Kristabella: Full of Snark Since 1977

Posted By Kristabella on January 17, 2013

So today marked Day 15 on Whole 30. I am halfway done and everything from here on out will be smooth sailing! All downhill! Easy peasy!

Hahahahaha!

I know this will not be the case. Because while I’ve made it 15 days, I also know that it has been both hard and easy (and the longest 15 days ever) and that I still have a lot of work to do when it comes to slaying my Sugar Dragon.

This is not easy. Not that I thought it would be, but I really didn’t realize how much I give in to cravings and how much I reward myself with food. Why? I mean, isn’t a new sweater a better reward than a bag of Skittles? (Sometimes. I would kick a dog for some Skittles right now.)

I feel great. They aren’t lying about that. I’m only putting natural things into my body, whole foods, if you will, and it makes me feel really good. I have plenty of energy. I don’t get so tired at 3 PM that I want to fall asleep under my desk. I really probably don’t even need the caffeine that is in my tea in the mornings. In fact, I went all weekend without it and was just fine.

I sleep like the dead. No lie. This is probably good for me, but probably not good for the off chance a potential burglar storms in. I mean, I wake up in a pile of drool, I sleep so soundly. I don’t wake up in the middle of the night at all. Well, I had been, to take my antibiotic, but I had to set my alarm for that and it woke me out of a dead sleep every time.

I no longer get the crazy blood sugar drops or crazy HANGRY periods. I’m never STARVING. My heartburn is gone. There is something to this whole fat and protein sustaining you for long periods of time thing.

But, it has been hard work. Not one day goes by where I don’t want to cheat with something I’m not supposed to have. But then I remember it is ONLY 30 days and I can do this. I’ve done it for 15, I can do it for 15 more. (RIGHT??!!??)

The first week was rough. I’m glad I had done Paleo eating before, otherwise I think it would have been more difficult. But my body at least had some recollection of this kind of diet. But I had never done a major sugar restriction (i.e. NO SUGAR AT ALL) or cut out dairy 100%. Grains? I can do without grains. If I can eat a can of olives and steak, I can usually do without grains.

I can even go without cheese. Which is not something I never thought I would say, ever, in my life. I mean, not forever, but I don’t need it ALL THE TIME, like I once thought.

But I’m having issues with dairy when it comes to milk and cream. Specifically when it comes to coffee. Black coffee is gross. So I switched to tea for this. I thought I would be fine, since I love my loose tea. Know what? ALL THOSE TEAS HAVE ADDED SUGAR! They don’t tell you! No wonder why they are so amazing! Plain, unsweetened tea is kind of gross. I don’t care if it is a fruity flavor or a chai. It all sucks. Sugar is where it is AT.

So yeah, I miss coffee. I want a latte or a large cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, heavy on the cream.

And then there is my old pal alcohol. This is officially the longest stretch I’ve gone without alcohol that I can remember. When I had c diff, the meds said I couldn’t drink for 14 days, but I drank on Day 15. So this 30 day stretch will surpass that by a lot.

Now, surprising to everyone who knows me, the no alcohol hasn’t been so hard. It probably falls to number three on the list, behind milk/cream and sugar. I’ve been out to bars drinking nothing but club soda. And it is fine. People-watching is the best! And? No hangover! Plus I spend a lot less money, which is also a plus.

But don’t fret, Day 31 is February 2 and I already have plans to go out drinking. And with 30 days sober, it will probably only take me one drink to get hammered! I’m a cheap drunk!

Other than that, it is just a lot of meal planning and prepping and cooking. I ache for convenience sometimes. It would be so nice to just pick up a Lean Cuisine and call it a day. But, that is part of the process. Hopefully after 30 days it won’t seem like so much work (doubtful). Another way the no booze thing helps is I’m not hungover and I can go to the grocery store first thing in the morning on weekends and spend the day cooking instead of curled up in bed with Taco Bell.

So far, I’m really glad I’ve done this. I feel good. I’m learning my huge issues with food. I have more energy and am feeling quite proud of myself. I knew it would be hard. But I am proud I have stuck with it. I have yet to let my Sugar Dragon make excuses for me to give up. Because I’ve read the book, I know the protocol. Your body needs 30 days clean. Not 30 days with a little cream in my coffee, or one small piece of candy. Your body needs to go without it for a length of time (not 10 days) to make you realize how much you DEPEND on it for non-essential reasons.

Here is to 15 more days. I hope they are a lot easier and I stop picturing people like giant Swedish Fish on the train.

I know a few of you wanted me to write about, so hit me up with any questions! I’m also happy to share my meals for the week, if that is something anyone is interested in.

Categories: A Dash of the Crazy, A Day in the Life of Me, Healthy Living, Mmmm Food
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