I'm ALMOST there....

I have just a few hours left on my Whole 30 journey.  EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!!!  I was doing some reflecting and found a nice checklist of positives that can come from this program.  So I thought I'd go through it and maybe check a few off.  Turns out I have to check A LOT off.  Nothing else for this post....just let all of these sink in.  It's going to take me awhile, that's for sure.  It's safe to say these last 30 days were pretty spectacular. 

Physical (Outside)

·         Clearer skin

·         Brighter eyes

·         Flatter stomach

·         Leaner appearance

·         Clothes fitting better

·         Less bloating

·         Stronger, shinier hair

·         Glowing skin

·         More defined muscle tone

·         Less dimpled skin

·         You feel more confident naked

Physical (Inside)

·         Less swollen, stiff  joints

·         Improved “regularity”

·         You don’t get sick as often

Mood, Emotion, and Psychology

·         You’re nicer

·         You’re more outgoing

·         You’re more patient

·         You’re more optimistic

·         You laugh more

·         You’re generally happier

·         You’re less stressed

·         You respond better to stress

·         Less mood swings

·         No more sugar cravings

·         No more carb cravings

·         Improved body image

·         Improved self-esteem

·         Improved self-confidence

Brain Function

·         You think more clearly

·         You have better concentration

·         You are more productive

·         Your focus is improved

·         Better memory/recall

Sleep

·         You fall asleep more easily

·         You sleep more soundly

·         You stay asleep longer

·         You awaken feeling refreshed

Energy

·         Your energy levels are consistently high

·         No more mid-day slump

·         More energy to play with your kids

·         More energy to exercise

·         More energy to socialize

·         You no longer need to eat every 2 hours

·         You can go hours between meals and still feel okay

·         You no longer need sugar or caffeine to prop up your energy

Sport,  Exercise, and Play

·         You can go longer, harder, faster

·         You can lift heavier things

·         You recover more effectively from exercise or sport

·         You have the confidence to try something new

·         You’re more coordinated

·         Your balance is better

·         You feel more playful

·         You’re outside more

Food and Behaviors

·         You have a healthier relationship with food

·         Reduction in disordered eating habits

·         You practice mindful eating

·         You have learned how to read a label

·         You know which foods make you more healthy or less healthy

·         You have learned to eat to satiety

·         You have learned to listen to your body

·         You have abandoned yo-yo dieting forever

·         You have abandoned the idea of a weight loss quick-fix forever

·         You’re no longer afraid of dietary fat

·         You don’t use food for comfort

·         You don’t use food as reward

·         You don’t use food as stress management

·         You are no longer a slave to sugar and carbs

·         You know when you’re hungry and when you’re just craving

·         You have fewer cravings

·         You have coping strategies to deal with cravings

·         You naturally have more variety, color, vitamins, and minerals in your diet

·         Food no longer has unwanted “side effects”

·         You can eat less healthy food without guilt

·         You can eat less healthy food without remorse

·         You can eat less healthy food without binging

·         When you do indulge, it’s deliberate

·         When you do indulge, you enjoy it

Lifestyle and Social

·         You have new healthy habits to pass down to your kids

·         You are more knowledgeable about nutrition

·         You have learned how to shop locally and eat seasonally

·         You have a whole new Good Food recipe repertoire

·         You have learned how to make mealtime prep organized and efficient

·         You’ve made new like-minded friends who support your eating style

·         You have learned how to maximize your food budget

·         You know how to create a health goal and stick to it for success

·         You are part of a new community

·         People ask you what you’re doing differently

·         People come to you for advice on how to change their lives