Hi friends! We are DONE with our 2nd Whole 30! Yesterday was our 30th day, and we are so stinkin’ happy/glad/excited that we finished AND that we got to do it with an amazing support group this time. The second time around was noticeably different for us – sometimes it was easier (the detox was MUCH shorter), and sometimes we struggled with the exact same thing as the first time. We didn’t cheat, slip, or make excuses for 30 days straight (see the program rules here if you are unfamiliar with the Whole 30). Good and rough, hard and simple, we DID IT and gave it 100%. AGAIN!
Ready for some progress photos?
We took these photos yesterday, and it was really special because the black dress that I am wearing was one that I wore in our engagement photos back in 2001! I was only 19 then, and I NEVER thought I’d be able to wear this dress again! Needless to say, we both feel amazing! Even though we stayed with a pretty strict paleo diet in between our Whole 30’s, we knew that doing another Whole 30 was needed for our discipline – both mentally and physically. We pushed ourselves, tested our willpower, and forced ourselves to dive even deeper into health for our bodies. It also made us step back and look at some of the old habits that we had allowed to start creeping back in (like relying too much on “healthy sweeteners” to feed our old sugar cravings). I am SO proud to say that I exercised a LOT more this time around – not everyday, but about 4 times a week, which I am really happy about. But Tristan, he is a machine, he has been exercising 6-7 days a week and it shows – he is looking H.O.T.!
As I told you before, neither of us wanted to do this second Whole 30 to lose more weight – we had both already lost SO much in the first 7 months, and we were both totally happy with our weight when we started (which is a miracle!). I wasn’t even sure if either of us would actually lose any weight at all! Since we couldn’t weigh ourselves for the entire 30 days (that’s the rules people!), we JUST found out our progress this morning. Here are our results from our 2nd Whole 30!
I lost 4.8 lbs and .5″ off my waist in the 30 days. Since starting our Whole 30 and Paleo journey, I’ve lost a total of 59.0 lbs, and a total of 11.5″ off my waist in 8 months!
Tristan lost 2.8 lbs and 1 1/4″ off his waist in the 30 days. Since starting our Whole 30 and Paleo journey, he’s lost a total of 34.2 lbs, and a total of 9″ off his waist in 8 months!
You guys, we are both SUPER happy and excited with our results! Honestly, I didn’t think that I would lose any weight at all this time (I was also a littler nervous of a possible GAIN and I may have worried about it once or twice…), and I definitely didn’t think that Tristan would continue to lose more weight! He’s seriously looking amazing.
Just for fun, I took these “After” photos and used some “Before” photos from May 2013 which were taken about 2 weeks before we began our first Whole 30. I seriously laughed out loud when I put the exact same outfit on and the pants literally fell off of my butt and hips when I walked! It was quite a sight, and it really showed me how far I have come in just 8 months! Even though the outfit doesn’t fit me anymore, I wanted to keep it around as a reminder of where I was. I’m SO glad and proud that I am not there anymore!
Suffice it to say, I am SO glad that we did a second Whole 30, and I would love to do another one in the future. But today? Today I am celebrating a job well done with a big slice of paleo pumpkin pie! I’ve been dreaming of it for weeks, and the time has finally come.
Thanks for letting me share this with you friends! You all have been such a huge encouragement to me through this process! And a VERY special message to all of my friends and family that did the Whole 30 with us this time – I love you all – you are amazing and inspiring, and I wish that I could tell each of your stories! Oh, and I LOVED our secret group on FaceBook – let’s keep it going ok? ♥
P.S. Tristan and I are DEFINITELY continuing with our paleo eating, and have no plans to go back to our old way of eating. I mean, who WERE those people?? ;)
Miki Baxter
Feb 7, 2014 -
You are an inspiration!!! Thank you for leading the way and creating the group to offer support and encouragement! This is truly life-chaning in so many ways!!! MIKI
Brittany
Feb 7, 2014 -
You rock! And I loooooove your black heels! SO cute!
Dessa
Feb 7, 2014 -
You truly look amazing! You’re inspiring me to lose not only my remaining baby weight, but get back to dropping down to a weight that I can feel good about it. Great to see you today! Love you:)
{mom}
Mar 2, 2014 -
You guys look fabulous. You are trailblazers!
Kim
May 6, 2014 -
Thank you so much for sharing. As a mom of three little ones it’s nice to hear a story from another mom. I’m totally inspired. I am going to do some research and get the book and hope to start next week.
Holly
Jun 23, 2014 -
WOWZA! Found you via Pinterest — this is incredibly inspiring. I have about the same amount of weight to lose, and am committed to Whole30-ing until it’s off. You should be so, so proud of yourself! You’re officially my inspiration “it” girl.
Bridget
Jul 1, 2014 -
You look great! It know it takes discipline! What exercises did you do? Also, what was the biggest challenge?
Sara
Sep 3, 2014 -
Starting a Whole30 for September. Thanks for the inspiration!
Stephanie
Oct 22, 2014 -
Hi! I found you on Pinterest – this is incredible! I’ve been struggling to lose weight in a healthy way since I recovered from an eating disorder a few years ago. I’m thinking of giving this a try. You look wonderful! And LOVE that dress and shoes! xoxo
Shabnum
Nov 19, 2014 -
Wow! You guys look amazing, Well Done! Your weight loss story is incredible would you be interested in sharing this on our blog? It will help loads of readers who are struggling to eat healthy and shed the pounds and give this a try. Let me know if you are interested in sharing your amazing story. Thanks
Tara M.
Nov 19, 2014 -
Amazing! I currently look very similar to your before photos, but I am in my first week of my first Whole30, so I’m hoping I’ll have similar results by this time next year. If you don’t mind me asking – what do you do for exercise? I’m trying to figure out what would be best for me, and I’m asking everyone! I have never worked out consistently in my life! :p
healthnut45
Dec 23, 2014 -
Wow, you are an inspiration. I have tried the Whole 30 and managed well for a couple of weeks, but I did find the lack of flexibility really hard. I think I may give it another go though after seeing what you achieved. I am mainly doing it for my headaches and hoping that I can identify the triggers.
Haley
Jan 7, 2015 -
I just came across your blog, and you’ve spurred my husband and I to get into the whole 30 diet! My question is, since you did it twice, what did you eat in between the two challenges? Did you go back to any of the “bad” foods, and if so did you feel any different? Thanks, I look forward to perusing through the rest of your blog!
Meaghan
Feb 6, 2015 -
great job! i think you’re beautiful at any weight. i’m happy that you found what worked for you. i’m inspired to try!
Andrea
Feb 23, 2015 -
Thanks for this! Found your blog on Pinterest and am on day 9 of my first Whole30. I was wondering what you did for the 8 months – such an inspiration! Did you do Whole30 the entire time or do paleo most of the time after your first Whole30? Thanks!
Maria
Mar 23, 2015 -
Me gustaria que publicara las verduras para empesar el plan de perder peso en 30 dias si son todas las verduras o algunas en especifico muchas gracias estare agradecida si me puede mandar el plan de como hacerlo que comer en el desayuno y las comidas
Colleen
Oct 20, 2015 -
I just found your blog on Pinterest and your pics are amazing! I’m on day 13 and have quite a bit of weight to lose, am so inspired by your experience. I did some research and cut certain foods from my diet. Turns out, I’m going paleo! I’m going to keep going and hopefully will have an inspiring before and after set to share.
Natasha
Apr 5, 2016 -
How much did you lose the first time you did whole30? I’m doing it for my first time and am on day 5 and LOVING it! I also exercise for a hour and a half to 2 hours a day for 5-6 days a week.