January Always Feels Like a Reset
Every January, parang pare-pareho tayo ng iniisip:
“This year, aalagaan ko na talaga sarili ko.”
After weeks of Media Noche leftovers, desserts, and food trips, biglang gusto nating bumawi. But as moms, we also know one thing: hindi sustainable ang extreme diets.
That’s why this year, I’m doing it differently.
Instead of cutting out rice, skipping meals, or eating “diet food” I don’t even enjoy, I’m starting a calorie deficit —Filipino food style.
What Is a Calorie Deficit (In Simple Terms)?
A calorie deficit simply means:
You eat slightly fewer calories than your body needs—
so it uses stored energy (aka fat).
Hindi ito:
❌ No rice
❌ No pagkain
❌ No enjoyment
It’s about portion control, better choices, and consistency.
Why January Is the Best Time to Start
- Holiday food season is over
- Grocery spending resets
- Schedules become more regular
- Motivation is naturally high
Most importantly, January searches for “calorie deficit,” “weight loss,” and “healthy eating” SKYROCKET—which is why this post earns so well, quietly and consistently.
Step 1: Don’t Ban Filipino Food
This is where many people fail.
Filipino food is not the enemy.
Overeating + poor portions are.
You can still eat:
- Rice
- Ulam
- Fried food (occasionally!)
The key is how much and how often.
Step 2: Start with Protein + Gulay
This is the easiest calorie-deficit habit to build.
On Your Plate:
✔ Protein (egg, chicken, fish, tuna)
✔ Gulay or salad
✔ Rice (measured, not unlimited)
Protein keeps you full longer—this is why eggs, chicken, tuna, and fish are staples in my January meals.
Step 3: Don’t Cut Rice—Control It
Yes, we eat rice.
No, we don’t need 2 cups per meal.
A Realistic Guide:
- ½ cup rice per meal (most days)
- ¾ cup if you’re extra active
- Focus on ulam + side dishes
This is why posts about rice portions + calorie deficit perform so well—Filipinos want answers, not guilt.
Step 4: Build Meals You’ll Actually Eat
If your meal feels like punishment, you won’t stick to it.
Some calorie-deficit meals I rotate:
- Grilled chicken + tomato & egg salad
- Fried fish + ensaladang kamatis
- Tuna corn salad
- Mango kani salad (portion-controlled)
- Boiled eggs + veggies on lazy days
These are real meals, not diet experiments.
Step 5: Expect Slow Progress—and That’s OK
This is something I keep reminding myself as a mom.
You’re:
- Cooking for others
- Eating leftovers sometimes
- Living a real life
Weight loss doesn’t have to be fast to be effective.
A slow, steady calorie deficit is:
✔ Easier to maintain
✔ Kinder to your body
✔ More realistic long-term
Common January Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Skipping meals
🚫 Cutting rice completely
🚫 Eating “healthy” but overeating
🚫 Giving up after one bad day
One meal doesn’t ruin your progress.
One week of consistency changes everything.
How This Blog Fits Into My January Reset
This post is my starting point.
From here, I’m linking:
- Salad recipes
- Egg-based meals
- Rice portion guides
- Weekly calorie-deficit meal plans
This is how you build habits—and also how this blog quietly earns every single day.
If you’re reading this and thinking,
“Kaya ko ‘to… pero slowly lang.”
Yes. Exactly that.
A calorie deficit doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to be realistic enough to repeat tomorrow.
This January, let’s eat better—not less.
Let’s be healthier—not miserable.
