Let's face it: we've all been there. You set out with the best intentions to crush your fitness goals, nourish your body with wholesome foods, and prioritize self-care. But then, life happens, and suddenly, your well-laid plans are buried under a mountain of excuses and distractions. This has happened to me countless times, and it’s why I can empathize with others who encounter it in their journeys as well. I have had nine surgeries, been in car accidents, and had life-altering curveballs daily. How do I keep going? I don’t dwell on what I can’t control. I focus on what I can - ME!

Sometimes, we get bogged down on how far we must go to reach our goals. What we need to do is start focusing on the small habits that will eventually equal big results. In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear writes about how important it is to take small steps. The name of the game is consistency. It’s not perfection. We will make mistakes. We won’t be perfect. However, as long as we keep going, we WILL achieve the results we desire. Keep going, my friends!

A while back, I completed my certification in nutrition coaching through the National Academy of Sports and Medicine. In the exam, one of the questions was the following: Which option BEST describes the characteristic(s) of a high-quality nutrition plan?

The answer is simple: A nutrition plan should be flexible, based on a person's needs and goals.

For the last nine years, I have taken biochemistry, human physiology, and pathophysiology courses, served as a medical laboratory technician, and completed certifications in performance nutrition (supplementation) and general lifestyle nutrition/nutrition specialization. I also have experienced situations where I was given restrictive meal plans to follow during my time in bodybuilding.

It all boils down to this - the best plan is the plan you can follow for the rest of your life.