My day
I was in a training class all-freakin' day! But I noticed something very interesting.
A little before 9:00, I ate the breakfast I'd quickly whipped up before work and took my cup of black coffee with me to join the rest of my team. (I'd forgotten the crap creamer at home.)
We met for a few hours, learning a new software tool (6 people in our video conference room). And around 10:30 or 11:00, everyone started grabbing for their snacks. Out came the M&Ms, granola bars and a few headed off for more coffee. I did a quick hunger check and realized I was no where near hungry or sleepy. But just to do something, I headed to the break room and made some green tea.
The rest of the day pretty much went the same way. We'd ordered in lunch, and I'd scanned the menu earlier and chose a shrimp salad with a lemon vinaigrette (minus the feta). Hopefully the dressing didn't have added sugar ... it didn't taste like it did.
By 4:45, the rest of the team was practically dead in their chairs, and I was still going strong. Not necessarily full, but certainly not feeling a lot of hunger pangs. I ate a few banana chips on my ride home.
That night, the weather was nice, so I grilled out. Drank my sparkling water in a wine glass, which has become my new night time thing.
Overall assessment
If you'd asked me if I felt like I was on a diet, Day 11, I'd honestly say no. It really doesn't.
However, I did do a fairly decent job of grocery shopping and planning. I'd stocked the fridge and freezer with a lot of compliant foods, and grocery shopping got a little easier because Whole 30 is pretty black and white. Walking down the cracker and cereal isle, I don't even bother browsing or entertaining the thought. I grab what the kids eat and keep walking. It's actually quite freeing.
I've also gotten much better at re-using leftovers. In the past, I'd package stuff up, and it would sit in the fridge until it was time to toss it. I'd continue adding leftovers all around it, until the fridge was so packed with shit, you couldn't see what you had, what was good and what was bad. And you certainly didn't have any idea how long anything had been in there.
Not anymore. I've started labeling leftovers with masking tape (chicken tenders, 12/18; sloppy joe meat, 1/5, etc.). I've noticed that the kids and Tony are now much more likely to eat leftovers, too. It's nice to open the fridge and see exactly what things are (no more trying to guess what's in the Tupperware). This method makes it a lot easier for me to see what can be used or added other recipes.
If I ate half a baked potato for lunch, I'd keep the other half and mix it into some eggs. If I had leftover rotisserie chicken, I'd de-bone it, and suddenly I'd have a topping for my next salad.
But the best thing is that I can now get through the evening without craving a glass (or two or three) of wine. I wake up refreshed and clear-headed, and I'm also saving at least $20 every time I pop into Publix, because it used to be routine for me to grab two bottles. Don't want to run out!
I can get used to these changes.
Physical check-in
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Whole 30 Daily - Day 12
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I was in a training class all-freakin' day! But I noticed something very interesting.
A little before 9:00, I ate the breakfast I'd quickly whipped up before work and took my cup of black coffee with me to join the rest of my team. (I'd forgotten the crap creamer at home.)
We met for a few hours, learning a new software tool (6 people in our video conference room). And around 10:30 or 11:00, everyone started grabbing for their snacks. Out came the M&Ms, granola bars and a few headed off for more coffee. I did a quick hunger check and realized I was no where near hungry or sleepy. But just to do something, I headed to the break room and made some green tea.
The rest of the day pretty much went the same way. We'd ordered in lunch, and I'd scanned the menu earlier and chose a shrimp salad with a lemon vinaigrette (minus the feta). Hopefully the dressing didn't have added sugar ... it didn't taste like it did.
By 4:45, the rest of the team was practically dead in their chairs, and I was still going strong. Not necessarily full, but certainly not feeling a lot of hunger pangs. I ate a few banana chips on my ride home.
That night, the weather was nice, so I grilled out. Drank my sparkling water in a wine glass, which has become my new night time thing.
Overall assessment
If you'd asked me if I felt like I was on a diet, Day 11, I'd honestly say no. It really doesn't.
However, I did do a fairly decent job of grocery shopping and planning. I'd stocked the fridge and freezer with a lot of compliant foods, and grocery shopping got a little easier because Whole 30 is pretty black and white. Walking down the cracker and cereal isle, I don't even bother browsing or entertaining the thought. I grab what the kids eat and keep walking. It's actually quite freeing.
I've also gotten much better at re-using leftovers. In the past, I'd package stuff up, and it would sit in the fridge until it was time to toss it. I'd continue adding leftovers all around it, until the fridge was so packed with shit, you couldn't see what you had, what was good and what was bad. And you certainly didn't have any idea how long anything had been in there.
Not anymore. I've started labeling leftovers with masking tape (chicken tenders, 12/18; sloppy joe meat, 1/5, etc.). I've noticed that the kids and Tony are now much more likely to eat leftovers, too. It's nice to open the fridge and see exactly what things are (no more trying to guess what's in the Tupperware). This method makes it a lot easier for me to see what can be used or added other recipes.
If I ate half a baked potato for lunch, I'd keep the other half and mix it into some eggs. If I had leftover rotisserie chicken, I'd de-bone it, and suddenly I'd have a topping for my next salad.
But the best thing is that I can now get through the evening without craving a glass (or two or three) of wine. I wake up refreshed and clear-headed, and I'm also saving at least $20 every time I pop into Publix, because it used to be routine for me to grab two bottles. Don't want to run out!
I can get used to these changes.
Physical check-in
- Sleep: I'm sleeping great. Falling asleep soon after I lie down, and although morning still comes way too early, once I'm up and in the shower, I'm good. I still need coffee, but not nearly as badly as I used to. Also, I'm not taking two Melatonin every night just to fall asleep.
- Face: Maybe it's my imagination, but my face looks a little slimmer. Also, my eyes don't have as many dark circles as they usually do. I used to wake up and just look "puffy." That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
- Joints: It's hard to really evaluate this because I've been wearing a giant knee brace for the last week and half. I don't feel super achy though. Except in my stupid elbow. I've got tennis elbow in my left arm (the arm I wouldn't use to play tennis, if I actually played).
- Mood: Generally happy. Not feeling anxious, cranky or pissed off.
- Weight: Don't know exactly, but it's definitely a little less than where I started.
Food today
- Breakfast: Two scrambled eggs mixed with diced leftover baked potato, 1/3 can artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes.
- Lunch: Lettuce greens with steamed shrimp, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, beets (brought from home) and lemon vinaigrette (from Newks)
- Snacks: Banana and apple chips (homemade)
- Dinner: Grilled chicken and shrimp covered in Chimichurri sauce. Also a few portabellas (brushed with the sauce). Sliced sweet potato rounds, cooked at 425 in the stove for 20 min. Just a little oil, butter, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. They were caramelized on the outside and tender in the middle. I'm definitely going to make this again!
Whole 30 Daily - Day 12
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