Guest Post – Shannon’s Ten Day Whole 30 Experience

Here is an update to this post that Shannon wrote: Guest Post - First Four Days on the Whole 30. All I can say is Wow!

Sometime last week I emailed Laura and jokingly asked her who had taken over my body?  I had spent all morning playing soccer with the kids and fully enjoying every moment (not just playing to check off the “quality time with son” box for the day) , then went grocery shopping with ALL THREE KIDS, which I mildly enjoyed. When I got home, I started vacuuming my car.  Vacuuming my car?  Really? I called my husband and told him what I was doing and he was absolutely shocked.  He has done it every time for the past 10 years and I usually tell him that I could care less how dirty the car is.  Well last week the dirt bothered me and I cleaned the car. 

I’ve had several reflections in the past 10 days on the Whole 30. The one reoccurring thought is “Wow I feel normal” and “Wow, I’ve been really struggling the past 16 years.”  ADHD makes everyday life and managing a household VERY difficult.  I had lots of excuses for feeling exhausted like just having a baby and getting little sleep. I now realize that I can get little sleep and still feel energetic.  Weird but true.  I was not just exhausted before, I was mildly depressed with ADHD, with both conditions helping each other out. I’ve felt so unfocused lately that I was losing enjoyment for the things that matter the most to me: my husband, my kids, homeschooling, and running.

My life has changed. I mean it has done a 180. I don’t know how it is possible in 10 days, but it did. I took my son off wheat and his behavior has changed dramatically. I took myself off grains and sweeteners and now my behavior has changed dramatically. Result?  I am now setting limits and explaining and he is listening most of the time and I’m listening to him.  So, my relationship with my son is becoming connected again. I am so happy about this I could cry.

Secondly, I have a better understanding of what I’m able to do in a certain period of time and organizational thoughts that I never had before, which is helping me get places on time and manage my household efficiently. My daughter asked me if she could have pancakes when we needed to be in Cary in an hour and I told her “no, you can have a PB&J”. Seems simple right?  Well before, I would underestimate how much time it would take, make the pancakes, rush around and get stressed, and then be late. Result? Stressed, tired, and overwhelmed mom who is irritated with herself and her kids. Now? Being on time is not as hard as it used to be. Life is so much easier without the mental fog.

Another change with the Whole30 is ENERGY!  My friends are not calling me to drag me off to some torturous workout that annoys me because I work my butt off and don’t lose any weight.  Now?  I’m down 6 lbs and I’m calling my friends to workout. Got in three Jillian Michaels workouts last week and am running again. I can go hours without thinking about food and sweets are not running my life. I was the type of person that was thinking about what I would have for dinner while eating lunch, so this is just remarkable. Oh, and that annoying eczema on my hands? Gone.

I had no idea a diet could change me in these dramatic ways. I’m telling jokes again, really listening to the people in my life, and feeling capable and joyful for each day. The Whole 30 diet is curing my depression and ADHD and I’m feeling happier than I have in a long, long time. 

 

Comments

[Micaela]

Thanks for sharing, Shannon and Laura! Shannon, can I ask if there was a detox time? Like a few days when you felt very sluggish and almost worse than before? Just curious what to expect if/when I try the Whole 30. I've been tempted but it seems daunting.

[Shannan]

Yesterday (day 12) was the first day that I felt tired, scattered, and irritable and it lasted through the evening and it was accompanied by a small acne outbreak. Feeling recharged today. I have had a few mild headaches with diarrhea, but still have felt energetic. I think my noticeable detox may still be to come. For me, this diet was only daunting the first few days and then it got so much easier as I started to feel so good. Good luck! :)

[Laura Combs]

My family detoxed when doing GAPS diet. For my husband, it was flu-like so bad he was in bed for two days, headaches and sickly for a week. For Colson and me it was mouth ulcers so bad you didn't want to brush your teeth.

Then we all went through a second round of detox - less mild flu for Ryan and I can't remember what Colson and I experienced. I don't think I was blogging yet. You can also tell a detox when your body odor really revs up.

After the second detox they are not noticeable except for the body odor thing. All in all, I think we had about 5 rounds.

Hang in there. It is so worth it! And keep a journal so you can see how far you come.

[Alyssa]

Thanks so much for the update!!! So encouraging. Keep 'em comin! :)

[peereeirrix]

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