Every Jan. 1, people around the world tell themselves they’re going to get in shape.
“New year, new me” is a saying thrown around a lot.
From crash dieting to hitting the gym 14 times a week, we’re all going to do whatever it takes to look our best this year, right? But what happens when you have the added stress of something you want to look good for, like a wedding?
This is not a rhetorical question, I am asking for help. I find myself in a stressful struggle trying to figure this one out. Stress eating is my favorite hobby and my second-shift work hours make it less than easy to hit the gym every day. Yes, I know, I’m making excuses for myself. But when an eight-hour day turns into a 10-hour day, my couch becomes my best friend.
And when you add cooking into the mix, I can’t help but laugh.
I know what you might be thinking — you have over a year until the wedding, you have plenty of time — and you’re right. I do have a lot of time to kick my awful habits to the curb, but the sooner the better, right?
I know every bride wants to look a particular way for her wedding (and let’s face it, we are all going to be beautiful no matter what), but I find myself wanting to put things like engagement photos off until I look “perfect,” whatever that may be.
So, gym time is sacred and I need to start my three days a week routine (I’m trying, I swear), but my first focus is on my eating habits. I love greasy food. Pizza might be my one true love, so I thought the best way to avoid excessive eating is to start my “wedding diet.”
Like any diet, not all wedding diets are created equal. Depending on what someone likes to eat, they can include lean cuts of red meat and kale. Mine will have lots of chicken breast and broccoli, because that’s about all I know how to cook.
I’m trying this thing called meal prep. I figured since I usually don’t have time to cook every day (who does, anymore), if I cook most of my food at the beginning of the week, it frees up more time for me to go to the gym or at least say I’m going to go. My meals this week are actually pretty colorful — asparagus, cauliflower and sweet potatoes — in addition to my favorite protein, chicken.
It’s been a slow process, too. I still find myself exhausted at 11:30 p.m. when I get home, and cooking isn’t my number one priority. But I’m trying. I will continue to try until it becomes second nature to me.
So brides, what are your healthy eating habits? What advice do you have to make meal prep as easy as possible while still being healthy and delicious?
