Meal Prep Basics.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

If you’re doing something for the first time like driving across the country or even just going to a new place for dinner, you usually take the time to plan it out. Look up some sites to see, check out the menu, etc. Well a fitness journey is no different. To be successful in ANY journey, you must prepare yourself for what’s ahead. Yes, it takes a little time and a little effort, but in the long run it saves you just that when you are busy and don’t have extra time in the midst of the chaos we call life to make a healthy meal or get that workout in. So, step one, lay it out. Take 15-20 minutes every week to write down on a calendar or journal what your plan of attack is for workouts (when and what) as well as your meals. Breakfast, lunch dinner & snacks.

Step two, Shopping List. Once you’ve written down the meals you want to make during the week, go through the kitchen and make a shopping list of whatever you need to buy.

Step three. (Shop) & Cook! I’m a lazy meal prepper so I keep it simple. 4 baking trays, 2 filled with veggies, 1 filled with sweet potatoes and a protein on the last tray (chicken, fish, meatloaf. egg bake) While that’s baking I will use the stove to cook a protein (ground turkey/beef, tuna patties), sauté a mixture of vegetables and cook a carbohydrate (quinoa, rice, beans).

Step four, Storage. As the foods finish cooking I lay out my Tupperware for the week and then portion them out as I’ve planned for. I’ll usually pre-condiment a couple days ahead while they’re out so either salsa, braggs aminos, or mustard goes on top. I like to prep even for the days that I’m home so I don’t have to worry about it. If I want to have something different I just spend the time to change it in myfitnesspal and have that meal for another day.

I don’t mind the simple meals but I definitely enjoy an array of seasonings because it’s a calorie free way to get some great flavor! Trader Joes and Costco both have a delicious salt-free seasoning blend that works with pretty much everything from fish to popcorn. At any rate, this is the step by step of my meal prep life, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way. Make it work for you, but plan for it and most importantly, make it HAPPEN.