I'll never know.

I'll never know what it's like to feel fully "detoxed."  I'll never know what it's like to say I completed Whole30 and feel ahhhh-mazing.  I'll never know what it's like to go completely sugar-free for more than 16 days.

That's right.  I QUIT. 

The breaking point was last night.  I had only eaten one full meal by 5 p.m. and it was dinnertime. I could not think of what I wanted to eat.  I read about this.  The two-week food slump.  In the beginning, it's easy to make menus and go grocery shopping.  Then the food slump hits and you have no idea what you even want to eat. That was me.  And I just didn't have any energy to continue.  So I broke down.

I ate a chicken burrito.  Actually, I ate two of them.  Chicken, salsa, and a little cheese in a tortilla. It was great.  Worth it.  I felt full.  That's a nice feeling.  My kids had some potato chips and I thought about it for a second, but then walked past the bag.  I also drank water (which I have trouble doing anyway).

Because it's about making good, balanced choices that are sustainable.  I don't NEED potato chips and Pepsi.  Or even the Oreos which had been sitting on my counter most of the day.  I mean, those things are ok, in moderation.  And I don't know if I have the moderation part down yet, so I refrained.

Then this morning's breakfast.

Not the best choices, but it's my favorite.  And I wanted it.  And I didn't feel bad for eating it.

A friend of mine who happens to be a dietitian told me she's been wanting to tell me for 2 weeks now that she was afraid my milk content for Emma did not contain enough calcium as would be best while doing Whole30.  I'm sure there's a lot of arguments saying the opposite, but I can see her point.  And I told her next time, tell me on Day 1 ;)  

I lost 2 lbs. in the past 2 weeks.  I mean better than nothing, but I think I can continue that trend with healthy eating choices and exercise.  I don't really feel any differently, except I think I do have stronger self-control and an awareness of what I'm putting in my body.  My family is also eating better as a result of how I've shopped the past couple weeks, so that's a plus.  And I know, quitting early, I'll never really experience the full benefits everyone talks about.

One other good thing that came out of this is realizing I like to blog and may actually be able to keep it up!  That is, if people keep reading...

Thanks for following my journey. I'll be your #1 cheerleader if you ever decide to embark on a similar journey, but I'll also cheer you on at the "ice cream store shop" as you order that double-scoop in a waffle cone.