A good meal plan starts with a clear, achievable goal, not with a constraint imposed on you.
Which goal?
- Maintaining your weight and your energy levels.
- Losing weight gently.
- Gaining mass or muscle tone.
- Improving your overall health and wellbeing.
The SMART method
A good goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. For example: « eat vegetables with every lunch for a month » is far better than a vague « eat better ».
A reminder: for any goal linked to a medical condition or to significant weight loss, get support from a healthcare professional.
Key takeaway: a precise, gradual goal is one you can keep up over time. A small, consistent step beats a big effort you abandon.