Cooking Through Chaos
It’s no surprise that in times like these, people may be looking for a retreat or escape. How are you coping during such chaotic moments?
You’ve decided to take control of your wellness. That’s awesome! You’ve hit the grocery store, stocked up on all the high-end organic brands, and joined new exercise classes—one for every day of the week. You’ve even gone all in, putting down a deposit for a personal trainer to make sure you’re covered on weekends. And let’s not forget that gorgeous activewear, made from the most breathable, form-fitting, and comfortable fabrics available.
It’s week one—let’s go, baby! You’re off to a great start, crushing two workout classes and loving the variety. You’re energized and excited—no sign of boredom here. But then, day three hits. You’re invited out for dinner and drinks with your coworkers to celebrate. You happily accept, indulge in a delicious meal (maybe not exactly within your regimen), and enjoy the night. You end up staying out later than planned and, of course, sleep in the next morning, missing your workout. Suddenly, your mood shifts. You’re disappointed in yourself. So, what do you do? You decide to eat whatever you want for dinner, thinking, “Well, I’ve already messed up.”
Day five comes, and you skip your workout again, but try to stick to your nutrition plan. By day six, you’re ready to work with your trainer. In your mind, this session should be the turning point—the thing that’ll get you back on track. But when the session actually happens, it’s not as fun or motivating as your group classes. On day seven, you reluctantly show up for your second personal training session. By the middle of week two, most of the produce you bought is already spoiled. You’ve had long days at work and just don’t feel like cooking. Grocery shopping feels like too much of a hassle, so you opt for takeout. 
The next day, you’re back at the gym, but this time, it’s a new class. You’re excited to mix it up! Yet, at work, you order takeout again because you didn’t plan ahead and didn’t pack lunch. The cycle continues for the next two days, and soon you realize how much money you’ve spent on food that doesn’t fit into your wellness plan. It’s almost time for another training session, and you decide you’ll only be able to make it one day this weekend. Instead of showing up for the second training session, you put on your activewear and head out for a relaxed lunch with friends.
Looking ahead to the upcoming week, you can’t help but feel defeated and unmotivated.
Suddenly, all that inspirational content you used to love on social media doesn’t feel so uplifting anymore. In fact, it’s making things worse, fueling a negative spiral instead of motivating you.
If you can relate to this storyline or aspects of this story, you are not alone. Do not be too hard on yourself. At this point, you simply need to match your desire for change with your determination to change. Consider a slow and steady approach versus a major all at once approach. Below I have listed some tips you can apply to get you on the road to achieving your nutrition goals, practically:
A lot of positive health-related information is available. It is not one size fit all. We can all benefit from this abundance of useful information, but it is the application of that information that makes the difference. To have a successful outcome, consider the advantage of taking an individualized approach. Be encouraged.
It’s no surprise that in times like these, people may be looking for a retreat or escape. How are you coping during such chaotic moments?
I am so excited to kick off my Nutrition: Food & Culture Series. I’m starting with A Talk with the Elders feature. I talked with one of my beloved elders to see how food in America has changed in his lifetime.
Do you have a nutritional aspect of your self-care routine in place for the season change?
The content on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to replace advice or treatment from a physician. It is recommended that all readers and viewers of this content consult with a qualified health professional concerning any health issues. Any products discussed or endorsed are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or to be used as the basis for treating a particular symptom or disease. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should seek the advice of a physician before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.
