Whole 30 Challenge: Moving on one slice at a time

It’s been almost a month since I stopped strictly following the Whole30 program. As I mused at the time, I didn’t know how to reintroduce foods after I had indulged on my camping weekend. So, for the past 30 days I’ve just been… thoughtful about my food. Making paleo and Whole30 compliant recipes whenever I cook. When I eat out, mostly sticking to salads with lean protein, but not being too concerned if the dressing has sugar. Eating omelets during brunch, and not freaking out when I realize they contain cheese. (Duh. But it really hadn’t occurred to me!) Having two, not four glasses of wine at a wedding. Not eating burgers or pizza. 

Until today that is. 

It was a coworker’s last day in the office, and my company took us to a pizza place for lunch. Amy, my paleo-pal in the office decided to order a salad with chicken. I seriously considered it as well, but… well it had been over a month since I’d had pizza! And I LOVE pizza. So, even though I wasn't actually craving pizza at that moment, I decided to have one slice.

I should mention that that one slice was deep dish, so essentially it was a brick of melted cheese. And then I had a few bites of a slice of thin crust of another pal’s plate, because I am not made of stone.

While I was eating I noticed a few things. First, it didn’t taste that great. The pizza was not completing my soul the way I thought it would. Secondly, I felt fine! Huzzah!

And then I stood up.

An hour later, as I write this, my head feels foggy and medicated—I think this is congestion due to all the cheese. And my stomach is bloated and I feel nauseated. I look back at that salad Amy ate and see a wasted opportunity to feel good. 

So, this is a learning experience. Pizza may not be worth it. A hard truth to face. I mean, I LOVE pizza. A year ago I would have said it was my favorite food, but… I don’t know. I’m not loving the way I feel now. And it wasn’t even that tasty—so why bother?

Obviously I won’t be living my life completely pizza-free, but this is a valuable lesson. Pizza is one of those foods that can seem to haunt you. It’s everywhere! It’s practically forced upon us. And I’m willing to eat it if I really want it. But because I felt awkward eating a salad? Nah.  No more of that.