Home Stretch! Literally and Figuratively!

As I enter my last week of the whole30 I realize this is more than just the end of my clean eating challenge and "re-boot". This is the home stretch of what seemed like a month of exhaustion, frustration, hard work, and commitment to staying on track. I have 6 more days at the call center and 8 more days of the whole30. Wrapping up my time at LLBean is the most exciting feeling because it puts me on the precipice of some really great things--right before Christmas and seeing my family, but also ending a long streak of working 80hr weeks to try and save money for my big move to North Carolina! I am so excited for all the good things that await at the end of this month that I could just burst into pieces of happiness! I'm excited to start feeling human again and really dedicate myself to having a successful last 3 weeks in Maine. I can finally get back to some normalcy and possibly have a social life again!  With the whole30 coming to an end, I almost feel the opposite. I am nervous to be set free from the restrictions of this diet because I am finally starting to physically see the results of my hard work (and other people are too!) Even Stephen noticed I look thinner which means a lot to me! I feel great from the inside out which is really important considering most of my days are stressful and sleep deprived. I feel if it wasn't for the whole30 I probably would've never made it out of the streak of work alive! I am going to hold on to this feel for as long as I possibly can. The goal to lose weight is never ending with me and I want to hold on to this satisfying feeling long after I'm done with the whole30. I will refer back to this blog for help when I start eyeing those chemical bars that are 5/$5....you know what I'm talking about...those "energy bars" which are more like candy bars? I'm a sucker for the s'more flavored balance bar and I have tendency to pass it off as "okay because it's a meal replacement bar". So not okay. I know that whole30 eating is not sustainable so I'm sure there will be slip ups and downfalls and unhealthy eating, but the important thing is to not go so far off track that this whole month becomes a wash and I'm right back to where I started. Looking back it seems like it's been a long month but once again, here I sit, looking forward to my last week or so of a very crazy time in my life. As I count down the days to the weekend, I can only smile because without the rain, sunny days wouldn't be as pretty. Without the stress and frustration, time spent relaxing and enjoying company wouldn't feel as good. Until next time, finish strong and I'll see you at the finish line!