Four Hacks to Stop Restriction
Are you ready to beat menopausal weight gain without giving up the foods you love? I promise, it’s not a dream. With a few tweaks, you can hit your nutrition goals and still savor every bite.
Let’s dive into my top four hacks to stop restriction and start living your best foodie life!
1. Treat Yo' Self... Every Day!
Sounds too good to be true? Trust me, it’s possible! Instead of saving treats for the weekend (and then overindulging), integrate them into your meals throughout the week. Picture this: a piece of chocolate with your lunch on Tuesday, a glass of wine with dinner on Friday, or even some homemade sweet potato fries (or Alexia brand are yummy) on Wednesday. By doing this, you’re not depriving yourself and you’re keeping your cravings in check. Balance is key!
2. Two-Choice Meal Magic
Decision fatigue is real, especially when you're juggling life, work, and hormonal changes. Simplify your meal planning by giving yourself just two options for each meal and snack. This strategy makes grocery shopping a breeze, keeps your meals balanced, and prevents overwhelm.
For example:
Breakfast: Loaded Yogurt Bowl or High Protein Oatmeal
Lunch: Chicken Salad Bowl with Crackers or Meal Prepped Taco Bowl
Snack: Chomp Sticks with Dried Fruit + Nuts or Protein Shake with Fruit + seeds
By deciding in advance, you reduce stress, stay consistent, and keep your energy levels high!
3. Bulk Cook Protein
Protein is your best friend when it comes to curbing hunger and avoiding cravings. Here’s the hack: bulk cook your protein while you’re already cooking dinner. For instance, if you’re grilling chicken on Sunday night, make extra to use until Wednesday. Do the same on Wednesday night to cover the rest of the week. This way, you always have protein ready to toss into salads, wraps, or bowls. Easy peasy!
4. Stop the Sunday Grocery Madness
Sunday grocery shopping is a recipe for stress. Here’s the cycle: you shop on Sunday, but have no time to prep. By Thursday, you’re out of groceries and the weekend is a nutritional free-for-all. Instead, try shopping on Thursday:
Prepares you for the weekend: Stock up on high-protein snacks for weekend plans.
Weekend prep: Use your free time to meal prep and bulk cook.
Smooth start to the week: With meals and snacks ready, your Monday-Wednesday will be a breeze.
Feel amazing all week: Stay on track and feel like a rockstar every day!
Bonus Hack: If you need more support in learning quick tips like these that can change your life, join my six-week program! . It's packed with practical, life-changing tips tailored for women in midlife.
Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about making small, sustainable changes.