Starting today, the Capital Chiropractic team will begin a Whole30 month together. For 30 days, we will fill our grocery carts and plates with mostly vegetables, high quality meats and fish, and healthy fats. And we’ll do it together.

Why do a Whole30?

Individually, we each have our “why” for taking this whole-foods challenge. We each have things we are dreading — and looking forward to. Discover each person’s “why” below.

As a clinic that consistently engages patients in conversations about favorite vegetable recipes, the value of eating diverse and colorful foods, and the link between eating well and feeling great (and avoiding chronic diseases!), doing Whole30 as a team seemed like a natural fit.

We believe that wellness begins with each of us. Together, we can share the experience, support each other, and explore what this back-to-basics paradigm has to offer. As the Whole30 book states:

“It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Quitting heroin is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard.”

Follow the journey

Join us for the journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We’ll be sharing updates, recipes, and ideas for doing Whole30 on a budget all month long.

Our motivations and hesitations

Brittany

 Prioritizing routine meals + anticipating more energy

My why?

I have yet to solidify a routine with diet and health. As a college student in my senior year, I often put off when and what I eat. I would like Whole30 to help me become intentional in my relationship with food.

Most looking forward to?

… the ENERGY! Right now, I start dragging late in the day because of not eating. And with long, busy days, I need momentum to get through it all. I would prefer that my energy start coming from my food and less from coffee… but I will still keep coffee around. 😉

Unsure about?

I’m unsure if I’ll like it and be able to be creative with recipes and meals. It’s totally out of my comfort zone to plan meals, shop, and cook routinely. Also, I’m not very disciplined with food, so I’m nervous about keeping up the paradigm, like balancing protein, carbs, and fat at each meal (three meals a day). The accountability with the Capital Chiropractic team will help, though.

Abbie

Being intentional + sharing with a family

My why?

I believe that intentional eating is fuel for intentional living. I’ve done Whole30 in the past and it has always helped me feel amazing as well as become more aware of what I’m eating and how it makes me feel. Moving beyond these 30 days, I look forward to bringing this new awareness with me as I navigate moment-by-moment food choices.

Most looking forward to?

I love to cook. I’m looking forward to discovering new recipes, flavor combinations, and favorite dishes. As someone who loves a potluck, I’m always on the hunt for a dish that will please a crowd, while also being nutritious.

Unsure about?

I love sharing meals with my daughter and, though we eat mostly Whole30 meals already, there a few foods and dishes that I will have to forgo for the next month. Top of the list are paleo pancakes, hummus, and chia pudding for breakfast. But when I let go of this fear, I’m mostly just excited to create new routines that include her.

Jen

Exploring food sensitivities + sticking to it while social

My why?

The Whole30 is a great way to reset your brain and your body. I am doing this to gain more energy, better sleep, and determine what food sensitivities I have that may be affecting my energy levels and overall health.

Most looking forward to?

I’m so excited to eat clean food and have a supportive team to do it with! I anticipate that my spinal adjustments will be even more effective and the positive benefits will last longer due to less inflammation.

Unsure about?

Avoiding so many ingredients (including gluten, dairy, soy, added sugars, corn, and alcohol) makes going out to eat and socializing more challenging. I hate feeling restricted or rude when I have to decline treats or drinks when I’m at a friend’s house.

Chris

Committing to keto + taking it on the road

My goal

Post-holidays, we all have a bit of things we want to work on. And I am not exempt from that. I am excited to do Whole30 again for the third time, but I am going to do a ketogenic alteration this time. Whole30 is a great place for me to start – I will just be removing more carbs and adding more fat.

My why?

I have become increasingly intrigued by the health benefits of a ketogenic approach. And although I discuss the ketogenic approach with many of my patients, I haven’t yet gone fully into ketosis for an extended period of time myself. I am excited to see how it goes.

Most looking forward to?

Although I feel like I follow a nourishing nutritional model already, I am excited to test the ketogenic model to see how I feel, sleep, and move.

Unsure about?

We are traveling in late January and I hope this won’t be too much of an imposition on our hosts.

Karen

Getting on track + anti-inflammatory benefits

My why?

I want to get back on track with good eating. I’m looking at the next 30 days as an experiment to see how it affects my energy level and overall well-being. I may discover that I have been feeling poorly until now — we’ll see!

Most looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to how this will integrate with and affect my active exercise routine. I’m curious if I’ll feel any differently during my workouts and afterwards. Also, doing a Whole30 gives me a very good reason not to have a drink. In the post-holiday mode, that extra structure will make it easier to opt for a mock-tail when I’m out with friends. If I lose weight in the process, that’s a bonus.

Unsure about?

I’m curious about inflammation and if I’ll discover that I’ve been living with more than I realize. Lately, I’ve been feeling achy; I wonder how much of that is due to inflammation caused by what I’m eating and drinking.