21 Day Wheat Free/Gluten Free Challenge

On March 5, 2013, I started a 21 day wheat free and gluten free diet. My initial goal was to go 21 days without any wheat products or food that contained gluten. The goal was to eat more meat, veggies and fruit.  However,  I had to go meal by meal, day by day to determined what was okay to eat.  I must admit this was challenging.  I had no idea that most the foods I was consuming would be removed from my diet.  But as the days came and went, I found it easier and more rewarding that I was adjusting very well to this way of eating. 

On the first day, March 5, 2013, I was searching the Internet on the topic.  While looking at youtube videos, I came across a program called the Paleo Diet.  Although, I never heard of it, there was a lot of information on the diet.  I was intrigued by what I was hearing, reading and seeing.  So decided to give it a try.  I ordered several books and read up on the program and came to the conclusion this is exactly what I needed and wanted to find out if it would work for me.  So I switched my 21 day challenge over to a 21 day Paleo diet challenge. 

It really was not that difficult to do.  After about the third day, I no longer felt bloated and uncomfortable.  After 5 days I had lost 2 inches off my waist.  This was more than enough incentive to keep me going.

Although, I've sailed through most days without a problem, day 10 was the biggest challenge of all days.  For some reason, I wanted to eat all day and in addition to wanting to eat all day, my sweet tooth kicked in to the max.  I generally have a sweet tooth but this was a more pronounced sweet tooth. On days 1 through 9, I had no problem satisfying my sweet tooth with some mixed fruit but I was just not doing the trick this time.  Everything started racing through my mind.  I had to find a way to satisfy my sweet tooth as well as not put everything I had done in jeopardy. 

I started looking in the cabinets and freezer for something sweet.  Now I have to tell you that I have chocolate candy bars in my freezer, that I purchased from a fund raiser for the kids and forgot to give to them.  I also have 2 tubs of ice cream, left over from my grand baby's 1st birthday party but I knew if I would have taken even a little taste (calling myself satisfying my sweet tooth) that it would not be enough.  So I decided not to have any of it.  I then found a tub of cool whip in the freezer and cans of fruit (in natural fruit juice) in the cabinet. I opened 2 cans (50 cals each) and put in a bowl and topped with a couple of tablespoons of cool whip.  And low and behold it did the trick.  Satisfied my sweet tooth and did not kill my program.  I will make sure I always have can fruit and cool whip (light) in my house.  This will be my go to, when I have a sweet tooth. 

I do workout 4 to 5 days a week.  Nothing complicated. 30 mins of cardio and 20 mins of strength training and some ab work.

I must say, I have more energy then before.  I sleep better at night and get so much more accomplished during the day.

I decided  not to weigh myself until the end of the 21 days.  I know that I have lost several inches and started to see a change in my body half way through the 21 days.  I will weigh at the end of the 21 days.  Actually, the morning following the 21st day.  I will post my results and give you my final thoughts on this program.

There are several good books out about the Paleo diet.  I also have several of the cookbooks.  Here are a few.  http://56a01iqdvqd-8u39bhkh517sca.hop.clickbank.net/

Posted in: diet, eating clean, exercise, gluten free, in shape, nutrition., paleo diet, personal trainer, weight lost, wheat free