Whole 30 (April 2018)

As a librarian, I'm always intrigued by books that are consistently checked out.  This was the case of Whole30.  So, I decided that since I was in a slump to check it out to see if I could gain some tips about losing weight and feeling better while having more energy.

After reading more about the program, I made the decision after talking with a friend who had done this to start on April 1st.  For 30 days, I wouldn't consume the following:

• No added sugar, real or artifical.
• No alcohol in any form, not even cooking.
• No grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgar, sorghum, sprouted grains, etc).
• No legume (beans of all kinds, peas, chickpeas, lentils and peanuts).  No peanut butter, soy, edamame.
• No dairy.
• Do not consumer carrageenan, msg or sulfites.
• No recreating sweets, foods, etc.  
• Do not weigh yourself.

Quite an extensive list of don'ts there!  Yes, you may be wondering what you do eat.  That was the hardest part for me.  I had to do extensive research into reading labels,  finding shopping lists and recipes that would work for me.

I was excited to start and planned out my first week meals. It is recommended that you practice good mealtime habits such as eat at the table, no distractions, chew slowly and enjoy your food.   The book was correct in the day by day breakdown of how you would feel, what to do and help with motivation tips. 

Day one was wonderful as I was excited to try this.  Day two and three I actually felt "hungover" from withdraw of sugar and other foods.  I never went through the "kill all the things" and "napping" phase.  I did have the hardest days from day seven through fourteen.  After day fifteen, I noticed that I was feeling better.  TIGER BLOOD was happening!  For those of you wondering where the phrase originally came from, it was Charlie Sheen, in an interview with Esquire Magazine. Of course, no one knew what he was talking about!   It basically means that you are more in control of food, cravings, energy and your body.

I noticed that I had no cravings, was feeling better and getting used to what I could eat verses what I couldn't eat.  The hardest part at this point was that I ran Raleigh Rock-N-Roll weekend on April 7-8th and I couldn't eat what I normally do to prepare for races.  Going out to eat with friends that weekend was extremely hard and I felt hungry.  However, I did notice that even though I hadn't been training well, I wasn't sore at all after running a 5k and half marathon!  What a discovery to realize that my body didn't have the inflammation that I normally have after a race weekend!  That was the first thing that I discovered was working well with Whole 30.  I also discovered that my energy levels were better along with my sleep and my snoring was under control if not gone!  Breakthroughs!!

The hardest day beyond that was Day 29 when I just wanted to be done with the program.  It was funny that the next day there was a late night pancake breakfast on campus and the girls brought me pancakes at 11:45 and said that I could eat them after midnight because it was May 1st and my Whole 30 program was done!  I didn't eat those pancakes but it was tempting!

I was actually surprised because I thought that I would want all the foods that I had to give up for thirty days however I really didn't want them.  I did notice a lot of changes that occurred after this program.  The book calls these non-scale victories and here's what I noticed:

• My clothes fitting better.
• Less bloating during the 30 days.
• Feeling more confident in my body image.
• Less chronic fatigue.
• Less to little snoring.
• Sleeping more soundly.
• Improved moods.
• Started to feel like moving and exercising more.
• No more binge eating late at night on my job.
• A healthier relationship with the food that I ate.
• Fewer and then no cravings.
• Trying new recipes.
• More knowledgeable about nutrition and labels.

WOW!!!  I also lost 11.8 pounds and I feel great.  The biggest question that I get asked is will I stay on the program or go back to eating the way that I did before I started Whole30.  My answer is that I'm trying to stay as close to the program as I possibly can these day.  Why?  I learned so much over these 30 days in April about how the food that we eat affects our bodies and minds.  I learned that I'm in control more of how I can be healthy.  Is it hard?  Absolutely!  Do I want to eat all things some days?  Again, absolutely! Would I trade this for the way that I felt before Whole30? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

I'm proud of my accomplishments and how I feel these days.  I feel great and whole again!  I'm still gaining back some of my confidence, running abilities but now have a newer perspective of how strong I am in my abilities to conquer things that I didn't think I would ever be able to do in my life.  

Till next time and remember my journey continues...If you can dream it, you can do it as Walt Disney said!

Wanderlust Raleigh 108

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary ticket to Wanderlust Raleigh 108.  This provides me with entry to their Wanderlust Raleigh 108, however no other compensation was provided and all travel and other expenditures are paid for by me.  As always, all thoughts are strictly my own.

I was able to attend the Wanderlust Raleigh 108 venue on Saturday, April 21st.  The mission of Wanderlust is to help you find your true north-to cultivate your best self.  They create events, media, products, and experiences to help guide you on your path toward a healthy and inspired life.  

I had heard about these events for the past couple of years and was greatly intrigued but never had the opportunity to attend.  So, when the wonderful people at Wanderlust emailed me about helping them promote the Raleigh event, I was beyond thrilled.

Wanderlust is entitled as "The World's Only Mindful Triathlon".  There are three mindful activites-running, yoga, and mediatation all done in local parks.  Wanderlust 108 is the ultimate opportunity to come together around shared values and practices.

First, the 5k is  entirely how you wish to complete a 5k.  You can run, skip, hop, dance your way to the finish line.  Second, you attend a gigantic yoga party in which a DJ and yoga teacher will guide you through a 90 minute yoga flow.  Third, you have a guided meditation for 30 minutes.  Afterwards, you can attend a ton of mini-classes to participate in for the afternoon.  

Wanderlust 108 is also good for the world.  For every ticket sold, $1.08 will be donated to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS through (RED).

My day started early at 6:00 am since I had to pick up everything and was given a press invite to attend.  I drove to Dorothea Dix Park since the event was being held there.  I was able to park across from the field where the event took place and walked around for about 30 minutes before the event started.  I found a space for my yoga mat and read until 8 am. 

I also found a face painter and got my face painted.  I loved that aspect of being placed in the mood of "warrior" and "finding my north"! 

At 8:30 am until 8:45, there was a pre-race stretch workout and the 5k started promptly at 9 am.  A lot of the women were walkers and 90 minutes was allocated for the time limit.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we were told to enjoy the 5k, allow our minds to rest and get ready for a mindful day for ourselves.  I finished and grabbed some water, ate an apple and got ready for yoga at 10:30 am. I even found a buddha wall!

The yoga instructor on the stage was great with her voice and her instructions.  Yoga lasted for an hour followed by thirty minutes of a mindful mediation.  At this point, it had really warmed up and laying on my yoga mat with my eyes closed during the mediation with the warmth of sun really set the tone for relaxation!  

I had packed a lunch so I didn't need to wait in the long line for Wanderbowl (the food tent) and I was thankful for that.  I would recommend packing food or pre-ordering food if you attend an event.  The afternoon consisted of a choice of multiple activities such as Aerial Yoga, Essential Oils, and Hooping to AcroYoga, AcroYoga Therapeutics, Tarot 101, and Bodywork.  I decided to try Aerial Yoga.  

I was a bit hesitate but decided that this was my chance to see if I enjoyed it and whether I should sign up for a more extensive class.  I loved it until the instructor stated that we were to flip over and just hang. 

I went into a panic and couldn't move so one of the guides help flip me back.  Of course, the picture that they took while I did this makes me look like a complete dork (which I am or feel like I am!). 

But it was fun and I can now say that I've done that.  I'm not sure that I will do it again but who knows.  I headed home after this as it was close to 3 pm and I was just done for the day.  

Wanderlust Raleigh 108 was a wonderful day filled with a total relaxation for me.  I loved everything about it!  From the moment that I arrived at the park, I was filled with the wonder of beauty, warmth and community.  Wanderlust builds on that throughout the day and allows you to find or be YOU!  Would I do it again?  ABSOLUTELY!  Would I recommend that you do it?  YES, and YES!!!!

Till next time and remember my journey continues...If you can dream it, you can do it as Walt Disney said!