Plan to Eat -OR Fail. Planners please chime in!

heroyalslimness

I am wondering if anyone plans their meals in advance--even to setting aside the ingredients --down to packing your lunch bag the night before or having all the ingredients for all three meals in separate Ziplocs etc
and then --logs in at the end of the day --- what was actually accomplished?

I started to do this thing where I just stuffed the dry ingredients in separate blender cups and then they were ready to blend---at the times I needed--- rather than having day old juices in the fridge --for example----

Blender Cup 1 for a raw cream of tomato soup--plum tomatoes-soaked cashews, red pepper
Blender Cup 2 for blueberry smoothie...blueberries, almonds, agave,
Blender 3 for a snack had avocado, red onion, cilantro--etc . It was then just a matter of adding ice or spring water or almond milk, or green tea

I did So well on Ani Pnyo's weight loss plan---because it had a specific food list which I bought and pretty much stuck to.

What have been your consequences if you do not plan? What helps you stick to planning?
Share your planning tips to succeed! Planning buddies needed:flowerforyou:

heroyalslimness

shameless bump--I'm desperate

corgicake

I've got my staple dishes for high and low activity days. They get mix and matched depending on the day but it works. When there's something special going on though, I just go with what makes sense to me at the time.

nicolecafarella

I think meal planning is crucial. I just finished my planning and grocery list for the week. I hang the "menu" on the refrigerator. I tend to eat the same things for breakfast and lunch a lot, but for dinners we just choose each night from the menu and I cook it. It's a lot of work on the weekend but so much easier during the week!

QueenBishOTUniverse

This is something I'm really working on. I'm a teacher and I LOVE to cook, but I'm so tired when I get home in the evenings that often times, even if I have the stuff to make a great meal, I won't do it because I'm exhausted and just want something fast. For the past few weeks I've been working on rotating dinner between chicken breast, salmon filets and pork chops with various marinades. I add in a baby spring mix salad with a few different options for dressing and a few different types risotto and I have an easy dinner that I can have on the plate in under 30 minutes with minimal prep work. So far, this has worked really well for me and I'm hoping to stick with it once school starts back up.

I'm hoping once I get back down to maintenance I can start working more variety in to my meals, but so far I'm ok with eating basically the same thing everyday and it makes meal planning and monitoring my calorie intake SOOOOO much easier!

spaingirl2011

I plan meals for two reasons: to keep my eating on track and to keep my budget on track! I only go grocery shopping on Monday (unless I plan on having some kind of special produce at the end of the week-- then I only go to the store for that). I plan my food logging on Sunday night and then make a list for the grocery store based off of that (disclaimer: I'm single without kids, so my meal planning might be less complicated than others). Then, I only have the food I'm planning on eating that week. It leads to less snacking and less spending!

kRcu

It's fairly easy for me. I have a canister of protein at work. While there, I will have two shakes throughout the day and a protein bar or oatmeal for a snack. I typically go home for lunch so I can eat what I can, or will go out with coworkers if the restaurant is on myfitnesspal.

I don't mind drinking most of my meals, as I rarely like to eat. I love saving most of my calories for a large dinner, so I have planned my packed meals around that.

My wife packs all of her stuff the night before and prefers it, since she has free-time available.

heroyalslimness

I've got my staple dishes for high and low activity days. They get mix and matched depending on the day but it works. When there's something special going on though, I just go with what makes sense to me at the time.

THIS would NEVER have occurred to me---matching food to activity. I'm all ears...............

heroyalslimness

I think meal planning is crucial. I just finished my planning and grocery list for the week. I hang the "menu" on the refrigerator. I tend to eat the same things for breakfast and lunch a lot, but for dinners we just choose each night from the menu and I cook it. It's a lot of work on the weekend but so much easier during the week!

making notes

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is there a meal planning group or page on this site?

heroyalslimness

This is something I'm really working on. I'm a teacher and I LOVE to cook, but I'm so tired when I get home in the evenings that often times, even if I have the stuff to make a great meal, I won't do it because I'm exhausted and just want something fast. For the past few weeks I've been working on rotating dinner between chicken breast, salmon filets and pork chops with various marinades. I add in a baby spring mix salad with a few different options for dressing and a few different types risotto and I have an easy dinner that I can have on the plate in under 30 minutes with minimal prep work. So far, this has worked really well for me and I'm hoping to stick with it once school starts back up.

I'm hoping once I get back down to maintenance I can start working more variety in to my meals, but so far I'm ok with eating basically the same thing everyday and it makes meal planning and monitoring my calorie intake SOOOOO much easier!

That's my challenge--I'm on the road a lot ---come home and am super exhausted.
HELLOOOOOOOOOOO fast food take-out

---

although my food tastes way better

Last night I almost got a fried sandwich---but the short order guy was picking his nose and when he finally put gloves on ---he did not even wash his hands --I walked out--

I consider this a sign :huh:

heroyalslimness

I plan meals for two reasons: to keep my eating on track and to keep my budget on track! I only go grocery shopping on Monday (unless I plan on having some kind of special produce at the end of the week-- then I only go to the store for that). I plan my food logging on Sunday night and then make a list for the grocery store based off of that (disclaimer: I'm single without kids, so my meal planning might be less complicated than others). Then, I only have the food I'm planning on eating that week. It leads to less snacking and less spending!

LOVE THIS. I'm single,too. I can plan what I want!

dntldiva

I have a basic meal plan for breakfast. lunch, dinner and snacks all mapped out to equal my macros (carbs, fats, proteins). Then it is easy to substitute in. For example on my lunch it calls for 4 oz grilled chicken which is 120 calories, 20g protein, 0 carbs and 2g fat. If I end up wanting to eat something else I simply sub for the same values. I do preplan my basic eating plan for the week and because I travel extensively I take travel friendly foods with me so I stay on target. I have a great recipe for protein powder waffles that I can eat with a tablespoon of peanut butter for a quick, easy meal on the go.

With myfitnesspal it's super simple to keep track of my intake and plan accordingly throughout the day/week.

heroyalslimness

It's fairly easy for me. I have a canister of protein at work. While there, I will have two shakes throughout the day and a protein bar or oatmeal for a snack. I typically go home for lunch so I can eat what I can, or will go out with coworkers if the restaurant is on myfitnesspal.

I don't mind drinking most of my meals, as I rarely like to eat. I love saving most of my calories for a large dinner, so I have planned my packed meals around that.

My wife packs all of her stuff the night before and prefers it, since she has free-time available.

I like the idea of the beverage meals---very convenient--and packing the night before

zenalasca

I try to buy only enough ingredients to make specific recipes as I hate wasting any food, and I do plan in advance... But I often end up eating the thing I "feel like" instead of the thing I planned cause I know I will just eat them both anyway (which would be worse!!).

heroyalslimness

I try to buy only enough ingredients to make specific recipes as I hate wasting any food, and I do plan in advance... But I often end up eating the thing I "feel like" instead of the thing I planned cause I know I will just eat them both anyway (which would be worse!!).

I do this ,too. Maybe plan for the unplanned too?

heroyalslimness

I have a basic meal plan for breakfast. lunch, dinner and snacks all mapped out to equal my macros (carbs, fats, proteins). Then it is easy to substitute in. For example on my lunch it calls for 4 oz grilled chicken which is 120 calories, 20g protein, 0 carbs and 2g fat. If I end up wanting to eat something else I simply sub for the same values. I do preplan my basic eating plan for the week and because I travel extensively I take travel friendly foods with me so I stay on target. I have a great recipe for protein powder waffles that I can eat with a tablespoon of peanut butter for a quick, easy meal on the go.

With myfitnesspal it's super simple to keep track of my intake and plan accordingly throughout the day/week.

I am getting ready to go on tour---very timely.

heroyalslimness

THESE are GREAT plans
Keep em coming!--very inspirational

guessrs

Yes, absolutely. Didnt have to all year but coming to the point after having lost 60 pounds I'm at a point when my stomach is getting flat. So I'm counting every calorie and planning out meals in the evening before. It helped to get me to the next level.

PINKinquisition1908

I plan and log everything in advance. It becomes a blueprint for my day. If I don't log it in advance, I fall off the wagon.

heroyalslimness

I plan and log everything in advance. It becomes a blueprint for my day. If I don't log it in advance, I fall off the wagon.

I might use this page just to get me started --

oh I just got it---you log in your meals ---before! I MIGHT TRY THAT

andiebaco

I log in advance. Specially during fast days (5:2 here). So when I'm ready to eat I just check MFP and follow the ingredients and the amounts. Most of the fast days I eat my "safe for fast" menus so I really don't think too much about them.

During non fast days I also log in. If I'm going out for lunch/dinner, I log in an estimate and log my day around that. Sometimes I eat less t han what I supposed so I'll adapt it.

I maintain a weekly allowance of calories (important part for 5:2) so for me it's important to know how many cals I eat during fast and non fast days.

I also buy in the supermarket the ingredients that I have logged in. It saves a lot of money and I don't throw the food out when I don't use it and it spoils.

ItsSlimpossible12

I HAVE to plan or I will blow it and buy something quick and convenient from the store in my buiding (frozen pizza & mac and cheese and Doritos, lots and lots of Doritos!) and totally blow it day after day.

I very literally do a menu plan (Mon, Tues, Wed....Bfast, Lunch, Snacks & Dinner) with categories and a chart template on Sunday and go to the store Monday after work. The planning usually takes way less than an hour as I have my go to/favorite recipes from my favorite sites, but even if I am looking for a new one it is easy to find nutrition info quick. If I ever have to run back to the store towards the end of the week it is for produce but I am sure to go in and out so as not to spoil the budgeted money OR calories. I should note that I plan using daily calories, not weekly.

I make my lunch and snacks the night before and tend to have a liquid breakfast that is thrown in a blender and made super quickly in the morning. Sometimes, I even buy snacks in packages or portion it out and leave it at work for the week. I prefer crockpot recipes which I prepare the night before, throw in the fridge and turn on before I leave for work, but even if I don't make dinner in the crockpot, it is planned and waiting to be prepared!

I don't log beforehand though. I feel if I did that I would feel pressure to be sure I eat and do everything on time as scheduled and that is a little too much structure for me (if you can believe it!). Usually if I feel pressure or stressed I will veer from the plan to alleviate it. That is the only reason I have had success on this site is because I can still eat/do whatever I want (just in moderation) and not feel restricted. Also, not logging beforehand leaves the opportunity for spontaneous life events to occur (a friend needs a girls night drink, etc.), which one should never turn down. I should also note that very often I don't eat what I had "planned" on the exact day that I had planned it, but having the days of the week charted out ensures that I have the right amount of food and am able to stay within my calorie and financial budget.

sharonfoustmills

I do plan all meals ahead so I can do all grocery shopping in one trip. I don't divide it and put it into baggies and all that complicated stuff- that's extra work. I just weigh and/ or measure as I cook so I know how to calculate the macros when I'm done.

eta: if I did not plan in advance, I would end up just eating sweets, chips and other junk food. I would completely fail at losing weight and getting healthy.

mrshallewell

jackiestruble

I try to do the same thing! I need to do it farther in advance. Right now I log all my foods for the day in the am and when its time to eat I just look at the log....it becomes a no-brainer. Having a difficult time being effective in planning any further in advance since its not just me at home! I find myself facing making different meals for them. Ugh My husband will only eat so much sauteed Kale and my three year old isnt touching it at all! lol

GlutesthatSalute

YESSSS food prep on sundays.. Is important to my personal success and takes the focus off of finding things to eat everyday..

jackiestruble

always struggle with planning far enough in advance!

chell53

I plan and count calories, when I don't then I go off wagon and feel sick to my stomach. If I crave something that day then I just adjust for that.....weighing is a big part for me as well....

slim4health56

I'm a little envious of all of you folks who are successful in pre-planning your menu! I have a good idea of what I want to eat each week, but as soon as I finish the shopping and have one or two days worth of my planned menu, I get cravings that I just can't quite control...I'm working on that...but I've got several years of bad habits to overcome. It's not that I binge on what I crave or eat what I shouldn't, it's just that I lose interest in the food I have in the fridge or freezer which necessitates another trip to the store. Last night, I was craving yogurt in a big way (which I don't normally buy because I don't really like it!). I throw a lot of food away because of this and it ticks me off...mostly fresh veggies that start looking too much like "diet food" to keep my interest. I have learned that if I don't allow myself those things that I crave, I slip and slide with my motivation (and scale), so planning only works for short periods.

I love to cook, and don't do much of that any more because I munch on food while I cook. It's been frozen entrees for me to help with portion control and to keep me from eating my calories before I actually sit down to eat. I do keep rye bread and turkey pastrami in the house at all times, because that's something that I always enjoy and will fall back on when I just can't make myself eat other things. It's my "go to" food that feels normal (I just don't use mayo anymore!).

hananah89

For breakfast, I like to make egg/bacon/cheese sandwiches-although they depend on if I have time. For lunch, I tend to make ahead the night before just because I don't have much time in the mornings. But dinner I do absolutely NO planning unless there is something I need to get cooked or used up. I eat for dinner whatever I have left in the way of calories for the day. But I've always been a spur of the moment person so I don't think I could stick to meal planning.

Edit: I do preportion out all my snacks and things once i get home from the grocery store though. I will find myself overeating if I do otherwise.

BeanyFrog13

When I'm really in the zone I tend to pre-pack my work lunches. It's really easy to just pick up whatever's on the staff room table otherwise! If I've just got my packed goodies, I'm safe!