Planning is the KEY for success!

When you commit to eating clean, one thing you must tackle first.  It takes planning ahead of time to be successful!  I'm just being honest with you.  I am going to share with you some of my tricks for making the planning process a little easier, and it will be so worth it once you get the hang of it!

First, create a plan for your daily meals and write it out. If it involves recipes, pull them out for the week and have them handy.  Make a list of all of the ingredients you will need to make those meals happen, including your snacks.  Sidenote: You should be incorporating snacks into your day between your main meals so that you are not starving by the time lunch or dinner arrives and overeat as a result.  Plan for meals containing healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables as those are the foods that your body needs in order to function optimally.  Don't forget your healthy fats as well such as avocados, hummus, seeds and nuts.  These are snacks that will help to sustain your blood sugar all day long so you don't feel that crash later.

Next, go to the grocery store to get your needed supplies.  Make note of where you are spending most of your time.  If it is on the outer parts of the store, you are doing it right.  If you are spending most of your time in the isles, you may be a little off track if you are trying to eat clean. If you need some help with ideas, feel free to email me. I would love to help you find healthy alternatives that will both satisfy you and keep you on track.

Another thing some people recommend is to go through their pantry and refrigerator to throw out all of their unhealthy foods they have in the house.  For most people, this is difficult because not everybody in your family is on board with your quest to eat cleaner....YET.  I am convinced that they will once you show them the awesome recipes you are eating and share with them how much better you feel!  Instead, I would recommend throwing away your top three "sabotagers".  You can find other things to keep around the house for your family members that are not as appeasing to you.  For instance, one of my friends keeps tootsie rolls in the house for her daughters because she does not like them and they do!

The next part may seem like a lot of work, but if you commit to doing it all in one day on the weekend, your week will be a breeze!  For instance, make up some ground beef or turkey and refrigerate it for later use.  It can be used for taco salads, spaghetti, or a number of other things throughout the week.  Cook some chicken breasts either on the grill or in your crockpot to shred.  These can be used in salads, tacos, soups or enchiladas. Put your snacks into serving size containers or baggies for easy access throughout the week.  Cut up your veggies for any recipe that requires them for the week and store in fridge.  This limits your time in the kitchen during the week.  All of this may take you 1 1/2-2 hours on a Sunday, but then you are totally prepared for what the week is about to throw at you!

Here is my typical meal plan for a day:

Breakfast: Shakeology or a bowl of oatmeal with bananas in it

An hour later: Matcha green tea and/or Kombucha

Mid-morning: a serving of mixed berries, watermelon, or grapes with almonds

Lunch: A salad with grilled chicken and pre-cut veggies  (click here for some easy homemade dressing recipes)

Mid-afternoon: serving of carrots and a serving of hummus or a Lara Bar

*If I workout after work, I will drink a protein drink after the gym within 30 minutes of my workout.

Dinner: A protein (i.e. grilled pork chop), a carb (i.e. sweet potatoes) and a veggies (i.e. brussel sprouts)

I rarely have desserts, but when I do, I eat a serving of chocolate covered almonds

If you would like more informatin about how to make meal planning easier for you, feel free to contact me at fitnessbarrone@gmail.com