Thoughts before beginning my Whole30 experiment

My two main feelings right now: excitement (what could happen?!) and confusion (how did I become this person?). I have never really had any food aversions, allergies or chronic indigestion; I'm someone who believes that no food is forbidden as long as you eat real food and know your limits with the less-real food. I've grown weary of the number of conversations I've had in recent years about peoples' very specific diets. And yet, here I am, blogging about launching a Whole30 thing on April 24. (Here's a link in case you've never heard about this program.)

Why am I doing it? I'm not really sure yet. I have a decent level of energy. I get between 7-8 hours of sleep. I eat pretty well. I exercise regularly. And while I wouldn't be sad if I lost five pounds, my doctor told me I am at an ideal weight.

I suppose one reason is because I love a good lifestyle experiment. A 30-day challenge is enjoyable to me because it is a relatively quick way to make a lasting and usually positive change in my life, even if it's just a change of perspective, or a feeling of accomplishment for sticking it out. Another reason could be that food is a bit of an obsession for me. It's a subject I think about a lot and truly love learning about. I also believe that food is medicine and all that jazz, and that if I can understand how food works in my body, then I can feel that much more empowered by my choices - even if I ultimately decide that life is not worth living if I deny myself butter, cheese and wine (a decision I am fully prepared to make). As I am about to hit year 34, I feel that gentle urge toward some good old-fashioned self-discovery. I want to know what eliminating foods for 30 days could possibly do to/for me. Will my skin allergies go away? Will I sleep more deeply, and go to sleep more quickly? Will I have more energy, and what will that feel like? Will my mood be less swingy? Will I realize that drinking wine is more a habit than enjoyment? If I get a yes or two, then I think it will have been worth it. If I don't, then I can stop wondering and look for other ways to address what ails me.

I also acknowledge that choosing this kind of tough-love program is much easier than having it be prescribed to you as a result of a serious medical condition. Kind of like the time I took the bus to work for a month (my first major lifestyle experiment - 10 years ago!) but had the peace of mind that I still had a car in case of emergencies. But just as that experiment opened my eyes to a low-income population I could otherwise easily ignore, I hope my experience of doing my own Whole30 will make me more sympathetic to people with serious food allergies, sensitivities and other health concerns, and even more considerate when bringing treats to the office or a dish to a potluck.

Follow along if you dare, and know I will understand if you are totally bored by this topic. I'm not sure how often I'll blog about it, but I'm definitely open to comments and suggestions if you've done it yourself, or questions if you're thinking about jumping in.

In the meantime, I'll be over here drinking my final glasses of wine, eating slices of cheese and buttered toast for the next 36 or so hours.