It can all be summarized with one word: Routine.
Grocery Shopping
- Spend quality time on your grocery list. Rather than a quick scribble before you head to the store, take some time to think about what you would really enjoy eating this week. I like to jot down ideas and/or pin recipes throughout the week, as well as looking through a few favorite recipe books.
- Work out the calories for new recipes to make sure, if you are doing something more indulgent, that you balance it with lighter meals. You'd be surprised by how many meals are labelled as healthy which are still 600-700 calories.
- If you won't have time to cook everything at once, check that your list has options for food that can be frozen. Be sure to have tupperware/freezer bags available.
- Check your cupboards and fridge for existing ingredients before going to buy more. Think about your budget considerations.
- Yay, it's time to go shopping! Who wants to go to the Farmers Market?? Just keep me away from that peanut brittle... At the store, stick to the list. If there is something on sale that you are sure you will use eventually (such as canned goods), go ahead, but do try to stay away from impulse buying. I also like to make a mental note of what's cheaper at various stores.
- I'm not sure how it will fit with your lives, but I strongly recommend going to the store on the same day each week. This will mean that you don't put it off, run out of food (necessitating a run to Chick-fil-A) and end up going in a rush.
- Also don't go to the store hungry. No no no. This only ends in donuts.
- Batch cooking is everything. Make loads of portions, stick it in the freezer, and you have instant meals FOREVER. Sort of.
- But don't just batch cook ONCE, do it for everything! Batch cook/prepare as many meals as you can once you get home from the grocery store. I went shopping on Sunday, and afterwards I made both dinners for the week, my lunch for the week, and morning/afternoon snacks for the week. All I have to do is get them out of the large tupperwares into a smaller one to take with me for the day!
- Some things, like salads and smoothies, can't really be made up all at once, so I try not to have too many of those kinds of meals in one week.
- Plan out which days you're going to have what. If you have extra at the end, you can still freeze it and go to the grocery store on your regular day as planned.
- Track your meals ahead of time so that you can also plan for calories.
- I like mornings more than most people. After all, I manage to get up, work out and have breakfast before many people are even awake. But that doesn't mean I feel organized enough to do EVERYTHING at that time. So I don't. I always pack my lunch the night before. If I'm going to have a sandwich, I make it the night before and put it in the fridge. I put things into smaller tupperware and check that there is clean silverware. I put fruit and snacks on the counter or on top of my lunch in the fridge. All I have to do is make my smoothie in the morning plus grab water/a hot drink.
- The night before doesn't mean the second before I get into bed. I tend to get to it straight after dinner, while I'm still active enough to be washing dishes and putting things away. If I leave it past 9pm I will likely just think it's something I can handle the next day. Ha ha ha, no.
- Pack your book bag and gym stuff too. You will feel your mother smiling all the way from England.
- I don't like to keep a ton of snacks around, because, well, I just eat them all. But if you like to have an assortment rather than just one option, think of keeping fresh fruit, cut up and bagged, in the fridge, or maybe some fresh veggies and hummus.
- You can make your own trail mix (or buy one - but look at the ingredients!) of various nuts, seeds, dried fruit and chocolate, and make it into individual portions to grab and go. I just made flapjacks, which I wrapped up individually, and put some into the freezer out of temptation's reach.
- Did I mention keeping a food journal? Also eating on a schedule will help, especially trying to have your last meal around 7pm for maximum digestion during sleep.
- My advice here is much the same as with food. Pick your exercise days ahead of time, rather than relying on when the mood strikes you (it most likely won't). Also get into a routine of working out at the same time each day. It feels normal to me now to get up and work out - so much so that I feel confused at the weekend - which was just from doing it over and over again. If you want to work out when you get home from work, commit to a time you will start by every day.
- But I do recommend morning workouts! I know everyone thinks I'm Satan for the very suggestion, but it really does give you such a boost for the day, plus it's over and done with quickly, and it's extra motivation to eat healthy stuff as you've already started the day so well. Think about trying it one weekend day, then build up to trying one weekday. You never know unless you try, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
- Regardless of when you work out, keep your clothes clean and put them, plus DVDs/weights in view for when you're going to exercise. Put them out before you go to work, or before you go to bed, depending on when you need them for.
- Keep a workout chart to tick off, for Ripped in 30 or shorter ones like Blogilates - something that both keeps you accountable AND brings you joy when you complete it.
- Choose exercise that you truly enjoy. I think that's the real key. Some people love lifting weights and running on a treadmill for half an hour. It's not my thing, so I stick to home DVDs, jogging outside, and fitness classes with friends. That's what I love so I know I can keep doing it. I look forward to it! Try out lots of things, from DVDs to classes, to swimming, to a gym session, to even just walking around a park. There are lots of ways to stay active, you just have to find what's right for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment