See, friends… I told you I wouldn’t leave you hanging! Read on for Part 2 of “What to Expect” when doing Whole30. (If you are just joining us, get caught up and read the Part 1 by clicking here.)
Whole30 What to Expect Point #2
People are NOT going to understand… And might try to talk you out of it/peer pressure you into “cheating.”
It’s no secret that “naysayers” are a real thing in practically every aspect of our lives. I mean, there are even naysayers in the Bible. So Whole30 is no exception.
Now, there are a few different types of people who might intentionally (or unintentionally) try to sabotage or derail your Whole30 experience.
The Well-Meaning Friend: This is the fun-lover who is going to (inadvertently) tempt you with the “fun” excuse. It’s my birthday! Just one bite of cake! I can’t drink this wine alone! The sun will still rise if you DON’T eat the cake or drink the wine for 30 days. So stay strong and say something like, “No thanks… But I will take a rain check for next month!”
The Influential Spouse: God bless my sweet husband, but he doesn’t really have to worry much about what he does (or doesn’t) eat. So he doesn’t really participate in the Whole30 experience with me. As I seem him eating an oven pizza/ice cream or drinking a beer, I get am tempted to get angry and either take it out on him or give in and join his feast. But we have to remember: We are different people on a different journey. So for this season, we must stay the course.
The General Life Naysayer Pessimist: These folks are typical Negative Nancies or Debbie Downers. The best bet? Ignore them completely. Because YOU are the one who has to answer to yourself (and Jesus) when it is all said and done. They usually could care less about your accountability to other people, how your jeans fit, if your complexion clears up or your anxiety lessons. (All really great potential non-scale victories from Whole30.)
The Peer-Pressure Pusher: Remember how in high school, “The Cool Kid” always tried to get us to smoke/drink/break curfew/do other things that weren’t awesome? Yep. These still exist in our adult world. They will be the person at the potluck that might guilt you into trying a taste of a non-compliant food. Or your boss who takes you out for a business meal and INSISTS that you try the house wine. But again, this is your battle, not theirs. Politely explain the journey you are on and press on, my friend! (If they give you any flack, feel free to send ’em my way. I got your back.)
And of course…
The big, dumb, Jerkface Satan: Think of a lie that would completely throw you off your path of Whole30 Success. “It’s too hard.” “You deserve that treat.” “Give yourself grace.” “You won’t make it, so just quit now.” Yep, you will probably hear those plus more. Don’t listen. God’s voice will encourage you– and remember, you aren’t being deprived. You are being empowered!
One more note to counteract the naysayers and equip yourself for this journey… I did Lysa Terkeurst’s bible study, “Made to Crave” during my Whole30 experience and it helped to change the entire game for me!
Whole30 What to Expect Point #3
You will likely feel better than you could ever remember.
I’m not exaggerating on this one, folks. I mean, seriously– why would I lie to you? It’s not like I am a Whole30 consultant selling the stuff for dollar bills. (I don’t really think that Whole30 consultants exist. At least not officially.) I am just sharing this with you because previous experiences have rocked my socks right off. It de-throned food as my god and put Jesus back where He belonged, you know, at the center of my life.
I remember the first Whole30 I did. As an army wife, mom, minister and living/breathing human being who has a tendency to do stuff with things all the time, by 4:30pm in the afternoon, I am usually D-O-N-E. On this particular occasion, about day 20-ish of Whole30, I remember about that time of day when I suddenly got motivated to like, do stuff. Charis (my daughter) had been sick for a few days but was feeling better, and my hubs was gone on TDY (temporary duty) somewhere (California?) for like a month. Before Whole30, when I was solo-parenting a previously sick kiddo, the house would have had to have been on fire for me to leave it that “late”in the day. But on that occasion, I loaded her up and embarked on a project… I transformed her room from “baby nursery” to big girl room.
I picked up a toddler bed, went to Home Depot for guttering to use as DIY book shelves, took apart the crib, did ALL. THE. THINGS. With energy, joy and excitement.
And friends. It was because I had stopped eating junk and was fueling my body with the nutrients it needed… All from my food choices.
Anywho, I say all of that because truly, this eating experience has opened my eyes (and heart!) to more non-scale victories that I can cover in a single blog.
Want to join me in this journey? Request to join our Facebook group.
And get ready for a ride that will change your food-eating game.
For His Glory,
