Stupidly, I didn’t take a picture of myself the day I started The Whole 30. I guess I just wasn’t expecting a month to change my ass enough that pictures would matter.
Since my husband and my two oldest chicks were forced agreed to do The Whole 30 with me, we should have taken group pics, but we didn’t because we suck. So, there.
Instead, here are some pics of me recently, pre-Whole 30, that I hope will give you an overall idea of where I carry my weight. Have you ever seen a pear? Yeah, well you are about to:
I look horrid in this pic. I'm the chick in the middle. Don't ask who the underage chick on the right is with the shot glass. We had been up late at a family wedding the night before and might have had a little too much to drink.
I am really not taller than him. I was wearing heels.
I'm the chick in black.
I was feeling pretty hot this night. But I was rocking a spanx to keep it all in.
An old friend and I at dinner.
All of these pics were taken in April/May of this year. My weight had fluctuated up and down about 3-5 lbs in this time frame and right before beginning The Whole 30 on 7-4-11.
In these pictures, I am wearing some sort of spanx type thing. I had an awesome tank type one that smoothed out most of my stomach flab. But it was starting to suck because of the heat. Vanity, of course, reigned supreme, and I still wore it.
Here are the results:
Total inches lost: 9.25
Total Body fat loss: 4.8%
Total Weight loss: 13.6 lbs
For me, this was amazing shit. I mean, I am 36 and I have 7 kids, people. Depending on how old you are, I may not be old. But it does become more difficult to lose weight as you get older. Over the course of the last year, I already lost 40 lbs through following a healthier version of the SAD (Standard American Diet).
But I had hit a plateau. No matter how many hours I Zumba’d my pear-shaped lower half off at the Y, I couldn’t break through to the next 10 lb level.
Imagine my surprise, when I not only broke through, but freakin’ bypassed that 10 lb range I had hovered over since the beginning of 2011.
The thing is, I had reconciled myself to being okay with where I was at body-wise and weight-wise. When you hear things like, “You have 7 kids? You look great.”, you start to take comfort in that. You start to look around and think, “I don’t look that bad. In fact, I look better than most of these women who have had less than half the kids I have had.”
But what does that have to do with being healthy? What does that have to do with using food to solve all my problems and celebrate all my victories?
And damn it, I don’t want to look good “for having 7 kids”, whatever that means. I want to be healthy and strong and just feel plain kick-ass-amazing.
Aren’t we called to be good stewards of the bodies God gave us? I’m pretty sure that doesn’t mean using every pregnancy as a justification to feed my face and grow my ass.
What Changed?
When both my parents had strokes within 6 months of each other, something changed in me. Who is going to take care of everything and everybody if I can’t? Sometimes I feel like the glue that holds it all together. for. everyone. I’ll be damned if I leave my kids behind or worse, become a burden to them because I love me some effen cheese more than I love life. I do believe in God’s sovereignty, but I’m not a fatalist, either.
So, during the 30 days, I decided to focus on building strength. I read stuff from Nerd Fitness, talked to my bestie at Becoming CrossFit, and poured over stuff on Whole9life, Mark’s Daily Apple and many, many other paleo/primal/crossfit blogs.
I started lifting heavy things. I dropped Zumba and focused on strength training. I am not against Zumba, but it ain’t going to make me strong and that is what I am after. Plus, working out in my garage, rather than going to the Y saves me a ton of time and my husband’s sanity since he is left alone with the kids while I am gone. I cut my workout time down to about 30 minutes 3x per week, which is way less time than I was spending at the Y, especially with driving time.
CrossFit may be in my future. For now, I have decided to take Mark Sisson’s advice in his free e-book, Primal Blueprint Fitness. It just makes so much sense to me. Plus, it’s FREE.
Family Results
Even though my 17-year-old daughter was the primary reason we started this whole thing, the girl could not stop whining about bread and yogurt and cookies, etc. She shut up abruptly when she started fitting into clothes that she was wearing back when she was 14.
Note: It wasn’t that her chronic stomach pain stopped. It wasn’t the fact that she was able to stop taking her 2x per day meds that she was on for said stomach pain that made her stop. No. What made the girl STFU about all the things she “couldn’t” eat, was vanity. Pure and simple. It runs in the family.
In the end, my husband lost 10 lbs and 6 inches. My 17-year-old whiner daughter lost 2.5 lbs and reduced her body fat by 9 freaking percent. I wanted to kick her ass, but she is now stronger than me so I decided against it. My 13 yo daughter lost a whopping 16 inches total. Yes, 16 inches!!
Breaking The Cycle of Negative Body Image
But what’s even better than that, is seeing my girls come up with their own paleo recipes and owning this as a way of life for them and not simply a 30 day thing that their mom made them do. We all see and feel the health benefits. Mental clarity, energy, lack of bloating and other stomach ailments and just an overall sense of feeling good.
It is about seeing them desire not just a skinny ass, but a fit one. It is knowing that I can encourage them to view food as fuel. I can do that because I believe it.
She’s Not Yo’ Momma
Another amazing thing happened during this process. I converted my mom. My 66-year-old mom. My 66-year-old mom who has not eaten red meat for at least 7 years. My 66-year-old mom who ate oatmeal and Shredded Wheat N’Bran multiple times a day. The brown box. Yes, mom, I know.
This is the same woman who doesn’t eat sugar, ate a ton of veggies, some chicken and ground turkey, soy milk, etc., but was primarily existing off of grains and veggies. If anyone would have examined her diet, they would have considered her freakishly healthy according to the SAD.
She is, and always has been, extremely thin. She is 5’10 and weighs not enough for her height. Like maybe 115 on a good day. She just can’t gain weight. (I did not inherit this gene.) I think she was 135 when 9 months pregnant with me. I would call her a curse word for that, but she is reading this and already hating the fact that I am posting about her and telling her age multiple times. (It’s okay mom. I will not post any pics of you, nor reveal your secret identity or lair.)
But then in January of 2010, this woman with the “perfect diet” had multiple strokes and all of our worlds were turned upside down.
My mom, is a fighter. She doesn’t believe that about herself. She sees herself as weak. But it isn’t true. Not a bit. She is strong in ways I am not, in ways I haven’t had to be. She has worked her way back to being self-sufficient again and getting a second chance at life.
They have never been able to figure out what the cause of her strokes were. She has never smoked or drank. She is not overweight. She doesn’t eat sugar and followed the food pyramid like it was her freakin’ Bible.
But when they ran all of their tests, she was borderline diabetic. My sister and I thought that was impossible. How could SHE be borderline diabetic? The woman sniffs sugar and cringes. I mean she hates chocolate. No literally, she hates chocolate. The smell nauseates her.
During her recovery she became even more restrictive and crazy with her diet. She would not eat anything with saturated fat, or a hint of sugar. She cut out all dairy and fat. I was worried as I saw her getting even thinner.
Conversion
Instead of telling my mom a ton about it, I sent her articles to read. I wanted her to want to do this because she believed that it would be healthy for her, not because I guilted/manipulated her into it.
Right away, everything that I sent her just clicked. It is like all the things that she thought were healthy about her lifestyle and diet were probably the exact contributors to her strokes. The high carbs, the lack of good fats. You have no idea how happy I was when I cooked up some beef in coconut oil and watched my mom eat. every. last. bite.
What Does “Life Changing” Really Mean?
See, this is about so much more than just losing 13 lbs. That is great. Don’t get me wrong. But what if this could prevent my mom from having more strokes? What if this could change the way I have always obsessed over food and allowed it to control me? What if this is changing the way my girls view themselves and their relationship with food and their own bodies? What if I can raise strong sons and daughters who appreciate the bodies that God gave them instead of looking at Hollywood and it’s distorted view of beauty as the unattainable standard?
Then all of those things, well, they would be life changing. Will The Whole 30 change your life? The answer is yes. In ways that you might not even realize.
I don’t plan on looking back. I plan on looking forward and seeing just what this body can do. One thing I know. If this mom of seven kids can change her life, so can you.
PS: I’m spanx free, as seen in the pics below. Anyone need one? 
I look harsh and mad. But really, it is just sunny, so I am squinty. Not my cutest look, but gets the point across on the overall body changes.
Kinda blurry, but look at that definition. I still have a long way to go on my triceps, but there has been progress made!
Tasha….amazing! You are inspiring…truly. Hard work pays off! Rock that I-had-7-babies-but-i-look-incredible-body of yours!
Tasha, it’s a great testimony for Whole30. I tried it as well this year and lost 12 pounds which I have kept off. I am 38 and have 3 kids, so I really liked your comments about your children getting healthier as well! I haven’t had time to start my exercise regime again, but am sure that I will get amazing results when I do. Whole30 is great for the people who hit a plateau. I’m glad you got such good results- it’s great to hear that even someone who must be really busy with such a big family can still succeed on this way of eating!
Thanks, Kristyna! I so appreciate your encouragement. If you haven’t got Mark’s e-book Primal Blueprint Fitness, it is so awesome. The exercise is the one thing I can justify with a thousand or 7 (haha) excuses as to why I can’t get to. But I realized that my body just isn’t bouncing back with diet alone. Must be the late 30′s thing. So, I make time. It isn’t perfect, but I try to be as consistent as possible.
At first, I was discouraged because I was thinking I will never look like Melissa and Dallas over at Thewhole9. But then I just figured I need to to work on me, and what I can do. I have such a long way to go, but I feel like it is possible to transform my body into something awesome for me. If that makes any sense…
Thanks, Michelle. I know you know that hard work pays off because I stalk your FB pictures. Haha I swear, if we ever get back to VV, we are so going to be friends.
Your story gave me goosebumps — not the scary kind, the emotional kind. I love what and how you have written about your Whole30 experience and its impact not just on your life but on your family’s — and now your story will inspire many more people too. I love your voice in your writing — I was laughing and goosebumpy at the same time. Thanks so much for your post!
Tami,
Giving somebody goosebumps is like the best compliment ever.
I am so glad that the post was encouraging to you. I would love to inspire people to get past the excuses. I don’t consider myself to be anything other than ordinary. The 7 kids thing may be a big deal to some, but it is just my life. We all have our limitations or difficulties. We make choices everyday. I want to make choices that inspire my kids to see themselves and the world they live in, in a way that I only am beginning to understand at 36. It’s a start. 
Tasha
Love it! I’ve been eating whole 30 for almost a year…and can’t wait to have the 7 kids and make it their life style! Thank you for sharing!
Jen, wait, you want to have 7 kids?? You crazy girl.
I can’t even imagine how awesome I would be if I would have eaten paleo during pregnancy and worked out. You are so lucky that you are starting things out the right way. I have the tendency of doing everything backwards. Haha
You look so very beautiful! I am blow away! I am on the whole 30 at the moment, lets hope I get results like you.
Great job really…
That is so sweet! Thank you. Even though your results will be based on your own experience, there is know way to not see so many improvements. I know you will be blown away! Keep at it!
Well done to you and your family. My family and I changed over to a Paleo/Primal diet about 13 weeks ago, and my 17 yr old was the same as yours (without the meds part). What stopped the complaints about the food? Weightloss of course. Not the acne disappearing, or the reduction in oiliness of her hair, or even the better sleep she was getting. Nope the 12lbs she’s shed and the clothes she can fit into. I’ve got 5 kids, and the whole family has seen major changes. So glad to know other families are doing this too.
Natalie,
That is so funny. I am glad someone can relate! Would you believe that my 17 year old ate 4 Wheat Thins and started going into anaphylactic shock? Full on asthma attack, throat swelling, hives, etc. Apparently, it is not just about vanity anymore. Hello, Paleo for life.
I can’t wait to get over to your blog and take a read from someone who knows what big family cavemen living is like! 
Oh I know about big cave-family meals look like! We’re still in trial and error stages over here. Some days the kids can’t get enough and other days we have to sneak in the ‘gluten free’ pasta to try to tempt them back to the light side of the force. One of my teens ate a hotdog the other week and came home feeling like she would vomit. I had warned her that eating ‘processed’ foods wouldn’t taste any good now she was Paleo, but I guess they have to find out for themselves. We’re Paleo for life as well, but I’m glad we are. Look forward to keeping in contact and reading what you’re up to.
Comments are back!
I love reading about these success stories, especially when they’re written as well as this.
It’s great that your whole family got on board and really went for it – it’s amazing how hard it can be to convince someone to give up bread for just 30 days!!!
Looking forward to your next posts, you will truly inspire people (and probably p*** a lot of people off as you’re taking their excuses away from them – unless they have 8 kids, maybe)
Chris,
Thanks for coming back and giving the comment another go. I was ready to cry when I found out I lost 34 comments due to a lame ass spam plugin! But I am not bitter.
My next post is going to be about all the people who say, “Oh, I could never…”, and what that really means. I will surely piss people off, but it is out of love…sort of.
Wow, amazing!
Love the way you write too.
Can you do a post about what you feed your 7 children and anything about costs etc. My two are mostly paleo – but they are starting to get bored with eggs and other paleo food!
Thanks so much, Julianne! I have been so inspired by http://everydaypaleo.com/ , http://nomnompaleo.com/, http://www.health-bent.com/, http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/, to name a few. I feel like we have had more variety in our meals since going paleo. One thing that has been great is cooking with my 13yo daughter. She has always loved to cook. So, maybe she and I could write a post together about some of our fave meals.
As for the budget, it has been hard. I won’t lie. That will definitely have to be the subject of another post where I ask for donations to keep us eating paleo. Haha
You already know how much I love you, but I’m so glad we’re on this path together I could thrit. <3
Well, I owe it all to you. Really. <3
found this site while browsing my friends on FB and I actually read the WHOLE THING. and about cried Just today I was talking with my BF about NEEDING someone to help me, inspire me (hold my hand) to lose weight so i could feel better and as I read your post i thought “wait, did I write this”? (except for the following through part) I have fibromyalgia and refuse to take meds, and its hard to work out to lose and I have no will power on what i eat. I’m 5’2″ and about 150 pounds. I have 4 kids and friends tell me I “look good for having…” you know.. yadda yadda.. I want to FEEL good. AND< my 18 year old son has stomach issues from an exploratory surgery he had a age 2 and I SWEAR he needs to be gluten free. Have never heard of this 'paleo' you speak of an dam going to google it after this.
My problem? I am a picky eater and I need someone to just give me a dang menu to follow. period. if i have to figure things out and count this or weigh that.. forgetaboutit! I suck at that and have NO TIME. HELP! I have about 30 pounds to lose so i can not ache every morning. Thanks so much for your post.
Hey Julie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read it. I know the post was really long.
One of my closest friends struggles with Fibromyalgia as well. When she found out that I went Paleo, she emailed me and told me that she has been eating like this for some time and that it has really helped her manage her pain. So, I think it would be perfect for you. If your diet helped manage some of your pain, you MIGHT be able to do some exercise, which I know would also help your pain and could be a cycle where you felt like you could control and manage things rather than feeling super overwhelmed and constantly in pain and unable to do anything.
My friend is an amazing inspiration to me. She has recently become a certified Zumba instructor. She has fought really hard despite what she goes through. These are things that I have not had to deal with and I admire people that can overcome these obstacles because I don’t know if I have that in me.
In regard to food, there is no weighing or measuring. That part is awesome, especially for someone like me that was a Weight Watchers addict. Pointing and weighing everything I put in my mouth. So, glad to be over that.
Here is a really helpful article that gives a good synopsis of paleo eating: http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/10/04/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet/
I want to tell you, you can make changes in your life. Even if it is alone. You can. That desire you have to feel good, it is enough. Use that to motivate you. Make it about being healthy and changing your life, not about the number on the scale. Please keep me posted about what you decide to do and how it goes. And feel free to ask me any questions.
Tasha
I like the idea of u gettin ur kids healthier i need to do that as well.Im 38 and i have 7 kids and its hard to keep the weight off.I have tried everything and spent so much money on cd’s and diffrent kinds of foods that dont do shit.Im gettin fustrated with my weight going up and down.I even did yoga but that just gets me frustrated sometimes cause i like to move not sit on my a## the whole time.But i hope as i continue with my struggles i can read more of what ur doing to help me along the way. thanks for ur posts…….missy
Thanks Missy! I am always glad to meet another mom of many. Someone who knows my crazy chaos. For me, over the years, my battle with weight has been about 90% mental. I had to get my head in the right place before my body could change, if that makes sense.
Tasha
I’ll take your spanx, babe.
OK, so I have the diet down, but no offense – I can’t stand that you can arm wrestle me and win. I need to get my writer’s booty in the gym (garage).
Found your site through Whole30 – I’m on day 20. Love your perspective and can’t wait to follow your journey into “paleo land”. Thanks for sharing your life to entertain and inspire!
I just threw out my Spanx 3 days ago. No kidding. They were hiding in the back of my underwear drawer, out of sight for months. They were a size D. Now I would take an A, but I don’t actually need them anymore.
Congrats to you for no longer needing them either and even more for the changes you’ve made in your family. Keep it up!
Tara,
Thanks so much for reading my post. You are an inspiration and an amazing writer, truly!
I swear there needs to be a nationwide spanx burning. Haha!
Tasha
Wow! Congrats to you and your family! What you’ve experienced has made me realize that I’m experiencing more during my Whole30 experience than I realized (I’m starting week #4)! No need for spanx, pants are falling off, I fit in my clothes, less headaches, less joint stiffness, no more “shocks” (shocks that make me feel like I’ve been bitten by a mosquito). Thanks for sharing your experience! I can’t help but noticed that you were able to get your mom on board. Mine is coming to visit very, very soon, and I’m going to hand her my Whole30 guide as well as make meals for her. I’m hoping for her to do the same.
Good luck with your mom. I was shocked that my mom actually hopped on board. I am still working with her on the exercise part. But, baby steps.
One more week for you and then will you post your results?
You look AMAZING. I am on day four of The Whole 30 and feeling pretty good since I’m past my headache point.
But you are an inspiration – I need to get clean and lose my mommy tummy. I’ve not integrated my children, yet. They are 2.5 and almost 5 and the changes with them will have to be slow to avoid complete meltdowns. They don’t eat HORRIBLY but they definitely eat processed foods (Goldfish, Cheerios, etc).
My husband and I are going for it, though. I actually do have a pic from the day we started but we do not own a scale so I do not know what I weighed!
Anyhow, I’m rambling now. But thank you for being an inspiration!
Thanks, Erin!
My younger kids are not paleo, for the most part. Shhhh…
They are loathe to give up their goldfish. My goal is baby steps with them. I always feel reassured when I hear people like Nom Nom Paleo say that they can’t share a picture of what her youngest son, little O ate because she would be embarrassed to do so.
Please come back and share your results with me! I would love to know how it went for you guys.
Tasha
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Thanks for this! Like, REALLY thanks. I’ve been waffling for months about trying this….I mean DOING this. There is no try.
Inspiring and helpful.
I am inspired by your post. I am approaching the big 5-0 in four years. I had three of my five kids a little later, with my last one at 40. I am due, long overdue to begin doing something different. Long before we had “organic” in our vocabulary I was just plain and simple gluten and dairy free, about 95%. My mom thought when you are done nursing a baby there is no need for dairy. She also believed that any packaged food with more than one ingredient can no be good, so we ate what we caught or grew. Seven years ago I became less refined by eating refined everything. And my body has paid for it grossly. Now don’t get me wrong. There has been NO motivation to lose the weight. I am easy on the eyes and make looking a little full figured fun, but girl day one into change and I stumble onto your blog and am truly inspired. I realize this was written quite a while ago, but your words still shine bright.
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