Make the Most of Each Week

Setting yourself up for success isn’t just about completing tasks in the moment — it’s about the preparation leading up to them that can turn your journey from good to great.

Preparing means recognizing the journey ahead and facing it head-on to do your best. When it comes to nutrition, this is the key to success. Nutrition prep isn’t just about meal preparation; it’s also about keeping a clean fridge, having ingredients on hand and stocking healthy grab-and-go options that leave you satisfied.

When thinking about your preparation in the kitchen, ask yourself these questions:

1. What does my fridge look like?
   1. Take a moment to clear out any old groceries that have been in the fridge or freezer a day too long.
   2. Is it organized in a way that makes healthier choices convenient? For example, are pre-cut fruits and vegetables, proteins and healthy options visible and easy to reach?
2. Do I have options that provide my body with nutritional value? 
   1. Keep it simple — the fewer ingredients, the better. Focus on colorful, whole foods and fresh or frozen produce.
3. Am I ready to make healthy meals and snacks?
   1. Think one week at a time. Plan what you’d like to make for meals or snacks and create a grocery list before heading to the store — the less you have to decide in the moment, the less likely you are to buy unnecessary items. This also helps limit time, food and money wasted while reducing decision fatigue later on.
   2. Make sure your plan is sustainable for you.
4. What is my focus?
   1. Choose one thing you’d like to improve nutritionally and build from there. Tackling too many things at once can feel overwhelming and prevent success. For example, you might start by keeping pre-cut fruits and vegetables on hand.

Set yourself up for success by being prepared, and go into each week confident that you can face any challenge head-on!

About the author

Jenna Linstra

Ms. Jenna Linstra is Fitness and Wellness Coach in the Slainte Fitness Center at USLI. Ms. Linstra enjoys staying active through strength training and running. She has a passion for helping others navigate their fitness journey and embrace a healthy lifestyle. She strongly believes that a healthy body starts with a healthy mind.