bread, I'd darn well better have lost some weight!

I keep having to remind myself why I'm doing this.  I want to be healthy.  I want to feel good about myself. Yes, eating something off plan would be delicious for a minute, but I would feel like a failure afterwards.  I just isn't worth it.  I can do this.  I think I can.  No, I KNOW I CAN.