OK, enough of my son’s adorable ramblings.  Let’s get back to the business at hand.  (But this morning he asked to put on his sun scream.  I know!)  AHEM, back to the business.

The business, of course, being the 30 Day EVERYTHING Challenge.  I promised you guys results.  Let’s chat results.

But first, for those of you just joining, let’s relive the glory days with a quick recap.

What am I talking about?  Here is where I lay out the challenge.

How did it feel?  (FEEEeeelings)  Check out my real time diaries and report cards here and here.

What worked?  This is where I do my best to put on my responsible adult thinking hat and consider what I liked and what I didn’t.

OK, NOW down to business.  But first, I wanted to chat a little about why I did this challenge.

I could say that I did it for the kids.  I could tell you how I want more energy to keep up with them and to feel better so that I can be a more patient and awesome mom.  And I DO want those things, but that isn’t why I did it.  The kids certainly don’t care what size I am.  And I’m sure I can always improve in the patience/energy/awesome category, but that is just side gravy.

I could tell you I did it for James.  That guy did marry me for my hot bod, after all.  (Snort.)  And James does support me and want me to look and feel my best however I decide that is.  But nope.

I did it for me.

You see, since moving here or probably since Mac was born, I’ve felt a little less “me-like.”  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Love LOVE the time I’m getting to spend with the kids.  I’m having a blast exploring a new country and continent.

But sometimes I feel like my mom hat dwarfs any other hat I have.  I usually only leave the house completely by myself once a week, if that.  I don’t spend tons of time on myself or doing things for myself.

This challenge helped me take care of myself better.  It helped make me more of a priority.  The kids are very high on the list, but I matter too.  I should be taken care of as well.

I’m enjoying the morning time I’ve carved out for myself to exercise and to think and to do whatever I want.  I’m enjoying feeling good getting out of bed in the morning.  I’m also enjoying access to more of my pre-baby wardrobe.  So yay!  “Me” is pleased.

And now for realz, BIDNESS.

Are you guys ready to see the results?

I mean truly shocking before and afters??

Hold on to your butts.

Keep scrolling.

Scrolling.

BAM.

As you can see, the difference with clothes is subtle, if noticeable at all.  (My doofusness has not changed a bit.)  I admit that some sort of side-by-side photos would have been ideal and photos actually showing my body would have been better, but I’m only a mere mortal and not a Biggest Loser contestant.  I don’t need any bikini photos on the internets, thank you very much.

I can tell you that I dropped a clothing size.  For example, these pants definitely didn’t fit before.  Also, I’ve moved to the smaller size of my ONE SHIRT TO RULE THEM ALL.  Oh, and I got a hair cut.

Fuzzy shot, check.  Dirty mirror, check. Rando toddler shoe, check and check.

And the numbers don’t lie.  I followed whole30 protocol and didn’t weigh myself at all during the challenge.  But, boy, was I excited to whip out that scale on day 31.  (Since then I’ve weighed myself once, but I’m trying not to get back into the every day habit.  It’s about feeling good; not about a number.)

And again, I hope you guys will forgive me for not sharing raw numbers.  First, the internets just don’t need to know my weight.  Second, these are my numbers and I’m happy, but I don’t want anyone to get hung up on them.  Your numbers are probably different and they are your story and that’s what matters, ya know?

But I will share the delta.  James took before, mid-way, and after measurements.  I realized later that he left very helpful, scientific reminders like “top of crack” for my hip measurement so that he would hit the same place again.  (He also measured in centimeters because he has gone FULL Italian, but he claims it was for more accuracy.)

Interestingly, probably almost 75% of the changes occurred in the first two weeks.  Except for my waist which actually was lower at mid-point measure than final.  I guess I was feeling bloaty that day.  Or, you know, ALL THOSE ABS.

So yeah.  That happened.  In just 30 days.  It could have been any of the factors (whole30) or the whole combination (whole30), but results were had.  I know some people would think a whole30 is extreme, but I’ve never found a way to get such significant results in such a short period of time.  This approach works for me.  Seeing big changes makes me more motivated to keep it up.  If I tried to adopt a “be reasonable” approach for six months, I doubt I’d see any difference because I’d never be able to stick to it.

Those are the “sexy” changes.  Let’s talk about some other changes.

SKIN

OK, here I really should have taken some before pictures.  But in my haste to get the party started, I didn’t think through all the details.  So NO PICS FOR YOU, said in my no soup for you voice.

And because we do not have hard evidence, my response is wishy washy, but I think my skin is better.  Although this could be a halo effect from just feeling better generally and thinking I look better.  But when I touch my face, it feels, uh, plumper.  I don’t know, but it definitely feels a little different.  I can at least report that eating good fats, washing your face, and drinking water are not deleterious for your skin and probably definitely at least a little help.

SLEEP

As you guys saw, I failed BIG TIME on bedtime alarm.  Despite this, I’m feeling more rested.  First, even if I’m not going to sleep at 2200, I am going to sleep earlier than I had been so that’s a win.

Also, I’m getting higher quality sleep.  I fall asleep faster, and I usually never wake up in the middle of the night, barring child screaming, of course.  Even post challenge, I’ve been waking up on my own around 600, ready to start the day.

MOOD

You could ask James for confirmation, although he would probably insist that I am delightful all the time because he is a smart cookie, but I would say there has been definite mood improvement.  I still feel overwhelmed by the kids at various points every day and my mind spins with a million things I need to do but can’t because Mac will RAGE if I stop walking him around.  But I feel better.  I really do.

FOOD

My urge to snack has diminished.  Sometimes it is still there.  Sometimes I just want to put food in my mouth.  But I think it is more under control.  I’m better able to gauge when I really want something versus just eating it because it is there.

A lot of food tastes better.  Although I still just can’t seem to love red peppers, much to James’s chagrin.  He loves that shizz.

I plan to keep cooking whole30 at home and then not worry as much when we go places because convenience food on the whole30 is a fantastical pink unicorn.  I’m also hoping to keep my booze consumption for special, out-of-the-house occasions.  Last night I had one glass of wine at date night.  We’ll see how this goes.

But what about BAD changes, you ask

I can’t really think of any.  Possibly my current paranoia that eating gluten will derail my whole way of life.  Or my questionable fashion taste now that I am combining more clothes.  Or needing to pee more from all the water and not being able to.  See Mac raging when I ask him politely to let go of my hand.  But seriously, I can’t really think of anything.

30 days, all gain.  W00t!

Any other questions on results?  Aside from my weight, I’m happy to share!  And then I promise to shut up about the 30 Day EVERYTHING Challenge for a bit.  Probably.