prepare tonight
Hello dear reader. Today I want to share a personal strategy I’ve been working on that has drastically improved my productivity and well-being. And surprise! It has to do with food 🐷
You’ve probably heard of “meal prepping” and somewhere along the line were made to believe you needed to do it to be healthy. I used to think this as well. On Sundays I would spend 10 forevers grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and planning out my meals for the week. It SUCKED. So much time, effort, and wasted food!
I’ve wised up in old age though and now think only two meals in advance - instead of an entire week. When I cook, I make enough for the next two meals for two people and it is entirely less overwhelming.
Every night as I’m preparing dinner, I’m also packing my lunch for the next day. While I’m at it, I also make and pack my breakfast, snacks, and protein shake for after my workout. It all goes in a bag in the fridge so that in the morning I don’t have to think one bit about anything I’m going to eat all day until dinner.
Disclaimer #1 - this will obviously vary depending on how many mouths you’re feeding.
Disclaimer #2 - I know this is more challenging with little ones running around, which I do not have. Unless you count a puppy, which can be quite distracting - but not the same I know!
Is all that prep work what I want to do when I get home from a long day of work? OF COURSE NOT. But, the stress and time it saves me the next day is so worth it. My mornings are way less hectic and I’m able to stay on track with my nutrition goals.
This may seem like a lot at first, and it kind of is. If you want to give it a try, start small. Just pack your lunch for the next day. Once you get that down you add snacks. And maybe eventually you throw in breakfast too.
Pro tip: couple this with something you enjoy like a podcast, audiobook, or TV show. That will make it feel less daunting after a long day!
Give it a try one night and make sure to let me know how much better the next day was :)
