One week down, and I’m genuinely surprised by how good I feel about this whole thing. Having my meals planned and ready made everything else feel easier – I suddenly had more headspace for work, my workouts and just living my life.
Weight Check-In
I’ve been weighing myself every morning right after I wake up and use the bathroom, before eating or drinking anything. That’s when you get the most accurate reading.
I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and I’m down about 3 pounds from last week. But honestly, the number on the scale isn’t even the best part. I could see the weight dropping a little bit each day, which kept me motivated to stick with my plan.
How I Actually Feel
This is what surprised me most – I feel healthier. Not just physically, but mentally too. I have more energy throughout the day, and I feel lighter in a way that goes beyond just the weight loss. The bloating I was dealing with felt better.
There’s something about knowing exactly what I’m going to eat each day that takes so much mental stress away. I’m not constantly thinking about food or worrying about whether I’m making good choices.
What Worked (And What I’m Keeping)
Everyone needs to find at least one meal that feels like a comfort food but still fits their goals. For me, that comfort spot is my masoor dal with toasted bread (I add just a tiny bit of ghee for more flavor on the bread) and a boiled egg on the side.
The egg muffins were honestly a risk I wasn’t sure about – I’ve always felt eggs do not taste good when reheated. But I’m so glad I tried them! They saved me so much time, and I love that I’m getting vegetables right in my breakfast without even thinking about it. They really do taste like masala omelettes, just more convenient.
I also discovered I really love the simple things – crunchy celery and carrots as snacks, Greek yoghurt with berries and my hot oatmeal with walnuts and berries has become something I look forward to in the morning.
These are going to be my “anchor” recipes – the ones I’ll probably include every week because they make me feel satisfied and happy.
Looking Ahead to Week 2
I’m feeling positive and committed to keep this going. I spent some time this week researching new recipes for Week 2 because I want to add more variety while keeping my favorite dishes from this week.
I’m planning to do my grocery shopping today and start cooking tomorrow. I learned a lot about what to freeze and when, so I think I can do even better with keeping things fresh throughout the week.
My Biggest Lesson
My biggest lesson? Taking time to plan and cook for myself is about respecting my body’s needs. I used to feel mentally drained after work and would then focus on cooking for my family first – making sure they were all taken care of. By the time it was my turn, I’d just throw together something simple without thinking about calories or protein.
Even though I was eating less, I wasn’t getting enough protein – the same mistake I made in my previous weight loss attempts. But when I started putting that same planning and care into my own meals, everything shifted. Now I can cook for everyone else with an understanding of better nutrition and not having to think about what I need to make for myself saving me mental stress and helping me focus on other important things.
If You’re Thinking About Starting
Find that one meal that feels like a hug – something that satisfies you and makes you feel good about eating it. Build your plan around including things you actually enjoy, not just things you think you “should” eat.
For some people, it might be a perfectly seasoned soup. For others, maybe it’s a protein smoothie that tastes like dessert. Whatever it is, make sure it’s in your regular rotation. You might discover something unexpected that becomes your favorite, like I did with these egg muffins!
I’m excited to share Week 2 with you all. The recipes, the prep, and hopefully with more good results.
What’s your comfort food that you’d want to include in a healthy meal plan? I’d love to hear what makes you feel satisfied and happy when you eat it.
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