preparing for whole30

June 13, 2014

Well, I’m doing it. I’ve been talking about it for weeks and finally I’m starting the Whole30 on Monday. This weekend is my last fling with pancakes, Starbucks’ iced mochas, chips & queso, and chocolate. I don’t mean forever – I fully intend to enjoy those delicious treats in an intentional way in the future – but I’m ready to break my body’s addiction to them.

I admit that I am pretty nervous. Here are my concerns, roughly in order of biggest to smallest:

Cooking new foods and with new techniques that I’m not used to, and the time in the kitchen it will require.

Not planning well and going hungry as a result.

The initial cost of pantry staples, and the ongoing cost of high quality ingredients, especially meat.

The way I will feel the first couple of weeks as I detox, and being able to function well as a wife, mother, nurse, etc.

Juggling meals for the rest of my family while maintaining the rules.

Giving in to a craving.

All of those might end up being unfounded, but laying them out there helps me to anticipate problem areas. I’m hoping that Meredith will enjoy doing more work in the kitchen with me and that she will be open to these foods (I’m not going to keep her on the diet strictly but also won’t be making her separate meals and will limit her snacks).

I’m hoping the costs will be offset somewhat by not buying all the other stuff we normally eat, and that we can cut back in other areas to maintain our budget.

I’m hoping that I can manage to cook some decent-tasting meals that will keep me full for several hours. I’m not at all confident in my cooking skills which is why this concern is at the top of the list.

I’m hoping that accountability from a friend who is doing it with me will be enough encouragement since David is currently doing his own thing. (Because I’m the only one in the house doing it, I can’t really do a “pantry purge” so there will be extra temptation there.)

I’m hoping that I don’t feel terrible, and that the benefits will be worth it.

What I’m doing to prepare:

>Obviously I had to make a Pinterest board of recipes. But I’ve also been compiling all sorts of meal ideas from other sources, and tomorrow I’m going to nail down a meal plan for the first week.

>I visited a couple grocery stores and plan to check a couple more out over the weekend to find the best prices and to see what product brands are Whole30-compliant.

>Had a conversation with my friend & partner on this journey since she has done it before. It was great to hear a testimonial in person and get some tips and ideas about how to make it work.

>A big ole grocery trip is in store.

>Splurging. When I said I’m having a last fling with forbidden foods, I meant it. And I’m going to enjoy them guilt-free.

From lauren w:

I’d love to partake in one of your splurges with you. PS I think I basically did this the month before the wedding I was in last summer. I barely ate bread or dairy or sweets. Or foods known to bloat, like beans and broccoli. I definitely lost some pounds. And definitely gained them all back since the wedding.

From kessi:

I’m excited to be on this journey with you, my friend! It is huge. It is daunting. It is completely possible! We’ve got this!!!

From Melissa:

I’m interested to see how it goes! Wishing you well! Is your husband going to participate with you?

From Kathleen:

I’m not sure yet – he keeps going back and forth, and I think he needs to be totally committed internally to doing it. I’m hoping he’ll at least give up sugar though!

From Emily:

You can do it! After you mentioned the Whole30 I checked out the website and rules and I was, like: “No, pancakes in ANY form?!” but I get what they mean by the SWYPO. It will teach you enjoy those treats, to “savor” would be an appropriate word, even more as treats. I don’t know what I can do to help except be a cheerleader (and I will!)

Thanks Emily! So much of my unhealthy eating is psychological, so I am totally on board with the idea of not paleo-ifying treat foods. I want to break that cycle and be able to enjoy them in their unwholesome deliciousness without guilt – occasionally!