Hello and welcome to my summer post on MEAL PREPPING!
Every summer, I work for LSU developing curriculum and teaching teachers about that curriculum. I spend the entire month of June in front of a computer from 8 am to 5 pm. I'm exhausted by the end of the day, and my summer doesn't really start until it's over. Then I usually take a vacation with my family at the beginning of June. And I come back to finally get two weeks of summer before going back to school! It's crazy.
So I meal prep. I make freezer meals that I can easily pull out of the freezer and dump in a slow cooker or on a sheet pan instead of having to spend every day fixing dinner. My meal plan in particular is for 7 weeks and takes into account my vacation and my first two weeks of school.
I am also doing the Ultimate Portion Fix from BODi (Beachbody and Autumn Calabrese), which if followed correctly it provides enough food for that day, sometimes more than enough. I am trying to lose weight so I am following the plan according to the formula and I am working out daily. This meal plan is for the UPF Plan A which is between 1200-1400 calories a day. So my weekly plans cover all these containers and foods.
The daily plans include all containers for that day, with snacks; however, sometimes I don’t eat all the containers. If I’m not hungry, I won’t eat it. And let me just say I am not a registered dietician, or expert in diets and health and can only plan according to my knowledge of UPF.
I plan every detail. From shopping list to how to prepare the freezer meals to how to get ready each week of the plan.
And this is how my meal prep goes:
For the massive Freezer Meal Prep day, I schedule a Walmart Grocery Delivery for some time that morning or the Saturday evening before (click here for referral link; you'll get $20 added to your account when you join Walmart Plus!). Walmart plus is $12.95 a month or $98 a year and in my opinion totally worth it. I get access to unlimited free home delivery, free shipping from website, Paramount Plus subscription, a fuel discount of 10 cents per gallon at Murphy and Exxon, Scan and Go at the stores, Walmart Rewards, and more.
So when I get my groceries, I can store them or if it's early enough on Sunday (my meal prep day) I get started.
Then all I have to do is start prepping the meals.
"But what if I'm not hungry for what I meal prep?"
Then I don't eat it. I'm not stuck with this plan. There are some days I want Raising Cane's so I go and get it.
"But what if I have an event to go to?"
I go to it. I eat the food there. I enjoy myself. I'll have leftovers later.
"What about healthy eating choices? What if there aren't any at the event?"
So what? Eat and enjoy. A well balanced diet is eating what you want, in moderation.
"Can I drink alcohol?"
Heck yeah. Drink and be merry.
"What if I don't follow the plan exactly? What if I don't want all the containers?"
Then I don't eat it. Food is not the enemy. Food is not in control. I am. I decide what I want, how much I want, and when I want it. I just use this plan as a guide. I don't actually use the containers to measure every piece of food. As long as I am making healthy choices the majority of the time, I'm good. I've already lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks and I feel great. So much healthier, lighter, and my IBS is under control. I've also eaten cookies and ice cream and have had no regrets.
