Starting a Whole 30

is going to be tricky.  I have read the book 'it starts with food' and it all makes sense.  I have also read a bit about eating paleo and the reasons behind it all and that all makes sense.  So now it is time to be the lab rat and JFDI.

I will try to be here daily to write about what I eat and how I feel - both physically and emotionally.

Today is Day 1.

Physically:

My knees hurt when I stand, so much so that getting out of bed in the morning is a slow and painful process.  My legs seem really stiff too.  It does loosen up during the day and I am sure the pain killers I take with my morning vitamins help take the morning pain edge off.

It is spring here in Australia so my hayfever is playing up too.  I spent the last week bush camping among trees that were shedding their seed fluff and that certainly hasn't helped the allergies.

I find I don't sleep well either; possibly due to allergies but more likely due to age related hormonal changes.  As a result I wake up groggy and it takes a bit for that feeling to go away.  Though i find playing some games on the computer helps with that.

Emotionally:

I am apprehensive (is that an emotion?) about doing a Whole 30.  I can get my head around dinner and lunch - I just need to be organised.  Dinner is probably the easiest meal to plan.  Lunch I need to ensure I have food ready to go - either precooked or at least easily and quickly cooked.  It's breakfast that I am going to struggle with.  What is breakfast if it's not toast or cereal or pancakes?  Ok, I can do bacon  and eggs and even add in some grated sweet potato - but eating that everyday is going to get rather boring after awhile.

Snacking is not allowable within Whole 30 'rules', but at least if I get really hungry I know I can eat some fruit or some nuts.  Eating anything else is not difficult as I tend to not buy biscuits or cake, etc anyway.

I am going to miss my tea - haven't had sugar in it for over 30 years but I do add milk.  Looks like I will be having weak black from now on.  At least I will be if I can stand the taste.


So why am I doing this?

Initially it was to lose weight, but after reading a few blogs and some books on eating paleo I am now doing this to see if I feel any better - with my knee, with my sleeping habits, etc.  Previously I have cut grains from my diet for around a week and noticed less knee pain and an alertness in the afternoon not felt before, so i am hopeful this will do me good.

So, wish me luck.  I am off to have some eggs and bacon and sweet potato and plane some meals for the next week....