I’ve done a Whole24 before and had REALLY good results from it! It increased my energy and regularity and it helped TREMENDOUSLY with my sugar cravings and even sugar toleration. Even now, almost two years later, I drink unsweet tea or unsweet tea with flavoring at Sonic which is still sometimes almost too sweet. I have managed to work up a toleration for Dr. Pepper again, but that took awhile!

So, in trying to finish up the weight loss portion of this temple journey, I’ve toyed with the idea of doing another Whole24 and making it the Whole30 this time!! I’ve only toyed with the idea because deprivation is HARD and usually unsustainable. After all, this journey is supposed to be about sustainable, holy, Christ following changes! The last time my sister and I lugged our munchkins to the Library and the Savoy Tea Company I stumbled across Dallas and Melissa Hartwig’s book, It All Starts With Food. And, I’ve read most of it. There is SO much MORE information in this book about their perspective and the whys and the lifestyle philosophies behind the Whole30 than I found reading on the internet prior to my first Whole24. It turns out that the Whole30 is supposed to springboard you to a sustainable, healthy-eating lifestyle that generally propels you toward greater health with a few thoughtful indulgences along the way just for fun! Hmmmm…. sound like any goals you’ve read on here or found in your own journey toward honoring Christ with the health of your temple!?!

Since it turns out that the philosophy of this way of eating lines up with my heart’s desire to honor Christ, I am going to take the plunge again! It also happens to line up quite nicely with my September 6 goal while still allowing me to start after we take the girls out for a last hurrah tomorrow before I go back to work on Wednesday. The more difficult part will be that it also lines up quite nicely with going back to work (aka increased stress). I also means provided lunch during in services and NO END of sweets and temptations during Meet the Teacher Nights and the the first week or two back at school! Although, health-wise this will be great and help me stay on track during a VERY derailing time, it will also likely lead to some struggles! However, I think, although I truly don’t want to be sacrilegious, “if God is for me who can be against me” can apply even here. I know that these last 4 pounds do not matter to eternity! I also know that they are important to me. And I know that God cares about me and therefore cares about what I care about. I think this will turn out to be a lovely chance to honor Him, and allow Him to continue to shape and sanctify my perspective to focus on Him in all things, through all things and NO MATTER what things!