One of the greatest things about Whole30 was seeing a change in my waistline and skin. The photo above was taken after 3.5 rounds of Whole30. It has not been modified. It just is a selfie taken at a weird angle. The dress I have on I could not wear for a long time. Now it fits.

I guess it would help to show you where I started in 2017. The photo below is of me and my friend in Phoenix this May. I had already started Whole30 and dropped about 7 pounds. I was quite uncomfortable as clothes were becoming more challenging to fit.

I made a choice I wanted to be healthier.

Being healthier or healthy for me was not about dropping 4-5 sizes, which I did. Nor was it about being skinny or meeting a number on a scale. It was about becoming a healthier person.

Healthy is about living a better life and being a healthier person.

Whole30 changed the way I view food and health. I tried other plans, worked out like a crazy person and saw slow unsustained change. I worked hard for any progress.

Whole30 brought about change that I can see lasting a long time. It was only challenging at first. Afterwards, it became a blessing. Once my body adjusted to the plan, foods off the plan tasted not so good to me. They were too greasy, too salty, and more food was needed to be satisfied.

No more slavery to the gym…

I did not workout while doing Whole30, other than just walking. I can not imagine how the results would be if I hit the gym like crazy.

What does it mean to be healthy…

• To love thy self. Loving me is vital to loving anyone else.
• To cease the busy. It’s so easy to be busy. Busy can lead to stress. Stress can lead to weight gain or poor food choices.
• To cease investment in one sided or toxic relationships. I chose January 1rst to stop investing in one sided relationships; best decision ever.
• To cease using food for comfort. Food is fuel.
• To cease the fast food and out to lunch habit while working. Whole30 forced me to buy groceries, pack lunch, and forgo fast food options.
• To give thanks. Lots of great things happened this year. Lots of hard things too. Giving thanks re-calibrates things for us.
• To look up and around more. There is beauty in God and nature.
• To pursue the best option. Candy, cake, chips are not the best steady options. Fruit, veggies, and lean protein are steady options.
• To think of what will be a blessing to my body, soul, and spirit. Asking the question, “Will this help or hurt?,” was and is beneficial.
• Rest is a weapon. Going all the time is hard on the body and soul. A wise person takes time to rest. Inhale, exhale.
• Meditation/Prayer are vital to thriving. As a person of faith, part of thriving is the ability to focus on God, listen, and not simply ask for things-give thanks and meditate on the goodness of God.
• Meal Prep is for my health, not a mundane task. Healthy meals make for an energetic week. Taking the time to prep meals is vital to healthy living. So the time spent doing something else needs redirected to what is the most beneficial.
• To let go. I love the serenity prayer which leads us to let go of the things we can not change and to acquire wisdom for the things we can change. Some things we simply must lay at the feet of God and let it go!

My encouragement to you is pursue health. So many people make New Year’s Resolutions. How about starting today? How about choosing health today? How about moving towards a healthier you today? It takes one decision, followed by another healthy decision, that brings about a healthier you!

If I can do it, so can you. What’s stopping you?

To your health…you can do this!!

Erin