Prep Time

Like all good resolutions, our Whole30 challenge starts January 1, which means the next two days are prep time. You've heard the saying, "Fail to plan, plan to fail", right? Well, it's true, and I've hit the grocery store, selected some recipes to pre-make for the week, and am scehduling in my workouts for the next month (5:30 a.m workouts. Eek!).

Loot from Wally World, except the coconut aminos and nori. Those you'll find at Whole Foods.

During the Whole30, we eat lots of lean meats and eggs, veggies, plant based fats, like nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados, and some fruit. One of the biggest excuses I hear about eating "healthy" is that it's so expensive. I do spend a fair amount on groceries, but I've compared my grocery bills when I buy a basket of junk for my husband to when I buy a basket of produce and meat for me. The total bill is pretty equal. I stocked up at Walmart yesterday, bought everything you see above, plus some extra veggies and freezer items, and I spent less than $100. I even bought higher priced items like coconut aminos and the Sushi Nori (which I can't wait to use). Honestly, that's not that bad.

Today will be spent cooking a few meals for the coming week. Mom gave me Well Fed, a paleo cookbook by Melissa Joulwan (check out her blog for awesome recipes), and I'm selecting my meals from the tastiest looking pictures.

Obviously, not a tasty pic, but I do like her cover design.

Mom made me Melissa's mayo, some ghee, an amazing garlic olive oil that I eat by the spoonful, and magic mushroom powder to be used as a spice. My mom is an awesome cook. She's also the main motivating force that will help me complete this challenge. When she decides to do something, she commits 100%. Who in their right mind spends time cooking down butter to make ghee? My mom, that's who, and you should too because it will broaden your food options and make this challenge easier to maintain. Making your own condiments and meals may be a little time consuming, but the benefits of saving money, improving your health, and taking the time to get personal with what you put in your body are more than worth it.

Some other quick-start prep tips from the Whole30 creators:

• Clean out your pantry. No "off limits" foods means less temptation. If, however, you've got others in your home who aren't doing the Whole30, like me, you'll just have to invoke some good old fashioned will power.
• Plan a week's worth of meals. This might be the hardest step for me. Something about it makes me antsy. If I write a plan, I want to stick to the plan, but what if I want steak and green beans instead of the chicken and broccoli I had planned for Thursday night? Silly, I know. Just eat the freakin' steak and green beans.
• Go shopping. I love shopping.
• Plan your go-to meals. These are the quick and easy things you can grab when you come home late, tired, and hungry. Meals made ahead on Sunday are ideal for this. So are eggs. Eggs are my new Whole30 best friends. Boiled; scrambled; sunny side up in ghee; they're all perfect.
• Set yourself up for success. Are there times or situations that you know you'll be vulnerable to peer pressure or temptation (3:00 slump or date night, anyone)? Figure out now how you'll handle those situations. My co-workers think I'm nuts for eating raw cauliflower over the Doritos in the break room, but my tummy loves me for it.
• Ditch your scale and take "before" photos. The scale is the devil. That one number often ruins my whole day and constantly preoccupies my thoughts. Solution: I don't weigh myself anymore. Even at the doctor's office, I'll turn my back so I don't have to see my weight. If weightloss is important to you, why not measure it by how your clothes fit instead of the number on the scale. I know the appeal of the scale. Numbers seem so absolute, but your body weight fluctuates by a few pounds every day depending on a number of factors so spare yourself the misery.

Now, a word about before photos. I am going to take them, but I am not going to look at them. I'll have my hubby snap a few pics and then keep them hidden away until the Whole30 is over. Do I sound silly again? Well, here's my thinking. If I look at my before photos I will obsess over every perceived flaw I see. I will stare at those pictures, zooming in on my thighs, for at least ten minutes. Then I will spend the next few hours reviewing the pictures in my mind and freaking out about how I look. The before photos won't motivate me; they'll hinder me. So I just won't look at them. If before photos will motivate you to stick with the Whole30 and get in some workouts, then devour that motivation! But if you have body image struggles, cut yourself a break and save the photos for the end of your challenge. Or don't take them at all. Do whatever you have to do to cultivate a healthy and kind relationship with your body.

I'm taking things one step further in order to consciously build a better relationship with my body. I've covered all the mirrors in my home so all I can see is my face.

I will not look at my naked body's reflection for the next 30 days. Not because I'm in denial or because I'm scared or silly, but because I don't want to hear the negative stream of vomit spewing forth from my inner critic anymore. Think about it. Before you hop in the shower, and you catch a glimpse of yourself au natrual, what's the first thought that pops into your head? Mine is often something negative, discouranging, and emotionally abusive. So why subject myself to that? Going for a month without looking at my reflection in the buff forces me to acquaint myself with my body by what I actually see with my eyes or touch with my hands. Mirrors, even the clearest ones, produce distorted images. Look at your actual body, not an object's reflection of your body. If you are going to critique your body, base your criticisms on what you actually see and touch, not what is in the glass. It's a little awkard, but you will become much more mindful and present in your body, and mindfulness and presence is key to health and happiness.

Get started prepping, dear readers. January 1st is coming fast. If you've got any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Christan