Tuesday, April 22, 2014

2 Months and 16 Pounds Down! Thank You Whole30!!!



I honestly didn't want to post these photos above of my mid-section (especially the top image), but I think the photo-evidence is pretty convincing that changing my diet and eating more healthy changed my body.  Thank you Whole30!  Disclaimer:  Whole30 is not a sponsor of my blog and they don't even know who I am, they just saved my life.

The top photo was taken when I was at my heaviest weight of my life, 146 pounds (I am 5 feet and 7.5 inches tall).  I wasn't really considered overweight by the medical community, but I was slowly putting on fat over the years and blaming it on my age (over 40) and  metabolism (which apparently couldn't handle bowls of chips and chocolate anymore…).  I would eat healthy all day and binge at night after the kids went to bed.  And it showed with all of that belly fat that I was hiding under my clothing.

My low point was when I ate an entire full-sized bag of Kettle JalapeƱo chips in one day, on my own.  I realized I had a serious problem that could potentially lead to diabetes or heart issues and I needed to do something right away.

So I happened upon the Whole30 website (I was going to buy a new cookbook and the reviewers mentioned the site) and purchased their book It Starts With Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways, and my life really did change.

Whole30 asks you to give up grains, sugar, wheat, dairy, legumes, and alcohol for 30 days and then slowly reintroduce them to figure out if you have any food allergies.  Luckily we had already given up wheat so that made it a bit less of a shock.  It is not a weigh-loss program, but I did it twice in a row (60 full days) and lost 16 pounds and many inches off my belly, arms, legs (I have a small thigh gap!), and rear (I do miss my rear to be honest, it was quite nice and large).  I was squeezing into size 10 pants before and now I can fit in a 6!!!

I started off exercising too aggressively (jumping around like a maniac with exercise tapes) and my poor over-40 joints rebelled and I now have some knee tendonitis. That stinks when you have two active boys and a three-story house and your bedroom and office is upstairs.  So the last month I have just walked and biked 30-60 minutes a day several times a week at a moderate, comfortable pace to safeguard my poor decrepit knees.  I also need to add some core and ab work to firm up.

However, most of my body has not only held up, but improved!  My carpal tunnel syndrome, achy shoulder, and seasonal allergies are "cured" and my skin has cleared up and I have more energy.  My blood pressure is incredible (and I use salt on all of our savory dishes).  We don't eat out anymore because have found I love to cook and can make the most delicious foods using real ingredients.  I feel like pretty much like a healthy 20-30 year-old (who has run a marathon and has achy knees).  ;-)

Best of all, my husband and kids are happily eating healthy along with me without complaints or threats!

I am now finished with the Whole30-Times 2 (I did it twice because I had to eliminate my junk food cravings), and I have introduced some dairy back with no issues (I make homemade yogurt and I eat some cheese) and I also drink an occasional glass of wine.  But I don't eat any added sugar, grains, or beans and I don't miss them.  I do eat veggies (tons and tons), fruits, eggs, fish, dairy, nuts, seeds, and healthy meats (mostly grass-fed beef and lamb).    I get tons of fat with all of the coconut milk, oil, ghee, and avocados I eat; yet my body fat is melting away.   I eat huge, delicious, healthy meals and I never feel that I am missing out.

Thank goodness for Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Chocolate.  I buy it at the grocery store for less than $2/bar in the baking section.  It says it is a baking bar but if you are a chocolate addict like me, you might find 100% chocolate bars are delicious once you get used to the shock of no sugar.  Who knew I would ever eat AND enjoy chocolate without any sugar…  My kids love it too, but my husband hasn't come on board yet.

So this is not a diet, it is a complete lifestyle change.   My sugar and chip addictions are gone and I am still losing about a pound a week without even trying.  Now I just need to firm everything up.  And get rear implants.  ;-)

If you are struggling with your weight or just don't feel as healthy as you should, please check out the Whole30.  If you read the success stories you will see that those of us that take the challenge really feel it has changed our lives.  It is really that amazing!  Don't let anyone tell you that once you get "middle-aged" your metabolism slows down and weight gain (and "muffin top", see photo above) is inevitable.  Feed yourself healthy food and get out there and walk and you can change your body too!

Comment if you have done the Whole30! I would love to hear your story.

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15 comments:

  1. I haven't done the Whole30 but I did just read this whole post while I snacked on a bag of jelly beans...one right after the other :(

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  2. I've tried it twice, but never got very far, because I struggle so much to give up chocolate! The first time I made it nearly 2 weeks, and then I got a cold and felt all sicky and miserable, so I ate a brownie and it was all downhill from there! I tried again but failed after 9 days...I'm trying again now! It's really just the chocolate I have issues with, and giving up dessert! I love fruit, and I love piling in the veggies with dinner, and I love to snack on eggs and nuts - it's JUST that damn chocolate. Nonetheless, I've lost a few kilos even with all the failing!

    It's my favourite diet I've tried because you don't have to go hungry! Go you for making 60 days - amazing!

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  3. Wow! Congrats Rita, you look fabulous!! I was always blessed with a super high metabolism, but after 40 things sure do change! You go girl!!

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  4. Just ordered the book! I hope to have as much success as you!

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  5. Congratulations! What a great outcome. I was inspired by your last post about whole 30 and ordered the book and have just finished day two. I'm already missing bread and soy sauce but I've done lots of prep and I'm going to stick it out no matter what. Thanks for the inspiration and for your lovely blog.

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  6. Wow, fabulous!! Try the gokhale method when you walk, it will give you back that lifted firm bum;)

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  7. That is wonderful! I've never heard of it, but going and reading up on it, I love it! Thank you for inspiration! I already told my hubby will be starting once we move in a month. It will be a good start and perfect opportunity to stack the pantry with only the right ingredients. Yay! I am excited now!

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  8. Now that you've tackled Whoe30 you need to find the nearest Crossfit Gym and join immediately. You will love it! And you will get your booty back! My gym did Whole30 last month, and I was too afraid to fully commit and decided to go Paleo instead. The cookbook Against All Grains is a great one for Paleo recipes. (Make sure when you are checking out Crossfit gyms to find one that is super conservative and strict about correct form.) Good for you on the weight loss! I think it's good for people to know that being healthy takes life change and there are no quick fixes. You are setting a great example!

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this! I've been considering cutting out sugar and didn't know how to do it, I'm definitely going to look into this. Congrats on your successes and I wish you continued good health!

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  10. Your before and after photos and story were a huge inspiration to me! I'm a SAHM to a 4 year old and 2 year old and my body is definitely not what it was 5 years ago. Just hours before reading this post, I was in a dressing room....you know, one of those that has the mirrors that you can see yourself from every angle, and I almost cried. I knew at the moment I was in that dressing room that I needed to do something. I've been wanting to cut the junk from my diet but I also binge at night after the kids go to sleep and just couldn't quit. I ordered the book last night and plan on getting started soon and I'm so pumped for it! Looking at your awesome belly photo is what's keeping me motivated. Your before photo is exactly me! I can't wait! Thank you so much for posting!!

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  11. I was wondering if the program can be done without buying the book? Does the website have all the information you need?

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  12. Kat, try the 100% cocoa bars from the baking aisle, if you can handle the bitter taste it is quite yummy!

    Love hearing that many of you are doing the Whole30 or have already done it. It is so amazing feeling!

    Jackie, you absolutely don't need the book! The website has everything you need.

    And no Crossfit for me yet Rachael! My knees are still painful and I have to let them heal. So only walking on flat services for now. I hate having achy knees… So my flat bum will have to be my reality for now. ;-)

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  13. I was so moved by this post. I have just lost 22 lbs. in the past two months. I am forty three years old and my excuses to myself were the same as yours.

    Like you, I feel like I have been given a new life and opportunity. I am excited for summer and my energy has risen.

    Good job. I am proud of you.

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  14. I also just finished a whole30 with great success and am looking to start another one shortly. My three kids love the pad Thai from theclothesmakethegirl.com and we are all enjoying all the new recipes I am trying. It is so worth it and really not all that hard. My treats are Larabars from our local grocery in the health food section. Once a week-ish for a treat instead of once-a-day-ish is a definite improvement on my life. Congrats on your success. Are you going to switch to the whole9 or stay on the whole30?

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a message, I love reading them! All comments are personally moderated by me and I will post and answer them them as soon as possible.
Rita