Smarter. Better. Stronger. The Whole30.

You may have noticed that G&G is looking a little different…or that it’s been out of commission a bit lately. I’m trying hard to refresh le blog, because aside from being way overdue for an overhaul, I want to take G&G in a new direction, and I can’t exactly do that wearing the same old dress! So expect more changes, and I apologize in advance for any display craziness or maintenance screens you may encounter.

Changes on the blog are indicative of changes I’ve been contemplating in my life. When Carly of Smaggle decided to do Dry July, it got my attention (good for you, Carly!). I’ve seen what a saboteur alcohol has been to my fitness and health for a while now, yet I’ve refused to give it up. Even for a month. Mind you, I don’t drink daily and I still hit the gym. But my body and mind have been telling me it’s time for a major detox.

Then on August 1st, I spotted a Facebook status update about the Whole9 Whole30® Program by my adorable friend Erika of Style Activist, and I knew it was time…we could do the program together. I had already told (threatened) my husband that August was going to be alcohol-free, at least for me. After reading Carly’s post, What I Learned From a Month Without Alcohol, I’m even more convinced this is what I need to do. Uh, hello! Signs from all directions.

What’s Whole30?

For some, it may well feel like 30 days of torture, since it requires you to abstain from eating virtually anything that’s not a pure meat, fruit, or vegetable. Why would I want to do that?

This paragraph from Whole9′s Whole30 page explains:

“Certain food groups (like sugar, grains, dairy and legumes) could be having a negative impact on your health and fitness without you even realizing it. Are your energy levels inconsistent or non-existent? Do you have aches and pains that can’t be explained by over-use or injury? Are you having a hard time losing weight no matter how hard you try? Do you have some sort of condition (like skin issues, digestive ailments, seasonal allergies or fertility issues) that medication hasn’t helped? These symptoms may be directly related to the foods you eat – even the “healthy” stuff. So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you?”

Uh, check. Check. And check.

For the past few years I’ve been telling myself that I live a healthy lifestyle and eat the same way too. I do, actually. But in the midst of my my healthy diet are some nasty little truths: I’m addicted to caffeine, preferably with preservative-loaded “sugar-free” vanilla creamer and lots and lots of Splenda. I don’t drink soft drinks and I quit all the energy drinks, but I consume way too much alcohol when I do have a drink. Or four. I’ve been suffering from unpredictable bouts of eczema (so not pretty), real difficulty losing weight and keeping it off, digestive ailments, the whole nine. This is just a no-brainer, especially since I already stick to a mostly paleo diet.

There are harder things in life to do than be healthy for 30 days.

I loved this paragraph from Whole 9′s site. It really convinced me to get over even thinking that 30 days without coffee, milk, and splenda is going to kill me ( I am NOT drinking black coffee. I’ll have tea.):

“It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You won’t get any coddling, and you won’t get any sympathy for your “struggles”. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.”

No, it’s not going to be that hard. I can still eat lean protein and all the veggies I want. Fresh summer fruit. Avocados. Eggs. Salmon. Walnuts. All the things that already make up my daily diet. And I might even be skinnier by the time the fall collections hit the stores. There is no downside!

So why am I telling you all this? Culpability, my darlings. If I put it out there, I’m more likely to stick to it. And because I want to share the results of thirty days of:

UPDATE August 2, 2012: I’ve been getting some questions about the “no beans” (aka no legumes or soy) portion of this program. For me, this is not an issue because as much as I like beans, most of them really don’t like me. It’s not my rule, anyway. For an explanantion, please read The Legume Manifesto.

Wish us luck!

It’s only August 2nd. Will you jump on board?

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