I Used to Be a Hot Mess
Look, I’m gonna be honest here. Until about three months ago, my meal planning was non-existent. I mean, I’d try. Every Sunday, I’d sit down with good intentions, a pen, and a notebook. But by Monday, it was already a disaster. Take last Tuesday, for example. I had planned to make this fancy salmon dish I saw on Pinterest. But at 6:30pm, I was staring into my fridge, surrounded by takeout menus. Again.
I’d ask my friend Marcus about it. He’d just laugh and say, “You’re hopeless, Sarah.” And he was right. I was hopeless. But not anymore. I’ve finally cracked the code on meal planning, and it’s changed my life.
Step One: Admit You Have a Problem
First things first, you gotta admit you have a problem. And I’m not talking about the fact that you eat cereal for dinner alot (though, hey, no judgment here). I’m talking about the fact that you can’t seem to stick to a meal plan to save your life. It’s okay. We’ve all been there. But the first step to fixing anything is admitting you need help.
I did this over coffee at the place on 5th. I told my colleague Dave, “I think I need help with meal planning.” He looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “You? The girl who once ate nothing but avocado toast for a week?” Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, Dave.
Step Two: Find Your Why
So, why do you wanna meal plan? Is it to save money? To eat healthier? To stop eating cereal for dinner? (Seriously, what is your life?) For me, it was all three. I was spending a small fortune on takeout, my jeans were getting tight, and I was tired of feeling gross all the time.
I talked to a nutritionist named Linda about this. She said, “Sarah, you need to find your why. Once you have a solid reason, sticking to a meal plan will be easier.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
Step Three: Start Small
Don’t go crazy trying to plan every meal for the entire month. Start small. Like, really small. I started with just planning dinner for the week. That’s it. No breakfast, no lunch, just dinner. And even then, I only planned for five days. Because let’s be real, I’m not about that weekend life.
I used healthy recipes meal planning to find simple, healthy recipes. I’d pick five that looked good, made a grocery list, and boom. Done. It was so easy, I kinda felt stupid for not doing it sooner.
Step Four: Be Realistic
Here’s the thing about me: I hate cooking. Like, really hate it. So planning some fancy, time-consuming recipe that takes 36 hours to make? Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. Be realistic about your skills and your time. If you’re not a chef, don’t plan meals like one.
I told this to my mom on the phone last Sunday. She said, “Sarah, you’ve always been a disaster in the kitchen. Why start now?” Thanks, Mom. Really. Thanks.
Step Five: Plan for Leftovers
Leftover day is the best day. It’s like a mini-cheat day, but for meal planning. Plan for leftovers. Make extra so you have lunch the next day, or dinner the day after. It saves money, it saves time, and it saves your sanity.
I learned this the hard way. I’d make this huge dinner, eat half, and then have no idea what to do with the rest. Now, I plan for leftovers. And it’s amazing.
Step Six: Be Flexible
Life happens. Sometimes, you’re gonna have to ammend your meal plan. And that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up if you have to change things around. Just roll with it.
Last week, I had planned to make chicken parmesan. But then I saw a sale on steak. So, I changed my plan. No big deal. It’s all about being flexible.
A Tangent: The Time I Tried Meal Prepping
Oh god, meal prepping. Where do I even start? So, I thought, “Hey, maybe I should try this meal prepping thing.” Big mistake. I spent all day Sunday cooking and prepping food. By Monday, I was so over it. I mean, who wants to eat the same thing for five days straight? Not this girl.
I told Marcus about it. He just laughed. “You’re such a drama queen,” he said. Maybe he’s right. But meal prepping? Not for me.
Back to Meal Planning
So, yeah. That’s how I finally got my sh*t together with meal planning. It’s not perfect. Some weeks are better than others. But it’s a committment I’m willing to make. Because, honestly, I’m tired of eating cereal for dinner.
Give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen? You end up with a fridge full of sad, wilted veggies? Big deal. At least you tried.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. She’s also a self-proclaimed meal planning expert (well, kinda). When she’s not writing, you can find her eating cereal for dinner or trying not to burn down her kitchen.
