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On the eve of 2015, we’re gearing up for a new challenge at Farmgirlfit — one that is sure to set the reset button on your health, and one that isn’t so much a “diet” as it is a healthy, wholesome lifestyle change. It’s called the Whole30 Challenge.

The Whole30 comes from a place of finding optimal health through eating good, whole foods — as detailed in the book It Starts With Food, which many of our members read over the past month. Authors Dallas and Melissa Hartwig discuss how “good food” should have four key qualities:

• promotes a healthy psychological response
• promotes a healthy hormonal response
• supports healthy gut and digestive system
• supports immune function and minimizes inflammation

You’re thinking that things like chocolate chip cookies and handfuls of candy might make you happy in the moment, right? Well, that's (obviously) not what the Whole30 is about.

So what the heck IS the Whole30 about? We like this quote from the book: “The Whole30 is not a diet. It is not a 22-day program with eight cheat days (weekends) built in. It is not 30 days of restriction, to be followed by 335 days of gluttony. Here is what the Whole30 is. It is life-changing. It is the path to healing your insides. It is about eating real food and learning that what you put into your body actually matters. It is a test of the level of respect you have for this one body you were given. Simply put, if you follow it the way it was written, it works. If you don’t, it doesn’t.”

The Whole30 is a 30-day challenge — and, we’ll be honest: it’s a drastic change. BUT habit research shows that dramatic changes are actually easier for us to manage (physically and psychologically) than baby steps. It’s not too different than counting down the final seconds in a tough Grind. This is just 30 days. That’s it! Why not give it a shot?

For all the nitty gritty details, go to www.whole30.com ASAP and read up!  Overall, the challenge is about eating REAL food: meat, seafood, eggs, veggies, fruit and good fats. There are Whole30 plans for just about every type of eater, as well as tips for how to adjust if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, highly active, etc.

The Whole30 must be completed as 30 consecutive days, so once you decide you’re in—we know you will—then commit to a start date, whether that’s the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, or sometime later in the month.  Say it outloud: “I’m starting the Whole30 on _____!”  Tell a friend, or all your friends via social media.  Now you’re accountable…no going back!

Here’s a little overview of what’s off the table for your Whole30 challenge:

• Sugar: we’re talking maple syrup, honey, agave, coconut sugar, Splenda…all of it.
• Alcohol in any form
• Grains: including (but not limited to) wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, amaranth, sprouted grains, quinoa, bran…
• Legumes: that means beans of all kinds, peas, lentils, peanuts, all forms of soy - soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh… (some of these things are allowed if you’re doing a vegetarian/vegan Whole30 — again, check the website)
• Dairy: cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk products such as cream, cheese, kefir, yogurt, sour cream.
• Carrageenan, MSG, sulfites: check your labels for these no-no’s.
• Recreated “treats” with approved ingredients: if you’re eating your old unhealthy foods with Whole30 ingredients… you’re missing the point. (ahem, paleo pop tarts)

And the biggest rule of all? You’re not allowed to step on a scale during the duration of the program.  You can do a before and after, but don’t even think about doing it during!

Yes, this does require effort, and there is not one inch of room for a slip-up. But you’ve got the entire FGF community of members and coaches there to support you — so why not give this a try? It might be just the thing to reset yourself into a brighter, healthier new year!

Of course, we’ll have lots of resources available at each gym, but if you’re looking for some e-resources, the following are fantastic:

www.whole30.com

www.theclothesmakethegirl.com

www.nomnompaleo.com

Also check out the Whole30 pages on Facebook and Instagram