Well, it’s finished, it’s done.  30 days of only whole foods…no alcohol, no dairy, no sugar, no beans, no grains…  It’s done.  It’s day 31, and I’m still Whole30 complaint.  I’m not sure what to do with myself.  Do I eat paleo?  Am I ready?  Am I still going to have great energy and be able to sleep through the night? Am I going to feel like crap or poop myself if I eat sugar or grains or ice cream?  So. Many. Questions!!

This is embarrassing for me to post… because trainers are supposed to have perfect bodies.  Trainers are supposed to have 6-pack abs, and run really fast and lift really heavy, and post half naked pictures of themselves.  Trainers are supposed to wear bikinis and show off how hard they workout in classes…  Well, none of these things are me.  (I can run decently fast every now and then, but that’s about it.)  I’m a normal human being who likes to eat cake, who likes to travel and seek balance, enjoy life, and BE HAPPY.  I am a human being who loves inspiring other people to be their best, and striving to be better myself every day knowing that I’ll probably never have the body I want or enough money, but in the end – none of that matters.  I preach this to my clients ALL OF THE TIME…  That fitness is about a REALISTIC, ATTAINABLE LIFESTYLE, and something that can be maintained.  Fitness isn’t a bikini body that you have to starve yourself for.  Fitness isn’t   Fitness is HEALTH.  Fitness is happiness, and being the best version of you.  THAT is much more than 6-pack abs.  So, I’m putting it out there…I’m far from perfect, and I wanted to share with you my “I just got back from a week in Florida and California and maybe I ate an entire bag of peanut butter cups before doing Whole30” picture…

The second picture was about 20 days in when I was really on it.  I’ve since had the special time of the month and have maybe fallen off a little…  oops.  🙂

As I’ve gotten older, things have gotten a little harder to keep in place.  I ventured on this Whole30 journey for more than the physical changes, though.  I still weigh the same, but there’s a little difference here…  To me, the changes inside outweigh any physical changes I experienced.

I’ll be honest – I didn’t do a good job of reading the book or really reading much about re-introducing foods back in, but this way of eating wasn’t too far off from how I was eating before.  I’ve totally rid myself of processed stuff though!  Literally nothing processed has been in my body for over 30 days.  Kind of cool.  So, on that note, I’m just going to jump right in and share a few of the things I learned along the way that may help you decide whether this is something you’d want to try.

1.  Sugar is in EVERYTHING!!  I had NO idea just how prevalent this little drug is in our society and, well, it’s in everything…  from milk to almond butter to the obvious chocolate to bars to well, I could keep going, but you get the picture.  It is everywhere, and it’s a total drug.  Whol30 opened my eyes to this more than ever.
2. Whole30 teaches you how to read labels – REALLY read them.  If you decide to do Whole30 – read the book!  They will show you what to look for on labels and how to decipher if it’s compliant or not or even what is good for you going forward.
3. When you’re putting good stuff in – you’re going to get something GOOD in return.  (And I don’t mean a good poo!)  To me – THE GOOD STUFF –  is probably the main benefit that I’ve experienced from this program.  The CLARITY – emotionally, mentally and even spiritually – that I’ve had over the last 30 days has been second to none.  I’m going to explain more on this below, but wow.  Just WOW.
4. Sleep is a beautiful thing.  I haven’t been able to sleep for more than a year without taking something – not melatonin – no, the hard stuff – ambien, actually!  I can’t take a whole one, but I can sure take a little piece!  However – since about halfway through this program – I HAVEN’T HAD TO TAKE ONE AT ALL!!!  I never dreamed this would have happened, and I’m so thankful.
5. Waking up is NOT hard to do.  Since on Whole30 – I’m up at 6:30am every morning (or before) ready to rock the world!!!  Might I add – WITH NO ALARM.  Those of you who know me – know that this is a very, very unheard of thing.  Well, life has changed!
6. Give yourself grace.  I didn’t follow the plan exactly like I should have.  I run a lot more than the average Jane, so I ate when I was hungry.  I didn’t feel as bad about shoving a bowl of fruit in my face face as I have before after a Sprinkles cupcake, but I probably did overdo the fruits and overeat a bit.  I just kept telling myself that “at least it’s not a cupcake!”
7. No, REALLY give yourself grace.  Using fruit for sugar is looked down upon as well on this program, but again – read the book.  I didn’t read it, and grilled bison burgers and fresh corn one night for a friend… oops… I figured corn would be considered a starchy vegetable like a sweet potato or even a banana (which is a starchy fruit), but nope.  Not on the plan.  When my friend told me – I started sweating.  I had just failed Whole30, and it was completely by accident!  Some strict Whole30ers will say START OVER, but I really believe that’s a personal choice.  It’s not like I binged on a bag of chips or made out with a chocolate cake.  No.  I had fresh, grilled corn with ghee.  Still – it was a mistake, and you have to decide if/when you make an ACCIDENTAL boo-boo if you want to start over the next day.
8. READ THE BOOK. Have I mentioned read the book?  After I finished my 30 days – I realized a couple of the nut butters I used weren’t complaint…  Again, did I fail miserably at Whole30?  Not in my eyes.  Will I do it again and be more aware next time?  Hell yeah.
9. Farmer’s markets are the bomb.com.  When you can only eat certain things, you really appreciate those things, and the freshness becomes important.  I take off Tuesday afternoons so that I can go over to the farmer’s market and get my fruits and veggies.  The taste of these fruits and veggies are insane.  There’s just nothing like locally grown, fresh-farmed food.  And on top of it all – you’re supporting the local economy and farmers!  It’s a win-win.

Here’s one meal totally from my farmer’s market finds…

10.  Finding new ways of making food is cool.  I’ve discovered some awesome new recipes that will now be staples in my weekly eating itinerary.  Knowing what goes in your food and how it’s prepared is SO important.  Every single little decision you make COUNTS, so finding new ways of approaching recipes is a great thing, and can be super fun too.  I’m still not done adding the recipes up – so keep checking back.  Here are a few more beauties I made that I will be posting soon…

Those are just a few things that I personally realized over the last 30 days.  To me, the biggest, most amazing changes have been in my heart and mind.  I believe that this program kind of strips you down to just what you need.  There is no fake shit, no processed, additive-filled food that you’re putting in your body, and THAT translated directly to my life.  It made me take a real look at the “processed, additve-filled” stuff in my life.  It made me take a real look at my relationships, my heart, my faith, my job and my future.  I had mental clarity like I’ve never had before.  I had the strength to let go of some things that I needed to let go of.  I reconnected with God and centered Him in my life again.  I came up with a business idea that I’m now moving forward on.  I wrote one of the best songs that I’ve ever written…  yes, the phrase “you are what you eat” has never been more true to me.

So, there you have it folks.  30 days of super clean eating.  The queen of baking, the champion of non-restrictive eating gave up sugar and all of that other stuff for 30 days, and I didn’t miss a thing. Trust me, if I can give up sugar for 30 days – YOU can do ANYTHING.  I would definitely tell anyone who is thinking of trying Whole30 – DO IT.  It changed my life.  It could do the same for you.  I sure hope it does.