Vocabulary matters in ways we don’t consider. It will help us or hinder all our hard work.

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time lately checking out food lists, meal prep ideas, weight loss ideas (I refuse to use the word “diet”) among other things.

Why? Because I wanted to learn what tricks and tools worked and what didn’t.

What did I learn? Something I’ve always known: One Size Does Not Fit All. Or, one plan does not fit all.

The first thing that struck me was the reality that there really is no need for me to create a food list for you. That is something you should be doing for yourself.

Before you panic, consider: Who knows you best? What do you like to eat? What do you hate to even think about eating? What are your allergies?

I’ve been developing a questionnaire that will hopefully help you get an idea of what you like, don’t like, are interested in, etc. This is based on an old Graham Kerr project that made me sit back and think about food. Not just the “what’s in the fridge?” question, but (no pun intended) food for thought about, well, food.

Combine that with whatever eating plan you’ve chosen for yourself – or are considering – and you will have the foundation for meal building blocks.

The second thing to consider is this: If you don’t live alone, your eating plan will have to include the other members of your home. Why? Because unless you want to set yourself up to fail, your meals should include everyone in your home.

That is one reason I refuse to use the word “diet”. That word has negative connotations everywhere. It is thought of as temporary. A punishment. Something you do that isn’t enjoyable or fun. Sort of like “exercise”.

Yeah, that word. 🙂

So, in the meantime, I’d like you to think about what you have in your pantry, where you like to eat, what you like to eat and what you might like to try.

This isn’t homework in the sense that you will be graded. It is homework in the sense that you will be setting yourself up to succeed and enjoy a new adventure.

🙂