Planning for Real Life
When we try to change our lifestyle, most of us start strong.
For the first few days it seems easy to eat differently and move more. But then life gets in the way – especially if we’re not seeing the kind of dramatic results that are often advertised by commercial weight loss programs.
Success relies on being realistic, not idealistic. Here’s how.
1. Think about your week
The first step is to look at your typical week. When are you busy and when do you have free time? When are you going to shop and cook? What are the obstacles that often crop up?
Think about the days and times that will suit you best for exercising, shopping and cooking some meals.
For example:
- If your weekends are chaotic, then plan to exercise earlier in the day.
- If you’re often tired or stressed in the evening, then do your shopping at a different time.
- If mornings are rushed, then prepare your healthy breakfast the night before.
2. Make a realistic plan
The key here is not to plan for your most ideal week. Instead, plan for your worst possible week.
What can you realistically do to make following the Fatty Liver Diet easier?
For example, don’t plan to cook a Fatty Liver Diet meal every night of the week, then find that you haven’t had time to buy the ingredients. Instead, plan to use leftovers, or pre-cook a large batch and freeze portions ahead of time.
Remember, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking to build simple habits that will last.
3. Plan your meals
Planning your meals ahead of time will help you stick to the Fatty Liver Diet. You can use our resources to help you plan for your week:
DOWNLOAD MEAL PLANNER TEMPLATE VIEW EXAMPLE MEAL PLANS
Tips
- Include easy meals for the nights you’re busy or home late
- Cook enough for leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day
- Have the same breakfast every day, if you like
- Have a simple, healthy lunch or eat leftovers from the day before
4. Have a backup plan
The key to sticking to the plan when barriers crop up is to have a backup plan.
This means you have already thought about what you’re going to do when things don’t go as you’d hoped.
Ask yourself some “If–then” questions. For example:
If I get up late and there’s no time to cook an omelette, then I’ll have a bowl of yoghurt instead.
If I get home late and I’m too tired to cook, then I’ll have a simple salad.
Make liver-friendly choices the easiest option when life gets busy
- Pre-cook and freeze portions so you have a balanced meal ready for busy days
- Prepare simple ingredients ahead of time, like salad vegetables or stir-fry mixes
- Plan a few easy meals for nights when you’re tired or short on time
back to plan for success Next in the Series: Forming New Habits