Plan. Prepare. Be Proactive. Prosper!

Plan: 1. a detailed scheme, method, etc., for attaining an objective

Prepare: to make ready or suitable in advance for a particular purpose or use

Be Proactive: serving to prepare for, intervene in or CONTROL an expected occurence or situation, especially a negative or difficult one, anticipatory

Prosper: to thrive, succeed or cause to thrive, succeed, etc. in a healthy way

My previous post was about Small Changes I've made in my life to help me with the weight loss.  My motto has always been: Progress, not Perfection.  I don't eat a completely clean diet, I can't say that I have things that are completely off limits to me.  However, by making healthy decisions over the course of the last 8 months - I have re-programmed myself and my preferences.  I love the way my body feels when I am eating healthy, nourishing foods instead of garbage. 

Norma left me a comment on the post that really inspired something in me.  Something 'clicked' and I plan to use that positive energy and feedback to help me keep moving forward.  She actually commented on my Court/Hell being over post, but referenced my 'Small Changes' Post here: " Your post before this one is GREAT! LOVE all your ideas, your making plans and sticking to them way of approaching them (being VERY accountable and that is where it's at) and proactive approach to identifying possible issues...you are so ON IT!" .  So Norma, thank you.  I thought to myself, 'Am I 'On It'?  I have looked back over the last few months, the recent weigh ins, thought about how my body feels, looked in my pantry and fridge and I felt really good about myself.  I have been on a positive and happy streak lately, and your comment helped solidify the fact that I don't suck at life or this weight loss.  I have become more accountable and proactive, I have finally started to give a shit about myself and my body again. 

Here is how I decided to Plan. Prepare. Be Proactive. for the week:

Large pan of broccoli and shaved carrots, mixed with a little salt&pepper.  I would usually have olive oil on it, but I ran out and didn't have it on my grocery list.  Turned out great without it, actually.

 I love roasted broc when it is a little browned like that from the oven - the flavor is wonderful.

Sliced white onion and green pepper, tossed with some black pepper and cayenne papper.  I put foil over it and put it in the oven for about 12 minutes, just so soften it - not cook them through so they're translucent - I like them a little firm.  I added some of these to the lunch bowls I made (pictured next) and put the rest in a container to be tossed into scrambled eggs, rice, as a side to chicken with other veggies, etc.  The key: Preparation- they're ready to go and they are spicy and delicious!

I made 4 lunch bowls like this.  I haven't had red meat in weeks, but really wanted beef and broccoli AND wanted to make my lunches in advance.  I hate leftover chicken, I actually will not eat it in a re-heated dish, only cold.  So, I bought a package of stir fry beef strips that weighed .68 pounds and split it between 5 servings (4 lunches and 1 that I had for dinner last night).  I bought a packet of beef&broccoli sauce mix that you add water and soy sauce to, I skipped the oil that was called for in the recipe.  It turned out great and tastes really good.  I have my lunches ready to go.  I used MOST of the broccoli and carrots up in the bowls, but have a small bowl to use as a side or snack sometime. 

The brown rice states a serving is 1 cup, I only used 1/2 cup in my lunch bowls.  I keep a big container of cooked brown rice ready to go for the week, I add salsa and random veggies to it, I throw it in scrambled eggs - just about anything as a quick go-to and I don't have to wait the 30 minutes for it to cook.  I can sautee the already softened peppers-onions with some rice and kidney beans and voila - supper is done and it's filling.  I can eat and move on with my real day and have the fuel to exercise!

 Snacks are ready to go.  Pears, bananas, pink lady apples, meyer lemons, navel oranges (I have another 5 pound bag in the fridge too).  Some of these will be eaten as is for a snack, some put in the fruit bowl on my desk, some into green smoothies and some will be put in my new juicer!

This fruit bowl is no joke - it is very big!  I can't walk into my kitchen hungry and see this and NOT make a good decision.  I have designed this week for success and will continue to do so!

So, in the title I also added 'Prosper!' - why?  These choices and preparations will allow me to prosper.  I can't fail this week because I won't let myself.  I will prosper, as in, THRIVE with the energy I have, with the happiness I gain with these healthy decisions, with the control I have taken over my life and my eating habits.  The energy will be there to exercise because I am feeding my body real food.