Tips for resisting the urge - sweets and alcohol edition

I read an article last week about all the stages a person goes through while on Whole30 and it made me LOL so hard:

Day 1: "So what's the big deal?"

-- The day when you're thinking, "that salad wasn't so bad. I can do this for another 30 days". Your energy and optimism is high.

Days 2-3: "The hangover"

-- The days when you start to feel like complete sh**. Your head hurts, your stomach hurts, you're exhausted and nothing, I mean NOTHING, sounds good to eat.

Days 4-5: "Kill ALL the things!"

-- The days when your irritability spikes way above normal levels. Watch out friends, family, coworkers. I promise I won't actually kill you.

Days 6-7: "I just want a nap"

-- Sleepy. So sleepy that your cubicle at work seems like a perfect place to cuddle up and take a quick snooze...right there, in the middle of your work day.

Days 8-9: "For the love of Gosling, my pants are tighter..."

-- How could I possibly be gaining weight when I'm switching out Oreos for grapes, apples and avocados?!

Days 10-11: "The hardest days"

-- The phase where you're most likely to quit. You've surpassed the hardest parts and still haven't reaped the benefits.

Days 12-15: "Boundless energy! Now give me a damn Twinkie."

-- You start to feel the energy that the Whole30 program promises and then you start dreaming about all of the junk food your body is still craving. Your coworkers head becomes a treat you don't even really like...like a damn Twinkie.

Days 16-27: "Tiger blood!" - also where the "I am so over this" phase comes in

-- Energy is through the roof, cravings are under control, clothes fit better and workouts are stronger. You also start to be repulsed by any Whole30 meal. Even if a professional chef offered to come over and make any Whole30 compliant meal you could ever dream of...you're still not into it.

Day 28: "28 is as good as 30, right?"

-- NO. Hang in there. You owe it to yourself to hit the full 30 day mark.

Days 29-30: "HOLY OPRAH, IT'S ALMOST OVER WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT NOW?!"

-- Don't panic! Whole30 is intended to be a reset for your system. It doesn't mean you have to stick to it for the rest of your existence.

Day 31: "Deep breathing...and maybe some ice cream"

-- You did it! You may feel overwhelmed, but don't just start cramming your body with all things terrible for you. Introduce one new food group at a time and see how your body reacts.

Article from: whole30.com

Right now, as I'm writing this (Saturday the 4th) we're technically on day 6, though really only day 4 since we both cheated on Monday (whoops). I don't quite feel like I want to kill everyone...lol...but that's probably because I've just been able to do whatever I want thus far today. I did, though, feel very irritated that I could, once again, only eat eggs and sausage for breakfast. BLEHHH. My mind is so desparately craving some mile-high pancakes loaded with butter and syrup. UGH...*drooling*.

So, what is my strategy for not going completely crazy when the sweet craving hits??

Go grab an apple. Or slice up a pomegranate. Or (even though these are supposed to be a limited part of your diet) grab a Larabar. Eat whatever fruit you can find in your house or place of work. I know in your mind it doesn't seem like it will help AT ALL, but I promise it helps take the edge off. That little bit of natural sugar goes a long way.

We've also discovered whole fat coconut milk like this one from Thai Kitchen. If you leave it in the fridge for a couple hours, it will start to thicken up. Combine that with some fresh berries, some shredded, unsweetened coconut and cashews (or almonds or whatever nut you prefer) and you've got yourself a tasty little snack that will also help to satisfy your sweet tooth. I'm not gonna lie, it doesn't come anywhere close to a chocolate chip cookie, but it's SOMETHING.

I've learned this is an important part of surviving Whole30: have PLENTY of snacks available, including fresh fruit. Like me, you may think you couldn't ever possibly eat that much fruit before it goes bad. WRONG. Just buy it. You'll eat it.

Another *somewhat* unhealthy habit/craving I've picked up over the years is having a glass of wine probably 3-5 nights a week. Just a glass...not like I get tipsy or anything. I just find it relaxing.

So this past Friday night, I was SERIOUSLY craving a glass of wine. Long work week (even with the Holiday) and I just wanted something to help me relax. Hard to find a replacement for alcohol, right?? Right. But I did my best and that included busying myself with cooking dinner and making myself my next-best beverage option to help me relax...a cup of hot tea. Maybe for you it's a cup of coffee or coconut water. Find something OTHER than water (because you'll be drinking plenty of that anyway) that will help satisfy that craving. I think for me the slight sweetness in a cinnamon tea combined with the caffeine helps to ease my pain (haha...so dramatic).

The first week of Whole30 is all about cleansing your body of all the junk you've been putting into it for God knows how long. And your body is going to react to that, probably negatively. You're going to feel, as my sister described it, like you're getting the flu. Or some sickness that makes your body ache/head hurt while also feeling completely drained and sleepy.

Sounds great, right?!

I'm holding onto the reviews I've heard from coworkers...that once you hit about the third week, you really will feel your body change. Your energy levels will be like nothing you've experienced before and you'll feel like you can conquer anything. I can handle three weeks, right?? (comment some encouraging notes below...PLEASE) :)

When you're feeling those cravings coming on, first use the tips I mentioned above for sweets and alcohol, but also hold onto the knowledge of how you're going to feel once you get halfway through this crazy journey. It WILL get better and it WILL be worth it in the end (at least that's what I'm telling myself ;))

A place to be #unapologeticallyme.

P.S. - while I was writing this, Clint asked me if there was ANYTHING sweet we could make. Like apple pie or something??? LOL...no, babe. That's not allowed. Just because it has fruit in it, doesn't make it okay.