I have to agree with you on that statement “progress comes in many ways”. I use to be so addicted to the scale, even in the last year. But this time around on the whole 30, I haven’t even jumped on it. I figure I stopped my filthy habit of chewing tons of gum, I’m eating super clean, keeping consistent and getting plenty of sleep. If that’s not healthy, then I don’t know what is. And, that is progress for me.

Keep up the good work!

Definitely no replacement for beer, but I will tell you that I went 7 weeks relatively strict (NO BEER! a little red wine the first couple weeks, then cut it off), and when I did have beer again I noticed a huge change in how I felt. Allergies kicked in with a vengeance almost instantly (finally knocked those back out today, I think) and my muscles felt TIRED for a couple days after. It’s funny how much more clearly you notice all those little things after you’ve removed the bad stuff from your ‘diet.’ That’s why the Whole30 is so brilliant – get rid of all the junk, let your body remembers what it feels like to feel GOOD, and then slowly test the waters again. Every time I stray too much, I’m begging to get back to squeaky clean again.

@ Meghan : I’ve had a situation or two where I knew quality food just wasn’t going to be had, and packing it in was either impossible or impractical to the point of futility… so I just IF’d it (fasted). After all, once your carb cravings are in check, extending a non-eating period by a few extra hours isn’t a big deal at all. I just make sure to eat quality food once I do eat again, and shush any voices that point me towards “convenient” (i.e. crappy) choices.

I also find it liberating to know I don’t HAVE to eat every x hours; it decreases my old patterns of anxiety (oh no, gotta pack snacks!) for short trips, too.

In other news, just an update – I’m on Day 35 today, and according to the scale, I’ve gained a pound since I started. But, according to everything else, I’m down an inch or two in the waist, my workouts are getting heavier and faster, my energy levels are consistent, my cravings are down (if not out completely), etc.

Just a reminder to folks who don’t see progress on the scale; don’t get discouraged. Progress comes in many ways.

It doesn’t sound as though you messed up big time… given those choices, you really had very little to work with. I probably would have done a few burgers (plain), or the breaded chicken but scraped off the breading. With no fruit or veggies, that low quality meat fest isn’t necessarily appealing, but it’s better than nothing. And if I was really feeling hot and tired and faint and in need of carbs… I might have had some fries. Potatoes and terrible oil will make me feel like I have a boulder in my belly, but at least it won’t kill my stomach like ice cream would have.

Chalk it up to a crazy day, understand that it won’t be the last time you’ll be practically forced to make less than ideal food choices (spending two days driving through West Texas was one of those scenarios for us…) and just keep on keepin’ on.

Thanks for sharing – I’m sure there are others who will benefit.

Best,

Melissa

So M&D, you guys have posted some great suggestions about eating on the run and being prepared for when there’s no food supply available, and I’ve used all of those. This weekend, I was at a concert/festival thing. It started at 2pm and I had no idea when it would be over (I was figuring around 7ish?). I REALLY didn’t want to eat the crap food that I knew would be there, so I tried to prep by eating a huge good-for-me brunch (omelette/guac/salsa based). I get to the concert and here’s what happened:

1. They said “no food allowed” and they meant it. I saw a huge pile of snacks stacked by the garbage cans on the way in. They were rifling through the depths of bags. I considered bringing some Paleokits or something but there is no way I would have gotten them in. So, I couldn’t have brought food.

2. Here’s what was available: cheesesteaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, french fries, water ice, ice cream, soft pretzels, etc. I am not exaggerating when I tell you there was absolutely nothing redeemable there. Everything was fried or cooked in some horrible days old oil. Also, everything was SO expensive. $7-$8 for a teeny tiny hot dog, $8 crappy cheesesteaks, etc.

3. I figured I could just make it through til dinner if we were out by 7, no problem. But it turned out that everything ran late and we didn’t get out of there til 11:30PM. After a whole day in the blazing sun, I was literally faint with hunger. So I ate some nasty breaded chicken strips.

I guess this could come up as a whole list of excuses and/or you’ll probably say ok, brush it off and move on, but this is one of the most challenging situations I’ve ever been presented with. What do you guys think would have been the best game plan for something like this?

@Meredith: I got yelled at in my Dad’s complex in the Keys for box jumping on their picnic tables. Killjoys.

@Tracee: Thanks for dropping in again! Glad to hear you’re doing so well – breaking that sugar craving is HUGE, right? Good for you for sticking with it. Keep you posted as to when we’ll be back in Fort Collins, I’d love to spend more time with you, Marlena, Ali and the rest of the crew!

@J Spice: You are the hottest thing the Lakes Region has EVER seen. Miss you terribly – we think of you all the time on the road. Be back in town right around your birthday – and we WILL celebrate with a dirty martini and a nasty track met-con!

@Sully: Rings are one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. We haven’t yet run out of ways to kick our own butts with just the few things we’ve got packed (and making good use of the stuff in our training environment). Glad to hear things are going well with your nutrition, too… but unfortunately, there is no good replacement for beer. Your abs will thank you for giving it up.

@Clay: It was super crazy to get “recognized” in some random Whole Foods parking lot! Thanks for introducing yourself, glad to hear you’ll keep in touch via RSS. Hope to see you next time we’re in Colorado!

Awesome meeting you guys in the Golden WF parking lot on Friday afternoon. Wish I would have had more of an opportunity to pick both of your brains a bit but I’ve added the blog to my reader so next time you guys do a seminar in CO, I’m there!

Enjoy the rest of the wild west and be safe

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND DRIVE SAFELY!

p.s….your Paleo blog and info. has been a LIFE-SAVER!! I haven’t even started a 30-day challenge and I’m down 20-25 lbs. and can see my ab muscles again!

BUT….anyone else struggling to find a satisfying replacement for beer? I love it waaaay to much to be healthy!