Whole 30 Challenge: Week One Recap

I have to laugh.  After reading so many Whole 30 Challenge Recap blogs I could almost cut & paste the emotional and physical challenges, and benefits, the others before me have experienced. 

Mr. Charming and I decided to do this together, in an effort to clean out grains and sugar for a while.  To get healthier, a little more fit for the holidays and to ultimately help our fertility situation as I mentioned in my last post on Day 1 of our Whole 30 journey. 

Our Whole 30 Burger Night

It's funny how things happen, too.  I had learned about Whole 30 months and months ago when recipe searching for gluten and dairy-free meal ideas and thought "another fad, I don't diet I just eat healthy."  Then I started following some bloggers and instagrammers who were posting their yummy recipes, the info on the book "It Starts With Food" and I realized that even though it has a name, it isn't just another fad.  It is just simply that, eating healthy.  And though I believe I make good choices for myself and my family, sometimes it's good to clean up the diet, to eliminate the sugars (no matter how natural), detox & reset. 

A Whole 30 Breakfast With Morning Reading Material (getting new recipe ideas and feeding my soul)

Where I went wrong was believing that I would have a really easy time with the change and that it would be Mr. Charming that would need to adjust more. (He still consumes organic dairy and gluten on occasion, when not eating with me.)

And boy, was I wrong.  His willpower is insane and he is not experiencing this awesome "Detox Flu" or "Carb Flu" everyone talks about.  The first few days were easy-breezy because it was mainly meals we eat anyways.  Bunless grass-fed burgers, salads, green smoothies, eggs and veggies. 

Then around day 4, my body realized I wasn't enjoying my coconut milk cream splash in a mug of warm choffy.  Or a helping of rice pasta with organic sauce.  Our bodies tend to burn our sugars and carbs first for fuel, not that my body is void of those things it's using up all my energy to compensate.

And, I. Am.Exhausted.  Still on a journey to learn more about MTHFR (My genetic disorder that basically makes detoxing harder), I'm sure its one of the reasons why I feel more like I've been hit by a bus that my darling partner, but his inspiring willpower to keep going and not give in to the gluten-free donut I so badly want to bake because it's Fall now, is keeping me on track.

Mr. Charming takes a great multi-vitamin, whereas I cannot because my body attacks folic acid as if it's an invading toxin.  So I'm wondering if that's something that is helping him not feel as much fatigue. I know he's had some sinus issues too, but his energy is in tact.    And my hormones right now.  I'm just glad he loves me so, and I have hopes week two will get easier. 

Week One Recap

PROS

• My abs are back!  Zero water weight! 
  
• My husband and I are cooking together every night! 
  
• It's teaching me how much sugar even the healthiest person can consume without realizing it. 
• I'm meeting even more wonderful girls & guys in the paleo, whole 30 and gluten free community! 

CONS

• Currently on Day 9, I've had a subtle headache since day 5 and all I want to do is sleep. 
  
• My sinuses have also been draining for 4 days.
  
• I have zero energy to work out, which makes the "getting fit" part a little slower.
  
• It's messing with my already messed up hormones. Joy. 

Overall, I will be honest, it's a hard diet to follow, but I am excited to see if week two brings less cravings and a renewed energy!  Will keep you all posted. I would LOVE to hear your Whole 30 or Paleo challenges and triumphs! The encouragement would be good, especially now, since everything aches and I am craving a nap and a brownie.