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Tuesday Talk, March 19th

Happy Tuesday, friends!  It's been a week or two since I've done a Tuesday Talk, but things have been a little bit hectic in my world.  This week, let's talk about meal planning.  I struggled with this for many, many years.  After moving back to meetings a few years ago, when we were talking about meal planning, someone mentioned just tackle planning one meal.  I decided I would try and while every week is not fully planned and I still struggle with a strict plan for each day, each day has a plan of some sort that may change, but at least I have an idea of what we are having each week.  This also means that I have some idea of what I need to buy at the store each week.  I can also adjust my meal plan to focus on what is on sale at the store.  This also helps with the budget, as well as my SmartPoints budget also.  I can plan for high point meals.  I think initially I felt overwhelmed that I felt I needed to plan every meal and every snack.  The downside of this is partially that I would get completely overwhelmed or I would not be hungry and wouldn't want something and that would throw me off my plan.  Here's the thing, you don't have to plan EVERYTHING.  Pick dinner or pick snacks and plan that.  For me, other things seem to fall into place.  

 WW suggests the following:

 Make a plan.  Use what works best for you.  Use a spreadsheet or paper and pencil or use your calendar.  Personally, I've tried a speadsheet, but it didn't work well for me.  I normally use my Living Well Planner to put down a plan for dinners.  In short though, use what works for you and make sure it's something that you can use consistently.  Breakfasts seem to be based on what each of us wants for breakfast.  My sweet husband isn't super pick about his lunch, he eats what I make for him.

 Do the math.  This is especially important if you are using meal planning for your weight loss or for health.  It is also important that you do the math if you are trying to stay on a budget.  I wish that I had used this sooner.  Budgeting was always been difficult for me but thankfully, I have improved.  This is equally important if I know that I have a high point meal coming up.

 Plan to indulge.  This allows you to eat a lower calorie or lower point meal.  I truly believe that this journey is all about moderation.  It's not that I can never have a piece of cake or a dessert, I can.  It has to be in moderation, not an every day or even an every week "treat". 

 Plug and chug.  Here's the short version.  Plan ahead for those indulgences.  I can say for certain that I will likely have a dessert or a piece of cake for my birthday at the end of the month.  I will plan ahead for that.  No matter what I have, I will enjoy it and I will get back on track. 

 Keep it balanced.  While WW no longer has the checklists showing you've had 2 or 3 proteins or 5 fruits and veggies each day or 8 8-oz glasses of water.  I have found that it's a goo thing for me to keep that in mind.  I want to make sure I have well rounded meals, focus on more salads, etc.  This will be easier for me with the spring and summer approaching.  With fruits and vegetables coming back into season, berries also, it will make it easier to curb that sweet tooth that I have been struggling with.  I have already starting getting creative with the fruits and a serving chocolate syrup and some times, even a little Reddi-Whip.  I am a work in progress and I'm proud that I am figuring out how to make this last a lifetime.

 How do you handle your weeks?  Are you simply flying by the seat of your pants?  Are you planning part of your meals?  All of your meals?  If not, how do you think it would change things if you did plan your meals and snacks? 

 For me, it has definitely changed things.  I hope you find a way to make it work for you! 
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