10

10 Days.

240 Hours.

14,400 Minutes.

864,000 Seconds.

As in I've made it through 10 days of Whole 30.  A part of me wishes it was Whole 10, but then again, I really feel like I'm just getting started.  Never did I imagine that I would make it this far.  After all, this is literally the longest I've gone without any of the following:  sugar, processed carbs, dairy, alcohol.  I've haven't given up any single thing for this long, let alone ALL OF THEM.

It's crazy when you think about it.

No cookies fresh from the oven.

No glass of wine while cooking dinner.

No side of crackers with my bagel sandwich.

No pizza.

Sigh..... this is getting depressing.

But, in all honesty, I'm not worried about getting to day 30 anymore.  I'm more worried about what happens on day 31.  I know we reintroduce groups back in, but I haven't gotten there yet.

In honor of this momentous day, I thought I'd give you this:

The Top Ten Things I Learned from Whole 30: Part 1

1. I can go so much longer in between meals than I could before.  And hunger doesn't feel like I'm going to pass out if I don't eat something.
2. I like things like sweet potatoes, mangos - and taking a page out of my mom's cookbook - adding onions to EVERYTHING.  She'd be proud.  Blake and Toby, on the other hand, are mortified that the house smells like onions.
3. I definitely have more energy now.  Couldn't say that the first week, so that is a good thing.
4. Coffee creamer is a non-negotiable for me.  If I can only have fruits, veggies, and meat, then I am allowing this one small mental treat.  Yes, I said mental treat.
5. I am waking up easier now.  Or maybe I should say that when I wake up, I actually want to get out of bed now.
6. I no longer think about food 24/7.  
7. Night time is definitely my Danger Zone.  I went to bed at 9 pm pretty much the whole first week to stop myself from thinking about the things I used to eat.
8. Tea really does help curb some cravings.
9. I feel a weird happiness at odd times during the day.  
10. I've learned it isn't so much about will power, but just setting your mind to something.  I have wanted nothing more than to feel better for the past few years, and I finally feel like this is the last puzzle piece to fit in.  

Change doesn't happen overnight, but second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. It happens one choice at a time.  It happens when you can't tolerate the way things are anymore and brave enough to make that choice.

I'm so happy I did.

I hope you all have a great weekend!