Planning Is A Great Way to Weightloss

Published 09 April 08 08:46 AM | Corinne

Stick out tongueWeightloss is funny because it has so many aspects to it that it can get overwhelming really quick if you don't make it as easy as possible. I have found that most people who do the "work" of getting themselves ready for weightloss find it much easier than those who are just cutting calories, exercising hard, and going with the flow.

Let me tell you how I set up a successful week that keeps me satisfied, on target, and heading towards my goals.

Saturday
This is my day to plan. I take 30 minutes and lay out the entire week before me. On a simple sheet of paper I write when I'm working out first, other must do things on each day, and I write out if it's a cooler day and which meals will need to be carried with me. The reason I start with exercise is because it's non-negotiable to get those sessions in and if they day is loaded then that means I HAVE to GET CREATIVE. It's not hard it just takes getting over myself saying "you want it bad enough you find the time...we all have the time."

Next, I get my menu together for the week. The easiest way is to eat the same things over and over again for one week and then switch up on week two. If that's not going to work for you, pick three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Everyday you will just choose one of those for whatever meal you are looking at. Now, write down the groceries you need. (Don't forget about PNP's Eating Tips 101 if you need them.)

The first couple of weeks might seem tough but don't make it harder than it has to be. Just keep the ideas simple until you are ready to get more complicated. Who says the first two weeks have to look like a menu from Gourmet Magazine??? Not me. Heck, they don't even have to be clean, They just need to be suited for your goals.

Sunday
I go to the grocery store and buy my food. Before leaving I layout my tools I'll need to prep so that I don't have any excuse to buy food and then not eat it. When I get home I immediately start prepping things while putting away the groceries. Chicken in the crockpot or oven, fresh veggies and fruits dumped into a colander I have waiting for me in the sink, and all my Ziploc bags and containers out and ready to go. Let me tell you, it's one thing to plan a menu and buy the food. It's a whole other thing to actually PREP it so that you will eat it. Trust me, if you are in a rush to get to work you aren't going to stop, wash, and chop a pepper for lunch.

Monday - Friday
I eat my menu. Sometimes I change things on the fly but the food is done and it's easy. Exercise usually doesn't change much.

I find planning a little ahead of time makes all the difference in keeping fit. Most of my girls who are successful at juggling jobs, family, exercise, eating right, church, volunteer work, etc., are all planners. My girls who don't plan have the toughest time of all. That says something about what techniques tend to work and which ones take a lot more dedication.

I would love for comments to pour in on your best food prep ideas, recipes, canning, freezing, thawing, etc. Selfishly I NEED them. Logan's food is going to be more complicated than Momma's "boiled chicken breasts" and if anyone has great tips or things they know and do I'll take them! Not only will I benefit but all of us will.

This weekend will be my first trip to the local Farmer's Market looking for fresh veggies and fruits (organic) that I can prep, puree, and freeze. Let's talk because I never paid attention to my grandparents when they did all of this stuff! Argh...you should always listen to Granny when she says she wants to teach you something. Never know when you need it.

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Comments

# Buy » Planning Is A Great Way to Weightloss said on April 9, 2008 10:47 AM:

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# micheleb said on April 9, 2008 11:49 AM:

I think you will find getting back to the basics of things is going to be fun and a good learning exp.  I too grew up with my parent's having a large garden and my mother canned almost everything from that large garden every summer and fall.  I can remember having the entire kitchen set up for canning tomatos and corn like it was yesterday.  I too can't remember the rules/how tos since I was just a kid watching.  But, we are lucky because there are tons of great books and websites out there that we younger moms can learn from if our grandmas/mamas are no longer around to teach us.  I too plan to plant another home garden this year for some basic veggies and also make weekly visits to my local farmers market for what I can't plant myself.  I plan to try to can and freeze this year as well.  I will get a few good basic books on canning.  There are loads of things out there on sustainability and organic farming topics where anyone can learn more about this.  A lot of it stems from evironmental reasons to health reasons, so we are lucky to live at a time when there are so many good resources and options out there.  We also have a local CSA farm in the area that has a lot of good info they are more than willing to share on the importance of good local 'clean' food.  Of course you can join their CSA and become a shareholder and get the weekly crops too.  they sell out quick, but most cities have local fresh farmers market that target the same type of small farms.  That is a good topic to google too as these folks have a passion to grow local food and that is the kind of food you will be looking for.  Most of it is organic and clean and just what you need.  The farmer's markets in urban areas are great becuase these same local farmers need a way to get their products to market and the farmers market is the perfect spot to get to that customer what appreciates the value of good local grown produce and even meats, jams, jellies, etc.  It is not only nutritionally better, but also keeping the local farmer/dairy in business as well as improving the environment from the destruction from the big commercial farms.   Good luck and approach it  like you do everything else; with gusto and determination.  I think you will enjoy learning more about this.  It will really open your eyes and make you think about what you put in your mouth.  

# CaraElaine said on April 11, 2008 12:45 AM:

For the veggies and fruits to prep, puree and freeze:  I'm doing this for my son now as he's starting solids, and I use www.wholesomebabyfood.com as a reference for recipes and guidelines for freezing.  I realize it's a baby food site, but there is lots of good info.  For storage in the freezer, either use ice cube trays or ziptop bags.  The great thing about ziptop bags for the freezer is that you can smush all the food in the bag so that the bag lies flat, and it won't take so long to defrost.  I do that with ground beef too when I buy it in bulk on sale.  

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