Days 11, 12 and 13 of the Whole30....Agatha, Melvina & Myrt's Adventure!

Days 11, 12,13.....The Big Adventure!

Computer issues and a weekend get-a-way took me away from my blog.

Cindy and I started planning about a month ago to take Nannie to the destination of her choice. .....Portsmouth, Va!  So we loaded up the van and off we went.  Instead of a Thelma & Louise adventure, it was Agatha, Melvina and Myrt adventure (that's another post!).

Back when I was first trying to decide when to start Whole30, I really wanted to wait until AFTER this weekend trip because I knew the restaurants we'd be dining in would not be Whole30 friendly.  But, I figured there will always be something, or some kind of event taking place so I might as well start before the trip so I'd already be in the right frame of mind.  It worked!

I packed my cooler bag with healthy choices in case there wasn't anything I could eat on the menu.  Amazingly enough both Cracker Barrel and Ihop had items on their menu that I could customize to what I needed.  Not organic and not optimal choices, but decent choices.

Back to the adventure.......the ladies we met for lunch were old friends of Dad and Nancy's while living in Cradock.  Listening to their stories were interesting and funny.  I guess I started the laughter by accidentally taking Nannie into the men's restroom.  Once I realized what I had done, I couldn't stop laughing long enough to tell her we were in the wrong bathroom.  I shuffled her out and then told her once we were outside.  Then I'd laughed myself into needing to go myself.  Nannie said, "You should have to go in there too!" She couldn't wait to tell everyone at the table.

We had a tour guide for the afternoon and thank goodness we did because this road connects to that road and loops back around to another road.  In the process, we saw Nan & Pap's old house, the old elementary school, the demise of Cradock High School.  What a shame because there was so much character.  Even the football field was still lined so I had to get out and take some pictures.  One of the football benches was still there and the old concession stand was still standing too. 

I had to do it........I stood on the sideline and did an Aunt Naincy cheer - arms waiving in sync with the perfect cheer....the Cradock way!  Go Team!

We were also privileged to spend time with family.  Another Bailey family and they love to laugh as much as we do.......and we did plenty!  Someone told me recently I am just like my Dad, and I'll take that compliment any day of the week.  Eddie...you are just like your Dad and that too is meant as a compliment.  I can only imagine you and my Dad together when you were younger and full of pranks!  Bonnie...It was all I could do to keep from nose diving into that homemade pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream!  

Our goal:  Give Nannie a weekend to remember!  SUCCESS because she hasn't stopped talking about it!

Day Ten of the Whole30........TGIF!

Day Ten - TGIF!

Thank Goodness I'm Full!

And I'm thankful it's Friday too!

I'm really trying not to make a big stink about people eating food around me that I can't have. It will ALWAYS be there.  And, I know after the 30 days I may actually have a slice of that pizza......or a scoop of ice cream.  But you know, it will have to be a lip-smackin' good piece of pizza and some of Mom's homemade ice cream for me to risk going back to feeling so bloated.

Pizza is on the way to my house!  Stephen and Andrew weren't thrilled with the idea of grilled tuna, mashed cauliflower and fresh strawberries for deezert.  TGIF!  I've eaten and I don't think I could eat another bite. That's a good thing so I won't even want a slice of that nasty ol pizza!

I was a little hungry when I left work, but I stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up some veggies and fruit and also grabbed some dry roasted almonds.  They did the trick and filled that little hole in my stomach saying, Feed me!  Feed me!

You aren't supposed to snack, and I try not to.  However, sometimes I have to nibble on a few pieces of fruit, handful of almonds or cashews to avoid the homemade coffee cake sitting in the kitchen at work.  I know, I know....but it's note always easy to walk away or avoid the kitchen.  Eventually, I have to go in the kitchen to get my lovely lunch I've prepared.  AND...if I go in there with a few cucumber slices in my system, I can say...No thanks - TGIF!

Love ya - mean it! 

Day Nine of the Whole30....Pass the Whine!

Day Nine....Pass the Whine!

Making the decision to do the Whole30 program was the best decision (Thanks Sunshine!).  You all know me and know that if something is not what it's cracked up to be, I'm going to tell you.

THIS, is what it's cracked up to be. 

I am living with Sarcoidosis (Dad had Sarcoid, but he was a fire-fighter and used to eat smoke for a living!)  Why do I have it....nobody really knows.

It is dormant and I really don't have any acute symptoms...BUT....along with the extra pounds I'm carrying around and the little nodules that have taken up residency in my lungs, my lung expansion is less.

Walking up a flight of stairs was becoming difficult.  Carrying groceries into the house made me short of breath at times.  And...we haven't even talked about my knee!

I was geared up and ready to kick butt last year.  I was going to do this the right way by exercising regularly and my incentive was a trip to California. I bought my ticket and joined a boot camp class.  I loved it! 

The first day I thought I was going to die.  After I managed to drag my out of shape self to the car, I realized I still had to drive. I prayed for green lights the whole way because if I had to stop, my legs might just dissolve. On about the 3rd class I torn the meniscus in my knee, but didn't know it until weeks later.  I just knew it hurt.  And, you can see this is not developing into a winning combination.  Sarcoidosis, knee surgery and being overweight brought me face to face with a hard-headed woman that's stubborn as a mule.....Me!

I wanted to do something nutritionally healthy and something that wasn't going to break the bank.  There are a lot of successful programs out there and I'm not speaking negative about them at all.  But, what I will speak of is affordability.  Obesity is a problem in our country, but if people cannot afford the gym memberships, special diet programs and personal trainers, where does that leave us?

It left me being mad at myself because I kept failing.  I knew I needed to make drastic changes and unless I did, I was headed down the same path my Dad took.  I'm not 20 anymore and living life on the softball field.  Get it together girl!  Enter Whole30...

Since starting 9 days ago, I've had times when I've really been hungry and I've missed having a Diet Coke or....spaghetti!  But what I DON'T miss is the bloating, shortness of breath, knee pain or sleepless nights.  I feel great and really don't have anything in the world to whine about!

Thank you Whole30 - now let's get 'r done!

Day Eight of the Whole30...I feel like Christopher Columbus!

Day Eight and I discovered something absolutely wonderful today!

I can eat at Chipotle or Quodoba! 

I read a lot of people doing the Whole30 or Paleo diet successfully eat at one of those fine establishments and today I was out and about during my lunch hour and knew I was in trouble because I didn't pack my lunch today. Well, I packed fruit and that's it!

It was easier and quicker to hit Chipotle and while everyone else in our office enjoyed Cheese Shop sandwiches (those of you from Williamsburg KNOW that was pure torture!!!), I really enjoyed my salad with carnitas, picante and guacamole.  I enjoyed it so much that I suggested Quodoba for our date night dinner, just for comparison.  There, I had chicken, picante, green salsa and then I added a little hot sauce.  Whoa whoa whoa....now that's some fine eatin' and I had just enough and don't feel bloated.

Feeling bloated after meals was one of the main reasons I looked into doing Whole30 and I can honestly say.....since day one, I have not been bloated at all.  Not even the slightest.

I can't weigh myself for the 30 days on the program, but I've noticed my jeans button a whole lot easier and I'm just about ready to tighten my belt up a notch.  I could do it now, but then you might see me in a Freaks of Walmart book somewhere and I'd rather just wait until it happens naturally.  Ya know!?!

So today, this August Wednesday, has been a day of discovery and other than really wanting a heaping spoonful of house dressing...I did manage to stay on plan and get the job done.

Day Seven of the Whole30....Process of Elimination!

Day Seven.....Process of elimination!

Today was not wasteful in the slightest!  Well, that depends on how you look at it! 

Let's start with last night.  I went to bed around 11am and figured I'd be draggin' this morning.  Nope!  I woke up before the alarm and had a wonderful night of sleep.  I usually let Stephen get ready and when he heads out for work, I jump into action getting myself ready. 

It worked out to my advantage being early this morning...well....let's just get this topic over with.  My new diet (consisting of MUCH better food choices) makes sure that each morning is wasteful and that makes for a happy wife, happy mama...just HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY (for all you Duck Dynasty fans!)

And, let's not stop there!

Our new home now has a large beautiful addition in the yard.....our very own, bright and shiny, it slices and dices and ready for whatever Whole30...OR...my Dallas Cowboy lovin' husband has to offer .... new septic system!  Yeee Haww!  Now, we're cookin' with peanut oil!

Sorry if this has turned your stomach - but I just felt like anyone contemplating the Whole30 program should now....this is a benefit and yes, $#&% happens!

Day Six of the Whole30 .....Kimchi...No!

Day Six.....I remember back in about 5th or 6th grade someone did a report on kimchi and I would rather eat the chocolate covered grasshoppers than to eat a perfectly good head of cabbage ruined!

Nannie makes the best cabbage and collards - hands down!  I can come pretty darn close, but I also don't put fat-back in them (I'm sure that's the secret ingredient!).  All I could think of was putting that pot of goodness outside to spoil for a very long, long time and then ....fry it up for dinner!  Not on my watch!

My son-in-law Tim is not a fan of cabbage and really doesn't like the smell of it cooking.  Just out of curiosity, I had Ashley ask him if he would eat kimchi?  No!  No matter how we phrased it - No!  Even if they co....NO!

Today was my first day in the office since starting Whole30 and it wasn't too bad.  I packed a great lunch and then went out - but ate right on plan and wasn't tempted at all when they brought french fries on her plate.

This afternoon though, I had the worst taste in my mouth and needed some gum, a mint, SOMETHING!  I did have a piece of gum and after chewing the heck out of it, realized I had my toothbrush and toothpaste in my drawer.  That might have helped. 

And then...it happened!

One of my lovely co-workers snuck up beside me and just stood there with a chocolate Mr. Goodbar.  My first reaction and comment was, "What is that?"  She hesitated for a minute, I'm sure from the look of fear on my face and simply replied, "Chocolate.  Want some?"

I know you think I caved - WRONG!  No ma'am, I can't have that. But I did consider asking her if I could have the wrapper just to smell it!  Nawww - just kidding!  I like chocolate but I don't LOVE chocolate.  If it had been a warm pretzel stick or homemade bread....I might have been like that potato chip commercial where the lady is getting her nails done and as soon as the bag is abandoned.....Swoop and chip crumbs all over her freshly painted nails!

Great day and looking forward to tomorrow!

Day Five.....and still alive!

Day Five and what do you know....not having bread OR Diet Coke hasn't killed me!

It was the perfect morning to sleep in today because it was a little rainy and felt great outside. 

Upon rising, I was hungry!  I made decaf coffee and the only condiment used in it was canned coconut milk.  I think it cuts the edge off of it being completely black, but it's not as good as my sugar-free creamer.  Oh well.  I also made breakfast the Whole30 way and shared it with my honey.  He enjoyed it too!

It's been mentioned the 'flu' feeling within week one.  Today, after taking my shower, I wasn't feeling as great as I have, but after a short nap on the couch and a couple hours of playing the banjo.....I felt better.  Still draggin' a little, but have accomplished another day of success!! Yeah me!