Whole30 Challenge

Twice a year, I do a Whole30 challenge, just to get back on track and keep myself in check with healthy eating. I'm starting one today if anyone would like to join! I will warn you, it is VERY difficult. The first time I did one, I only lasted 19 days and I was not a happy camper during the challenge. If anything else, it'll show you how your food choices are affecting your life. I don't completely cut out alcohol, and since I don't eat meat, I keep legumes in my diet. Other than that, I'm extremely strict during a challenge. Let me know if you wanna join! We can use this thread to discuss/provide support during the challenge.

Here's what it's all about: http://whole9life.com/2013/08/the-whole30-program/

Here's the timeline on how you'll feel, which I found very accurate. (Warn your friends and family about the "kill all things phase!): http://whole9life.com/2013/08/revised-timeline/

 

My diet is already pretty strict, but it could be even more so. I drink alcohol once or twice a week. I like my alcohol, but I wouldn't mind doing away with it completely since even a little alcohol poses a setback in terms of muscle gain and fat loss. I adhere to a strict fasting regimen, which helps to eliminate some of the negatives from drinking alcohol, since I give my body time to burn off the excess calories the following day while drinking plenty of water, coffee and tea.

SUGAR is something I have almost eliminated completely, and I recommend that people cut as much sugar out from their diets as possible if they are serious about losing weight. Every so often I will eat something with sugar in it, but I keep it to a minimum. The best way to cut sugar from your diet is to start by first eliminating bottled drinks. Artificial sweeteners are even worse, but I don't see where there should be a problem with natural alternatives like stevia.

FRUCTOSE from fruit should also be limited, as fructose, even in its natural form, is one of the most harmful sugars.

WHEAT is a big one. I think everyone could benefit from doing away with wheat completely, since it's attributed to all sorts of problems with a person's gut health and insulin levels. This is contrary to what a lot of people hear regarding how healthy whole grains supposedly are. There are better sources of fiber, IMO. But if a person is looking to lose weight and/or normalize their insulin levels, they should do away with grains entirely.

DAIRY is best limited or even avoided altogether, unless you have access to raw dairy. I do use whole pasteurized milk in my protein shakes, but it's from non-hormone treated, grass-fed cows, which is better than pasteurized milk from grain-fed, factory farm cows. I also think butter is an excellent whole food and a good source of healthy fats. Margarine is what people really need to avoid, since it's loaded with processed junk and nasty trans fats.

I think most of a person's carb intake should be replaced by healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, butter, eggs, grass-fed meat, etc.

Just my 2 cents.

 

That's nice.

I just use this as a nutritional reset. I don't eat this way all the time, nor would I want to.

 

Yeah, but I don't see the point of an only temporary change in diet. I hate when people say they're going on a diet, because they don't work. A lifestyle change is the only long-term solution. It takes discipline, though.

 

I'm not "going on a diet." You never go the extra mile to change yourself with health and fitness? Either way, I wasn't asking for your opinion or your advice.

 

It only has trans fats if you buy the shitty margarine.

 

If I had seen this earlier I would have started today. I think I may come in a few days late and start wednesday, which is my next day off and the next chance I'll have to go grocery shopping. The food I currently have in my house is exactly the food I'm not supposed to eat..chickpeas to make hummus, whole grain pasta, and whole grain bread for sandwiches at work.

I'm actually really interested in how giving up whole grains and legumes will effect how I feel overall. I've never considered these foods as bad for you.

edit, i also wanted to add that i think its hysterical the article says "drinking your coffee black is NOT hard" because that's the first thing that popped into my head when I considered doing this challenge.

 

Awesome! It's a tough 30 days, but I think everyone could stand to learn something from it nutritionally. Even if you don't decide to give up all these things indefinitely, you'd be surprised what you find you can live without after you break yourself of it.

Lol, I use a little coconut milk in my coffee.

 

Nah, I don't advice from registered trademarks. Or pressed Rat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad if it's working for ya. I just don't think good dietary advice is that complicated, don't eat or drink anything packaged, cook for yourself, and have a salad a few times a week.

I think people make it seem complicated because alot of people don't eat healthy. But it's because we've evolved to conserve energy and eat all we can, so it takes discipline to develop good eating habits, but it's not really complicated.

 

It's pretty complicated for a lot of people. It was pretty complicated for me at one point in my life.

 

Wow, why do people do those things to themselves?

 

Mama, whatever you're doing it's working for ya! :biggrin:

 

I didn't say you said that, so STFU!!

Still, it sounds like some trendy fad and not a permanent solution/lifestyle change.

If people are going to eliminate shit from their diet, it should be permanent -- not something that lasts only 30 days. Otherwise what is the point?

 

Thanks, lode . Really, I agree with what you posted as far as eating real food and cooking for yourself. In my day to day life, that's exactly what I do.

You can fuck off, Rat. I never asked for your opinion. You're not even worth the energy it's taking for me to type this.

 

Man I eliminated dairy from my diet and when i had cheese and milk for the first time in months i was shitting my pants all day long.

Everyone should drink apple cider vinegar daily!

 

Everyone has a diet. My manager at work says he's not on a diet, he's making a lifestyle change. It's cool if you mean you're changing things for good, for the good of your health. It's not col if you say it to look down on people that are just 'on' a diet or just have a regular one

 

Good article:

The Awful Truth About Eating Grains

http://articles.***********/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/truth-about-eating-grains.aspx

 

Good luck. I have a couple potatoes already on the grill, marinating 2 ribeyes and 3 chicken breasts, and enjoying a beer. Haha

 

Lulz. I agree about ACV.

If they were sweet potatoes, then it'd be fine .

I'm not giving up booze though. I'm at Old C's right now, drinking an Oskar Blues Old Chub and watching the Bears put a hurtin' on the Steelers. :cheers2:

 

thanks i'll check it out!