Time to Start Planning

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The countdown is on.  Just five days until the challenge begins!  Now is the time to start preparing for success.  The best way to do that is make a plan and get ready!  The authors of the Whole30 have complied a Quick-Start Guide to help us get started.  Here is what they suggest.

Clean Out Your Pantry - Get rid of the junk and make room for the healthy foods. If you can't get rid of the junk (other family members want it), then designate a shelf in the frig and pantry for your stuff!

Plan a Week's Worth of Meals - Print out the food list and write down a meal plan for at least the first few days!  Remember it's three meals a day! Post it to the Facebook Group - it will help other people with ideas!

Go Shopping - Take your time planning and then go buy all the things you need.

Plan Your Go-to Meals - If you have a busy life (who doesn't), then think up several go-to meals that are quick and easy to fix.  Or cook some things ahead and put them in the freezer. Planning for quick meals during busy times is going to be really helpful and contribute to your success!

Set Yourself Up for Success - Think ahead and figure out the times you might be under stress or be in situations you may find difficult during the next 30 days.  Problem solve - think of ways you can plan ahead to protect yourself and be able to follow you plan.  Make your Whole30 a priority and set time aside to come up with workable solutions. Enlist the support of the group, we're all here to help each other.

Ditch the Scale - This is IMPORTANT!  So many of us use the scale as a tool to determine our success or failure.  This is crazy making and will not serve you!  So during this challenge you will weigh twice.  On Day 1 and Day 30.  In between put the scale way - hide it, move it to the garage or take it to a friends house.  Let it go!! If you are really ready to give it the heave ho - don't even weigh on Day 1.  Get rid of it and start getting in touch with your body and have it be the gauge of your progress.  

The final one is specific to our challenge.

In a Journal . . .

1. Write a list of your symptoms - any and all symptoms you are having, don't leave anything out!
2. Write a short description of how you are feeling.
3. Write a short description of how you WANT to feel. 
4. Weigh yourself and write it down.
5. Measure yourself. (Do at least the big three - chest, waist and hips, do more parts if you want.) Write them down.
6. Use your journal during the 30 days to chronicle your journey.

This week is your time to prepare.  Do what ever you have to do to get your life in order to support you for the next 30 days.  Think of things you can do, people you can ask for support and ways you can make your life easier.  Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  This is time you are taking to start healing your body and restore you health!  

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post them to the group.

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"Life is not a solo act. It's a huge collaboration, and we all need to assemble around us the people who care about us and support us  . . . "  ~ Tim Gunn