Hey there. I think one of the most slept on skills when it comes to living your forever active lifestyle is simply making your own food at home. And I’m not talking about elaborate meals that belong in a five-star restaurant or dishes worthy of viral Instagram posts. I’m talking about knowing what foods you like and figuring out how to prepare them in a way that makes you want to eat them regularly.
With so many options for takeout and delivery, it’s easy to let convenience take over. But the truth is, the more food you make at home, the more control you have over your portions, your ingredients, and your overall health. That’s huge when it comes to weight loss and even more important when you’re trying to maintain your progress as part of your forever active lifestyle.
When I first started cooking, I was completely lost. I used to eat out at restaurants all the time, and while my grocery bill was high, my restaurant spending was even higher. I had no control over portions, and aside from heating up frozen meals or using my George Foreman grill, I didn’t know how to make much of anything. That was about fifteen years ago, and things have evolved a lot since then.
These days, I still keep things pretty basic, but I’ve moved from bland meal prep into prepping meal components I can mix and match. For example, I season chicken with a simple spice mix, then use it in all kinds of different recipes throughout the week. I love experimenting with new recipes, but I keep my go-to favorites in the regular rotation once they pass the taste test.
One of my biggest tips is to get comfortable in the kitchen, even if it means starting with frozen meals. Those meals might not be perfect, and yes, they have more sodium and additives, but they give you a clearer idea of portions and calories compared to eating out. From there, you can slowly start prepping more things yourself.
Potatoes are one of my staples. I’ll bake six at a time, wrapping them in foil sprayed with olive oil and sprinkled with a little salt. Some stay whole for meals, while others I’ll smash and reheat later. Simple stuff, but it makes life easier and meals more enjoyable.
I also want to give a shoutout to my friend Arash “Shred Happens”. His cookbook has some incredible recipes, and the chili lime salmon is now the only way I make salmon. Seasoning makes all the difference, and it’s something I wish I’d known when I was stuck in the bland meal prep phase.
Don’t worry if your meals don’t look like the perfect photos online. What matters most is that you enjoy what you’re eating and that it supports your inside/out life. Over time, you’ll figure out how to balance convenience with homemade meals in a way that works for you.
If you’re ready to build your own forever active lifestyle and want some guidance along the way, check out my coaching programs here. Let’s keep working on this together!