Good morning, — this is one of those real, unfiltered days.
Lately, my head hasn’t been right. Bad eating habits, inconsistent gym sessions, poor sleep — all of it started adding up. I could feel myself slipping into old patterns, and I knew something had to change. So today, I decided to reset my life: meal prep, reflect on mental health, and talk honestly about what it’s been like living with my mom at 25.
This is The Creator Josh, getting real again.
🏠Living With My Mom at 25: The Reality Check
I’ve been living with my mom for almost three weeks now, nearly a full month. Before I left for the Philippines, I told everyone this was the plan — and now it’s happening.
Living with your parent as a grown man is humbling. It’s not bad, but it definitely forces self-reflection. My mom’s room is right next to mine, the apartment is shared, and privacy feels different. Still, it’s part of the journey of rebuilding.
🌆Apartment Tour: Room, Kitchen & That Chicago View
The apartment itself is solid. I’ve got my room, a bathroom, washer and dryer, a walk-in closet, and a shared kitchen and living space.
But the best part? The Chicago city view.
From the window, you can zoom in and see downtown Chicago clearly — especially using the iPhone 17 Pro Max zoom feature, which is honestly insane. That said, living near a busy intersection comes with noise, chaos, and nonstop action at night.
🧠Mood Swings, Spiraling & Mental Health Awareness
Here’s the truth: when my diet slips and I stop training, my mental health follows.
No gym, poor eating, less discipline equals mood swings and spiraling thoughts. I’ve been here before, even when I was living in my car. Depression creeps in quietly, and suddenly you don’t want to do anything.
That’s not where I want to go again.
🍽️Why I’m Meal Prepping Again
Meal prep is my anchor right now.
Today’s plan:
- Pasta with extra-lean ground beef
- Potatoes with ground beef
Simple food. No excuses.
Using lean protein and clean ingredients helps me stay consistent, focused, and mentally stable.
🔪Learning to Cook (Very Slowly)
I’ll be honest — I don’t really know how to cook.
Cutting potatoes felt unsafe, chaotic, and experimental. Every meal prep is a learning experience, and I’m taking it step by step.
Progress is progress.
📊Using ChatGPT for Exact Macros & Calories
One game changer has been using ChatGPT to calculate macros.
I planned meals based on cooked and uncooked weight, exact protein amounts, and calorie targets. Each meal comes out high-protein and calorie-controlled, which makes consistency much easier.
🏃♂️Treadmill Setup & Fixing My Sleep Schedule
To stay active, I added a treadmill at home so there are no excuses.
I also installed blackout curtains to improve sleep. Poor sleep was hurting everything — diet, workouts, mood, and motivation. Fixing sleep is a priority.
😋Final Meal Prep Results & Taste Test
The pasta and ground beef turned out great — flavorful, filling, and not boring.
The potato meals were tougher, and I had to mix in ground turkey after running out of beef, but it still worked. Clean, simple fuel.
💪Weekly Reset: Getting My Life Back
This isn’t about perfection — it’s about momentum.
I lost progress after coming back from the Philippines, but the past doesn’t define me. What matters is locking in now.
This is The Creator Josh, rebuilding discipline, mental clarity, and consistency — one week at a time.
External Links:
Healthy Meal Prep Basics https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/meal-prep-guide
High-Protein Diet Benefits
https://www.webmd.com/diet/high-protein-diet
Mental Health & Lifestyle Balance https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health
Beginner Cooking Tips at Home https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/cooking-basics
Calorie & Macro Tracking Guide
https://www.myfitnesspal.com
Benefits of Walking & Home Cardio https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness
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TheCreatorJosh #MealPrepJourney #LivingWithParents #MentalHealthMatters #FitnessReset