These stunning before-and-after photos show why this 30-day diet is taking Instagram by storm
Whole 30 requires that you eat only whole, natural foods for 30 straight days.
Another thing you can't do? Step on the scale.
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"You are not allowed to step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program," the website reads. You can, however, weigh yourself before and after. The purpose of this is so you don't get side-tracked; "This is about so much more than just weight loss," the website says.
Like the Paleo diet, there's no emphasis on counting calories, either.
The weight loss is billed as a byproduct of eating well as opposed to an end goal.
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Founders Melissa and Dallas Hartwig are famous for their "tough love."
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The two presented this tough love in two books, "It Starts with Food" and "The Whole 30." Melissa writes a tough-love advice column called "Dear Melissa" where she gives it to people straight — no, you can't have wine on the Whole 30!
People have created a weight-loss community on the Whole 30 website's forums and on Instagram.
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They share "Whole 30" friendly meals and their meal preparation processes.
The food photos can be particularly inspiring.
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Before-and-after photos of people on the diet have been going viral on social media.
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The diet doesn't allow any cheating.
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Source: Whole 30
But "it's only 30 days," the website says.
Some people try Whole 30 and inevitably slip up — so those who succeed tend to be pretty proud when they take to Instagram to show their before-and-after photos.
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For people struggling to stay on track, the program encourages people to seek support — whether it's through an online forum or through social media.
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Source: Whole 30
The program promotes the importance of will power.
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For instance, you can turn down a slice of cake at a birthday party or a drink at happy hour.
"You’re all big boys and girls. Toughen up. Learn to say no (or make your mom proud and say, 'No, thank you'). Learn to stick up for yourself," the website encourages.
Though you could do the Whole 30 forever, the company doesn't recommend that. Some people, however, do multiple rounds of the program.
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It's supposed to be used as a hard re-set.
Source: Whole-30
Founder Melissa Hartwig says it would be "stressful" to forbid yourself from all foods — especially when you're on vacation.
In many cases, the diet has inspired people to start learning how to cook.
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Some critics say it's not healthy to stick to a strict food-elimination program.
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Your body doesn't need to "detox," and you don't need to completely eliminate sugar. LiveScience has reported that there many nutritional benefits to the foods that Whole 30 tells you to cut out — like beans and whole grains, which makes many nutritionists question the validity of Whole 30.
But amid criticism, there's one clear health perk: eating vegetables is better than eating junk food.
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Much like when people lose weight when they go gluten-free, it's not necessarily because they "can't have gluten," but rather, due to the fact that they're eating healthier foods instead. (There are very few people who actually can't have gluten.)
Source: LiveScience
And the community revolving around the diet has undeniably inspired people to eat — at least to some extent — better than they were eating before.
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