For me, weight loss was a goal going into Whole30, but that may not be the case for you. Maybe you're just looking to quit your junk food habit, or eat in a way that gives you more energy, eases digestive issues, or makes a positive impact on other things like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Even if you are trying to lose weight, know that your results will not necessarily look like mine, as many other factors go into weight loss, like sleep, stress, and genetics. If you have a history of disordered eating, always speak with your doctor before starting a new eating plan.
I now diligently inspect food labels and try to only eat whole, good-for-me foods. I follow the mind-set of Whole30 about 80 percent of the time, but I allow myself to live and eat whatever I want on the weekends. And because I’m fueling my body properly, I have enough energy to work out about five days a week.
If you’re thinking of taking the challenge, take these tips from me before diving in. It’s a hard month but I promise, hands-down, it’s worth it.
1. Enjoy that last meal.
The night before I started my very first round of Whole30, I asked my roommate what I should eat. Having completed Whole30 a month before, she said I better order takeout for whatever I wanted because I’d miss those gluttonous items in a hot second. I devoured chicken fingers, chocolate cake, and a big glass of red wine. While some may argue that having an indulgent meal before the 30-day sprint is a bad idea, I say it’s worth it and it’ll give you something to reminisce about in the dark times of Whole30 when you’d give anything for a motherf***ing cookie.
2. Don’t skip the measurements—but don’t weigh yourself throughout.
I won’t lie, when I didn’t lose any weight at all during my third round of Whole30, I was a bit bummed out. It wasn’t until I talked to my primary care doctor who commented on how healthy my vital stats were, and how strong and fit I was that I realized how little my overall sense of self had to do with what read on a scale. Whole30 recommends that you weigh yourself and take measurements the evening before you start your round, and it’s a great idea if you want to track your progress. But while you might be tempted to weigh yourself throughout, it’s better to wait until you’re finished so you don't end up discouraged by natural daily weight fluctuations.
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3. Always, always, always have snacks.
I’m going to play devil’s advocate against the Whole30 program here and say that depending on your lifestyle, you might need snacks. I happen to be someone who exercises nearly every day, doing everything from yoga to boot camps, HIIT sessions, and boxing workouts. I need sufficient fuel to recover from these calorie-burning fitness feats, and thus, while on Whole30, I always had some sort of snack that followed the Whole30 rules handy, like almond butter and a banana. The reason I think snacks are important (even if they’re frowned upon on Whole30), is that you save yourself from possibly cheating when you’re delayed at the airport, commuting home post-workout, or stuck in back-to-back meetings at work.
4. Take time to meal prep.
If you’re serious about Whole30, you’ll have to get serious about meal prep. Each time I’ve done a round, I’ve set aside a Sunday afternoon or a Monday evening to plan and prepare all of my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the week. Though it was arguably a ton of work, it was always worth it. I never had to worry about what I was eating because it was always ready. Plus, you might just turn yourself into a chef after a few weeks (or at least, finally learn how to chop an onion!).
5. When you eat out, opt for Mexican or American.
Whole30’s limitations make it really tough to find something on the menu you can eat when you’re dining out, but if you choose a Mexican or American restaurant, you can most likely find something. Go for the fajitas (without cheese or sour cream or tortillas) and see if they’ll make you a crudite for the guacamole. At an American eatery, simply go for the steak or the chicken, with a side of veggies and a baked potato (that’s not cooked in butter, please and thank you). When in doubt about if the kitchen will follow your dietary request, say you have an allergy.
