Awesome to have you here, Life in Balance!
It sounds like you have had a huge amount of issues to overcome but are taking great strides to support yourself. That is great! I hope we can serve as a source of support and inspiration!
MandalayVA - How is it going? Did you start your next round of whole 30?
Mom22boys - good to hear from you! Sorry to hear about the family health emergency. Hopefully, you are all doing better. I think all you can do at times like those is the best you can do, without any guilt. It is utterly amazing how just after a couple of weeks of poor eating your body can be so affected. The comfort eating is a really hard one; it seems like such a good solution at the time, or your not even thinking about it at all, but what happens to your body makes it even worse. Ugh. I'm waiting for the day I will turn to carrot sticks for comfort :)
One thing I have found really helps is I keep an emergency stash of super dark, stupidly fancy chocolate on hand. Like the kind you buy from a shop dedicated to the finest chocolates, yeah not mustachian, but whatever.
If I'm having a really, really hard day, I turn it into a meditation.I find a quite comfortable spot, I go through the whole ritual of unpackaging it (they always wrap them super pretty, I imagine that is part of the cost) I breathe in the scent, I snap off a small square, let it melt slowly between the tongue and roof of my mouth, take some deep breaths. This little ritual leaves me satisfied and calm and ready to tackle whatever is next. I think it is really just an excuse to just "be" for a few minutes.
What are some baby steps you are working on right now?
MgoSam - Have you tried Nomnom Paleos Kahlua pork? It is my go to life-saver for making a week's worth of quick protein you can use in a wide variety of ways.
BIG PANS of roasted veggies - I load my oven up with a few trays at a time, it makes dinner's a lot easier. Lately, it has been local Asparagus because it is in season and Hubs and I eat it like candy. Cauliflower is another favorite. Sweet potatoes, beets, Brussel Sprouts...basically any veggie tastes better roasted. We stick in in a pyrex, drizzle with olive oil salt and pepper, give me a good massage/mix-up and roast them in a 425 degree oven. give em a stir every 5 or 10 minutes. Roasting time depends on the veg.
Besides being a side, I will serve them with eggs for breakfast, make a super quick veggie curry out of them (basically, coconut oil, curry powder/paste, bit of tomato sauce, can of coconut milk and the chopped up roasted veg. Sometimes I'll add some spinach too)
The roasted Cauliflower makes a super easy rice/pasta substitute for sauces.
I have 10 lbs to go before I hit in the "Healthy" range of BMI. I'm super stoked. I haven't fit into that range since I was in Highschool and had Mono (yeah not the healthiest.) I've struggled with my weight since puberty and always had hormonal crap going on so this is super thrilling for me.
I asked hubs what he missed most last night and he said "Homemade pasta and homemade pizza" I asked about the desserts and stuff I use to make and he said. "You know, I miss the memories associated with some of those foods, but I don't miss the foods themselves" That was pretty enlightening.
I'm going to try and stay as on plan as I can and be really conscious about what I am eating when we are on vacation starting next week. I'm glad this introvert has become more comfortable in social situations that I don't require a few drinks to loosen up - that being said alcohol tends to flow like water at Camp Mustache, so... I have to be very aware of what I am putting in my body. I think a few drinks will be fine, as long as I eat as well as I can and ignore all the delicious snacks that are around!