The #1 System You Need To Add To Your Routine
Creating systems in my health and wellness routine has been a game changer! Having smooth running systems will help make it more possible to reach your goals. The system that my clients and I find to be one of the most effective systems is MEAL PLANNING- a SIMPLE concept that can help change everything for you!
I will admit that I used to meal plan and track all my meals in a notebook years ago. What was interesting was that when I would track my meals, I never actually ate what was on the meal plan. I never had an effective system when it came to meal planning, so after a while I decided to forgo the meal planning part and just stick to tracking my meals (we will talk more about tracking later!). In case you were wondering, because I missed this essential part of my health journey, I had a hard time reaching my goals. Not only that but I had a lot of food waste and I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what to eat- which on busy days is not ideal.
Here is why meal planning is SO important:
It helps you stay on track with your meal choices when done correctly
It helps avoid wasting time trying to figure out what to eat (especially on busy days when you don’t have time to think about that)
It helps you stay on budget (no unnecessary purchases)
It eliminates food waste (because you are only buying what is on the meal plan)
Saves time at the grocery store (no more wandering the aisles aimlessly)
Keeps things organized (an essential part of a healthy lifestyle)
Meal planning is such a simple, quick and effective tool to use weekly as a part of your health and wellness journey.
The meal planning system:
The first step is to plan your week. My biggest mistake when I first meal planned years ago was that I never took my schedule into thought. I had all these fun breakfast and dinner recipes planned, but I never actually had time to make them- which led me to stopping for take out and throwing out the wasted food I bought at the end of the week. It is so important to keep in mind (realistically) how much time you have to prep and cook as well as keep in mind your individual lifestyle. Will there be days when you need a grab and go breakfast or snack? Will there be days when you only have 30 minutes to cook dinner? Will you need to rely on leftovers for lunches or dinners any day or nights of the week? Are you cooking for just you or for the whole family?
The second step is to find recipes that work for your weekly schedule. Again it is so important to keep in mind your individual lifestyle. When I was just cooking for myself years ago, I could make whatever I liked, but when I moved in with my now husband, I had to start taking what he liked into consideration. It is also important to keep in mind how creative you really want to get with cooking- if you are browsing the internet for recipe ideas, you might find some seriously delicious recipes but they might involve using ingredients you’ve never used and the process might not be in your skillset (if you aren’t a baker, then baking a banana bread for your grab and go breakfasts might not be the best idea).
Next, write it down! I like to write down breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for every day (even if were eating leftovers for lunch or dinners, I schedule it in). I usually write the meal plan down in my notes app on my phone. I also like to write down what were having for dinner at the top of each day in my planner as well as write down if I need to make double of any meals to have for leftovers the next day. I also like to write down any foods that I need to batch cook for the week like rice or protein to have for other meals that week. Writing down what you need to batch cook can be so helpful!
The third step is to create your grocery list based off of your meal plan and stick to it while you shop! Then all you have to do is follow through with your meal plan and repeat weekly!
This system only takes 10-15 minutes! I like to do this on Sundays or on Mondays before I head to pick up groceries.
Do I need to track my meals?
If you are following through with your meal plan, I would say no! My other mistake years ago was that I was more focused on tracking my meals rather than focusing on the meal plan that I had created to reach my goals. Tracking your food intake can also invite in a more restrictive mindset which puts a negative emotion around your health and wellness journey. You should be able to enjoy a cookie or your favorite snack without having to write it down. As long as you are creating a meal plan based around your own individual lifestyle, you should be able to follow through and you will have no reason to track anything!
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