Finding the Time!

My post this week isn't about any particular muscle food, instead it's about finding the time to prepare nutritious meals. 

Back when I was a personal trainer, I had conversations with my clients about making time to prepare healthy meals.  This would be such a frustrating challenge for many of them because they just couldn't find the time... with family, work, picking up kids, dropping off kids, driving to and from work, chores, errands and whatever else, so they'd end up giving in to dining at fast food restaurants.

I work full-time, go to school, workout regularly and now committed myself to writing a blog ( just because I want to save the world!) So I can completely sympathize to the predicament of time management issues.

My poor sister leaves for work at 5:45 AM and gets home around 8:00 PM! What a horrible schedule! But she loves her job and it's worth it, except that her diet has taken a nose dive! She's too busy to cook meals at home and sometimes too busy to eat!
She has inspired me to write this post... "Finding the Time!"

I'm not going to lie, it does take time to prepare meals, but once you have done the work, the rest is so easy!

             Organizing takes planning and planning takes readjusting.

We ARE creatures of habit and change is sometimes scary. Hopefully, you've made the decision to prepare your own healthy meals for you and your family. In order to make time some things must change!

>>>Less time sitting, less time watching t.v., or on the computer, 
wake up earlier so you have time for preparing your lunch, and your kids'!

>>>Less time with lengthy, chatty conversations; cleaning, laundry, etc., those things can wait until after you've prepared your meals! 

You're making time for yourself to transform to a healthier, leaner body and prepping your food takes priority over the above mentioned leisure activities & chores (yeah that can wait!), for example.

                (You CAN do this, and once the ball gets rolling you will be
                            wishing that you did this sooner! )

So here are some tips that I do to prepare for the week,  I hope you'll find them helpful.  Do what works for you, start slow and incorporate more as you go! 

1)   Don't ever stress yourself out by thinking you must make some intricate type of dinner during the work week!  Those recipes usually have many ingredients and a lot of prep work is involved.  Stick to single digit ingredients! It'll still be delicious! :)

2)   My thoughts on separate meals for the kids is this...  

Everybody eats the same meal at the table!! There is an exception, and that is specific dietary guidelines due to allergies, or certain health conditions.  Also, I'd suggest altering the dish just a little bit for the little ones to win them over!

3)   Sunday night, sit down and map out you plan for the week! The kind of foods you'll take to work and a loose dinner plan, it doesn't have to be an exact recipe, for example:

WORK:  Salad 2 X, tuna, grilled veggies/whole grain bread/ hummus, left-overs, fruit, raw veggies, whole grain crackers, yogurt.

DINNER:  Salmon/seafood 2X, Turkey, veggie night, chicken, pasta, ethnic nights; i.e., Stir-fry w/rice, tacos, etc.

4)    If you have the meats that you'll be needing for the week in the freezer  take them out and place in the fridge. DO NOT leave meat on the counter all day to defrost, this is my food safety alert! Leaving food out all day is an open invitation to food borne bacteria that is very dangerous if consumed! Don't put your family at risk!

5)    Clean & Prep; Once you've purchased your groceries, clean and prep the veggies that you plan to use within the next two days. Having them all diced or chopped makes for easy snacking, grabbing on the go, and ready to go from fridge to stovetop! 

   View the time that it takes to prep vegetables as a 'physical activity'.   
   Your standing, moving around, chopping, slicing, dicing and having fun 
   because you'll have music playing in the kitchen.. oh yeah, shake those
   hips and sachet across the floor to the stove... having a good time 
   cookin' and  having fun ...and I'm sure your spouse will find that very 
   entertaining! ;)  So much better than sitting in your car while waiting in 
   the drive-thru lane! Not fun, Not sexy!

 

6)   "Honey Help Night"... Does he/she help you out in the kitchen? If not, make it a point to let them know on such and such night you'll need he/her to help you cook! ;D

Being organized isn't as hard as it many seem, it just needs a little bit of planning. The only time when it is difficult is when you haven't planned it out. Then you'll find yourself in the drive-thru or restaurant and back to your old ways! 

I challenge you to NOT EAT OUT FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK!! Are you strong and dedicated enough? I know you can do it!! :)

Good luck!

    

    BE DETERMINED TO LIVE LONG AND STRONG, THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Happy and Healthy, that's me! :)

~ Rebecca ~