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Gemma Perry

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May 12, 2025

How to Build a Routine That Won’t Burn You Out (Yes, Even With Food)

You know what’s easy? Going all in.
You buy the meal plan, prep all your food on Sunday, track every gram, drink 3 litres of water, and tell yourself this time it’s going to stick.

Until… it doesn’t.

Because life happens. You get tired. The motivation dips. Work gets busy. Kids get sick.
And before you know it, you're ordering takeout again and wondering why you can't just stay consistent.

Here’s the real problem:

You didn’t fail.
Your plan just wasn’t built to last.

When it comes to nutrition, burnout often hides behind “being good.”
You’re good when you eat clean.
Good when you hit your macros.
Good when you say no to cake at the birthday party.

But if your version of healthy eating feels like a full-time job—you’re not failing. you’re just following a system that’s not meant for real life.

So, what does a sustainable routine actually look like?

1. It’s flexible, not fragile
You don’t have to hit every target every day.
Some days you’ll cook from scratch. Others it’s eggs on toast or a supermarket sandwich.
Your habits should bend with your life, not break under pressure.

2. It’s boring (in the best way)
You don’t need new recipes every week or perfectly macro-balanced meals.
Most people thrive when they have a few go-to meals they can make without thinking.

Think: quick protein, veg you like, and carbs that suit your energy.

3. It includes foods you actually enjoy
You can eat chocolate.
You can have wine.
You can eat pizza with your family.

It’s not about never having those things. it’s about how you have them and what the rest of your week looks like.

4. It focuses on habits, not outcomes
Instead of aiming to “lose 5kg,” aim to eat protein at lunch most days.
Instead of cutting carbs, try including 1-2 servings of fruit or veg daily.

Habits are what stick when motivation fades.

5. It’s built with your season of life in mind
What works for a 25-year-old with no responsibilities is not the same thing that works for a 42-year-old woman navigating peri/menopause, stress, and a to-do list the length of her arm.

Start where you are. Not where you wish you were.

When people ask, “What’s the best routine?” My answer is always: the one you can actually keep doing.

Not for a week.
Not for 30 days.
But long enough that it stops feeling like a “plan” and just feels like you.

And if that feels impossible right now?
you don’t need a full overhaul. You just need a coach who’ll help you start small, build slowly, and make it stick.

Ready? Let's build something that actually lasts.

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