Are You a Planner?

This morning I received this email from a trainer I knew in AZ and thought I would pass it on to you! Have a great day!

Hi Siobhan,

I have been going back and forth on the idea of coming out with a fat loss solution that would rock the world. What we decided on is going to allow those that follow it an unbelievable amount of energy, fat loss and health. My solution is going public and I've decided to give all me readers first glance at the bullet points of the amazing fat loss system.

Are you ready?

~ Written Goals (Where do you want to be?)

~ Written Plan (How are you going to get there?)

~ Daily exercise (including resistance training)

~ Supportive Nutrition (proteins, healthy fats, fibrous carbs)

~ Water (80oz+ of filtered water each day)(1/2 body weight in oz)

Remember, this will guarantee unstoppable results! Know what would happen? Most people wouldn't follow it.

Why? Because over the years we have become so incredibly ingrained in our eating habits and lifestyle schedules that it not only takes an incredible desire to change this path, but a specific, daily, concrete plan of action. It's easy to start, most will do that. BUT it always, always, always happens... life gets in the way, things get tough, the challenge becomes too overwhelming and we just take the easy way out and QUIT. Why would we do that if we knew this was exactly the plan we needed to follow to get the lasting fat loss results we wanted?

Our HABITS! Those routine activities that have become so ingrained in us that we're almost on a daily auto pilot. If we don't have an immense desire to change, a defined course of action to take, a plan detailing each day's successful steps....we'll fall right back into that lazy boy chair of life because it's EASY!

It's about making lifestyle changes, not just eating better. We all know what foods to avoid, what foods we should eat more of, the need for exercise, etc. Let me just say.......It's not about the food!! It's about our LIFESTYLE!!! What happens when it's time for your next meal but you're caught in traffic on your way to a meeting?

Ahhhh, the pied piper of instant gratification now summons you to the Golden Arches!

Knowing what to eat is only part of the process... ...Planning ahead for the unknown is equally important. Let's say you have a couple of bad eating days per week. That doesn't sound so bad, right? On the surface it doesn't, but let's take a look at how many days that really is over the course of a year.

104 OFF DAYS!!! That comes out to over three months, 25% or 1/4 of your entire years worth of eating. That's a lot of "cheat" days. AND I can guarantee you that you'll make little to NO progress with that type of nutritional approach. Plan ahead for the unplanned OR you'll be dealt a hand of body fat and dwindling health.

Life will throw you a curve ball (we all get them), so be prepared for it. That way instead of striking out, you'll slap it out of the park with a smile on your face knowing you had planned ahead.

Alright, let's tackle a couple of eating strategies.

Eating Strategy #1.....PREPAREDNESS
I like planning on Sunday whereas some of our clients prefer to do it each morning.Sit down and come up with your meal plan for the week or day. Here's the deal...you have to and I mean have to plan out your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. That accounts for 7 breakfast, lunches and dinners and 14 weekly snacks. Does that sound difficult? Bear with me here!Remember things can be made in bulk quantities or eaten as leftovers, so think about what meals are your favorites (healthy ones).It's estimated that we only eat about 8-10 different meals per week, so it's really not all that daunting of a task. If some meals aren't exactly the healthiest, think of ways to increase the nutritional value and cut out the saturated fat and sugar while increasing the protein. Eat the leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day...that just cut out seven lunches that you have to plan. If it's more convenient, consume meal replacement shakes for your snacks. They're quick and convenient...that just got rid of planning 1/2 of your snacks....Presto!

Eating Strategy #2....."BREAK-FAST"
Eat Breakfast....no matter what!! And make sure it's more than just a piece of toast. Studies have shown that those who eat breakfast have higher resting metabolic rates and eat less calories at the end of the day.Rather than preparing all your food for the week on Sunday, you may prefer to do a little food preparation each day. This is actually how I prefer to do it, as I don't mind getting up early enough to do it...I love having my morning quiet time :-) This strategy calls for you to cook all your food for the day in the morning, pack it up and go. It may be that this is simply your lunch, as you probably have time in the evening to prepare dinner. But don't forget...plan for the unplanned.What if you have to stay late at work? Then what? You better have some healthy food ready or a meal replacement shake on hand.

Our most successful clients will admit that this was their #1 reason for success. Planning ahead and preparing for the unknown! Plan for the unplanned, get the proper foods, and then eat them! Prepare to be blown away by the effectiveness of your workouts once you dial in your "planned" nutritional strategy! Don't underestimate your nutritional PLAN...and never underestimate the "art" and "skill" of planning ahead.

Hope this letter help you. It should be great for you planners! Try it today. Thanks Eric!