I am currently doing my 8th round of Whole30 and I'm using Melissa Hartwig's newest book Whole30 Day by Day to journal throughout. I want to share some of my highlights and some of my low(lights)? with you. If you've done a Whole30 before or if you're currently doing your first Whole30 you can probably relate to some of these things. I talk about NSV's (Non-scale victories), how this round of Whole30 is effecting me emotionally and mentally, what I'm eating, and more! I hope you enjoy reading what I've experienced on my Whole30 so far!

Day 1 - Monday, January 1st

I'm feeling great! I'm excited to get back to my "normal" eating after the holidays. I indulged in many foods that I generally don't eat over the holidays and I loved it! BUT, I didn't love the way it made me feel. I'm bloated and puffy, I'm on a constant sugar high, and I'm not sleeping well. I can't wait to begin. 

I've been drinking so much water. I'm trying to help my body eliminate all of this extra waste (gross, I know.) But I think it's helping?

Day 2 - Tuesday, January 2nd

First day back to work! It's a teacher workday (thank goodness). I'm feeling okay. I've had so much coffee today but I'm still trying to adjust to wearing pants and being social after two weeks of couch sitting.

I'm also trying not to snack between meals. It's difficult right now because I'm in the routine of eating constantly, just grazing. Not having a sweet snack after dinner is killing me!

Day 3 - Wednesday, January 3rd

SNOW DAY! What is this life? It doesn't snow in South Carolina. I mean, it has before but that was like 5 years ago. Anyways. It's snowing outside, like a lot. School is closed so I guess I'm not getting back into my normal routine today. Another day of no pants for the win!

I got a lot of sleep last night (more than 9 hours!) but I had trouble falling asleep. I'm also still really struggling with not snacking after dinner. I'm trying to distract myself so I won't snack. So far, it's working but I'm really hoping it will get easier. 

Day 4 - Thursday, January 4th

Another snow day? You're joking! We have about 6.5 inches of snow outside, is this for real? I'm never leaving my house in this mess.

I felt super rested when I woke up this morning! YES. I'm also feeling less bloated and overall, less puffy. My head is feeling a bit clearer as well. My cravings are improving a bit. I had a cup of herbal tea after dinner last night and that really helped take care of my after dinner treat craving. 

Day 5 - Friday, January 5th

Snow Day #3. Again, cray. 

I woke up feeling ill. Serious headache, stuffy nose, cough. I only slept for about 6 hours last night and it wasn't great quality sleep. I don't have much of an appetite either. 

I ate leftover crispy pork, green beans, roasted potatoes and guac for dinner and had a serious stomachache right after. WHAT IS HAPPENING? 

Day 6 - Saturday, January 6th

Slept much better last night (more than 7 hours!) Woke up with no headache and feeling much better! Still not super hungry today. 

I tried on a new pair of jeans (which were a bit tight) and I immediately went to this "it's not working-why am I do this" place for just a few seconds. Then I had to remind myself that "YOU ARE ONLY ON DAY 6." This isn't a Whole6. Also, I'm trying to fall in love with myself in every realm, even when my jeans are a bit tight. Take those jeans off (who needs pants anyway) and move on. 

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to have an Rxbar with cashew butter tonight after dinner, even after I've been trying to slay that Sugar Dragon (insert serious eye-roll at myself here.) I immediately felt bloated and determined that I need to do better. 

Day 6 was clearly a big day for me.

Day 7 - Sunday, January 7th

I woke up feeling extra motivated today. I think this comes from the mental clarity that I'm having. I slept really well last night and woke up feeling rested. My cravings are getting SO MUCH BETTER and I'm so excited to try out my Food Freedom when my Whole30 is over. I finally feel like I'm in control of what I eat, not the other way around. 

End of the day feelings: Had some serious doubts as the day went on. I had a stomachache after lunch and started to feel very bloated. This is such a defeating feeling. I want to stop feeling so bloated and I'm already on Day 7. Generally by this time I feel like a new woman! Ugh, I'm just going to keep going tomorrow and try to enjoy this process including the emotions (good and bad) that come with it. Here's to Day 8!

Day 8 - Monday, January 8th

ANOTHER SNOW DAY. HOLY CROW. It's Monday and we are still out of school. At this point, I'm not sure if we'll ever go back.

Woke up a little earlier this morning but I still slept pretty well last night. I HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY. Is this Tiger Blood? I think it's coming. 

I started the day with my yoga practice and that made me feel even better. I'm definitely going to continue starting my day with my yoga practice. 

I'm so over cooking lunch right now. I love to cook but I just don't feel like cooking any lunch. I heated up the lunch I was supposed to have at work today (chicken sausage and green beans) and that worked just fine.

We had steak and roasted potatoes for dinner. It was amazing but I think I'm eating too many potatoes? Every time I eat them, I feel lethargic after. I'm going to eat them a little bit less. I didn't have the extreme urge to snack after dinner tonight! I had a Lacroix with lime (in a wine glass because I'm fancy like that) and it helped curb those cravings. 

Day 9 - Tuesday, January 9th

Okay, maybe this will be the last time I say this? We have a snow day again. At this point I'm craving routine in my life. I need to wake up early and go to work and feel productive and socialize with someone other than my awesome husband. 

I woke up this morning feeling rested with 7 hours of sleep. 

Today's Extra Credit from Melissa's Whole30 Day by Day was to expand my "elevator speech," including two or three personal reasons why I started the Whole30 and two or three benefits I've already seen. Here it is: I started this round of Whole30 because I want to be back in control of my health, I don't want to be a slave to food. I want to eat foods that love me back and make me feel my best (physically, mentally, emotionally.) I've already seen improved sleep quality and an increase in energy!

I had ZERO cravings today! None at all! Not in between meals, not after dinner, none! Nothing salty, nothing sweet, NONE. YES! 

Day 10 - Wednesday, January 10th

Back to school and back to routine! Yes, finally. 

Went to bed super late last night and woke up really early to get my yoga practice in before school. I only slept about 4 hours but I woke up with a good amount of energy. 

I made my first ever frittata yesterday (I love eggs but I'm not a huge fan of the texture of frittata) and heated that up for a quick and easy breakfast. Alongside a massive amount of coffee. I was out the door and early to work! The frittata wasn't bad at all and I actually really enjoyed the convenience of just heating up a quick breakfast rather than cooking it. 

HIT A BIG WALL AT 10:30. Like, I was done. So tired, no more energy left. 

Through bleary eyes, I ate my regular lunch-chicken sausage and green beans. But I was so hungry between lunch and dinner. I definitely need to eat more at lunch time. 

Overall, my first day back in my routine was rough. I was tired, hungry, and my face is breaking out again. What the what?

Day 11 - Thursday, January 11th

I crashed in the bed super early yesterday. I slept for over 7 hours yesterday and woke up feeling refreshed and ready for another day. I got up and did my yoga practice before work too. 

I was super hungry yesterday so I upped my food intake a bit today. I had two pieces of frittata for breakfast and coffee. I also ate carrots and Tessemae's Ranch with my lunch and that kept me satisfied until dinner. 

Whole30 real talk: Today I put on my "bigger dress," a dress that I wear that's always been large on me and it wasn't as large this time. It felt more restricting than usual and it about broke me. I instantly felt myself moving into "restrict/diet" mode. How can I eat less, workout more so I can quickly lose this? But I pulled myself out of this negative mindset real quick. I don't want to live in this space anymore. I'm learning to love myself in every way, at every stage. Including this one. So I will keep living my best Whole30 life and move on. 

Day 12 - Friday, January 12th

I had trouble falling asleep last night and only got about 6 hours. I still woke up to do my yoga practice this morning. 

I didn't hit a wall today! My energy levels are consistently improving and we're getting back in the swing of things! 

I do need to make sure I'm eating bigger meals though. If I don't eat a bigger breakfast, I'm so hungry by lunch and the same goes for eating a bigger lunch so I won't be so hungry before dinner. 

Whole30 real talk: My digestion is all out of whack! I'm just not as regular as I usually am and this totally stresses me out! I decided to drink half a bottle of GT's Kombucha (Whole30 compliant) and it totally helped! 

Day 13 - Saturday, January 13th

BEST SLEEP ON THE WHOLE30 YET. Got over 9 hours of sleep last night and it was such good quality sleep. I woke up feeling so refreshed and almost like a new woman! I also had a ton of energy today and like my bloat has finally subsided! I skipped Meal 1 today (oops) and just had a ton of Fatty Coffee. No cravings at all today!

Today was definitely my best Whole30 Day yet! 

Day 14 - Sunday, January 14th

Another day of amazing sleep-almost 8 hours! I literally had so much energy today I didn't want to sit down! I also had no cravings whatsoever! I'm feeling less gassy, less bloated, lighter, and my stomach is feeling better. My energy is through the roof and I'm not wanting to just lay around. TIGER BLOOD, I SEE YOU BOO! 

YAAAAASSSS! 

Day 15 - Monday, January 15th

Fell asleep super easily last night. I got over 8 hours and slept pretty soundly. We have the day off today so I was able to sleep in again. Another day full of energy but I kept myself busy around the house. I've got my meals planned and prepared for the week and I'm excited to have a plan to make this next phase of my Whole30 successful! 

Made a massive Sausage Frittata yesterday and had a slice for Meal 1 and Meal 2 today. I am absolutely loving the convenience of heating up this frittata! 

I also made Teri from No Crumb's Left's Heroine Chicken for dinner tonight and HOLY COW, it was absolutely amazing! So excited to have these leftovers during the week. 

The first half of this Whole30 has definitely been mentally and emotionally challenging. If you're familiar with my blog (or with me!), you know I've lost 100 pounds and I've managed to maintain that weight loss (give or take a few pounds here and there.) But for me, this round of Whole30 has nothing to do with weight loss. I'm trying to get back to control, find a place of love, and be my best self. That's why I keep trying to pull myself out of the negative self-talk that's engrained in a person whose been trying to lose weight her whole life. 

I'm so excited to see what the second half of my Whole30 brings! Stay tuned, you'll get to read about that too!

Are you doing a Whole30? I'd love to hear about your experiences thus far! 

With so much love,

Emily