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What Have I Learned?



Hi everyone.  I was busy entertaining a high level VIP in my life so I wasn't able to post last week (wink).  I'm sure you guys missed me (yeah, right), so I'll get right down to it.

My Whole 30 is over.  Monday, March 18th was my official last day.  Funny that I also had my physical that day at the doctor.  I had a fasting blood test, and I tried to get the results before posting, but I wasn't able to swing by the office and pick them up.  I'll make sure to include them next week.

I'll admit I'm a bit anxious to find out what those results say about my diet changes.  I did notice a significant drop in my blood pressure.  I'm starting to keep track of it so I can provide my doctor with historical data.  That's probably the only way I'll be able to convince him that I'm ready to be weaned off.  Sadly, once you are on maintenance medication, you just can't stop it cold turkey.  It can dangerous, and I want to get rid of all that medication. 

So, now it's time for reflection.  When I started the Whole 30, I was hoping to rid myself of my artificial sweetener dependence and get off processed foods.  I wanted to eat as wholistically as possible, and see what food choices and groups I could add back to my diet.  What foods are causing me trouble?  Where am I seeing the bloating and inflammation?

I can definitely say that I like what eating "real food" did to me.  I had lots of energy, and I felt really good. I slept great.  I had many personal bests during the last month. My body feels different.  My arms look different.  There is more definition than before.  My legs are slimmer.  My run times are faster.  I deadlifted 185 pounds... Yeah, you read that right.  185 fucking pounds!

I can also say that I was able to get away from artificial sweetener.  All I drank for the last 35 days is water.  Water.  Water. Water.  It was hard at first, but now I'm used to it.  I don't feel the need to run out and buy packets of Splenda and sweeten up my blueberries.  They are sweet enough all buy themselves.  I don't want to drink any powdered drinks or guzzle a diet soda.  I'll be fine with water. 

I've eaten gluten grains (bread), some pasta, cheese, white potatoes, and candy over the last week, and I can honestly say I haven't had any bad reactions from it.  For the most part, I've eaten these item in small amouts and "real food" continued to be the majority of all meals I ate.  So, perhaps I really don't have any issues with these foods.  However, I do find that if I compare my current eating habits to my prior, processed foods and carbohydrates were about 60% of my calorie intake for the day.  Now, I'll contain that, and focus on protein, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats.  I'll pepper in other items here and there, but I'll won't return to that. Making food choices based on pure calorie content is not a good idea, and I won't continue on that path.

I think I found my missing puzzle piece that will help me complete my good health picture.  It really is all about the food.  Eating real food and limiting other items.  Sorry!  I will NEVER be one of those people that will never touch sugar again.  I enjoy sweets, and I've found that when I exclude something indefinitely, and try to taste it again, my body goes ape shit.  I'm not going through that again.  So, yes.  I'll still eat my jelly bellies and hot tamales.  But, I'll also eat boiled eggs, avocado and sweet potatoes for breakfast, spaghetti squash pad thai for lunch, and baked salmon, greens, and carrots for dinner.  How can you go wrong with that plan?

So, now what's next? It's all about training for the half marathon and reaching my dead lift goal.  The marathon is less than two months away.  I'm changing up my workout schedule.  Monday, run. Tuesday, weight training.  Wednesday, run.  Thursday, weight training.  Friday-Free-for-all. Saturday, long run.  Sunday, rest.  I'm pleased with this schedule. It's going to be tough, but I'm ready.  I just want to perform to the best of my ability, and I'll do what it takes to get me there.

Lastly... the scale.  Oh, I almost forgot about that.  I got my scale back on Friday, and I weighed in this morning. I lost 7.6 pounds on the Whole 30, and you know what's even better than losing 7 pounds... realizing that I paid attention to my body signals, ate to satiation and Satisfaction, and didn't count ONE FREAKING CALORIE.  Yeah, folks, eat real food.  
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