It’s Friday, and as I look back on the week, I’m feeling pretty content with how things have gone. Yesterday was my usual food shopping day, and I stuck to my plan of scaling things back a bit. As I mentioned earlier in the week, I picked up two whole chickens, so tonight’s meal is set: half a chicken with green beans. I could add some potatoes, but I’m consciously trying to cut down on unnecessary carbs. The thing is, I’m quite fortunate in that I don’t mind repetitive, simple meals. There’s something calming about knowing what to expect when it comes to food, and I’ve found that keeping things basic, focusing on whole foods, and not overcomplicating meals has had a hugely positive impact on how I feel.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—I truly believe that this way of eating, rooted in whole, unprocessed foods, is how humans were meant to eat. It’s simple, it’s nutritious, and it’s filling without being overwhelming. I’ve noticed how much better I feel, both mentally and physically, since I adopted this approach. That being said, I don’t believe in forcing my lifestyle on anyone, especially not my teenage daughter. I think back to being her age, and I know I wouldn’t have wanted to eat the way I do now. It’s a different time in life—when you're young, food is about fun and convenience, not nutrition and balance. I want her to enjoy food, and I don’t want her to feel restricted. At the same time, I’ve realised I’ve been a bit too generous with the treats. Since my daughter moved in with me, the weekly shopping bill has jumped noticeably. I used to spend between £35 and £50 a week on food for myself, but now I’m spending £60 to £80 just in Home Bargains on snacks like chocolate, crisps, sweets, and fizzy drinks. Then there’s another £40 to £50 in Sainsbury’s on processed foods—things like nuggets, frozen chips, pizzas, and the like. This week, though, I made a conscious effort to scale back on the snacks. It’s not that she asks for all this stuff—I just feel this need to make sure she has everything she might want, and I don’t want her to go without. I think a lot of parents feel the same way. The thing is, she’s not the type to just eat everything in sight, even if it’s there. I know some kids will raid the snack cupboard just because it’s full, but she’s not like that. She has self-control, and I’m lucky that way. But even still, I realised it was getting a bit much. So this week, I cut down on the treats, hoping to strike a better balance between keeping her happy and keeping our food spending in check. After the shopping yesterday, I stuck to my Thursday routine and gave the house a good clean. There’s something really satisfying about having a fresh, tidy house heading into the weekend. Even though it’s just the two of us, the house doesn’t really get messy, but I like to do a thorough clean after the shopping is put away. It’s a nice way to feel on top of things, knowing everything’s in its place and the house is ready for a relaxing weekend. A big milestone I hit this week was reaching 16 weeks smoke-free—16 weeks and 2 days today, to be exact. It feels like time has flown by since I quit, but the positive changes are becoming more noticeable each week. One of the first things I realised today was how much whiter my teeth are. Smoking really does leave its mark on your teeth, and seeing them gradually get back to a healthier state has been such a motivator. I’ve also noticed a glow in my skin that wasn’t there before. I’ve always had fairly clear skin, but it’s always been a bit of a mix between oily and dry. Lately, though, my skin feels smoother, less oily, and overall just healthier. One thing that’s really surprised me is how the slight tickly cough I had for years is completely gone now. I didn’t even realise how much I’d gotten used to it being there, but since quitting smoking, I’ve realised just how much better my chest feels. It doesn’t feel as tight, and I’m breathing more easily, which is a huge relief. It’ll be interesting to see how I feel a year from now, but for now, I’m celebrating the little victories along the way. On top of quitting smoking, this weekend marks four weeks since I last drank alcohol. That’s another big step for me, and it’s made a huge difference in my overall mood and energy levels. I’m definitely feeling the benefits of making these changes in my life, and it’s encouraging me to keep going with these healthier habits. Tonight, I’m planning on a quiet evening in. I missed an episode of Daryl Dixon earlier this week, so I’ll catch up on that. It’s nice to have something to look forward to, especially after a busy week of food shopping, house cleaning, and sticking to my new routine. I’ve got my chicken and green beans for dinner, and I’m keeping things simple, but that’s exactly how I like it. Looking ahead to the weekend, I’m ready for some relaxation and a bit of downtime, knowing that I’ve hit some important milestones this week and made good progress in my journey towards better health and self-care. Comments are closed.
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