Home stretch

Twenty one days under your (looser) belt! Enjoy a little one-on-one time with Jack LaLanne.

 

 

 

I am off for 2 Dr appointments and a vet appointment.

More to chat about tomorrow.  Today is just nerves and trying to make it through the day and not stress eat.

Have a great day ladies.

 

 

 

Now it’s time to start thinking about how to behave without the safety net provided by the Whole30 rules. You might be looking forward to indulging in a special treat after you cross the threshold of Day 30; you might be feeling so good, you don’t want to mess up your perfect record; and you might be downright scared to go off-plan after feeling so good these past few weeks. But some day, some time, you will eat something that’s not Whole30 approved, and when you do, we want you to be ready. So this week, we’ll prep you as best as we can to take the next step—what we call “riding your own bike.”
Stay on the path for just one more week—and have a great Day 22!

What to Expect

You’ve almost made it, and from here, you can see the finish line. Some of the magic should be happening for you now. We’re hoping sleep and energy levels have both improved, your body is changing shape before your very eyes, and your mood is steady and happy.

But if some of what you were hoping to see hasn’t happened yet, do not fret. Depending on your previous lifestyle and your individual context, your magic might not kick in until the very end of your program—and you might need to continue your squeaky-clean commitment beyond 30 days to accomplish all of your goals. Medical conditions are especially tough to resolve, as are longstanding habits. If your skin isn’t clear just yet, your digestion has yet to settle down, or your Sugar Dragons aren’t yet dormant in their caves, take heart. Many Whole30 participants report they didn’t get to the real life-changing stuff until their very last days on the program… and that their results continued to improve as their program extended beyond the initial 30 day period.
From now until Day 30, take stock of how you’re feeling, maintain your resolve to follow the Whole30 guidelines until the official end, and use the Whole30 forum and these emails to collect tasty nuggets of information that will sustain you beyond your Whole30 experience—whether you choose to extend your program or not.

Recommended Reading for Those Other Factors

At this point in your journey, you might find yourself hungry for more life-changing information—and not just about nutrition. We’ve talked about exercise, recovery, sleep, stress management… but what about those other factors? Today, we’re sharing some reads we think you might enjoy, all about fun and play, personal growth, and temperance.

• Drop Dead Healthy, by A.J. Jacobs. The true (and truly hilarious) story of one person’s quest to become the healthiest man in the world. (You can also listen to his TED talk on the subject.) [Personal Growth]
• The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. [Fun and Play, Personal Growth, Temperance]
• BuzzFeed, http://www.buzzfeed.com. Promising you the hottest, most social content on the web, BuzzFeed is good afternoon-wasters like 32 Pictures You Need to See Before You Die and 32 Signs You’re Addicted to Pinterest. [Fun and Play]
• What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite, by David DiSalvo. In What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite, science writer David DiSalvo reveals a remarkable paradox: what your brain wants is frequently not what your brain needs. [Personal Growth, Temperance]
• Hyperbole and a Half, http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com. The brainchild of a creative genius named Allie, this blog is good for hours and hours of laughing out loud (literally, not in that annoying “LOL!” kind of way). Start with This is why I’ll never be an adult and you’ll know what we mean. [Fun and Play]
• You Are Not So Smart, by David McRaney. You believe you are a rational, logical being who sees the world as it really is, but journalist David McRaney is here to tell you that you're as deluded as the rest of us. But that’s OK—delusions keep us sane. [Personal Growth, Temperance]
• Moonwalking With Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, by Joshua Foer. Moonwalking with Einstein recounts Joshua Foer's yearlong quest to improve his memory under the tutelage of top "mental athletes," drawing on cutting-edge research, a surprising cultural history of remembering, and venerable tricks of the mentalist's trade. [Personal Growth]
• The Art of Manliness, http://artofmanliness.com/. Specifically for the guys, this website promises to revive the lost art of manliness with such articles as How to Shuffle a Deck of Cards, Want to Feel Like a Man? Then Act Like One, and 8 Ways to Stay in Shape at the Office. [Fun and Play, Personal Growth]

More Personal Growth

Is your mind playing tricks on you and robbing you of your happiness? Our minds are complex, and are often our own worst enemies when it comes to being happy. Recognizing and debunking these myths are essential to realizing a lasting happiness, creating stronger relationships, and succeeding in your career.

• I'd be happier if I just had less to do. Our minds often try to trick us into thinking we'd be happier if we didn't have to work. We imagine a life of leisure and deceive ourselves into thinking this kind of lifestyle would make us happy. However, the truth is that idleness often leads to boredom and depression. We are industrious, creative beings. We need challenge and accomplishment to be happy. Get up and invest yourself into something significant and you will find that your happiness factor will rise!
• It's not me, it's you. Our minds lead us to believe we are unhappy due to our spouse, parents, or some other person in our lives. We throw blame, but it takes two to tango. Generally, we are as much, if not more, to blame than others in our lives. We need to accept responsibility for our situation and do our part to make the best of it. Taking personal responsibility for our actions is the beginning of true happiness.
• If I just had… Our minds deceive us into thinking we'll be happy when we get the right job or the right house or the right car or whatever. There is nothing wrong with wanting better things or circumstances, but these do not automatically make us happy. They may create a temporary high, but this quickly wears off. Those wanting a lasting happiness must acknowledge that this is a bottomless pit that we can never fill.
• I like things just the way they are and never want them to change. Believing this is just letting yourself be set up for a fall. Life is a journey of constant change, some of which we control and some we don't. Resisting change or trying to control the change is self-defeating. Being adaptable is very important to your happiness.
• I'll wait until I’m really ready. Over-thinking every decision will leave you stymied. Weighing the risks, analyzing the possibilities and making a plan are important, but nothing ever happens until a decision is made and action is taken. We very rarely have perfect information when making choices. Stop sweating it so much! Don't let your mind trap you into over-analyzing everything!
• I know I shouldn't, but… Our minds try to trick us into denying the effects of our bad habits and rationalizing our behavior with flimsy excuses. For example, "I know I shouldn't smoke, but it helps me keep the weight off." Or, "I know I shouldn't eat this, but life just isn't worth living if I can't enjoy it." A major health issue like cancer, heart disease, or diabetes will certainly challenge your happiness. Don't let your mind get away with this trick!
• I could never… Our brains often trick us into thinking we can't. "I could never go back to school. I don't have the money." Or, "I can't learn to do that. I'm too old." Don't fall for this trick! Your brain will lead you around like a dog on a leash if you let it. You are full of potential, and although your circumstances might add a degree of difficulty, it is nothing that a little persistence and ingenuity can't overcome. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."

Source: http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/06/12-tricks-your-brain-is-playing-on-you.html

Why We Need Fun and Play

In 2008, the NY Times ran an article titled, “Why Do We Play?” The article reads, in part:
“Scientists who study play, in animals and humans alike, are developing a consensus view that play is something more than a way for restless kids to work off steam; more than a way for chubby kids to burn off calories; more than a frivolous luxury. Play, in their view, is a central part of neurological growth and development — one important way that children build complex, skilled, responsive, socially adept and cognitively flexible brains.”
But play isn’t just for children. New research from the University of Houston shows a direct correlation between play and how much joy and fulfillment people experience in their lives. Play deprivation, like sleep deprivation, negatively effects our well-being, happiness, relationships and creativity.

• Check this Tim Brown TED Talk for more on play and creativity
• Watch this short video demonstrating that creativity depends on playfulness and fun.

Our heavy focus on productivity and work robs us of our playtime, and leads to “play deprivation.” A recent article in the Washington Post says:
“We stop playing at our peril… We think we are a playful culture, but we are really overworked. Americans on average have 13 paid vacation days per year, and most people don’t even take them. Other countries have 40. We take our weekends to play hard, but that’s really to let off steam from our play-deprived lives and just get enough energy to get back into the ring.”.

• Read this NY Times article on the first playground for grown-ups, in Brooklyn, NY
• Check out this cool infographic talking about play in the workplace.

Play More!

Wondering how to add more fun and play to your day? Here are five easy ways.

• Go after laughter. If you suspect you’re laughing less as time goes on, you may be right. A researcher at University of Glamorgan in Wales concluded that as people age, they don’t laugh as often. But giggles are good for you: They lower stress levels, exercise your lungs, strengthen your immune system and may even protect you against heart disease. Plus, laughing is loads of fun. Make a point of watching a funny movie, TV show or stand-up comedy routine. Click on those hilarious videos your Facebook pals are passing around. Tell some jokes. You’ll feel better for it!
• Switch up your same-old. Stuck in a rut? Now, that’s no fun. Try shaking things up a little. Take a different walk to work or school and admire the scenery. Do your weekly grocery shopping at a store you’re not used to. Who knows what new gourmet treats you may find? It doesn’t even have to be much of a change to make it fun.
• Sign up with your social circle. If you’re planning to take an exercise class or evening course, get friends to go with you. Weekly aqua fitness sessions can be a hoot when pals join in and you crack jokes throughout class. Experts at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research say that people are happier when they have a connection to their community.
• Do something you suck at. Yes, really! Whether it’s balancing on a slackline, flying a kite with your neighbor’s kid, or working on your swan dive, it can be fun to add activities to your everyday life that you haven’t mastered. We’re not talking about setting yourself up for frustration, but challenging yourself to a task you don’t yet know how to do. Without the pressure of having to be perfect, you’re free to laugh at your clumsy attempts, maybe learn something new and, most important of all, just enjoy yourself.
• Practice peace, love, and forgiveness. Naturally, life is less fun when you’re hung up on your neighbor’s noisy car muffler, your co-worker’s gossiping habit, or your own thighs. When you make a point of extending goodwill and forgiveness—and yes, that includes a healthy dose of self-love—you can let go of what makes you grumpy.