It’s been no secret around here that I’ve come a long way with my weight over the last few years. It’s also been no secret though that a few years later, I still continue to struggle with my weight and I am always consciously having to try and make better food choices. In fact, as hard as it was for me to lose the weight, it’s been even harder making sure that I don’t let myself slip into those same bad habits like before. Because, in all honesty, I slip a little too easy and a little too hard for my liking.
While some days and weeks (and shamefully even months) have been better than others, for the most part I’ve been pretty proud of myself for the choices I continue to make and I can say with absolute certainty that it’s all because of preparing my meals.
For as long as I can remember, Sundays are my days that I make sure I have my healthy groceries and when I get all of my lunches and snacks ready to go for the week ahead. Fruit, veggies, meats, rice, eggs, sweet potatoes…you name it, I’m slicin’ and dicin’ every Sunday.
While my lunches and snacks that I prepare on a weekly basis may not be overly exciting to anyone some, they’ve continued to work for me because I’m not one that needs, as I would call it, “fancy” or “complicated meals” while I’m at work (unless by all means someone would like to prepare them for the girl whose cooking skills isn’t too far off from boiling water). Plus, by eating a hell of a lot cleaner during the weekdays while I’m at work, it allows me a lot more wiggle room during my non-work times which, if you think about it, is really a no brainer. Let’s see, pizza when I’m stuck behind my desk or pizza when I’m curled up on the couch watching a movie? See, no brainer (well, actually pizza in both instances would be my first option but that’s how I ended up in this mess in the first place).
I’m gonna be down right straight with you all and say that meal prepping sucks. Taking a couple of hours out of your day to cut, cook, sort, and package is not my idea of how I want to spend my Sunday. I can think of one thing and one thing only that I’d rather be doing–absolutely nothing! And let’s not even get started on the amount of tupperware containers that you go through, which means twice as many dishes. Uggh!
See, this part really does suck!
What I do love though and what outweighs all that sucky-ness up there is when I wake up in the morning for work (rushed, as usual) and not have to panic and scramble to find something to shove in my purse. What I also love is not having to leave my office and spend money on things that are more than likely not helping me in the “staying on the wagon” department. Oh, and let’s not forget about how happy I am to see those little tupperware containers when I get home from work or the mall the gym really late and I’m so hungry but yet all I want to do is plop down on the couch.
Now don’t get me wrong, not preparing your meals for the week doesn’t mean that you’re not going to eat healthier foods, just like preparing them doesn’t mean that you’re only going to eat healthier foods. But it does give you a way better chance, trust me. I only eat what I pack in my lunch bag and that’s something that I don’t even have to think twice about anymore (let’s not count the chocolate chip cookie that sometimes just gets magically handed over to me with my coffee in the drive-thru). Another thing is that if I have a full day of eating good, I’m so much more likely to continue that on throughout the remainder of the evening.
Just a few more specifics:
– What’s not pictured that I tend to live on are salads and chicken wraps (I love chicken wraps and could seriously eat them forever. The salads, on the other hand, I eat because it’s what is in my lunch bag at the time).
– If I don’t get around to doing this on a Sunday then I still always try and make sure my lunches are packed before I go to bed (I’m serious when I say I’ve learned this the hard way– strolling into my office late).
– Even if I do all of this on a Sunday, sometimes I still need to do a few little things during the weekdays if we run out of food. There are also some things that I don’t prepare until the night before (for example, chicken wraps because aint nobody got time for soggy spinach, avocado or tomatoes…yuck).
Just remember that your meals can be as boring or as exciting as you want them to be. It’s all about finding something that works for you. Maybe you don’t have a rubber arm like I do and you can avoid all of the chocolate chip cookies that are out there (and to that I say, “you lucky devil, you”). But if you do have one and you’re looking to feel a little more organized and looking for a way to start eating better, I can guarantee you that this will help.
Everything looks so fresh and delicious! Definitely craving some strawberries now! I need to get into better habits of doing this each week– currently my lemon slices are the only "prepped" thing in my fridge!
You are so good….Wish I could be this organized. One little tip is that I actually make my own healthy chocolate chip cookies and take those to work with me. Then I'm never tempted by those 300 calories ones. I'll let you know when I find the perfect "healthy" one.
I started meal planning and prepping my foods on Sundays almost a year ago and it is the best thing that I can do for myself! It sets you up for a much more successful week…and lets be honest…doesn't allow those veggies and fruits to spoil week after week because you were to lazy and grabbed something unhealthy instead!
It really does make a HUGE difference. Anything that makes eating well even a little easier is worth it in my book!
Our Sundays are verrrry similar. I love how fresh and clean all your pictures are 🙂 I wish we were neighbors, like really. I'd enjoy meal prepping with you!
Renee this is so encouraging! I just start meal prepping for the weeks lunch meals and UGH it is so annoying, but so worth it like you said when its morning and a meal is already healthy and ready for you to take! Knowing you are doing the same thing on Sundays will make it a little easier 🙂
All the extra dishes is the worst but so totally worth it!