The Whole30 may be over, but there are five healthy habits I’ve been sticking with that I wanted to share with you.
Hey hey heyyyyy. How’s it going? I will say, I am in a super great mood as I write this because we had some GORGEOUS weather here in Michigan over the weekend. The sun was out and it was in the 60s with bright blue skies!! IN FEBRUARY.
I mean… I guess the fact that it was up to 65F in February here in Michigan may not be the greatest thing for the earth’s climate… but I won’t get political on you.
What I AM here to talk to you about is some healthy habits I’ve continued post-Whole30. As much as I complained about the Whole30 diet dismissing chocolate, there are some small lifestyle changes that haven taken place since finishing the Whole30. As I have taken the time to reflect on these little changes, I realized that there are some healthy habits I want to keep in my life–for good.
1. Drink more lemon water
During the Whole30 I made a point to have lemon water at least once, if not twice a day. It helped me make sure I was getting enough water, but also helped with digestion and bloating. Instead of going for more caffeine in the afternoon, I would boil some water for tea and squeeze in half of a lemon. This hot lemon water also helped keep me from snacking when I didn’t need to.
2. Eat more savory breakfasts
It’s been a few weeks since I finished the Whole30 and I can tell you I am craving more savory, whole foods breakfasts in the morning. Even though we have some yogurt in the fridge again that I will fall back on, and I still resort to my almond butter banana toast combos every once in a while… I actually find myself really wanting eggs of some sort. Even before the Whole30 I would often keep a savory breakfast option in rotation, that was nothing new. But now it is as though I don’t feel fully satisfied without a hearty combination of eggs, kale and potatoes. Oh, and avocado (duh). So more savory breakfasts will be had!
Sausage Kale Spaghetti Squash Frittata with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
See this post for 11 Savory Whole30 Breakfast Recipes you must try
3. Eat more fulfilling meals–Less Snacking
I lurrveee me some snacks–as you all know. I mean, who doesn’t? But when you get in the habit of snacking just to snack, that is no bueno. It can mess with your system, both mentally and physically. During the Whole30, you are supposed to limit your snacking by making sure you’re eating enough at your main meals to be satisfied. This was hard for me to get used to, as I was used to those “6 small meals” and then being hungry every couple of hours. However, when I made a point to fill up my plate with loads of veggies and protein, and some complex carbohydrates at each meal, I didn’t NEED to snack. Did I want to? Sure. But if I listened to my hunger cues and stayed mindful, I realized the extra snacks weren’t as necessary as I thought. So now I am doing my best to eat enough food at each main meal to feel satisfied, and keep my snacking to a minimum.
1-Pot Thai Coconut Chicken Curry
4. Be more mindful of Sugar intake
Ohhh sugar, sugar. “Dun dun dun dun dun dun…Aw honey honey…You are my candy girl…” Sorry, couldn’t help it. Too many years of watching Now and Then and listening to that soundtrack on repeat.
Anyways. SUGAR.
IS. IN. EVERYTHING. And it is obnoxious as hell. I mean, truly effing obnoxious. It is in so many foods and packaged products you actually wouldn’t even expect it to be in. And that is what is frustrating. Baking with sugar is one thing… but finding it in salsa, vegetable/chicken/beef stock, sauces, etc. WHY. Ugh.
So something I’ve been doing since the Whole30 is really being more mindful of various added sugars. One big thing being I have stopped buying coffee creamer with added sugar. Califia makes these amazing coffee creamers (i.e. hazelnut, vanilla, pecan caramel) and I love them all dearly. Buutttt they also have added sugar. And I totally love my coffee with a lot of (unsweetened) nut milk and a couple splashes of flavored creamer. But during the Whole30 those sweetened creamers were not allowed. So I had to get used to my plain, unsweetened milky coffee. But truthfully, it’s been fine. Do I miss having that flavor and bit of sweetness with my coffee? Yes, absolutely. But is it necessary every morning? No. It is something I can live without. Plus if I look at it from a dollars savings standpoint, it makes the decision easier.
5. No more tracking
So I haven’t tracked my macronutrient intake–carbs, fats, proteins–or quite some time. But during the days of my obsessive “clean eating” habits, I tracked almost every macro. It became an unhealthy obsession for me. (That is not to say it can’t be a great tool for some people. But it unfortunately controlled my life for a point.) And some of those habits that come with tracking food are hard to break. Even if I wasn’t physically tracking my macros, I was mentally noting in my head if I had a carb heavy meal. Or I would worry that I had too many fats during a meal. But with the Whole30 I honestly let all of that go–finally. There were a few days here and there where those thoughts would sneak back in, but I wasn’t truly worrying about it. I was just focused on getting in real food at each meal and eating enough to where I was satisfied. No more tracking.
Mango Vanilla Bean Energy Balls
Little changes in 30 days can eventually lead to a big healthy lifestyle change. Whether I’ll do another Whole30 or not, I can’t say. But I am thankful for my journey and what I’ve learned, and the healthy habits I’ve developed over time in part to doing a Whole30.
Let’s Chat
- Have you ever done a diet and/or challenge and developed healthy habits you stick with today?
- Do you have any “healthy habits” tips?
Emily says
To hear that you let go of tracking makes me SO HAPPY, and I love how you made all these resolutions so easy and doable. Lemon water is delicious, and I do like to be mindful of where I get my sugar from, without being obsessive about it. You’re really balanced about that, and I love that about you Ashley!
Ashley says
Yes to not obsessing over sugar! Some days are harder than others but I am glad I am at a place where I can recognize those negative behaviors and take action to correct them. Thank you SO much Emily 🙂
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
Right after Whole30, I was like “GIVE ME SNACKS AND SWEET THINGS.” And in the name of listening to my body, I did that, for like a week and a half. I’ve made better choices, honestly, but having been at both extremes so recently, I think I’m finally back to ready for balance. Bigger, veggie-filled meals are sounding better to me, but I also just made delicious paleo muffins this weekend that I’m sure gonna enjoy. So… I guess Whole30 taught me to listen to my body over outside forces. I’m happy with that 🙂
Ashley says
Haha, that is great Ellen! Everyone is different 🙂
Becky says
I also loved flavoured creamers but i didn’t want all that sugar plus the other horrid additives they have so now I put a part tsp of baking cocoa (you can use cacao, which is better for you also) with some stevia and I still use cream, but you can sub that as well. It’s delish!
Ashley says
Oh cacao in coffee sounds like a magnificent idea! I’ve done that a couple of times but now I will probably be doing that tomorrow morning 🙂
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says
I love Califia Farms creamer and their almond milk! I do a couple tsps of the creamer and a little milk and I’m set! I used to track my calories like CRAY when I first got to college and that made things awful. I can’t say that I would ever do a Whole30 because I feel like it’s a little too restrictive for me, but I pretty much already eat paleo! (With the exception of hummus. I love my hummus.)
Ashley says
Yes Califia makes amazing products! But I am glad you’re doing what works for you! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it 🙂
Katie @ Dinner'N'Dancing says
Now and Then…great movie. These are great tips! I haven’t done the Whole 30 yet, but a lot of my friends have and I’ve picked up some of these habits from them actually.
Ashley says
LOVE Now and Then 🙂
But glad you’ve been able find some healthy habits through your friends’ experiences! That is great.
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
I’ve had an interesting time w this food tracking thing on this challenge, but I know it’s not something I’m going to continue once it’s done. I also had a bunch of other things I was going to comment on but I forgot what they were and now I have to go to work hahaha. Anyhoo, I like that you took what worked for you!
Ashley says
I knew in the middle of the Whole30 that I needed to start being more positive about the situation or it was going to be hard to find any positives in the end, lol.
Virjinia Harp says
I did the Tone It Up Bikini Series last year. While I will say it isn’t the most well rounded meal plan, I was introduced to many dishes with delicious whole foods that I still eat to this day! It helped me cut out some of the junk I was eating and fast food I was addicted too! I’m a big fan of intuitive eating so I don’t track anymore.
Ashley says
I think that is what is most important–whether you liked the challenge or not, finding the positives in the situation will allow you to use what you learned and apply it in a way that works for you and your health 🙂
Izzy Bruning says
Such great tips! x
Izzy |https://pinchofdelight.wordpress.com
Ashley says
Thanks Izzy!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
I agree with all of these. For me I see a lot of permanent changes happening post-Whole30. I have upped my vegetable intake like crazy, I would say even doubled! Also, I have removed some of the carb-y “sides” that aren’t really necessary and replaced with vegetables. My day-to-day sweets snacking has gone down and I now think more about what I’m eating and craving. Lastly, less alcohol! I used to have a few glasses of wine here and there throughout the work week and I don’t really feel the need anymore.
Ashley says
I am glad you’ve noticed some positive changes after the Whole30 as well! This past week I have eaten way more vegetables than normal, and I will admit I am feeling pretty great!
Casey the College Celiac says
I’ve never done Whole 30, but I know my celiac diagnosis made me a lot more aware of nutrition labels and the ingredients in packaged foods. Now, I’ll look at them and ask myself, “Do I really need nut butter that’s sweetened with cane sugar? Or is the non-sweetened kind just as delicious?”
Ashley says
Ah such a good point! Even really simple packaged goods contain added sugar and now it is much easier to ask “Why?” And now I make most of my nut butters at home 😀
Jess B says
Can I just say I love your blog even more than before for that “Now and Then” reference. My BFFs and I growing up would watch that non-stop and then we each pretended to be one of the characters- I was Teeny! 🙂
I Love hearing the little take-aways you plan in incorporate into life post-whole30. I’m a little over halfway done and can’t wait to see how what habits I continue afterwards. I definitely agree about being more aware of all the sugar out there! It’s mind-blowing all of the things it’s in!
Ashley says
Lol Um YES to pretending to be the characters. Oh man, laughing out loud reminiscing now 😀
But I hope you find some good things to take with you from the Whole30 too! Almost there!!
Tonya says
I have been considering for a long time to do the whole30. It sounds like I suffer from the same symptoms you were with the bloating/inflammation and the cystic chin acne. Did you see any of these things change since doing the whole30? If so I am curious as to what your triggers were. I’m nervous because I still mentally track my macros (not always wanting to and it’s so annoying) and I do like a variety of foods. Seems like I could have a ton of triggers and am worried I won’t be able to pinpoint some of my bloating issues and 30 days will all be for lost. We eat pretty clean to begin with and don’t do fast food so I’m not worried about that, but I am for sure wondering if maybe my issues are really some thing more as of what is in my food not certain foods. Sorry for the long post. Hope to hear about what you learned about yourself through the journey.
Ashley says
Hi Tonya! So from what I’ve read the cystic chin acne is typically due to hormonal imbalances, which completing the Whole30 seemed to help clear up for me. I haven’t had any bad bouts of it since. As far as the bloating and inflammation it is definitely hard to pinpoint without getting tested. I experience occasional stomach discomfort still, but it’s never to the point where it is unbearable. I think for me the biggest things are watching my dairy intake (I still eat dairy, just not a bunch every day) and being mindful of different legumes. For whatever reason I can do black beans at home but if eating out at say Chipotle, my stomach feels terrible. That probably wasn’t very helpful, lol. But just know that every one’s experience and body issues are SO different. If you’re really struggling, I would recommend seeking professional help 🙂 <3