Every year since approximately 2015 I’ve done a Whole30 after the first of the year. It’s basically dry January paired with the elimination of any and all sugar, grains, legumes and dairy. I started on January 5th this year because I traveled through the 4th and you better believe I fully participated in all the deliciousness the season had to offer up until the last flight landed.
I’m 11 days into my self imposed 30 day sentence and let me tell you,
🤩 I feel AMAZING 🤩
I have zero inflammation in my body, I’m getting great sleep every night, my energy is through the roof and my workouts feel strong.
I’ve coached dozens of people through the Whole30 program and the #1 piece of feedback I give to EVERYONE is to be prepared with foods and drinks that will replace what you’re eliminating.
I’ve learned over the years that while we focus on what we are eliminating (regardless of the habit) it’s just as important to focus on and be conscious of what we are adding in.
Last year I spent the month of January planning to depart from Facebook. After I finally pulled the plug in early February I was shocked to realize how often I went to my phone to scroll. It was an automatic habit throughout the day. It was extremely eye opening to realize the amount of time I spent on my phone, primarily on Facebook.
Though I had thoroughly planned out how to retrieve my pictures and replace the conveniences of picture sharing and staying connected with family and friends, I hadn’t thought about what would replace the scrolling itself. (Click HERE to see my full exit strategy)
Eventually I started opening the Bible app every time I went for my phone. I figured this would be a good replacement especially since my 2021 word was His Word and my commitment to spending time in the presence of God. 📖
I will admit that I eventually started spending more time on other feeds as well, like Instagram. IG never sucked me in the way FB had. It didn’t consume nearly as much time because there weren’t long threads of banter like FB promoted. I mostly followed businesses and organizations vs people I haven’t had a real life relationship with in 20 years. I didn’t think it had the level of censorship as FB, though that proved to be wrong as well. 🚫
Over time, I had lost awareness of how frequently I was visiting that platform. Over time, I will also likely lose awareness of how good my body feels due to the lack of sugar and additives I’m eating.
Many people reading will lose awareness of whatever it is they are focused on right now.
When this happens to me I often feel like I blew it and I was a failure. My first of the year efforts have fallen and now I’m doomed to repeat another year in the same shape I found myself in last year. 😕
I chose my 2022 word, AWARE, to help eliminate that lack of focus and pay just as much attention to what I’m adding in to my life.
I chose that word to help me reset as many times needed every day, week and month of 2022.
You see, after I’d drop the ball (and trust me I’ve dropped MANY) I’d wait until what I considered to be a grand moment to pick the ball back up. I waited for another “refresh” like a new year, a birthday, a first of the month, a special occasion or even just a Monday.
I learned from last years word, His Word, that this isn’t necessary and all it does it prolong us from believing that we are wildly capably of our goals. How is this so? Because EVERY DAY we are made brand new through Jesus.
Every day we are renewed with His grace and mercy. The strength we need to pick up, refocus and reset is available to us every day.
Instead of waiting until January 1st to say Happy New Year, we can say Happy New Day each and every morning. If you lose awareness of your 2022 goal, rest assure you can pick it back up tomorrow.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Thank you for following Project Breadcrumb Trail. Please SHARE with your family and friends! A year without FB feels just as awesome as Whole30, but it did decrease PBT readers by 50 (+) percent. It’s been worth it but I would love to pick up momentum!
May God bless and protect our country and everyone reading.
~ MLO
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