Should I workout during Whole30? Advice from a Whole30 Coach.

If you’re planning on doing Whole30 and you’re thinking of incorporating movement into your program, but wonder if it’s a good idea; here are some reasons why you should or shouldn’t workout during Whole30.

First, lets discuss your current eating and workout habits as-well as your reason for turning to Whole30. Are you coming to the program and currently follow a standard American diet (SAD), which consists of highly processed and refined foods, foods with excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and trans fats? Do you live a fairly sedentary life? Is your goal for doing Whole30 weight-loss? Do you have a history of yo-yo dieting?

Whole30 is a dietary reset and the goal is to do it for 30 days, followed by reintroduction where you incorporate foods back into your diet that were eliminated during your program and evaluate how they affect you. Based on the information and knowledge you gain, you can then live your food freedom, eating the foods that serve you and avoiding those that don’t-- other than when the occasion, or food, is “ worth it.” For example, during reintroduction, you might discover that gluten causes bloating and stomach pain, you may realize that sugar triggers joint pain and the discomfort is simply not worth it, especially once you feel great in your body. Knowing how foods affect you, will help you determine if they’re worth eating, despite the discomfort.

If you’re doing Whole30 for the first time and want to start working-out because your goal is to lose weight as fast as possible, you’re probably repeating old patterns. Have you tried multiple diets in the past without success? Or, they were successful but for a short period of time? Are you an all in type of person, meaning once you commit to something, you follow through but once you’re done, you revert to old habits?

Habit research shows that to make healthy changes that last, it’s best to start by focusing on one behavior at a time and build upon it. Which is why it’s important to focus on Whole30 and once you’re done with the program, focus on movement.

You’re probably coming to Whole30 because you’ve heard or read about the amazing physical and health benefits of the program, but one benefit that isn’t talked about enough is the psychological transformation you’ll undergo. People finish the program feeling empowered, feeling a sense of pride because they set a goal and accomplished it. The positive emotions and sense of confidence helps propel people to set new goals and make more positive changes. If you’re doing Whole30 for the first time and alone, my recommendation is to complete the program and once you’re done, focus on creating a new habit of working out. It’s better to be successful at one thing, rather than fail at both which is often the case when you add too many changes at once.

If you’re doing Whole30 and are regularly active, I recommend you continue but listen to your body. There may be days that you feel tired and might want to push yourself to workout but allow yourself to rest. If you allow yourself to rest, you’ll discover that you have a better workout-- especially as your body works hard to detox.

I wish you success! If you have any questions, please, don't hesitate to reach-out to me via email or DM on instagram. I also offer free consultations if you’re considering working with a coach.

Email: Whole30Betsy@gmail.com