Building motivation

Last night was a flop. got home starving and went straight for a bag of chip. Why were they even in the house in the first place? I was on a self-pity-party when I went grocery shopping on the weekend. No doubt, my self-pity was fueled by my not eating well the few days prior and that - I realize now - is not a good plan. In fact, it is a downright vicious cycle.

Today, I took an extra half hour at home to make myself some healthy food to take today. I did not make the salad last night that I said I would, but I did take some time for my health this morning.

Breakfast: Shake: vanilla with milk and some frozen blueberries; 3 AMs
Snack: apple; cooked mixed rolled grains w/ cinnamon (~210 cals)
Lunch: (old habits die hard) the last of the leftover KD & tuna (small portion tho)
Snack: raw cut veggies w/ 1/2 cup tzatiki (sp?)
Dinner: Spaghetti sauce on roasted spaghetti squash (john will have pasta, but I will persevere and cook the damn squash)
Snack: this morning I started some yogurt cheese, so I will mix that with some chocolate protein powder

Wish me luck on that damn squash!

Lost track of days

Okay, this weekend wasn't so clean. I realize now, front and centre, I need to focus on meal planning. But, planning alone is not enough. I realize this when I read through cook books and prepare a meal plan, but don't follow through. Planning requires finding the motivation and making the time to cook those healthy meals. This will also be something I will work on this week.

Eating healthfully follows a lot easier when you have foods made and ready to eat in the fridge and 'convenience' foods which are clean and support endeavours to change your eating lifestyle. This does not include, in my case, Kraft Dinner, soda, or sole reliance on breads and cheeses to fulfill my diet.

My goal this week is to plan my meals AND find the motivation and time to prepare them. Not entirely considering if they fit the clean bill 100%, I commit to planning what I will eat each day and preparing it. Next week, I will consider how clean the foods are.

My meal plan for today:

Breakfast: Shake
Snack: Almonds and an apple
Lunch: KD w/ tuna (leftovers) (the cleaner alternative to be a bean and vegetable salad, which I would prefer, but did not have the motivation to bring one together last night)
Snack: cut raw veggies w/ 1/2c. hummus
Dinner: chicken curry (a compromise from butter chicken) w/ rice noodles (the clean alternative being spaghetti squash)
Snack: yogurt & chocolate pro powder

My menu planning for today is done. I have prepared everything that I need to stick to this today. Tonight, I am going to help myself by preparing a vegetable/bean salad that I can eat for lunch for the rest of the work week.

How do you feel in the afternoon?

I splurged and got myself a big, beautiful salad to go with my lunch - loaded with fresh veggie toppings. It was very tasty to eat. Maybe not as tasty as the pizza the guy behind me got, but I feel so in control and satisfied after eating it. This feeling is so much better than what pizza guy is feeling right now, I bet.

How many people can say that they feel so satisfied and healthful after a meal? If they aren't eating clean, then they aren't going to say that! I love not feeling bloated, not as if I need to change out of my pants, and not greasy or lacking energy!! I need to focus on this and not the immediate short-term cravings of pizza.

My long-term goals are worth so much more than short-term indulgences! I am worth it!