Whole30 - Day 15, Halfway Through or Should I Start Over...

A post I didn't want to post, but don't judge me...

I'm only human...

Anyhow, I'm bak on track and started my day back on the Whole30 with my morning routine...

A Coconut Milk Latte made in my Mini Magic Bullet:-)

Then went to CrossFit Foundry in Chicago for a really fun barbell team WOD. 

If you were at Boulder CrossFit on Saturday May 23rd, we did a similarly formatted Team WOD.

My teammate Tiffany and I kicked some major booty. Thanks Tiffany, I felt so much better about myself after our workout together:-)

Went back to my hotel room, had a quick bite to eat, caught up on some work and went to the NRA show, where I was going to be tempted left & right with all kinds of food.

The NRA show is not just about food & drink, it's also about showcasing equipment that makes it very convenient and cost effective for restaurateurs to operate.

Went to dinner at Bottlefork (in North River Chicago) with my team, but couldn't eat what they ordered, so I just chilled as they dined. I must say, I would like to go back there when I'm not on the Whole30 because it looked & smelled delicious.

Dining Out Tip

Check the menu of the restaurant you will be dining at and pick what to eat before you go. If, like me, see anything on the menu, eat something before you go out and if you are still hungry eat something after. 

After dinner with the team, I went across the street to Roka Akor, and ate something Whole30 compliant...

I must say, that out of all the sashimi I've eaten over the past week, Roka Akor is by far the best, so if you check this place out if you are in Chicago, especially if you're on the Whole30.

Today's Stats
Water Consumption:

110 oz - I drank just enough water, but still have to do better

Sleep:

7 1/2 hours

Daily Meals:

9am - Coconut Milk Latte

11am - 3 Pieces Beef Jerky...
My last few pics of my homemade beef jerky:-(

1:30pm - Homemade Chicken Salad and Veggies


5:30pm - Handful Macadamia Nuts

8:30pm - Sashimi, again:-(

What do you think... 
Should I start all over or continue back on track...???
What would you do?

Day 30 of the Whole30 - Holly SH*T, I DID IT!!!!

After a hot bath and 2 hour cat nap, I headed to Whole Foods to get a cup of coffee. I made sure I brought my portable can opener and frother. (Actually it's more like a automatic mixer, although it sounds like a vibrator.) 

'Americano please with room'. Since there wasn't a line behind me I asked her if she would steam my coconut milk. 'As long as it's organic and you open the can', she said matter-a-factly. OMG, I finally got a barista to froth my milk!!! 

I decided not to open the can completely which made it easy to keep close, reserving the rest for tomorrow morning. It stored perfectly in the beverage holder to the left of the drive seat! 

OK, now that I had my coffee fix, I checked how we were merchandised...

No Third Street in the cooler:-(

8 facings on the shelf, but only 3 of the 9 flavors merchandised. The south, a major iced tea drinking area, has been a challenging region for our brand. But if you know me, you know I embrace challenges which is why I flew here to meet with the promo buyer and figure out a way to make our lowest ranking region one of our best.

Our meeting went better than expected. Our brand gained regional support and I secured a big regional summer promo. Promotions push trial, trial convert customers, converted customers = repurchase = increased sales. 

After more store visits, I made my way to CrossFit Atlanta. 

WOD: 

Strength: Heavy Front Squats (5 x 3 E2M) 

Conditioning: FRAN (21-15-9 Thrusters & Pull-ups)

FRAN, although short, is a benchmark workout that requires physical and mental preparation. Which after a night of travel with almost no sleep I was neither mentally or physically prepared, but I did it anyway.  I wasn't the first to finish, but I wasn't the last either.  

The people at CrossFit Atlanta were really friendly and strong. If you are ever in town, I would recommend checking it out.

After CrossFit, I met my friend for dinner. I didn't even tell him I was on the Whole30 and had some dietary restrictions. It was my last day and I wanted to see if I could make any random restaurant Whole30 approved (even in the South). I also wanted to see if I had any anxiety when ordering.

I used to think I hated restricting what I ate. I also used to think I I could eat whatever I wanted to because I worked out so much. I NOW know better. I eat clean because I feel better. 

At dinner, I didn't even crave the hot-fresh homemade bread that sat directly in front of me, nor the wine my friend was drinking. Prior to the Whole30 I would've drank the wine which would've made me crave the bread, which would've made me want fries, more wine and more bread...it's a vicious cycle that repeats itself unless you consciously decide to take certain foods out... 

Anyhow, dinner at the King + Duke was delicious. I explained my 'food allergies' to the waiter and he guided me through the menu. There wasn't an anxious cell in my body which is rare for somebody who struggled with an eating disorder for more than half her life. I can honestly say I have a healthy relationship with food although I might be addicted to my Coconut Milk Latte...

Back in my hotel room I encountered the last and final true test of my journey on the Whole30...

More alcohol on the mini fridge...

And lots of treats next to my TV...

Somebody up there was definitely testing me...It was like I was at the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory...I was surrounded with so much alcohol and junk food...

In the past I would've definitely helped myself to the tequila and Pringles and who knows what else after that. But instead I took a hot bath, drank a cup of hot tea and blogged in bed...

Last Day Stats

Water Consumption

135 ounces

Sleep

5 hours

(I had to wake-up early to catch my flight back home)

Daily Meals

11am - Morning Beverage : Coconut Milk Latter (no MCT oil:-()

12pm - Lunch Meeting : Sashimi & Green Tea

 

3pm - Snack : Beef Jerky, Snap Peas and Nuts

8pm - Dinner, Appetizer : Horseradish Deviled Eggs (minus fried pork skin crunchy topping) 

Main Course : 16 oz Bone-In (Medium Rare) Strip with Sautéed Mushrooms and jus...

Leftovers for breakfast tomorrow on the plane ride back...YUMMY!

Let me know if you are interested in doing the Whole30. 

I can help set you for success and will give you support along the way.

Day 29 on the Whole30 - DONE in Atlanta!

What a flippin' day...

I wake at 5am to teach.

I immediately went home and finished packing for my trip to Atlanta, another Whole Foods trip. 

Starting from top left, I packed mixed nuts (unsalted), homemade beef jerky (dry rub), veggies (carrots, snap peas and cherry tomatoes), figs, homemade ginger-jalapeño pesto sauce (much thicker than last time so I don't get harassed by the TSA), homemade chicken & egg salad (coated in pesto sauce), veggie noodles with seared salmon, blender bottles and supplements.

My third trip on the Whole30, I feel like a pro Whole30'er on the road. I got so my tips and tricks traveling while on the Whole30. 

I get to the airport without any stress, unlike last week. I had over a hour before my flight. Departure was at 11:59 and I was checking in at 10:45am. For some reason the kiosk prompted me to talk to an attendant who informed me that it was too early to check-in. 'But my flight leaves in about hour', I said anxiously. 'Your flight leaves at 11:59pm tonight and arrives at 4:30am tomorrow morning', she said with smirk. 'WHAT! When did Frontier start doing over night flights?' 

I asked if there was any connecting flights I could take to get me to Atlanta today. She politely checked as she shook her head no. It takes days for me to recover from red eye flights, but I was stuck. I had no other choice then return later tonight for my flight. At least I my hotel room is booked for two nights so I had a place to crash for a few hours before my 11:30am meeting tomorrow. 

I left the airport stunned (I can't believe I did that), but also grateful. I had the whole to ahead to be productive and I took full advantage of that! 

I was so exhausted by the end of the day I took a Uber ride to the airport instead of driving. I thought it would be less stressful, but it wound up being more stressful because the driver drove so slow I didn't think I was going to make my flight:-( 

Anyhow, I wound up making it, took 2 Night Rest (herbal pills to promote sleep) upon check-in, fell asleep upon take-off and woke in Atlanta about 2 1/2 hours later.

Todays' Stats

Water Consumption

120 ounces

Sleep

Who knows...about 2 hours:-(

Daily Meals

5:30am - Morning Beverage : Coconut Milk Latte with MCT oil

8am - Breakfast : Fried Eggs & Sautéd Veggies 

12pm - Snack : Homemade Beef Jerky & Nuts

2pm - Lunch : Seared Salmon & Homemade Veggie Noodles

8pm - Dinner : Seared Bone-In Pork Chop & Homemade Veggie Noodles and Kale

I love my new spiral slicer. I spiral sliced a bunch of veggies on Sunday (prep day) and cook them as needed.

Day 26 on the Whole30 - DONE!

Each day on the Whole30 gets easier than the day before especially when I think about how much better I've been sleeping, feeling, eating and accomplishing.   

Anyhow, It's been awhile since I felt like I was waking-up to chase my dreams. Being on the Whole30 has reignited a motivational spark to dream (set goals) again. I know they won't happen overnight, but if I'm diligent, patient and do a little something everyday I know dreams do come true.

Today's Stats:

Water Consumption

120 ounces

Sleep

8 hours

Daily Meals

5:30am - Morning Beverage : Coconut Milk Latte

9am - Breakfast : Hard Boiled Eggs, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Olives, Avocado

1pm - Lunch : Chicken Salad Wraps

7pm - Dinner : Grilled Hanger Steak, Roasted Trumpet Mushrooms, Grilled Asparagus, Mixed Green

What dreams make you wake up in the morning...???