Last week, some of the girls from our Group Whole30 sent some progress updates along to me and I posted it here. I think it really helps people to read about the progress, or even challenges, of others. I can’t praise ALL of these ladies enough for their efforts. I really think last week’s post helped readers to grasp just how transformative a little cleaning up can do in terms of what we’re eating. Now, 16 days in, I asked the girls to again, send me some progress updates. So without further ado, here are this week’s whole30 participants getting real:

Melissa (http://www.cupcakesomg.blogspot.com)

So, last week, I was sick for a few days. Translation: I laid on my couch covered in snot-filled tissues and cough drop wrappers, saved by the grace of only Chicken and Stars and…ice cream. I’M SORRY!! I was sick and hot and cold liquids were the only thing relieving me from hours of scratchy, enlarged gland-ed misery. But once I started feeling better, I went back to the grocery store and stocked back up on all things paleo. I made two recipes from my new Everyday Paleo cookbook (including the lasagna, which I’ve posted on my blog: http://cupcakesomg.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-keep-whole30-interesting.html) and after 3 days, I’m feeling as good as I did before I felt…um…bad. Plus, I managed to make it to two workouts this weekend. It’s amazing what a couple of weeks (albeit a few cheats that I am NOT proud of) of clean eating can do for your performance in the gym! I lifted more weight than I thought I could. I’m paying for it now, but I’m really happy that I felt strong enough to push myself. Next Monday, my boyfriend and I are starting our own paleo challenge. It won’t change anything for me, but it will be great to have his 100% participation. Finally, I’m noticing the changes in my clothes. I haven’t weighed myself, so I have no clue what I’ve lost, but I can see the changes in my stomach. Now, if only I could see them in my hips, thighs, and arms…

Sharelle (http://www.essentialingredient.wordpress.com)

 

Kelly (http://www.kellyim10.blogspot.com)

 

So I started Saturday (July 16th) and had a migraine for part of Saturday, all of Sunday and most of Monday.  Today I woke up feeling awesome!  I’ve done low-carb before and have noticed that Days 1-3 are tough, but by Day 4, I feel fantastic.  I swim with a Masters group in Providence and for the first time in ages, when I woke up this morning for our 6:30 workout, I actually felt awake and wasn’t dragging at all.  I have a ton of energy and am so glad to have all the crud out of my system.  Also, I *think* my stomach might be flatter.  Maybe.  It seems that way to me anyway.

Michelle

 

Other than my cocktail induced carb/grain binge a while back I’ve been doing awesome! Zero grains since then!  I haven’t really dropped too many LBS – about 3, going back and forth, which is frustrating, but I’m trying not to focus on the scale.  My crossfit coach hates that I even use one, but I’m addicted, so bad.  Have been kicking A$$ @ crossfit - 8 min. 56 min. 2K row on Monday which I was super proud of!  I 100% think my diet supports my strength @ the gym.  I’m only getting stronger….

 

Santessa

 

I am only on day 9 so far but I have already noticed a DRASTIC improvement in my energy level and mental clarity. The first 2-3 days dragged and I wondered if I had a made a good decision or not because I was tremendously exhausted and my workouts seemed to zap every bit of energy I had. Then it was like a switch flipped and by about the 4^th day I felt revitalized and I then started think, maybe it wasn’t starting the whole30 that was causing my lack of energy, but rather it was probably my body coming down off of the carb and sugar bender I went on the weekend before I started the whole30 (think candybars, a whole pizza, a ½ gallon of blueberry cream pie ice cream).

 

I workout heavy (crossfit in the mornings, cardio in the afternoon, and boxing sessions a couple of days a week) and I have noticed that even after finishing my last workout of the day and then going home, I don’t feel like I have to plop down on the sofa as soon as I get home like before. I still have some energy in the evenings to do housework or walk my dogs, YEAHHH!!!

 

My body also feels “cleaner” and lighter (if that makes sense) and it doesn’t feel like my body is working as hard to perform its normal functions (even bathroom functions, yuck but true)! So far the improvements in energy level and body function have been motivation enough to help me resist the doughnut holes and ice cream cake that my coworkers insist on bringing to work, but I still have a way to go!

Lisa

So I’m back at day 2, yes day 2. A week at the beach was too tough for my will-power, but you know what I’m not crazy mad, or upset at myself. I didn’t go crazy and eat only lobster mac n cheese for a week, I did try and stick to it just not 100%, example one dinner was beautiful heirloom tomatoes with balsamic reduction and LOTS of crab meat, but I did eat and drink things that are not Whole30. So I’m back at day 2. But even if I only did one week before falling off the wagon I did look and feel great going into that vacation, so I will be able to do this (I just think that vacation was too much for my will power).

To make sure I got back on the wagon I stopped at a wonderful farmer’s market in the Eastern shore where I got cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, green beans, and watermelon, so I have no excuse for lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Also picked up some huge, beautiful, and locally grown zucchini and am planning on making the paleo lasagna that Melissa posted today!!! Looks so good!!! Thanks for posting that, it looks great and will provide lots of leftovers for lunches.

If you haven’t read up on the participants yet, visit this post: Group Whole30: Meet the Girls

And for last week’s progress updates: Paleo… It’s More Than What You Eat