In the interest of full disclosure: I consumed alcoholic beverages on Friday night. Three vodka seltzers, to be exact.
It wasn’t a sudden decision. I thought it out earlier in the day and decided I was going to do it. The last few days of my Whole30 fall on a weekend and I didn’t want to go another weekend without alcohol.
I could try to rationalize my decision further (It’s already been four weeks since my last drink! I only have three days left to go anyway!), but the simple fact is, I was invited to a social event at a bar and I wanted to attend. I didn’t want to sit home while my boyfriend went without me, and alternatively, I didn’t want to attend but not drink.
This does not mean I’m going off my diet in any other way. I have not consumed grains, legumes, dairy, or anything else on the “Do Not Eat” list since July 1. I’m close enough to the end of the Whole30 that I’m satisfied I can review my experience (and discuss my plans for the future) without continuing to abstain from alcohol.
I’m absolutely comfortable with this choice. But tell me: do you disagree with my decision?
Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 sweet potato
Lunch: Cafe salad bar: grilled chicken, salmon, arugula, black olives, beets
Snacks: 1 apple, 1 nectarine
Dinner: CrockPot Chuck Roast with braised kale
(Reminder: I’m following the Whole30 for the month of July. Here’s why.)
Nope, I don’t disagree with your decision at all and completely respect it. I indulge in an occasional drink every now and again too – usually vodka and fresh-squeezed grapefruit. There’s nothing wrong with it and no reason to ever feel bad!
Thank you! It was just the whole 30-days thing that was on my mind. I knew I could go for another three days without alcohol if I really wanted to, but I just didn’t! :)
You absolutely in no way should feel bad. You are on a journey to cut things out of your diet and add things back in to see how they effect bettering your mood and your thyroid problem. If you start feeling bad about adding what you WANT back in then you may be doing this for the wrong reasons. Just thoughts…
The only reason I felt bad was because I was supposed to abstain from alcohol during the entire 30 days of the Whole30. I certainly don’t plan to give it up for good and I’m most definitely not doing this for the wrong reasons. :)
I think it’s a perfectly fine decision. You’ve been off long enough that you’ll now be able to see if alcohol bothers you or is fine to add back in to your routine. I hope you don’t have any ill effects.
Exactly what I was thinking, Leah! Twenty-seven days seemed like enough time for me to tell how the alcohol would affect me.
It sounds like you made the best decision for yourself in this case. I’ve been following along with your Whole 30 adventure and wondering if it’s something I should try myself, to try to get myself on a better track with food and health. I’m hesitant because I’m a vegetarian, so my choices would be limited further, but I do like the idea of a challenge like this.
Thanks for commenting, Lisa! I do think it’s good for people to challenge themselves like this, whether it’s because you’re stuck in an eating rut or you know you haven’t been eating as clean as you should. I’ve heard about people who have done this while eating vegetarian (plus no dairy, beans, grains), but you definitely have to do some research in advance and make sure you’re getting enough nutrients.