Plan to Succeed and Repeat

We have too much to think about now with all that is going on in the world.  It's taking up our precious brain space that we could otherwise use for good.  With that in mind, it is all the more important when it comes to getting anything done--especially weight loss and weight maintenance--that you plan your meals and snacks. 

You, like me, want to eat three meals a day--plus snacks.  Most of the days that is the way it works.  Because of this desire and requirement to fuel the body with the right stuff, we have to think in advance when we are fresh, rested and satisfied (NOT HANGRY) about what we want to eat for the week.  That is planning 101.  What dinners would you like to enjoy this week?  That is the building block of the plan for what ingredients to source.  If you need to search recipes on WW app or Skinnytaste or whatever favorite site you have--go ahead.  Others all around the world are in the same boat.  What's for dinner?  What should I buy and make?  What will satisfy for low points?  Take their lead--let them tell you what to buy, how to portion the recipe and how many points.  Brain space saved.

Of course, you have to carry out your plan when the time comes.  Setting a routine for this makes the most sense, because planning all the time can get tedious for those of us mere mortals who aren't all that great at this.  However, the rewards are huge.  Planning means we are expecting to be successful.  It means we have what we need to eat when we are hungry.  It means we don't have to get even more stressed out about what's for dinner because we didn't make a plan long ago.  It can also be thrifty.  We don't have to make last minute take out decisions or frozen pizza choices because we are to stressed to figure it out.

At the very least, what about planning a robust meal for one night that could easily morph into a second dinner?  And, what about always making double proteins when you fire up the grill?  Not one steak but a steak and two chicken breasts OR a pork tenderloin and a swordfish steak? 

Life is work.  Don't we all know it.  However, we can be our best friend or worst enemy when it comes to a little forethought, a little planning, food prepping and storing.  You are worth every ounce of effort, and the rewards will be less stress, potentially more weight loss, staying within your daily target and feeling satisfied, healthy and accomplished.  That's worth working for.