Personalizing Wellness: Meal Planning Edition

I find myself overlooking my approach to meal planning. I'm someone who gets stressed and overwhelmed easily, so you can imagine how I felt when I used to see all these seemingly perfect routines of Instagram influencers, especially their demanding meal planning Sundays. I've always tried to avoid future planning, especially if it's not something I particularly enjoy. I normally just push it aside, leaving it unresolved until the last minute. So, when a friend suggested I write about my meal planning, I was puzzled.

Do I even meal plan??? I always have food ready but I never pre-plan my meals. Have I been meal planning all along, just in my own way?

Surprisingly, the answer was yes. And that's what I’m trying to convey: there isn't just ONE prescribed way to do things. The concept of meal planning can be tailored to fit your lifestyle and preferences.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I try to synchronize my meals with my cycle. When I grocery shop, I buy ingredients specific to the phase I'm in. My version of meal planning involves cooking fresh ingredients ahead of time and storing them in my fridge. However, I don't portion out meals for each day of the week like the Instagram influencers do. Instead, when it's time to eat, I already have two-thirds of my meal prepared. This helps me with efficiency in my kitchen routine and ensures nutrient intake. Whenever I cook something, I prepare the entire batch. For instance, if I'm boiling broccoli, I'll boil the whole bag to have it ready in my fridge. Similarly, if I'm making turkey burgers, I'll prepare the entire batch and freeze some for later use. You get the idea.

Through blogging, I've realized that little by little I incorporate my changes and wellness activities into my daily routine in a personalized fashion. I adapt them, to match my needs and ensure enjoyment for myself. 

A few tiny examples:

• I've incorporated 10 minutes of guided sleep meditation while doing red light therapy with my legs elevated on the wall before bed, achieving multiple benefits at once.

• I've started using a one-line-a-day journal before bed. This simple practice allows me to reflect on my day and jot down my feelings in just one sentence.

• I dedicate 10 minutes after my morning workout to stretching and foam rolling, integrating it seamlessly into my gym routine.

There are still many more things I want to implement in my daily routine, but these are a few practices that have proven successful to me.

I hope that by sharing my realization, you can customize your wellness routines to fit your schedule and preferences. No need to stress or get overwhelmed, and definitely no need for anxiety to wish for someone else's life!