Starting Whole 30

Health has been on my mind a lot lately. I think the fact that at the end of the year I will be 40. Wow. 40. Somehow even as I write it, the idea of turning 40 has not really felt like it is really real. I imagine that most people feel like this, like 40 is the number that finally makes you stop and realize that you have entered the adult world, but anyway.
I have been faithful in my commitment to walking. It has become something that I have looked forward to. I put on a podcast and just start walking. I walk for about an hour each time I go walking. I would love to say that I go every day, but truth is that I have bilateral hip replacements and Rheumatoid Arthritis which means I have to rest on some days. My goal for each day is 7000 steps. I am a stay at home mom so this is a good starting area for me. I was only averaging about 2000 steps a day before the FitBit. Most days I go over the 7000 steps. I have not felt tired, but occasionally my knee swells up which is my body reminding me to take a break. After my walks, which I usually do in the morning I ate whatever and I noticed that I wasn't really losing any weight, but I was losing inches though. I knew that I needed to take my health to the next level.
I decided to start the Whole 30 program. (Follow the link to learn more about it). I had learned about it through some blogs and I was impressed with how people looked after completing the program. I figured it was just 30 days and it could reshape the way I look at food.

On June 11, 2015 I began my journey and I want to share what worked well for me and what didn't.

What worked well this week:

• I was eager to start the program
• I found some great recipes on Pinterest to motivate me including a lovely sweet potato hash
• Being a stay at home mom helped because I was able to stay focused and not be persuaded to any lunch dates

What was a challenge this week:

• Soda. Diet soda. I am addicted. I didn't realize how much so until I had to give it up. I will be honest, I did not give it up until 4 days in as I slowly decreased my intake. I was drinking up to 4 a day. As I write this I am on my second day of my detox from Diet Coke. I will admit it was really hard. It still is. It has really been the only thing that I miss. I miss the sound of the can opening up. I have bene getting terrible headaches and I feel really tired. I have read that it is a side affect from the apertame leaving my body. 

Right now I only have 25 days left to go and I have a party the day after I end the program. I have the most lovely outfit in mind to show off my new body. I will share a post of some of my meals that helped me later on in the week.