We made it!! I’ve finished my first Whole 30 and I truly couldn’t feel better. Since I updated you guys half way through, I had to give an end of the month update! You can read my half way point post here! The changes I’ve experienced throughout the last 30 days are unreal and I’m excited to be feeling like a new person.
Today I’m going to share with you the top 5 things I’ve noticed throughout the last month. For anyone who has completed Whole 30, do these resonate with any of you? I’d love to hear some feedback about what changes you guys noticed!
- Improved mood/outlook
- The beginning of the third week had me feeling SO much better about my every day life. Ever since, I’ve been feeling so motivated to be more successful – with my eating, my workouts, my life organization, my relationships. My attitude is more positive and I feel genuinely happy – truly better than I’ve felt since I started this new job in the fall. I’m more patient with people around me and more excited about every day tasks. I just feel better! And that is an incredible feeling.
- Clothes fit better
- It’s almost like I have an entire new closet. I’m able to wear clothes that have never fit before. Those jeans we all keep because we’ll “get into them” – I got into them. Maybe this has something to do with why I’m feeling so much better? Ha! Shopping is one of my favorite things but being able to “shop” in my own closet is an amazing feeling. My sweaters are more loose and I’m starting to feel like some new clothes are required.
- Clearer skin
- I’ve been very lucky to have never suffered from too many breakouts or struggled with acne but the last month, I haven’t had any! My skin isn’t as dry as it previously was and it’s just so clear. I’ve had eczema for years and during my Whole 30, I haven’t had one reaction. My skin isn’t just clear, it’s glowing. It’s softer and more supple and feels great!
- More energy
- When I was eating whatever I wanted, I would come home from work so exhausted. Every single day was hard to get through no matter how much coffee I drank. Over the last two weeks, especially, I have so much energy when I get home from work. I’ve been waking up 3 days a week to go to 6 am Pure Barre and I still am wide awake, with good energy until 10 pm! Dance offs in the living room with boyfriend have become quite routine. How fun? Additionally, I was able to complete my Pure Barre classes more effectively. I felt like I was able to push myself further in each class than ever before. I’ve started running again and my stamina has improved immensely.
- Sleep more soundly
- I wake up almost every morning in the exact same position I fell asleep in every day. This is huge coming from someone who typically tosses and turns all night long! Waking up feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the day is a feeling I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced. I also have a much better sleep routine than I did previously. Bedtime around 10 pm and wake up around 5 am almost without an alarm. The routine is finally there!
My Favorite Recipe
During the last two weeks, I created my own little fish “taco” salad that I have probably eaten 6 times in the last two weeks. It’s so satisfying and definitely tastes like a cheat! I just wanted to share that recipe with you guys today.
Fish Taco Salad Recipe
I used tilapia and salmon depending on the day, so it really doesn’t matter what kind of fish you use. You can also use chicken, lean beef, shrimp, whatever you like!
- Baked Salmon
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Cayenne
- Romaine lettuce
- Bell peppers (I love yellow and orange!)
- Avocado
- Pico de gallo
- Franks Red Hot Sauce
Season the fish with olive oil and all spices. I usually cover the fish pretty nicely for optimum flavor – about a teaspoon of each and just a pinch of cayenne. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes for salmon and about 10 minutes for tilapia.
Fill a bowl with romaine lettuce and sliced peppers.
Once the fish is finished (flakes nicely with a fork), place in the bowl.
Two tablespoons of pico de gallo and an avocado, with several dashes of hot sauce finish the dish off perfectly!
This dinner is so delicious and fresh, plus it’s so filling! It’s so easy for weeknights and there are so many options to change out that you can incorporate ingredients for everyone.
Another thing I just had to keep was my collagen peptides. Added to a small (compliant) smoothie or to my tea, I still was able to get all the benefits of collagen throughout the 30 days! Vital Proteins products are almost all compliant and if you’re interested in checking out some other products, take a look here! Collagen adds protein to your diet and is also great for hair, skin, and nails. There are so many products that I couldn’t live without!
Do you have a favorite recipe that tastes like a cheat? Share with me! What was your go to during your Whole 30?
Life After Whole 30
The last 30 days have definitely helped me realize the difference between the things I think I “need” and the things that my body actually needs. Even though I don’t struggle with any allergies or have diet restrictions from food, I’ve realized there are certain ingredients that aren’t necessary every day.
I still missed yogurt and cheese so I definitely am going to incorporate those items back into my diet slowly. I don’t miss grains as much as I expected so I’ll keep up my new habit of eating sweet potatoes as my complex carb.
The plan is to maintain meal prepping for lunches every week and making dinner at home each night. Not only has this helped to save money, but the calories are far less and this body feels SO much better not eating out so frequently. Maybe one or two cheat meals a week instead of eating like a mad woman each day when I get home from work.
The Numbers
I didn’t take measurements or special before pictures like I wish I would have. I did weigh in and with it being New Year’s Day, I was likely a pound or so higher than normal. Through the 30 days, I lost 14 pounds. And here are a few before and after pictures that I found to compare.
Whole 30 has made me realize the number on the scale truly does not matter. My appearance and the way I feel are what are most important. I feel like a new woman. There are days when I can’t stop looking in the mirror because I can barely recognize myself. There is a new glow that radiates, along with a smaller figure. It feels so good to see the changes and the results I’ve achieved. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt healthy and since I’ve felt freedom from food. Whole 30 has helped me find it. I truly don’t mind the number on the scale and this is the first time since I was very young that I’ve felt this freedom.
My Advice
Some days were harder than others, but there’s no question that it’s been worth every second. I will definitely continue the practices I’ve learned during this time. Checking your food labels is essential, no matter what “diet” you’re following. Just watch for added sugars! If you don’t know what an ingredient is, look it up. There are many ingredients we stay away from because we don’t know what they are. Just look it up and then determine if you want to eat it. A cheat meal isn’t going to hurt you every once in a while. It’s all about balance. Creating the habits can be difficult. But it’s worth it! You guys know my health journey has been more of a rollercoaster than I’d like to admit. But Whole 30 has given me a new outlook and a new love for food and cooking. I love it!
Your Turn!
What have you learned this year so far about your health? Not a diet you’re following necessarily, just one thing you’ve realized about your health. What changes have you made so far that you’re noticing the benefits from? Lets talk about it! We’re on this journey together so let’s all keep each other accountable.