If you live in the Northeast, maybe you’re reading this under the comfort of your covers, because most likely you have some kind of snow day. I’ve been cooped up working from home for the past week due to office renovations and blizzard warnings in Boston. I’m ready to hop on a plane to LA real quick because I’m in desperate need for some warm sunshine, but I’ll stop complaining before someone throws a snowball at my face. I meant to post this Sunday, unfortunately my computer was acting up, so thank you for your patients.

Week 1 of the Whole 30

Boom. 1 week down 3 to go. I thought it would be most helpful to go over What I Ate and How I Felt. This way, if you’re interested in trying the Whole30 or adopting some meal ideas into your routine, you’ll have a better understanding of how they might affect you.

What I Ate

Lots of veggies, eggs, smoothies, nuts, fruit, and fish in varying combinations.

Here are my breakfasts: Ok, a lot of smoothies. Am I mad about it? Not in the least.

They have bananas, spinach, kale, berries, Vega protein, kefir, almond milk and are topped with almonds/sunflower seeds

Some of my favorite meals:

Sauteed kale, brussels sprouts, tuna cake with pesto and sunflower seeds

Scrambled eggs, smoked salmon with pesto and sauteed kale

Salad with arugula, tomatoes, eggs, almonds, butternut squash, walnuts topped with tahini

The rest of my lunches and dinners below:

How I Felt

Remember how I said I was really ready to do this for a lot of reasons? I guess I was right because this first week has been pretty easy. No, I’m not trying to brag and say I’m the queen of the Whole 30 (I’m no where near that status) I just think that it helps to enter any kind of dietary/lifestyle change with confidence and purpose. Having a Why (or 20 of them) is key to following through.

Starting this came at an interesting time, because the first three days I had a mild flu which meant I had a low appetite and no energy. It’s hard to asses whether my body was reacting to the sickness or changes in diet. I’m leaning heavily on the sickness spectrum.

On my first week here’s what I noticed:

• Huge reduction in sugar cravings (and cravings in general)
• More satiated after meals – I didn’t feel a desire to have a dessert
• Less stomach cramps after eating (yay!)
• Snack cravings went way down – usually only had one snack if any
• I felt low energy – but that was mostly due to the flu
• Putting together meals was actually much easier with a finite amount of choices

Here’s What I Didn’t Notice:

• My skin is still breaking out (but there could be other reasons *wink/cough*)
• I don’t see any physical differences
• My pants/clothes fit more or less the same

For purposes of full disclosure I did go out to eat at a vegan cafe and my buddha bowl had some quinoa in it. I know that’s technically cheating but I don’t feel it had any negative effect on my purpose/”whys.” I also know that quinoa isn’t a food that has a negative inflammatory effect on my body so I’m not stressing it, just thought I’d let you know.

Follow along with the fun on Instagram

Your Turn

• Did you get the day off because of the snow?
• What’s your favorite thing you ate this week?
• What’s the one food you couldn’t live without? (for me, probably avocado or almond butter)

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