I thought I was a loser at all things food.
To be honest, I was doing really good for a long time. When my husband and I got married in 2011, I threw myself head-on into meal planning and cooking for us. I got really good at eating on a budget!
After a few years of this (and adding a daughter to the mix), things started to get harder.
I’d forget key ingredients for recipes on the grocery list. I stopped wanting to cook. And completely unrelated to meal planning, my mood dropped and I started having bouts of anger. And then I got overwhelmed with simple household chores, like emptying the dishwasher.
I thought I was falling apart.
A doctor’s visit in May 2022 changed my life.
Do you ever scroll past memes that are supposed to be funny but you think, “Wait… that actually sounds like me”?
That started happening to me. Instagram began showing me all sorts of ADHD memes and I found myself relating to almost all of them. It was like looking into a mirror.
I wrote down all my symptoms and took them to my doctor, who referred me out to get a diagnosis. And in May 2022, I was officially diagnosed with ADHD.
To know that I wasn’t crazy… to have all my feelings validated. It was a HUGE relief that I can’t even begin to explain.
I’m still a hot mess, but I’m on the right track.
Since then, I realized that a LOT of us feel the same way about meal planning. It’s hard, it’s confusing, it’s overwhelming.
As my overwhelm grew, my ability to eat on a super low budget drained. It was too much work to make all of my own bread and all of those other things people tell you that you “should” make.
Now I know that I can still eat healthy foods even with this new way of thinking. I still use a lot of fresh produce, but know that I can resort to frozen or pre-chopped if my brain turns to mush.
And now it’s my desire to help you do the same thing. Let me show you how to make super easy yet healthy meals, and how to give yourself grace when you just can’t!
Meg
Saturday 12th of November 2022
Hi Jamie. I am so glad to find your story. I have gained 20pounds during Covid and going through menopause. I walk everyday and lately have added Some jogging to my walks. I try to eat healthy but it’s difficult when my husband Is not doing it with me and doesn’t think I need to lose weight. I would be interested in hearing more of how you lost 20 pounds and how long it took to do that, also more of how you got into Running as I am just starting out myself. I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for Them.
Jaime
Monday 14th of November 2022
Hi Meg! Thank you so much for reaching out. I wrote a blog post on my weight loss journey; you can read it here:
https://www.nogettingoffthistrain.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-goal-met-20-pounds-lost-in-8-months/
As for running, I got started when my church hosted a 5k. I thought it would be fun to train for it. And when I finished, I realized I LOVED running and it just took off from there!
I recommend checking out Jeff Galloway. He teaches the Run/Walk method, which is what I use. And it's helped me SO much with preventing injury and increasing my stamina!
Wendy
Thursday 20th of January 2022
Hi my name is Wendy, I’ve been following you for some time now, maybe a year I think I’m not sure but anyways… Shirt story I’m a mom of 4, 18.4.2.& 9 months… yes I started over!!! ???. I’m the big 40 ?? Up until I had my first I’ve always been small and petite. ( 5’4 115/120) After my first I found out I had pcos and my weight struggles began. I could do diets and fads and always lost the weight for it to eventually come back. Now I’m on a new adventure to plan smart, save money, eat healthy, and workout all while staying over with 3 littles ones and working a part time job and and everyday mom/ wife things oh and being visually impaired and raising 2 special needs who are visually impaired also. Finding time is not easy but I need to do this. One of my most downfalls Is probably like everyone else I start out strong then slowly lose interest and eventually stop, or I start out strong and then something happens and life takes hold and I can never seem to get back into routine. ??? I really want to start meal planning and meal prepping along with a simple workout routine. I have a goal to lose the weight I want in a years time, I’m now roughly 190/195. If I could get down to at least 160 in a year I think I’d be doing ok. I would like to think that is realistic but I don’t know. … Amy advice or help or assists would be great !!! I’d eventually want to share my life’s journey with others as well and help others achieve their goals and be a support. Thank you ??
Jaime
Friday 21st of January 2022
Hi Wendy! Girl, you are AMAZING.
Some general advice: Put activities like meal planning and workouts on your calendar. This is all for your health- you wouldn't schedule a doctor's appointment and then just not go. Treat these the same. =) Scheduling my workouts when I first started helped me get my act together and actually do it.
30 pounds in one year is TOTALLY doable. An average, safe rate of weight loss is one pound per week.
If you'd like more advice tailored to your needs, I'd love to chat with you! You can schedule a free Discovery Call to see if we're a good fit for each other for Nutrition Coaching. You can use the link below to schedule:
https://www.nogettingoffthistrain.com/schedule/
Antionette Blake
Sunday 15th of March 2015
Hey sweetie, you won a coupon for a FREE box of Quaker Steel Cut Oats. Please send me your home mailing address.
Have a wonderful week.