I started out clueless!!! I had no real guide to get me started, and no one coaching me through this unknown territory. So when it came to "What to Eat", my health journey began with a LOT of variety: keto-fied look-alike recipes and prepackaged "keto" products. While not ideal, I learned as I went, and my build-your-own list served me well...for a while...to get me into ketosis, acclimated to LCHF eating, and to show me what my food possibilities could really be (because I thought it was going to be forced & regimented meal plans!).
After some initial fat loss, I began to, slowly, narrow down my food selections. A few of my Go-To's were: avocados, blueberries, coconut-cocoa fat bombs, asparagus, broccoli, and (of course) ground beef. These served me well for quite a while, over 2 years!
Through experimentation and elimination, though, I began to realize that a menu with fewer items not only made meal planning easier, but it also was more effective in my overall health efforts. When combining a proper human diet with regular exercise/resistance training, and adequate sleep/rest, the results & changes became more predictable. I heard Coach Bronson say "If you aren't tracking, you're not trying".....meaning taking FULL responsibility of and monitoring every aspect of your overall health leads to logical, predictable results, and the areas requiring modification become clear.
I'm not saying ditch your keto food list and go 100% Lion Diet....far from it! But know that, over time, you may have better, more predictable results with a slightly smaller food list (of your own choice). Find your staples.
The same holds true for exercise & resistance training: keeping a log of your movements, any added weight, and reps/time makes modifications very clear...where to increase, decrease, or maintain, as well as when to change something.
Tracking your sleep....same deal! A consistent "wind-down" time & bed time every night, along with good "sleep hygiene" and end-of-day routines, can give you forward motion in your quality of sleep, give you more energy, and better focus.
Is it true that "Variety is the spice of life"?
Maybe... in some areas, but I believe your health will respond better to consistency over time. Not JUST consistency, not JUST time...but Consistency OVER Time. Food is (primarily) fuel, and I see our culture idolize food, and wrap every interpersonal engagement around food. This can be detrimental to your health. Hang out with people for the COMPANY, not the food...and get "spice" from interacting and engaging with others as you share your experiences.
Make a List
Pick ONE task or item in each area of your life (food, exercise, sleep, reading, mental health, career, etc) and make a list of one SIMPLE action you can take....each day...towards that goal.
Body Confident, Bronson Dant
The Slight Edge, Jeff Olsen
Lies My Doctor Told Me, Dr Ken Berry