Here we go again... Whole 30, Take 2, Day 1

I hear so many Americans talking about how awful 2016 was. We lost a lot of great people. The election was not to our satisfaction, in one way or another. Terror Attacks. Zika. Brexit. Syria. The list goes on and on. These things are bad, but arguably there have been worse years in history. Good things happened in 2016, too. I mean for one, THE CUBS WON THE WORLD SERIES! 

I traveled a lot in 2016: Colorado (three times!), Minnesota, Texas, and Florida. I ran my third half marathon and achieved a personal best. Jerry golfed more this year than ever before. We celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary and Jeremy's 21st birthday. Caroline won the Intermediate Illinois twirling pageant and her division Solo and Super-X Strut. Those are just the highlights. But, as I look back on the year, it's a blur. 

Truth be told, I stumbled through much of the year in a sugar-induced fog. 2016 was a year of overconsumption that left me looking at a number on the scale that I never wanted to see again. I joke that I'm the only person I know who can gain weight while training for a half marathon, but it isn't funny. I wish I could say it wasn't easy, but it was way too easy. So easy it's scary. My family genetics are riddled with heart disease, diabetes, tooth decay, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and a whole host of other scary diagnoses. I want to break the cycle. I just hope it's not too late. 

I'm kicking off 2017 with another Whole 30. And this time, I'm not alone. I'm in good company! My husband (Jerry), my best friend (Althea) and her husband (Brian), and another good friend (Mike) are doing it, too! And, with the growing popularity of the plan, I'm sure we are joined by thousands of others. 

In case you're not familiar with Whole 30, here's the basics: No grains, no dairy, no alcohol, no legumes, and most importantly NO SUGAR for 30 days straight. Sounds impossible, it isn't. But our instant gratification society does make it rather difficult. But, in my experience, anything worth doing is hard.

Today was Day 1 for Jerry and I. Our friends are starting tomorrow. We attended a New Year's Day party and managed to stay on plan. We brought our own salads and green tea and stayed strong. Day 1 is probably the easiest. Today we feel invincible. I do have a sugar headache and we are both low energy and very tired. Our bodies and brains are angry with us today for depriving them of quick energy bursts and sugar induced highs. We know that in time, we will adjust and we will feel better than ever. Hoping this is the kick start we need to make this our healthiest year yet.

New Year, New You... right? Let's hope so.