Hello,
Positively Mad About Meal Prep
Why Sunday Meal Prep Changed My Body, My Wallet, and My Sanity
I am positively mad about meal prep days.
Like… borderline obsessed.
They are one of the biggest reasons I’ve lost a massive amount of weight and kept it off. Meal prep has saved me time, energy, money, stress, and decision fatigue. It has completely transformed how I live.
I’ve been meal prepping every early Sunday morning for over three years straight. No breaks. No excuses. No “I’ll just wing it this week.” Along the way, I’ve learned a lot of tricks, systems, and shortcuts that make this lifestyle easy and sustainable.
This is not a diet.
This is not restriction.
This is not suffering.
This is how a wellness woman lives.
First Things First: Delete the Word “Diet”
We are done with the word diet.
This is a lifestyle.
This is a mindset.
This is an identity shift.
You are now a healthy wellness woman.
You take care of your body.
You fuel yourself properly.
You move your body.
You plan ahead.
You protect your energy.
You visualize yourself as her and take action like her.
Wellness women don’t wait for motivation.
They don’t skip meals and then binge later.
They don’t rely on willpower.
They build systems.
You are now That Girl.
The one who meal preps, walks, moves, plans, cleans, learns, and gets 1% better every day.
Why Meal Prep Is Your Golden Ticket
Meal prep is the backbone of a healthy lifestyle.
It creates consistency.
It eliminates chaos.
It makes healthy eating automatic.
Here’s why it works so well:
• It’s faster than cooking every day
• It saves money
• It reduces stress
• It removes food decision fatigue
• It puts you in control of what you eat
• It stops the hunger-binge cycle
• It eliminates last-minute junk choices
Research shows willpower is a limited resource. The more temptations you face, the harder it is to say no. Meal prep removes temptation from the equation entirely.
Your food is already made.
Your meals are already planned.
Your week is already handled.
That’s power.
The Plate Method: My Simple Nutrition System
I do not obsess over calorie counting.
I do not weigh every gram of food.
I do not track macros to a decimal.
I use the plate method.
It keeps eating simple, balanced, and sustainable.
How to build your plate:
• Half your plate = vegetables
• The other half = protein + healthy fats + high-quality carbs
What that looks like:
• Lean protein (about 6 oz)
• 1–2 tablespoons healthy fats
• 2 fists of non-starchy veggies
• ½ cup high-quality carbs
Eat real food:
• Lean meats, fish, red meat sparingly
• Vegetables at every meal, lots of color
• Healthy oils for cooking
• Low-fat dairy
• Minimal sugar and processed foods
• Lots of water
Simple. Clean. Effective.
My Go-To Grocery List
Vegetables
Artichokes, asparagus, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms, onions, salad greens, spinach, squash, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli
High-Quality Carbs
Barley, beans, brown rice, quinoa, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats, peas, couscous, corn, whole fruit
Healthy Fats
Avocado, egg yolks, fatty fish, olives, grass-fed dairy, nuts, avocado oil, olive oil
Drinks
Water, coffee, black tea, infused water, sparkling water
No liquid calories. No sugar bombs. No nonsense.
Set a Real Goal
Not “I want to lose weight.”
That’s vague.
That’s useless.
That doesn’t create action.
Set a specific goal.
Mine is to lose 100 pounds by the end of 2026. That means about 2 pounds per week on average.
To reach that goal, I:
• Plan my meals every week
• Order groceries Friday or Saturday
• Block two hours every Sunday morning for meal prep
• Build balanced plates
• Repeat simple systems
Goals require structure. Meal prep is the structure.
How to Run Your Meal Prep Day
Start smart. Cook in this order:
- Slow cooker meals first
- Long-cook recipes next
- Sheet pan meals
- Stove top recipes
- No-bake items last
You cook once.
You clean once.
You eat all week.
Effort-Saving Meal Prep Tips
• Cook proteins and grains in bulk
• Prep components, not full meals
• Use frozen or pre-cut produce if needed
• Repeat meals during the week
• Reuse ingredients across recipes
• Freeze extra portions
You don’t need perfection.
You need consistency.
Fridge vs Freezer Rules
• Cooked food lasts 3–5 days in the fridge
• Freeze anything you won’t eat in time
• Freeze in single portions
• Label and date everything
• Use airtight containers
• Leave space for liquid expansion
Future You will be grateful.
Leftovers Are Ingredients
Start thinking like a chef.
Leftovers are not boring.
They are building blocks.
• Sweet potato into eggs
• Veggies into soup
• Greens into sautés
• Fruit into smoothies
• Milk into ice cubes
• Dinner for breakfast
• Breakfast for dinner
No rules. No waste.
Have a leftovers night.
Use what you have.
Eat what’s left.
How to Save Money While Meal Prepping
• Buy in bulk
• Shop seasonal produce
• Use your pantry first
• Cook meatless once a week
• Freeze unused fruit
• Limit organic to the dirty dozen
• Use coupons and sales
Healthy eating does not have to be expensive.
It just has to be planned.
Final Thought
Meal prep is not a chore.
It’s self-respect.
It’s how you show up for your future self.
It’s how you protect your health.
It’s how you build a lifestyle that actually lasts.
This is what wellness women do.
And now, so do you.
Daily Glow-Up Rituals for Jan. 11 - 17, 2026
Jan. 11 — Gut-Friendly Batch Cooking
How to do it
- Cook 2–3 simple meals using lean protein, vegetables, and easy-to-digest carbs.
- Focus on roasted veggies, soups, stews, and slow-cooked proteins.
- Use olive oil, herbs, and gentle spices. Skip heavy sauces and sugar.
Why it matters after 40
- Gut health controls hormones, inflammation, energy, mood, and weight.
- A calm, nourished digestive system means better sleep, better skin, and less bloating.
- Your metabolism runs on digestion. Treat it accordingly.
Jan. 12 — Indoor Walking Circuit or Mall Walk
Consistency > intensity
How to do it
- Walk 20–45 minutes indoors, treadmill, walking pad, or mall.
- Add intervals if you want. Otherwise just keep moving.
- Listen to a podcast or playlist and make it enjoyable.
Why it matters after 40
- Walking lowers cortisol, improves insulin sensitivity, and protects joints.
- It burns fat without stressing your hormones.
- Daily movement keeps your metabolism awake and your joints young.
Jan. 13 — Choose One Learning Focus for January
How to do it
- Pick one book, podcast series, or course.
- Set a 10–20 minute daily learning block.
- Keep notes in one place.
Why it matters after 40
- Learning keeps your brain sharp and resilient.
- Growth creates confidence and identity expansion.
- Reinvention requires new information.
Jan. 14 — Winter Haircare Routine for Dryness
How to do it
- Deep condition once per week.
- Use leave-in conditioner or hair oil.
- Sleep on satin or silk.
- Reduce heat styling.
Why it matters after 40
- Hormones thin hair and dry out your scalp.
- Winter air strips moisture fast.
- Healthy hair makes you look younger instantly.
Jan. 15 — Your 3 “Anchor” Habits Before Leaving the House
Posture. Scent. Accessory.
How to do it
- Posture reset: pull shoulders back for 10 seconds.
- Add your signature fragrance.
- Put on one intentional accessory.
Why it matters after 40
- Presence is power.
- These tiny rituals train your brain to show up confidently.
- You become recognizable, polished, and memorable.
Jan. 16 — Overnight Hydration Mask or Extra Moisturizer Night
How to do it
- Apply a thick night cream or sleeping mask.
- Use lip balm and eye cream.
- Turn on a humidifier if you have one.
Why it matters after 40
- Skin loses collagen, moisture, and elasticity with age.
- Night is when skin repairs itself.
- Hydrated skin looks smoother, firmer, and brighter.
Jan. 17 — Weekend Deep-Clean Project
How to do it
- Choose one zone: closet, pantry, fridge, bathroom, or entryway.
- Purge, wipe down, reorganize.
- Set a 60–90 minute timer and go.
Why it matters after 40
- Your environment affects your stress and energy.
- Clutter drains motivation.
- A calm home supports a calm nervous system.
These rituals look simple because they are.
That’s the point.
Midlife glow-ups are built on small, repeatable actions done with intention.
Not extremes.
Not burnout.
Not chaos.
You’re building a lifestyle now.
And lifestyle always wins.
Visit my newly updated website + blog — everything has been refreshed for 2026:
www.JaxStys.com
Visit and Subscribe to my free Instagram Channel for daily bites of the weekly curriculum I am studying every week. This week I will be studying and sharing the following:
• Book: Outlive — Peter Attia
• Podcast: Huberman Lab — “Dr. Mary Claire Haver: How to Navigate Menopause…”
• YouTube: “Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 things women should know about heart …” — Mayo Clinic
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