Time: 1 Hour
STEP 1: Decide how and what you are going to eat this week. Start with drinking a glass or two of water as soon as you get up, and end with a soothing herbal tea in the evening. Be diligent and review recipes when necessary so you can purchase the ingredients and make it the way you’d like. Identify where you might run into obstacles (i.e. the break room at work, the temptation to order take out after a long day at work, or going to happy hour with coworkers). If you are aware and honest with yourself about where you might be tempted to eat poorly, then you will be more likely to avoid those triggers and choose healthier options.
STEP 2: Go to the grocery store to get what is on your list. You can go one day a week or you can grab the ingredients you’ll need in the next 24 hours at lunch or on your way home. If you purchase smaller amounts of food and visit the grocery store more often, you will likely reduce wasting food since you will only be buying enough for the next 24 hours.
STEP 3: Don’t go to the grocery store hungry! You will inevitably buy more than you need and likely get more things that aren’t on your list. You will be more easily tempted to buy things to satisfy immediate cravings. Be mindful of this challenge and eat before you go.
STEP 4: If you forget an ingredient, improvise. Google what else you can use in its place or leave it out. You might discover a new flavor combination that you wouldn’t have otherwise tried—experiment and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. You might be surprised at what delicious culinary creation you invent.
STEP 5: Be proud of the steps you are taking to be healthier. It will likely not be an overnight change, but you will start to notice positive changes as you make small adjustments each day.
