THE DRAMA OF COMMITMENT AND THE WORTH OF MYSELF
I hate to cook. Those of you who know me personally know that I do not like spending time in my kitchen. My kitchen is the smallest room in my house. My house was built in 1924 and I assume they didn’t really care about the kitchen, cooking, storage and the person responsible for it all.
I also loathe going to the grocery. Those of you who know me personally know that I have hatred of just the thought of going. I hate the parking lot as much as inside the store. All of it creates anxiety for me and sometimes even heart palpitations. Dramatic much? I’ll say. I usually have to physically and mentally prepare for the trip. I ALWAYS get so ding-dang cold while in there. I understand why they have to keep it cool but my body tenses up and tries to suffocate me when I feel cool. Again, dramatic. I prepare by always keeping coats in the car. Really. Like a winter coat. My grocery trips are usually an hour long (preparing for two weeks) and I can not manage or focus when I am so cold. The coat helps physically but mentally is a whole other story.
My Motivation Partner
I am grateful that I usually attend the grocery with my wonderful husband. He sure takes the pressure off me. Even driving to the grocery makes my head spin, so I am now spoiled that he drives us. I am happy not to push the cart. Some people like this; I do not. I am also glad to have his help due to his amazing ability to navigate the nutrition label and ingredients list like a pro. This is highly valuable while eating a ketogenic lifestyle. Both parties must be educated and committed. Can I do it without him? Probably, but I am happy that he is on this wellness journey with me. We make an amazing team.
Commitment and Mindset
Speaking of commitment… we make sacrifices to go to the grocery every other Sunday. Do we want to do this task? What do you think? A BIG NO. However, I do love the way I feel and look while eating keto. I must love myself enough to prepare for my meals in advance. It is a commitment that I have never done before until 2016. I made it almost two decades without cooking regularly. I survived on fast food, cereal and mac & cheese from the microwave. My body didn’t survive.
I have had to force myself to prep meals and spend time in the kitchen. My hatred of the grocery hasn’t changed, but my mindset of loving myself enough to endure the commitment has. I will continue to go to the grocery kicking and screaming but 53 pounds lighter and with my amazing husband. I love that he loves me.
We share cooking duty and try to come up with new and adventurous meals. This is not always possible. And it’s ok. We stick to what we love and crave and make those meals often. We don’t get too burned out if we know and love the meal. On occasion we try something new and decide whether or not to rotate it into our meal cycle but usually really focus on what is easy to prepare at the end of the long day. I encourage everyone to pick 5 meals for dinner and rotate them. Make sure that you and\or your partner knows how to prepare these and makes enough for lunch the next day! We like the idea of “cook once – eat twice”.
Inspire
I hope to inspire you to make a commitment to your body. It starts at the grocery. It starts with the food you choose, buy and prepare. It does take time. You are worth it.
Motivational and helpful. Thanks