February 28, 2017

March Meal Planning Madness

As we head into March, it is natural for our beginning of the year enthusiasm to start waning and for things to slip a little bit.  But WHAT IF instead of having a little backslide in the health/fitness part of your life, we kicked it up a notch?!  

As they say, abs are made in the kitchen.  If you want your beach body by Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, it is time to buckle down NOW.  Here are some basic meal planning tips: 

1.  Consider what you will NOT eat for the week.You don't have to go completely cold turkey on snacks that you love, but consider healthier alternatives.  For example, if you practically live on Doritos, substituting all your Dorritos for carrots will probably leave you feeling deprived; you might try substituting whole wheat crackers instead this week.

2.  Inventory what you already have.  This saves you time, money, and frustrations.  If you think you have something, double check before you leave the house.  

3.  Use grocery store ads or seasonal guides in planning.  If you are not much of a picky eater, it is cheaper and healthier to eat in season, so plan accordingly.  

4.  Calculate your caloric intake.  You have to know what you need to eat before you can make a plan for eating it.  You can use a variety of apps to calculate your intake or if you want the formula I use, let me know and I can send you a link to a video I made explaining it. 

5.  Make a PLAN.  Do not just "wing it" when it comes to eating.  Actually plan out your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, and ideally when you are going to eat them as well.  Also include supplements and vitamins in your meal plan.

6.  WRITE IT DOWN.  This goes right along with #5.  Again, do NOT just wing it, and don't meal plan in your head.  Write it on paper, put it in an excel spreadsheet, or use an app like MyFitnessPal (add me: kaseyphillips85)

7.  Be Santa Clause.  You know, he's makin' a list, checkin' it twice?  Make your shopping list based of your meal plan, double check it again your inventory (#2) and STICK TO IT, do not buy off the list.  

8.  Prep in advance.  Prep anything you can in advance.  Cut up your veggies, wash and portion your fruit, maybe even completely prepare your lunches for the week.  

9.  Follow your plan.  Now that you have made a plan, the real key to success is sticking to it!  Don't waste your time and money by deviating now.  

10.  Enjoy the fruits of your labor.  At the end of the week, celebrate an awesome week, and then repeat the process.

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