Two years ago, I was looking for some answers. I made a lot of changes to my diet but there were still some health hurdles that I just couldn't manage to leap. I came across the Whole30 program and decided to give it a try. If you've been following my blog or social media long enough, you already know that it changed my life and gave me freedom that I have never had in my health and eating habits. I've shared a lot about my success and I decided that I wanted to use my blog as a platform to share the success of others as well. With that I being said, I am proud to feature the first Whole30 success post. I am honored that the first story I get to share belongs to my dear friend Allison. Allison and I have been great friends for years and we've often struggled with many of the same issues when it comes to food so it has been a privilege to share this journey with her. She is one the strongest and bravest women I know and I hope you are just as inspired by her story as I am.
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| Before and after Whole30! |
Why did you decide to try Whole30?
Honestly? I had just ended a 3-year relationship, and I was alone, drinking too much, and extremely depressed. I wanted to start over so badly - I wanted to start my life over in every aspect, and take control of what I could. The first stop? My diet. I could control my diet. I was living alone, cooking for myself, so could make whatever I wanted and experiment with new recipes and flavors. (and honestly, any food "experiment/fails" would only be eaten/choked down by me and no one else) By nature, I am a perfectionist and constantly challenging myself. Prior to Whole30 Day 1, I felt like I had no control over anything, and I was so disappointed with how I felt on a daily basis. More seriously, my endometriosis had begun to, quite literally, take over my life. The flare-ups...I can't even begin to describe: the bloating, the pain (all over my body), the fatigue, the anger, the sadness, the anxiety, the depression, the isolation. Constantly. Two prior laparoscopies had worked for a short time. Pain meds? No thanks. What could I do? Welp - all the books say: Change your diet. Cut out sugar. Stop eating carbs. Stay away from additives. Why not give this Whole30 a shot?
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| Post laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis |
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| An endometriosis flare up |
I memorized the website, and printed out the allowed and "forbidden" foods list. I downloaded the Whole30 book to my Kindle. I - begrudgingly - threw out all the noncompliant foods and beverages (perhaps I drank all the remaining alcohol in my house - no, I am not proud of this). Lastly - I told my family and close friends about it, with hopes
they would
support my 30-day stint and not try to persuade me to take "cheat days" during my experience.
Summarize your overall experience.
How do I begin to summarize my experience?? It started out as a challenge and as a, "You don't think I can do it?? Yeah, well, let me show you!...!!" and then it turned into a, "Ok, this is actually kind of fun..." and it finally became, "That was one of the best experiences of my life, and I am so proud of myself." It was a mental and physical challenge. It was emotional. There came a time, around Day 25, where I realized how AMAZING I felt. How amazing I felt without wine and beer. How amazing I felt taking charge of my body, learning to say no, and having an incredible amount of energy, self-worth, and self-confidence. Summarize it? It was life-changing. No exaggeration.
What was the easiest part? The hardest part?
Easiest: Cooking for just myself, allowing myself to experience recipes - both fails and successes.
Hardest: Tuning out the "little voice" when I had a bad day and all I wanted was a glass of wine.
Favorite meal?
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| Allison's favorite meal! |
Did you try any new foods?
Zoodles, ghee, nutritional yeast, coconut milk (from the can, obvi), and coconut aminos
How did you feel when you were done?
Bittersweet. I was so elated and so incredibly proud of myself...but a little sad. I had a moment where I thought, "Oh. It's all over...? Really?" The feeling of, okay,
well,
I can eat whatever I want to now...so...yeah, I'm still going to have a LaCroix mocktail instead of a beer. It almost felt like I made a new, cool friend while I was away on vacation, but now I get to go back to my not-as-new, old friends...there was a sense of familiarity, but also a sense of disappointment. Oh, hey, good news: I can go back to Whole30 again whenever I want!
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| Fastest 5k! |
What were your results?
I dropped 13 lbs and inches all over (I can't remember exactly how many, but it was impressive). I ran my fastest 5k. I felt really confident and excited to wear shorts and sundresses. I was complimented by girls I went to grad school with, who I hadn't seen in a year or so. I heard, "Wow, you look really good! What have you been doing??" from coworkers and family members. I learned how to say no to alcohol, even in moments of stress. I learned new recipes and cooking styles. I experimented with new ingredients. Oh - and - NOT ONE SINGLE ENDOMETRIOSIS SYMPTOM. Not one. Not one cramp, no bloating, no aches, no flare-ups. I was essentially endometriosis-free for the first time since I was diagnosed.
What does life post whole30 look like?
While I probably have indulged a little too hard, I still am acutely aware of checking labels and thinking, "Is there sugar in this? Look at how many ingredients and preservatives there are in this carton of 'healthy' almond milk!" Whether or not I act on it, I always look at recipes and think, "I wonder how I could make this Whole30 compliant?" It's become habit. It truly has become a habit. Oh, and now, coconut milk is the only thing I put in my coffee. Gone are the days of nasty coffee creamers. Coconut milk is bae. I constantly have a Tupperware
container
of coconut milk in my refrigerator. I use it in everything. Literally everything.
Is there anything new/different you learned or discovered from this experience?
I can say no to cravings. No one needs cheese. No one needs beer to feel better. Eating healthy and whole is a lot of fun, especially if you take a staple recipe and modify it so its 100% compliant and just as delicious. Oh, and no hangovers! Any decision I made, bad or good, was under the influence of - wait for it- my own volition, and not alcohol.
What would your advice be to other people who want to try Whole30?
Set a start date. You really can't just jump in. It requires a kitchen
clean
-out, pining over things you "can't have for 30 days."
Mental prep is a real thing. If you know Thanksgiving is coming up, or your 30th birthday, or some other "big event," you'll probably want to consider moving the start date back. You don't want to resent this plan - you want to welcome it and embrace it.
It pays to have a "partner in crime" who will support you and do it with you. It's easy to do it alone if you have willpower, but it's really fun to compare recipes with someone else.
Yes, there is a "hangover" detox phase at the beginning. You will feel like crap. Your body is trying to undo all the bad things you've done to it the last 25 years. That little "let's eat all the bad things and drink all the booze before Day 1" WILL come back to bite you. I promise. ;)
Eggs are your new bff.
You will go out to eat a lot less. A lot, a lot less. Unless you study the menu beforehand, it is difficult to assure that the restaurant will accommodate any special requests. With that said, you'll cook at home a lot more, and you'll begin to appreciate and enjoy your own cooking.
You'll realize, while it's a lot of work, eating at home can actually be a lot more fun than going out.
There are people who honestly believe they have to have dairy. They will say, "Psssh. No this, no that, no alcohol...What *can* you eat??" and they will somehow become food bullies. There will be people who truly don't get it. At first, you'll probably reply, "I'm doing Whole30," in a sheepish, almost embarrassed tone. But towards the end, you'll reply, "What can I eat? Rather, what can't I eat?" and you will have an arsenal of ridiculously delicious recipes, to share with them, and you will be able to show off your new, healthy, glowing body.
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| Feeling happy and healthy thanks to Whole30 with NO endo symptoms. |
