Secret Weapons

I'm always being asked for workout tips, nutrition advice, etc.  So, here is my secret weapon for success.  I call it the 3 P's:

PLANNING
PREPPING
PACKING

I eat 5-6 times per day...that in itself is a part-time job.  But I made a committment to myself that I would do my best to be my best, so I took on the job.  It was tough to get used to, I won't lie.  I was used to eating a very light breakfast if I had breakfast at all, lunch on the go - either a homeade sandwich or fast food, and a big giant dinner.  Switching gears to 5-6 mini meals took some time.  Once I figured out the art of the 3 P's, life got a whole lot simpler (well, at least in that area!).  So here they are:

PLANNING:  Every night before I go to bed, I write down my workout for the next day and everything that is going to go in my mouth.  I'm sure everyone has heard the advice to write down what you eat...take it a step further and PLAN what you will eat.  It takes the guess work out, and I won't make bad food choices because I'm trying to think of a meal on the go.  This also ensures that I WILL workout.  I know exactly what I'm going to do, so I can get in, get it done, and be about my day.  You make plans for so many things, so take a few extra minutes everyday and plan some time for YOU.  You deserve it, and your body will thank you. :)

PREPPING:  After I've planned all my meals and my workout, I then prep my gym bag for the next day, and then head to the kitchen to prep my meals.  Since I've already planned what I will eat, I just check out my food journal, see what meals I'll be away for, and prep them to go!  Now, prepping also has another level:  One day per week (I use Sundays) I cook a few chicken breasts, some turkey burgers, sweet potato fries or brown rice, chop up some veggies, and prepare some fruit - this makes prepping throughout the week a cinch!  All I do is grab what I need!

PACKING:  After all the planning and prepping is done, I pack everythin up!  I put my gym bag by my purse, and I put my prepped meals in my cooler (I found a CUTE xlarge lunch tote at Target!) and put it in the fridge, and I'm all set!  I don't even have to THINK about it in the morning.  I grab my bags and I'm out the door.

You can obviously adjust this to your needs, but these 3 P's are VITAL to success!  Set yourself up for success and you will reach your goals.