Whole30 - Top 10 Survival Tips
Choosing to do the WHOLE30 program meant MANY lifestyle changes for us. Along the way, we've found a few products, life savers, and keys to success that have made our journey much easier and more manageable.
Below is a list I've complied with our Top 10 Survival Tips. I will also be adding a future post on "WHOLE30 EASY & CREATIVE SNACK IDEAS" as well as a post on "WHOLE30 FAV GAME-CHANGERS & MUST-HAVES", including products and tips and tricks that have helped us along the way. Stay tuned as these will be posted on the WHOLE30 - TOP 10 SURVIVAL TIPS page soon!"
In the meantime, enjoy our Top 10 Survival Tips (below) to help you along your WHOLE30 journey and as you adopt, embrace and/or continue to live out healthy lifestyle changes!
WHOLE30 TOP 10 SURVIVAL TIPS:
GO TO THE GROCERY STORE PREPARED. Make a list ahead of time along with the printable WHOLE30 Grocery List and check the labels of any and all food you buy. Manufacturers have a way of sneaking sugar into so many products, so bring that magnifying glass if you have to. Also, do not go shopping on an empty stomach, or you will buy half the store. Ask me how I know...
FOOD PREP, FOOD PREP, FOOD PREP. I can't stress this enough as it makes preparing and cooking meals so much easier and more enjoyable. After you buy your fresh veggies and fruit, go ahead and dice and slice what you will need for the week. Cook some ground bison and beef along with some chicken to have on hand.
HAVE AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER. Aka spouse, best friend, mom, anyone that will hold you accountable. Find someone to check in with every night to make sure you are staying on track. If you can find someone to do the program with you, even better! Then you can share recipes, ideas, and WHOLE30 struggles and successes together!
HAVE SNACKS READILY AVAILABLE. You never know when you need that extra energy surge, have an overcoming sugar craving, or start feeling light-headed. I've listed some of my favorite Go-To Snacks that I'll keep nearby as well as have some back-ups in the car and at work. See the "WHOLE30 Easy & Creative Snack Ideas" post (which I will be adding in the next few days on the WHOLE30 - TOP 10 SURVIVAL TIPS page.. Stay tuned!)
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE. Have a few go-to recipes that you can pull out of your hat quickly, but also try to add as much variety as possible to your meal time to avoid boredom and dreaded repetition. Chicken and salad every day will make you want to end this quickly. Be creative, think outside of the box (but within the Whole30 box), have fun.
PLAN AHEAD. Plan ahead to make and pack your lunch for work. If you will be traveling or going out to restaurants while on WHOLE30, plan ahead! Look over the menu online, make some phone calls to the kitchen manager if you have to, and plan ahead what you will eat. See our "On the Road with WHOLE30" guide for traveling tips and ideas while on WHOLE30.
BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF (AND SPOUSE). Your body will need to adjust so give yourself some time and extra patience. Your taste buds will adapt and you will eventually find that your sweet tooth can be pacified with a variety of fruits.
GO TO BED AT A DECENT TIME. Not only will getting into a healthy sleep hygiene pattern help your overall health, but it will help with those late-night cravings. Getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep will also help with impulse control along with improving your energy levels and mood.
KEEP THE END IN MIND. This is so much more than just a number on the scale, this is a lifestyle change and way to reset the way you think about food and what you are putting into your body. Look up the harmful effects of sugar on the body, do some research so it becomes valid and personal to you. Look up the positive outcomes of the program. Check out this amazing list for the MANY potential Benefits and Non-Scale Victories from WHOLE30, as found on the WHOLE30 website. Write out some of the goals you'd like to achieve and look at this list daily, especially during times of cravings.
REWARD YOURSELF ALONG THE WAY. This does not mean the usual Cookout milkshakes, which I've become accustomed to. Come up with creative ways to reward yourself, whether it's a weekend getaway, massage, bubble bath with essential oils, new dress or shoes, spa day, another case of La Croix sparkling water, mani/pedi, or a night out on the town sipping that sparkling water on the rocks, like it's going out of style. Find something meaningful and stick to it!
BONUS TIPS:
(Because we all need a few unexpected surprises in life) :)
11. INCORPORATE HEALTHY FATS INTO YOUR MEALS. Make sure to incorporate healthy fats into your body, whether it's through avocados, salmon, nuts, and cooking with olive oil and avocado oil. Research shows that healthy fats also help in impulse control and decreasing sugar cravings.
12. MAKE & BRING YOUR OWN SALAD DRESSING. Make your own salad dressing ahead of time to keep in the fridge. Also keep a few small to-go containers so that you can take the salad dressing with you while still being somewhat inconspicuous if you're eating at a restaurant. See one of my favorites salad dressing recipes on the page, "MyWhole 30 Challenge Diary: Day 3" as it's quick, easy and delicious! (It's located on "Day 3" of the challenge.)
13. BUY SOME FRANK'S RED HOT SAUCE. That s****'s good on everything (see commercial below). If you need to kill some time, search the rest of these videos on YouTube and let the videos speak for themselves.
THE WONDERS OF FRANK'S RED HOT SAUCE (you're welcome).
Don't forget to follow our WHOLE30 CHALLENGE which includes daily anecdotes, recipes, lessons learned, and the occasional comic relief.
