Results of the Whole30

My second Whole30 is complete!

I did it! I completed another round of 30 days without alcohol, beans, grains, sugar, or dairy, and survived. Some might argue I even thrived on it (I would be one of those people). 

**For those of you who would like to read my account of my first Whole30, click here. 

The differences between this Whole30 and my first Whole30

• For my first Whole30, I was at the end of a 6 month cut.
• For my second Whole30, I was at the end of a 6 month bulk. 

Therefore, the fact that my results this round didn't bring me down to my lowest weight ever as my first one did it unsurprising. Instead of using the Whole30 as a final push to get a six pack for my wedding, I used it as a jump-start on my fat loss after eating way too much Ben & Jerry's for the sake of mad gains. 

• For my first Whole30, I was netting around 1300 calories a day.
• For my second Whole30, I was netting around 1500 calories a day. 

So again, it is reasonable that, though I lost 5-6 pounds on my first Whole30, I only lost 2-3 on this one. This also makes sense considering I likely gained muscle mass during my bulking period leading up to this Whole30. 

Still waiting for someone to buy me this shirt. 

A note for those concerned about counting calories: Calorie counting and macronutrient counting are not a mandatory part of the Whole30. In fact, the makers of the diet discourage it. However, their logic behind this is that those just beginning to step away from processed foods and into the "real" food arena need to learn to listen to their body and simply eat to fuel their bodies properly. 

I, on the other hand, am crazy, and honestly can't deal with thinking about not counting calories. Perhaps that's an experiment for another month. More on that later. 

Before Pictures

Alright, let's get to the part you've all been waiting for. Pictures. Does this diet really work? How can it, eating steak and eggs with fried potatoes for breakfast, chili for lunch, and chicken thighs for dinner?

Deliciously, that's how. 

Now, remember, these before pictures are from the tail end of a bulk, remember. And I'm in my underwear. So. Yeah. Reality. 

Sun's out, guns out.

Ah, the beautiful lack of muscles showing in my abs.

My diet at this time was netting around 2000 calories/day, with 45% carbs. I was lifting heavy for few reps. Oats and squats, you know how we do. 

But obviously, I had gained more than muscle here, and wanted to cut back down. My goal is to be a solid 117. Here, I was 125 with a 5'2" frame.

During Picture and Workout Routine

Glamorous. 

This is what I look like at the gym. Come at me, bro. 

Workout routines changed to low weight, high reps. Which, frankly, I hate. It just feels like too much work. 

I also added in a mile run as a warm up, and, when I had the energy, HIIT sessions after lifting. 

To be honest, my workouts were not as intense as they were during my bulking phase. Likely cause: caloric deficit, as well as a lack of ready-to-use carbohydrates. 

If I do another Whole30 (and you bet your butt I will), I intend to try it with moderate instead of low carbs and see if I feel better that way. 

Oh, and here's a picture of my favorite meal this month. 

Steak, pan-seared in olive oil and finished in the oven, with mustard and rosemary baked potatoes and steamed green beans, soaked in a date-sweetened sauced and topped with almond slices. Yum!

After Pictures

Drumroll please!

Sun's out, smaller guns out.

Abs coming back, definition in arms returning.

For side by side comparison...

Before and After Whole30 Part Two

Current weight: 122. I still have 5 pounds to go before my goal of 117, and I intend to reach it by the end of May. 

My Diet Plans Moving Forward

I think I like the idea of trying a different diet strategy every month and figuring out what works best for me. 

Experiments include:

Ketogenic Diet (Fewer than 20g carbs a day)

Whole30 without counting calories or macronutrients

Whole30 with 45% carbohydrates

Paleo

Vegetarian (though I really, really, REALLY don't think this will work for me)

Carb-cycling

Even smaller window of Intermittent Fasting (3-4 hours of eating)

Of these, I've already tried Keto and Carb-cycling, and both fit into my lifestyle decently well. 

If you have any questions on any of these diets, or about the Whole30 in general, 

please ask me! 

Want to try a Whole30? I really think you should! Go to www.Whole30.com for more information.

Lift.Eat.Love.Sleep.