I had just turned 30 and I was living alone. I had a decent job that I liked fairly well. I had a few close friends and some family that I spent time with. All of that was nice, but I still managed to slip into some mild depression.
I was just really unmotivated. I had no interest in exercising anymore, when that had been a staple in my life. I’d always loved working out and how it made me feel. But lately I wasn’t into it and I just couldn’t make myself bother with it.
I also couldn’t get myself to cook regular meals that had correct portion sizes and had any nutritional value. I was making frozen pizzas, ordering takeout, and stopping for fast food. I would get wine or some kind of alcoholic beverage for the weekend, even if I wasn’t doing anything.
I was very well aware that all of these things were terrible choices on my part. I just couldn’t seem to make any better decisions. There was just too much effort required for that to happen. It was like I was just stuck.
Then it became a vicious cycle. I’d start to feel bad, physically and mentally. So I’d eat worse and continue to do less because I just felt even less motivated. It was terrible.
Then I ran into one of my friends who I hadn’t seen in a year or so, but we used to be so close and it felt like no time had passed. She had done really well for herself in terms of her job and overall life. She was really fit and healthy which just made her seem super happy.
We talked a lot about her current state of living, because a few years back she had not been doing this well, and I was so curious to know how she got herself to where she is. She told me that she journals regularly, exercises at least 4 days a week, meditates for at least 5 minutes a day, and very importantly, she sets aside time for food prep for the week.
I was intrigued all of this, and my friend agreed to send me websites that she refers to that help with a lot of these things. I did some research on food prep. She told me that she regularly uses her food processor every week. I found a lot of recipes that I would enjoy, while also pulling some from my friend’s collection.
I also got the information from my friend about where she got her food processor. She directed me to KitchenWorksInc where I decided to order the Cuisinart Custom 14 Food Processor. It was similar to the one my friend used.
I knew that it was important to start properly nourishing my body first, while simultaneously easing it back into exercising. So when my food processor arrived, I was ready to get started. I food prepped for the entire week. I made all 3 meals plus a couple of snacks.
Once I felt that I had a good handle on the food aspect, I started taking beginners yoga classes again. I figured that once I got myself to a better place physically, that my mind would soon follow. Then I’d be back to a happier overall lifecycle that didn’t make me feel like I was sinking in quicksand.
Recently I’ve gotten into a rhythm where I’ve been regularly prepping my meals, and working out 5-6 days a week. Sometimes with friends on a walk or a hike, sometimes a yoga class, and other times I’m at home doing strength training and HIIT workouts.
The combination of taking care of my food and exercising regularly has made such a huge difference. I almost feel like I’m living a different life. It’s so crazy.
I’m so happy; I hardly ever feel any traces of my depression. It’s really amazing how much of a difference it makes when you take good care of your body. I could have never come this far without the thing that started it all: my Cuisinart food processor that allowed me to prep my food ahead of time and properly nourish my body.
