My Whole30 - Day 4

8/05/2012 *Sara-Marie* 4 Comments

Since on the Pops family side we have a TON of August birthdays, we like to have one big party to celebrate everyone, including me and Mark! The challenges of a family gathering/cookout while on Day 4 of the Whole30 were many:

Explaining why I'm on the Whole30
- some were receptive and/or interested in trying themselves
- some told me it was a load of bs and that I should eat whatever I want
- some were offended that my explanation meant I wouldn't be eating the dish they brought

Being watched like a bandit
- People kept asking me what I would be eating and checking out my plate. Some reactions were positive, some were not.

Having a birthday cake to celebrate your birthday and not being able to eat a slice
- enough said.

It was tough but overall I still ended my day without caving in. I navigated to food wisely and reminded myself why I was doing what I was doing: not JUST for weight loss but to live a healthy lifestyle.

DAY 4 - WHOLE30 EATS

9am: the usual breakfast bowl with sunflower seeds this time.

We had an action packed morning getting ready for the party and prepping lots of food.

2pm: veggie-turkey concoction. Momma Pops was making her famous turkey chili. Before she put some of her secret (but not Whole30 compliant) ingredients, she put about a cup on the side for me. We tossed that with some left over cauliflower and veggies and I had myself a very filling lunch before the party started at 4pm.

VERY yummy. And SPICY!

PARTY TIME

There were a few safe foods that I made my best friends: a fruit salad and my homemade fresh salsa. I paired those with some grilled chicken wings and steak.


I was feeling good and on top of my game until dessert time. We sang happy birthday to everyone and I quickly grabbed some more fruit and left the dining room as soon as I could.

Yes, EVERYONE get's their birthday number on the cake. Might be a fire hazard, but everyone gets recognized!

But then everyone followed me with their cakes and other desserts. I tried my best to look straight at the TV and watch those amazing Olympians instead of my family around me. Those Olympians are most certainly dedicated and probably feed themselves whole, real foods too. Those Olympians probably skipped dessert many a times for the sake of their careers. Those Olympians were my heroes at that very moment.

After everyone left, I still felt like I wanted dessert. I was craving it BAD. I then thought through what I was feeling and convinced myself that if I was still hungry I would eat real food. So I found a piece of leftover steak and some chicken wings and ate those. I felt better in terms of the craving but then felt a little bit of food regret because I felt as though I only ate that extra protein so that I wouldn't eat the cake. Was I truly still hungry? Did I make the right decision? Should I just have waited it out?

Instead of beating myself up over it, I decided to go snuggle on the couch with my husband. His snuggles are the best. His snuggles make me feel safe.  And then he was my hero.  

My snuggle bug.