Another week bites the dust! Shadrach and I made it through the third week of Whole30 but not without some difficulties. I keep thinking the longer we do this, the easier it will get but this weekend has been tough! With Halloween and the copious amounts of candy making an appearance, we wanted some in the worst way. I mentioned last week how the weekends seem to be where we struggle the most and this one proved that once again. We had a hard time not throwing in the towel and eating all some of Logan’s candy.
I think we have reached the point where we are tired of all the food we are eating because it feels like we eat the same thing every single day. I try to mix it up and cook different things but in the past week I didn’t do so well keeping food cooked everyday. This week I’m going to dig deep and look for some different recipes to make sure that we have some sort of variety in our meals.
Otherwise, our journey has been moving along consistently. We’ve stuck to our meal plan and did not cheat.:) Since things seem to be relatively the same, I thought I would change it up a bit and share with you a few tips that we have been doing that helps us stay on track and makes life just a little easier while doing Whole30.
1.) Meal Planning
The best thing I have done to help us stay on track is to make a meal plan for the week and stick to it. I sit down every Sunday evening and plan out every dinner and loosely plan breakfasts and lunches. Then, I make a grocery list. This keeps me on track at the grocery store and helps me avoid buying items I don’t need. (Here are some apps I use to save money on groceries.) I try to make sure we have all the food we need for the week so I don’t have to make multiple runs to the grocery store. Meal planning also prevents us from eating out at restaurants and making bad choices. (Beside, have I mentioned that eating out terrifies me while being on Whole30?)
Whole30 gives you a meal plan for the first week and I followed that loosely. Then for the past two weeks, I just made my own based off of recipes in the book. Meal planning takes some time and a little thought but it prevents you from sitting around wondering what to eat and gives you some direction.
My version of Whole30 Taco Tuesday!
2.) Meal Prep
This is one area that I’m not always the best at. I haven’t figured out how to set enough time aside on the weekends to prepare meals for the week. I know that if I took the time to do this, it would be so much easier during the week when things get busy. One thing I have done is buy some hamburger patties (fresh ones, not frozen) and I then freeze them individually. This way when I need something to eat in a crunch, I can just take out a hamburger, defrost it in the microwave, and cook it on the stove.
My mom and I always make sure to have some chicken breasts cooked, packaged individually, and thrown in the freezer so we can grab a bag as we need it for a salad or meal. Then we also make sure to have some raw veggies chopped up and on hand, like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Finally, I just make sure to have apples, bananas, and grapes on hand and ready so they are easy to grab.
Thinking ahead and having these things ready have helped to keep us from grabbing things we don’t need. Plus it keeps Shadrach from getting hangry. 🙂 While cooking, it’s a good idea to make extras that can be frozen or used as leftovers. Planning ahead will help in the long run.
3.) Dealing with Meals While Away From Home
While on Whole30, I have been afraid to eat at a restaurant. There are so many variables and problems that could happen, that I have just kind of avoided them. In order to do this, I do not leave the house without having a few things in my purse that I can eat. I plan ahead every single time I leave the house. I usually grab an apple, a Larabar, and maybe some carrots. Also, I might throw some plantain chips in a baggy and take them too. This keeps me from having to make a poor choice while being out. I know if hunger strikes, I have things I can eat.
I’m not saying that you should avoid restaurants, but if you find yourself in a situation where you have to eat out, here are some things you can do. Look up the restaurant menu ahead of time to see if they have any Whole30 approved foods. Have a game plan before entering. I LOVE french fries, and they are such a temptation. So, if I know that I am heading out for dinner, I need to plan and prepare myself mentally before I get there so that I don’t make a bad choice. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask how the food is prepared ( like what it is cooked in, or what seasonings are used). Plan ahead, it helps!
4.) Mentally Prepare Yourself
One of the biggest struggles I’ve had is mentally preparing myself to deal with some of the situations that come up. For example, Halloween candy has been so hard for us to avoid. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t prepare myself ahead of time. I didn’t eat any candy, but boy I have I wanted some in the worst way! Shadrach and I both have struggled with cravings. The first week wasn’t so bad during Whole30 because I feel like I had prepared myself mentally for what was coming. However, I have gotten lax as the weeks progressed and I’m letting my guard down and it’s getting hard. I think part of what has kept us going this far is having accountability with each other. The accountability may not always be there, so make sure to mentally prepare yourself for situations that could come up.
Giveaway
I hope if you are doing Whole30 or are planning on doing it, that these things will help you through the 30 days because they certainly have helped us. Now, on to the fun stuff! If you remember, last week I mentioned here that we had some news to share. Well, we are in the home stretch of Whole30! I can’t believe that we only have 8 days left! So, in celebration of our journey, we are giving away a $25 gift card to Amazon
The giveaway starts today ( Monday, October 31) and runs through Tuesday, November 8 (our official last day of Whole30). Enter below for your chance to win. I’d love to hear how you would spend the gift card if you win it. So comment and let me know. 🙂
*By registering for this giveaway you give permission to be added to our Newsletter.
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Laura Ramnath
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The Whole 30 is SO hard! I can’t imagine attempting it at this time of year. You’re right, though. Meal planning, prep and knowing what to do when you will be eating away from home are essential.
Sarah, I’m just thankful we are finishing it up before Thanksgiving and Christmas. 😉
thank you for sharing about this book. I have been wanting to try it.
xoxo
Celeste
ohhelloceleste.com
Your welcome! I hope you give it a try. It’s really not too bad and I think it’s worth it. 🙂
yay! you’re getting so close!
Hip Hip Hooray! I’m so excited to see the finish line. 🙂 Thank you Lyndsey for all your encouragement.
Completing the Whole 30 was one of the best things I have ever done. Just hang in there! Day 30 will be here before you know it! You’ve got this!
That’s awesome that you’ve completed it! At this point, I feel the exact same way. The 30 days really do go by pretty quick when you look back at it. Thank you for the encouraging words, Millason!
I have a couple of friends who have done Whole 30. I’ve never done it, but have been curious about it. Resisting Halloween candy would be hard though! Sounds like you are doing a great job!
You should give it a try Kristina. It’s really not that bad and I’m so glad I’ve done it. The Halloween candy didn’t end up being as much of a temptation as I thought it would. Thank you for the encouragement!
I really would love to do this! I love your tips to make it so much easier! Great post!
I think you could totally do it Jehava! It’s really not that bad once you get past the first week. Thank you!
I love the tip to mentally prepare. That’s where most fall short and it’s truly so much easier to succeed in a new eating style when you’re mindset is all in. Great post!!
Thank you Jessica! Yes, the mental part can really be a game changer. 🙂
Congrats on nearing the end! It is commendable to complete Whole30 anyways, let alone around a holiday. Great job and these are excellent tips for others too 🙂
Thank you Dawn for the kind and encouraging words! It really wasn’t too bad around this holiday. Just glad it’s not Thanksgiving or Christmas. 🙂
No bread? I couldn’t do it! But kudos-and your tips for success are fabulous!
I know! The no bread thing is pretty hard. If I never see a potato again after this, I’ll be happy. 🙂 Thank you for the kind words. 🙂
Oh yeah, I’m sure Halloween weekend is torture when doing the Whole 30. Keep up the good work though! You can do this!
It turned out not to be as bad as I thought it would. I’m sure if we had just started it would have been much worse. 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement Elizabeth!