How to make a STRONG PLAN - My Best Meal Planning Tips

A new month; a new week; means a fresh start.

A goal without a plan is just a wish. People ask me all the time now I'm able to juggle everything and still be successful. It's because I've become habitual about my routines. Sunday's are planning days; meal planning, work planning, goal planning, life planning, kid planning. The only way you are going to set yourself up for success is by having A PLAN.

You ask any successful person and they will tell you; when they took the time to make a plan things skyrocketed. You name it your nutrition isn't great; make a plan. Your fitness is off track; make a plan and schedule. Your always feeling rushed and kids have a million things to do; write out a schedule. Need more time with your spouse; plan a DATE NIGHT but put it on the calendar. The point is nothing in life works WITHOUT A PLAN!

So how do you get on track when life already seems CRRAAZZY. The first thing I like to do is create a COMMAND station. In our household we have a couple of those. We have synced calendar on our phone so that as we input or update activities everyone can see and be informed. The second thing I do is I sit down each week and I not only map out our activities for the week, I block off times, create our meal plan and grocery list and do everything I can to get things prepped ahead of time.

In the beginning it may take you a little bit longer but it will save you hours of time in the future and throughout the week. I always say there is a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to meal planning especially.

So here are my TOP TIPS for MEAL PLANNING.

1. K.I.S.S. - Keep it simple silly. DO NOT OVER THINK IT. One of the most common mistakes I see with challengers is that they try and over complicate things and put too many items on a meal plan making it difficult to keep up with. There are TONS of meal plans, recipes and others on the world wide web aka PINTEREST.

2. DO NOT WASTE - In our household we stay on a tight, tight grocery budget and everything we buy gets used. Typically for us dinners get reused for lunch the next day. So when I plan dinner I make sure to take into account extras for leftovers the next day.

3. PLAN it AHEAD OF TIME. - I typically do my meal planning on Thursday/Friday that way I can grocery shop on Saturday and Meal Prep on Sunday.

4. MEAL PREP - take the time to do this on Sunday. In the beginning until I could get into a routine it would typically take me 1-2 hours, but now since I have a routine and I can get in and get out I can usually

get it done in around 30-45 minutes. It is just like everything else; the more you practice the better you get.

5. Write out your grocery list AND post your menu in the kitchen - Writing out your grocery list ahead of time, cuts down on the aimlessly walking through the store, throwing things into your basket. Not only that when you ONLY put on your list what you need, you will be surprised at how much $$$ you are going to SAVE. Also check out sale ads for your local grocery store, by discounted fruits and veggies, make sure things are in season (if not they jack up the prices). For me I shop at several places; Trader Joes or Aldi, Costco and Target. The majority of our groceries though come from Trader Joes.


A few other things I do to help plan my week is I schedule my workouts in like I would any other drs. appts and so forth. That is the ONLY way I know that they are going to get in. I used to feel selfish, scheduling that me time but I have learned that in fact it is the opposite. Consistently getting my workouts in day in and day out make me a better mom, wife, coach, human being. I make them a priority because I know how important they are. Sometimes that means sacrificing a few things (i.e. getting up early in the morning) but at the end of the day when you have goals you want to reach you do what you need to do to get things done!!

When it comes to getting the BEST results possible you can't just show up to your workouts and press play.  You have to give it over and above effort.  Increasing your weights, upping the intensity, holding your plank for just a little bit longer and not quitting before it's over.  SURE when we workout at home no one else is around and no one will know if we did it or not.  BUT your results are what will tell the truth!  If you slacked in the kitchen it shows in results. 

I just restarted The Masters Hammer and Chisel this week so I am really dialing in on my nutrition. With summer coming up and lots of trips planned, I want to make sure that I am shorts and swimsuit ready. 

Here is my plan for the week!  I hope this helps and gives you some guidance on how I structure my plan!

YOU ARE INVITED:

If you are interested in working with me to lose the last 10 lbs join me on Monday May 2nd for a 30 day group that is guaranteed to challenge you, stretch you to the limits and help you crush your own personal goals!!

It's go time!!

Apply Here: http://goo.gl/forms/PMdAIABEpN

All the details on the Busy Moms Bikini Bootcamp group are here!!! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. 

Busy Moms Bikini Bootcamp Support and Accountability Group

HAPPY SUNDAY

WE are literally 30 DAYS AWAY from Memorial Weekend. How crazy is that? As summer is quickly approaching it means we are going to literally have to start uncovering all the bad choices we have made; the late night snacks, the extra drinks. Everything we have been eating will be revealed to the public. From shorts to tank tops, to swimsuits and cover ups; it's almost time!! Are you ready?

Of course you can try and hide it by wearing jeans, or staying inside but who wants to live like that. Especially with KIDS. I am a summer baby (my birthday is June 21st) and for years I have HATED getting ready for summer. Trying on swimsuits, attempting to fit into shorts. I seriously DREADED it every year. For the first time in a LONG time I am super excited about what the summer brings. I am building confidence not only in my body but in myself.

I am on a mission to help other super busy, working, moms of young kids to transform their bodies and their nutrition and get on the path to more confidence, improved body image, and of course energy so you can keep up with the demands of a busy life!!!

You can't use the "I AM TOO BUSY" excuse with me!  There are so many workouts that are under 30 minutes now.  The 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Insanity Max 30, 22 Minute Hard Corps and Hammer and Chisel.  Plus they all come with super easy portion controlled meal plans that are basically fool proof.  When I started my journey I was doing 30-55 minutes of workouts daily and I had to figure out the nutrition all on my own.  You are going to have much faster success than I did for this very reason!!!  

-I have lost OVER 75 lbs with an 8 year old and 2 UNDER 2 AT HOME.

-My husband worked long hours and I was the primary caretaker.

-We didn't have a lot of money to spend on food and exercise programs.

-I wasn't getting much sleep because two small kids don't always have the same sleep schedule.

But, I truly wanted to change more than I wanted to stay the same.  I was WILLING to make some short term sacrifices for long term results!  

Some of you may have been thinking you waited to long. It's already MAY what can you do before the summer. I am here to tell you ALOT. It takes 21 days to build a habit, it will take 4 weeks to start seeing the changes you want, 6 to really see the RESULTS. 

So here is what I am offering FOR YOU:

1.  I want to cut your learning curve with meal planning, healthy recipes, motivation and tips.  

2.  I am going to share with you what I did to lose 75 lbs in 12 months, to create a healthier lifestyle not just for myself but for our family too.

3.  Give you tools to make your workouts a lifestyle change vs a crash diet.

4.  Help you with quick easy, on the go meals and snacks for your busy lifestyle.

5.  Give you sample meal plans to help with the planning.

6.  A place to stay accountable with daily check ins and tips specific to the things that come up in every day life.  How to handle eating out at restaurants, late night cravings, parties, and vacations.

As a soccer, baseball and basketball mom we have a jam packed schedule of after school activities, homework and I still run a full time business.  This momma has to plan her time wisely!  So let me help you! From one mom to another... lets get our butts in gear and crush it!!

We have to STOP using our kids as an EXCUSE. They have got to be the REASON we want to be better. The REASON we want to SUCCEED. Starting on May 9th my BUSY MOMS BIKINI Bootcamp will be starting. This group will take place on the newest challenge tracker app which you join through me as your coach.  I will match you up with a fitness program and nutrition plan that meets your needs.  We will set realistic and achievable goals and together we will set out to take it 1 day at a time and change your old habits into newer and healthier ones!!!

So if this sounds like something you would like to do the next step is to complete the application below.  This will help me to make personalized recommendations based on your needs and wants.

**Note if you already work actively with a coach please do not apply. This is for my new and current customers only.

My goal is to give you the tools and the support you need to have an awesome, confident and energized summer!  

Are you in??  Lets do this together!  I want to help you take control of YOU and live life to the fullest.