the plan - july 2025
how I'm taking care of myself this month
If May was consistent, June was chaotic.
July is on track to be blissfully boring. With Rho at sleepaway camp and Sri in the city during the week, most days it’s just me, Rhaki, and my parents.
We’re very much in a routine where every weekday feels the same, but I’m grateful and comforted by the predictability. I had a fair amount of anxiety going into the summer, so things being steady feels like a win. I’m able to give each of my people more quality time, and savor my solo time as well.
I’ve made some small tweaks to my routine - enjoying our produce haul from the farmers market over the week, daily walks and weekly tennis lessons, watching the previous night’s Love Island while I eat lunch.
Most of all, I welcome the boredom and mundanity. This past year has been a doozy, which makes these days more restorative.
My current morning routine
I wake up at 5:30, take my thyroid meds, and immediately get out of bed to brush my teeth, do my skincare routine, and slip on my workout clothes.
I settle onto the couch for meditation and journaling. I make my coffee and return to the couch, reading while I sip the coffee.
I get in my workout around 7 am. The shorter strength sessions means I finish my workout by the time Rhaki wakes up.
I make breakfast for Rhaki and myself, and sip my protein to refuel. I pack his backpack while he eats.
I slather sunscreen on Rhaki and myself, and we hop in the car for camp dropoff.
I get home around 9. If it’s not too hot, I go for a walk on the trail behind our home. If I’m not up for it, I enjoy my second cup of coffee with my parents. I shower and get ready for the day, and get to work.
July’s workout plan
Last month’s strength split was great, though I had to level down on the weights to get through some of the workouts. We learn as we go, so I’m adjusting this month’s plan and starting weights:
July’s strength split (and starting weights)
Katie’s 10 minute arms & shoulders (12 & 20 lbs)
Callie’s 10 minute glutes & legs (20 lbs)
Callie’s 10 minute chest & back (12 lbs)
I’ll alternate between Callie’s 5 minute core and Tunde’s 5 minute core on lift days
July’s cardio plan
Near-daily trail walks while listening to an activation or audiobook.
Selena’s Fourth Wing-inspired bootcamp or her ACOTAR-inspired bootcamp. This is usually my Sunday workout, while Sri and Rhaki do something together.
I’m taking tennis lessons once a week.
Meals
Nothing much has changed on the meal front. While my mother judges me for being repetitive, meal planning and prep is basically on autopilot and prevents us from getting hangry.
Here are two simple recipes I’ve added to our rotation:
Loaded quesadillas - sauté plant-based chorizo, chopped peppers with taco seasoning, and spread some of the mix on half of a tortilla. Top with cheese, fold over the tortilla, and cook until melty and hot. I serve it with a simple yogurt dip (Greek yogurt, lime juice, and taco seasoning)
Simple bean salad - drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and white beans each, add chopped red onion, cucumber, and cherry tomato, dress with fresh dill, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. This is a great snack or sandwich filling (I just smash up the beans a bit before spreading it on toasted sourdough)
I reactivated my Splendid Spoon subscription for lunches when I don’t feel like cooking - I love the coconut curry rice, naked burrito bowl, pozole verde soup, kabocha congee, and the spiced lentil & chickpea stew.
Fun things
Our team is OOO this week. My dream is to read a book a day (ambitious, but I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday week). Here are the books I have on deck:
32 Days in May by Betty Corrello
Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum
The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager
Human Rites by Juno Dawson
Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh
Confidence by Roxie Nafousi
How are you taking care of yourself this month? I’d love to know what you’re cooking, how you’re moving, and what’s bringing you joy right now.