I got some interesting comments about the Whole 30 program. Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your experience. The program is rather militant, that is for sure. If you so much as put a teaspoon of milk in your morning coffee or step on the scale to see how you are doing, you are supposed to start the program all over again with Day One. That is just silly I think. It may seem like blasphemy to those who have the courage to stick with the program strictly as it is written, but my philosophy is that one can take the elements that work for oneself from a regime and use what works for you individually.
What works for me is giving up bread, rice, grains, and wheat for 30 days. It also works for me to eat more fruits and vegetables. I can pretty much live without dairy (cheese, cream, yogurt etc)--but my morning coffee? Sorry, I am having a splash of milk in my cup. And sigh, the whole wine thing is pretty tough. I come from a family who is in the wine industry--wine is a part of daily life.
So here's my compromise: I have 2 oz of white wine in a wine spritzer. It is refreshing, I can make it last an hour, and it totally satisfies my craving/habit for that glass of wine at the end of the day.
So, while the Whole 30 has given lots of folks amazing health benefits, I think I am going to customize the ideas within the program to suit my individual preferences. I won't be calling what I am doing "Whole 30", but I will certainly be implementing some of the ideas and recipes from that program into my own diet.
Honestly, I think cutting back on my wine consumption, skipping breads and grains, and eating more fruits and veggies could make a huge impact on my health and appearance!
Great choice. I think that your transgressions are reasonable. I don't think it would be possible to stick with a diet that left you unsatisfied. I wish you success.
I should do it too, have an extra 20 lbs on my middle.
Posted by: Susan | August 03, 2016 at 05:52 AM
I recently lost 25 pounds on Whole 30 and have been successful keeping it off. I to had to customize it to my lifestyle. My motto is 100 % Whole 30 80% of the time!! Good luck...I know you will be successful.
Posted by: Dianne | August 03, 2016 at 06:30 AM
I think part of the point is it is only for 30 days.....to get the junk out of your body and then add back the things you want one by one to see if your body still feels great!!!! There is something adult in the way they put this no fudging, just do it. A maturity thing so to speak. So have you begun??? I fall off the sugar thing about every two weeks.
Posted by: Susie Q | August 03, 2016 at 06:30 AM
Love the wine spritzer idea. I will definitely copycat you on that one. It (the wine) is such a mental game for me. Also, if I can add one more thing for you to think about. Make sure you are getting enough protein. It really helps curb my appetite. Your plan sounds really good!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | August 03, 2016 at 07:23 AM
Way to go, Nicolel! I'm excited to hear how you do with this.
Posted by: Tracey Holzer | August 03, 2016 at 07:43 AM
I applaud your sensible approach to giving it a try! You do a great job sharing personal challenges in a very public blog! A white wine spritzer sounds like a fair substitute for the Chardonnay!
Posted by: Jan | August 03, 2016 at 07:50 AM
Good for you! I think it's smart that you took what works for you and everything that's not just leave off.
Posted by: Hildy | August 03, 2016 at 08:47 AM
Woo Hoo! Eating clean and healthy is truly the point of making some changes in dietary choice. I, too, need half and half in my coffee every morning!
Posted by: Julie in WA | August 03, 2016 at 09:59 AM
LOL! When I read your last post, I thought it sounded good except the no wine part. When I saw your pic on today's post, I had to laugh. Kindred spirits in more that just quilting!
Posted by: Barbara | August 03, 2016 at 10:30 AM
Glad to hear that you are customizing the plan to work for you. Very sensible. Good luck!
Posted by: Debbie | August 03, 2016 at 02:39 PM
I work with a primary care doctor and he always encourages patients, especially those who have diabetes, or just need to lose weight, of those five items: bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and alcohol. They are all starches, which turn to sugar in the body and are stored as fat if not burned up. So you appear to be on track. I had to laugh at your blog post title, but totally agree that if it doesn't work with your life, MODIFY IT!
Posted by: AnnieO | August 03, 2016 at 11:16 PM
Another version of this is the primal diet which is like paleo, but less restrictive. You can find some information here: www.marksdailyapple.com/ or there's a "start here" link near the top. Basically it's an eating plan like whole 30, but allows some fruit, dairy, wine and coffee. For health reasons, this is the eating plan I'll probably be on for the rest of my life, and there's lots of yummy food available.
Posted by: Ann | August 04, 2016 at 09:27 AM
Sounds like you are really getting into this Whole 30 diet thing, but on your terms. I think the diet for anyone is the diet that they can stick to. I like the wine spritzer idea, and I definitely need a small amount of cream in my coffee. I've tried it black, but it makes my stomach hurt.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | August 06, 2016 at 08:22 PM
I love this idea of a wine spritzer. What a great way to make the plan work for you!
Posted by: Laura @ Prairie Sewn Studios | August 13, 2016 at 11:11 AM