As of yesterday, I am down 40 lbs in 15 weeks...10 lbs away from my first goal. I share this because I hear all the time that it’s hard to eat healthy and cook for one person. Truly I do understand. At 7 weeks, I lowered my A1C from 6.4 to 5.9. It’s probably better than that now. My cholesterol is down to 167 and I’m no longer taking meds for that. Hoping to eventually get off my blood pressure medicine.

I’m here to say that it can be done but it takes planning and effort. It doesn’t happen in a vacuum. A goal without a plan is just a wish. Here is what I have discovered.

1. You have to prep in advance so you don’t get sabotaged. I prep on Sundays for the week ahead. That way I have a lunch ready to go and am not tempted to go out. I’m in control.

2. You don’t have to be a great cook or have mad knife skills chopping vegetables. I do know how to cook but I take advantage of frozen vegetables. It’s especially helpful when making dinner. That way I use what I need and not have to throw out fresh food that I might not have eaten because it is just me. But do what’s best for you.

3. Eating healthy can taste good. Don’t be afraid to use spices that are available. When I heat up my lunch at work, people are amazed that it not only looks good but smells delicious and I’m losing weight.

4. Learn to cook more than one meal for yourself. Make enough for a few meals. I don’t mind leftovers so it works for me. But it will also help you not feel overwhelmed.

5. If you are trying to lose weight, set small weight loss goals. If you look at how much you need to lose, it can be daunting. Break it down and enjoy the success as you reach each goal.

6. I don’t have a sweet tooth and I’m not a binge eater or emotional eater. But I had to come to terms with alcohol consumption. I have cut way, way back and while I haven’t quit, I do choose when I want a drink.

7. Advocate for yourself when people try to guilt you into eating something that’s not on your plan. On the other hand, don’t be the person who tells everyone in earshot that they should eat like you are. No one likes that person.

8. Last of all if you are going to eat something that is off your plan, then manage it. On Thanksgiving I will be enjoying the fixings, but it will be in moderation. It’s unrealistic to think that I’ll never have a holiday meal again. But Friday it’s back to what I have been doing.

Sorry this is so long, but my point is you can be single and still eat healthy and well. Healthy doesn’t mean bland and boring. If you don’t cook, check out online tutorials.