Prepping to Lose Weight: Easy-peasy (ish)
In our last post, we talked about the three reasons why many of you just can’t seem to lose those pounds and keep them off. The first reason is because you haven’t mapped out your plan to success. We know your excess weight is keeping you from feeling your best. We also know that there are some real solutions waiting for you. But let’s start off with the positives: you are reading this post and getting educated on the steps to take to make change.
Your new buddy
When you are continually struggling with weight-loss, planning becomes your weight-loss buddy – so, shake hands, and as Al Pacino says in Scar Face, “say hello to [your] little friend”. You may be thinking, “um, hello, I do plan. I grab good food from the fridge every morning as I run out the door for work”, or “my plan includes cutting out carbs cause carbs are the enemy!” or “protein bars are a staple food in my weight-loss plan”, or any number of similar thoughts.
Developing a healthy nutrition plan is a must, because even when we have good intentions, unexpected distractions and demands can suddenly pop up, kinda like a nasty overnight zit. So, unfortunately, your good intentions – to make healthy food choices – is no longer a priority. Before you know it, you've missed lunch and made a pit stop at the vending machine because you’re “holy sh*^” starving.
Under the microscope
Let’s take a closer look at planning. Most of us have at least one area in our lives where we plan well: the when and what colour we are going to dye our hair, what heels, shoes, scarf or tie go with the latest outfit, or maybe which parent is bringing which kid to which class.
But let’s be honest, when it comes to our health, way too many of us don’t have a plan – we either can’t be bothered or we don’t know where to start or we make subconscious excuses like “I don’t have time”. Consider everything you plan out in your life and all the successes – small or large – that result from your fab planning skills. So, why is it so difficult to find an hour to make a weight-loss plan? It can and it will work if you put a some effort into it!
With planning, your vending machine days are a nightmare of the past. Planning means you know what you are going to eat and when. Your snack bags hold your chopped veggies ready for dipping in hummus, your chicken stew is ready to be warmed up for lunch, and your fish tacos are waiting to be whipped up at home. Planning helps avoid last minute decisions. You sit down at the start of each week and make a plan that suits your needs and schedule. Then all it takes is a little bit of work to put your plan into action.
Step-by-step
Let’s make a list:
Know what foods are and aren't acceptable for you to eat. You can bet after you have figured this out that there are several foods that you need to remove from your pantry, but you might be surprised to find that there are plenty of scrumptious alternatives from which to choose!
Next comes grocery shopping. A good tip is never to grocery shop on an empty stomach or you might not have enough willpower to pass by the snack aisle. Eat before your go to ensure you are full and aren't tempted when you spot your favourite candy, chips or pop.
And finally, meal preparation. Set an hour or two aside to wash, chop, slice, grill, bake your foods and set aside in grab bags or present meals, freeze or place in the fridge. Voila! You are ready for the week. No more stuffing your face because you weren't prepared, no more grabbing a burger at lunch or on the way home because you didn't plan.
Think about it: in just a couple hours a week, you can make a grocery list of healthy foods, and prep those foods so you are ready for the week. Now you have a plethora of grab-and-go healthy meals and snacks to get you on that road to weight-loss. And once you've lost your weight, planning will help you never find that weight again!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nicole Paradis is co-owner of 2GFitness, and co-developer of Barre Fitness Fusion and Barre Fitness Fusion Train the Trainer. Check out her latest post here.