Not Witching Around: Getting My Crap and My Carbs Under Control In 2025

The holidays can be a magical time filled with family, friends, and—let’s be honest—a whole lot of indulgence. If you’re like me, the past two months have been a whirlwind of desserts, starchy deliciousness of potatoes, fresh baked breads, and pastas. And I must confess to the occasional (okay, frequent) donut run. And while I don’t regret the memories made, my body is definitely feeling the aftereffects. Ten extra pounds, tighter jeans, and a general sluggishness have me saying, “Enough is enough!” I wish there was a witch spell or a magic bullet to make me like the things I love a little less, but no such luck.

So, as I kick off a fresh new year, I’m ready to recommit to healthier habits. For me, that means returning to a low-carb, high-protein lifestyle. It’s a way of eating that makes me feel energized, clear-headed, and in control. Plus, it’s the perfect way to detox from all the white starches and sugars that snuck into my life over the holidays.

Here’s my plan to reset and recharge:

Planning for success.

I have ADHD, so planning isn’t always my best friend, but meal tracking is the best way for me to stay mindful of what I’m putting into my mouth. I use a food tracking app on my phone, since it’s always with me, that calculates calories and nutrition. I’m going focusing on the nutrition side (not the calories), increasing my intake of lean proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish, paired with non-starchy veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini. Healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts are a must as well, so that I feel fuller longer and I’m less snacky. One-hundred calorie snack packs are ideal for the peckish times!

Head Off Failure

The junk food in my pantry? It’s got to go. I’ve stocked my fridge and pantry with staples like eggs, sugar free yogurt, a variety of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, and black berries), unsweetened almond and coconut milk, and low-carb snacks like almonds, walnuts, and turkey jerky. If the bad isn’t there, my need for a dopamine rush from empty carbs won’t temp me to eat it. It’s simple as that (Haha, I wish).

Keep Meals Easy But Delicious

I’m all about meals that are easy to make but still feel satisfying. Half the battle of staying healthy is making healthy food delicious. I try to make sure every meal is packed with low-calorie volume but a major punch of flavor. Here’s a recipe I’ve been loving lately:

---

Low-Carb Garlic Butter Chicken w/ Artichoke Hearts

Ingredients:

• 2 jars of marinated artichoke hearts
• 4 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half (I like to pound mine as well, but it’s not necessary)
• 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter (or ghee)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning (rosemary, oregano, basil)
• 1 tsp Lemon Pepper
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté until golden and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté until fragrant. Add artichoke hearts, the chicken broth, the juice from the lemon, lemon pepper, and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the chicken back to the skillet, toss everything together, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
4. Serve hot with a side of steamed broccoli and melted butter, then enjoy a guilt-free, flavor-packed meal.

---

Give Myself A Freaking Break

It’s easy to feel guilty after overindulging, but I’m going to ditch the shame and focus on progress, not perfection. Every day is a new chance for me to make better choices.

So here’s to a year of feeling strong, healthy, and proud of my choices starting now. I will cheer you on if you want to do it with me. If you don’t, I will applaud your commitment to your choices.

(I’m a judgement-free zone).

From my stretchy pants to yours, Happy New Year! Let’s make it a good one. 🎉