I panicked this morning for the first time since starting the Whole30. I have lots of safe food in the house. I just didn't want to eat any of it. Period. It's not a problem to skip a meal, of course, but it is important to be prepared and not starving throughout the day. My workday starts at 7:30, and there is no way I know of to eat like I want to and should without making food at home and bringing it. I do so hope this is not a regular occurence.
I literally forced myself to scramble 3 eggs that I didn't want for breakfast and left for work with them, no lunch, no snack, no plan for the rest of the day. Yikes! I am out of my comfort zone big time right now. I'll add to this post later in the day. Right now I believe my best move is to stay busy and not focus on food.
I think of myself as being prepared where food is concerned most of the time, but I now know that being prepared is not going to be enough in the long-run. I need to be seriously over-prepared. It's hard to know how to be ready for days when foods I usually eat and enjoy sound gross and unappealing, but that's exactly the task ahead of me. The key to staying with a healthy program, I am convinced, is enjoying it, at least most of the time. Along those lines, the food that works with the Whole30 is food that works for me. It sounds good, usually. It doesn't feel restrictive, usually. Even today with my "I just don't want to eat that" attitude, I don't want to eat anything off this plan either. That I like. There's a comfort level in that automatic, no effort feeling of committment.
Now, if I could only think of something good to eat...
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
whole30, day twenty
Day 20! I can hardly believe it. Two thirds of the way through my 30 days, or at least I will be at day's end.
I have found eating this way much less restrictive than I'd expected. The only times it's really been a concern is when I'm very tired or very hungry. The combination is awful. My only defense in those cases is to have food ready and waiting. When I've neglected that, it's a real problem, though. My recommendation for anyone on this program or contemplating it is that you stay prepared. I could also add don't get tired or hungry, but that is harder to manage, I imagine.
As I've often mentioned, my approach to any program is to look closely at the foods that fit, find the ones I LOVE from that list, and remove or hide everything else. I can usually open my refrigerator and find at least a few choices of food I like that likes me. Without that to fall back on, I'd be a goner, I'm afraid. That's not to say my fridge is filled with lobster and foie gras. My favorite vegetables, avocados, eggs, cooked chicken or beef or fish get me through the day. I like to keep a few home made composed salads on hand, too. Beet salad is a favorite. This time of year, I also have apples and pomegranates, though I don't eat much fruit. Onions, garlic, sweet potatoes keep well at room temp and make all sorts of dishes possible on a whim. I also like to have frozen shrimp and canned tuna to drop on a salad on occasion. We are big fans of sardines, as well. Having a few cans in the pantry can make dinner a snap. That's what I eat, and, of course, everyone will have their own favorites. Mine will make some turn away in disgust.
Whether you're doing this program or another or are chosing foods at will, I do hope you'll avoid those that don't excite you. There are enough really good foods, whatever the diet or budget, that none of us should be chocking down foods and flavors we truly can't stand for the sake of health or dress size.
I have found eating this way much less restrictive than I'd expected. The only times it's really been a concern is when I'm very tired or very hungry. The combination is awful. My only defense in those cases is to have food ready and waiting. When I've neglected that, it's a real problem, though. My recommendation for anyone on this program or contemplating it is that you stay prepared. I could also add don't get tired or hungry, but that is harder to manage, I imagine.
As I've often mentioned, my approach to any program is to look closely at the foods that fit, find the ones I LOVE from that list, and remove or hide everything else. I can usually open my refrigerator and find at least a few choices of food I like that likes me. Without that to fall back on, I'd be a goner, I'm afraid. That's not to say my fridge is filled with lobster and foie gras. My favorite vegetables, avocados, eggs, cooked chicken or beef or fish get me through the day. I like to keep a few home made composed salads on hand, too. Beet salad is a favorite. This time of year, I also have apples and pomegranates, though I don't eat much fruit. Onions, garlic, sweet potatoes keep well at room temp and make all sorts of dishes possible on a whim. I also like to have frozen shrimp and canned tuna to drop on a salad on occasion. We are big fans of sardines, as well. Having a few cans in the pantry can make dinner a snap. That's what I eat, and, of course, everyone will have their own favorites. Mine will make some turn away in disgust.
Whether you're doing this program or another or are chosing foods at will, I do hope you'll avoid those that don't excite you. There are enough really good foods, whatever the diet or budget, that none of us should be chocking down foods and flavors we truly can't stand for the sake of health or dress size.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
whole30, day nineteen
Today's post will be quite short, but I do want to check in. I don't know that I would call it magic, but my relationship to food and drink has already changed dramatically. I am still able to get very excited about food and cooking and eating, but I do not need to have that excitement with me all the time. I am not driven by it.
Today I had no desire to stray from my choice to commit to the Whole30; it did not enter my mind. And today was not an ordinary day for us. We were up by 4am, no coffee this morning, and at the hospital, checking in to the outpatient cardio unit by 5. GK was scheduled for a 6:30 angiogram following two weeks of chest pain (which he conveniently neglected to tell me about until last weekend.) This has been a scary few days, and today was over the top. Neither of us has had much experience with hospitals, and we mostly avoid doctors, so this is very odd for both of us. The test revealed a blocked artery, and his cardiologist completed an angioplasty and inserted a stent. We left the hospital about 4pm, scared but grateful for the good care and thoughtful attention. He, for the first time in his life, will be taking daily medications, some for life. I am considering myself oh so fortunate to be bringing him home.
Clearly, his day was much rougher than mine. I am very, very clear about that. Those of you who have to watch everything that goes into your mouth know you don't leave home unprepared if you can help it. Today it did not cross my mind. Kristen brought me coffee from Starbucks, and at one point in the morning she and I braved the cafeteria. I almost never eat out. It scares the hell out of me, as it's rare that I don't get sick doing so. Today I spent 11 hours at a hospital afraid of the food and water and survived. I was darned hungry when I got home and almost too tired to cook, but I cooked. We ate. He is resting comfortably, and I am not even interested in a glass of wine.
Today I had no desire to stray from my choice to commit to the Whole30; it did not enter my mind. And today was not an ordinary day for us. We were up by 4am, no coffee this morning, and at the hospital, checking in to the outpatient cardio unit by 5. GK was scheduled for a 6:30 angiogram following two weeks of chest pain (which he conveniently neglected to tell me about until last weekend.) This has been a scary few days, and today was over the top. Neither of us has had much experience with hospitals, and we mostly avoid doctors, so this is very odd for both of us. The test revealed a blocked artery, and his cardiologist completed an angioplasty and inserted a stent. We left the hospital about 4pm, scared but grateful for the good care and thoughtful attention. He, for the first time in his life, will be taking daily medications, some for life. I am considering myself oh so fortunate to be bringing him home.
Clearly, his day was much rougher than mine. I am very, very clear about that. Those of you who have to watch everything that goes into your mouth know you don't leave home unprepared if you can help it. Today it did not cross my mind. Kristen brought me coffee from Starbucks, and at one point in the morning she and I braved the cafeteria. I almost never eat out. It scares the hell out of me, as it's rare that I don't get sick doing so. Today I spent 11 hours at a hospital afraid of the food and water and survived. I was darned hungry when I got home and almost too tired to cook, but I cooked. We ate. He is resting comfortably, and I am not even interested in a glass of wine.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
whole30, day eighteen
I know my vocabulary must be sorely lacking when I want to start every post with "Wow!" That seems to be the one word that comes to mind each time I start to write. Today is Day 18. I'm still pumped. I'm still eating well, very well, in fact. I am starting to be more and more convinced that I may be one of those people whose body may take longer than thirty days to heal. Maybe we all take longer; of that I'm not sure. Whole9 does not say in 30 days all will be right with the world. They do say it will change your life, and of that I have no doubt.
It's been just two and one-half weeks, and I'm noticing major changes in my attitude toward many things. I do not have sugar demons to battle or a lot of weight to lose, but the issues I have are significant. I spend much of my days in pain, pain directly or indirectly related to digestion and elimination. That is lessening to be sure, though it is not completely gone. Given that, it is mind-boggling to me that I would want to put anything in my body that does not promote health, yet I have done just that for years. Spicy foods, fine wine, good Scotch or bourbon, pungent cheeses are all things I think of and smile. I do not, at least as of today, think of most of them anymore as things I really want to consume. I do hope one day to be able to handle hot and spicy again, but I'm giving myself lots of healing time first. I haven't so much as tasted a bite of cheese in over a year, but I have a good memory. Wine I haven't decided about, maybe a glass of something very good on a special occasion or Champagne for a celebration, but I do not see wine as part of my daily life anymore.
The food part of this 30 days remains pretty easy. Breakfast and lunch today consisted of rib chops cut from the tiny rack of lamb I grilled on Sunday. I have had about one piece of fruit a day for awhile, many organic apples since they're in season. I am not usually much of a fruit eater, and I think this may be too much for me, so I'm ignoring the apples for awhile. Dinner tonight is salmon, salad, and vegetables if I stick with the plan, but who knows. Plans and I do not have such a great affinity.
My next big challenge is not a dietary one. I have never found an exercise I like, but I'm still looking, so, hopefully, that will be in the cards.
It's been just two and one-half weeks, and I'm noticing major changes in my attitude toward many things. I do not have sugar demons to battle or a lot of weight to lose, but the issues I have are significant. I spend much of my days in pain, pain directly or indirectly related to digestion and elimination. That is lessening to be sure, though it is not completely gone. Given that, it is mind-boggling to me that I would want to put anything in my body that does not promote health, yet I have done just that for years. Spicy foods, fine wine, good Scotch or bourbon, pungent cheeses are all things I think of and smile. I do not, at least as of today, think of most of them anymore as things I really want to consume. I do hope one day to be able to handle hot and spicy again, but I'm giving myself lots of healing time first. I haven't so much as tasted a bite of cheese in over a year, but I have a good memory. Wine I haven't decided about, maybe a glass of something very good on a special occasion or Champagne for a celebration, but I do not see wine as part of my daily life anymore.
The food part of this 30 days remains pretty easy. Breakfast and lunch today consisted of rib chops cut from the tiny rack of lamb I grilled on Sunday. I have had about one piece of fruit a day for awhile, many organic apples since they're in season. I am not usually much of a fruit eater, and I think this may be too much for me, so I'm ignoring the apples for awhile. Dinner tonight is salmon, salad, and vegetables if I stick with the plan, but who knows. Plans and I do not have such a great affinity.
My next big challenge is not a dietary one. I have never found an exercise I like, but I'm still looking, so, hopefully, that will be in the cards.
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