Being a Plans-men

"He who fails to plan, plans to fail" -proverb

"It pays to plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." And I wasn't hungry when I packed my lunch.

I'm a planner. If there is something to be planned, you bet I'll be all geek'd out researching, scheming, and planning. You can't always plan for everything, but I can get pretty close, darn it. I think its partially genetic. My mom always has tennis rackets, golf clubs, disc golf supplies, snacks, books, beverages, swimsuit (never go anywhere without a swimsuit!), tennis shoes...you name it she probably has it with her. :)

One of the most important things I think you can plan, is your menu. While bodybuilding, one of the most valuable things I learned, was the value and art of packing your 'lunch'. Or in many cases, your food intake for the day, or weekend in some cases. I don't often carry a purse, but you bet I'll be toting a lunch box/cooler.

About twice a week, I prepare grub for the following days. Lately, I've been loving the ease of broiling/baking up 2.5-3 pounds of white fish (lasts me roughly 3 days); and 3-4 times a week I organize my coniferous selections (veggies) - typically steamed broccoli or a mixed greens salad. Nom. Nom. Along with my fish and broccoli, I pack a small container of (healthy) fat - usually walnuts and ground flax seed. I have a love hate relationship with Almonds. They're delicious, but they get so stuck in my teeth.

Depending on the day, how I'm feeling, and what I'm doing for workouts, I'll also pack a complex carbohydrate. Sweet potato, or

oatmeal. Or like this week, a rare occasion, I have some quinoa.

Supplement wise, I have 2-3 'doses' of Whey Isolate to supplement my whole food sources, my Dynamic Greens, and one of my adrenal mending supplements. If I'm working out, I'll pack a fruit for post-workout recovery meal.

People often ask me for ideas on what are healthy meals. And surprisingly, and sadly, I'm not good at answering this. Scratch that. I'm not good at telling people what they want to hear or what might be easy. My reality is, I eat the same things, over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. Throughout the day I'll eat fish and broccoli, as well as throughout the week. We need to be conscious about eating for the right reasons. To fuel your body. Now, I love food. Trust me, I do. And I love trying new foods, recipes, combinations, and restaurants (sometimes). But that is in moderation and on rare occasions. But it truly comes down to fuel, and what fuel makes you feel good, in the long haul. Sure the instant satisfaction of slurping up a big cold ice cream cone is tough to avoid, but ugh, is it worth the disgust, heart burn, headache, or whatever discomfort later? Sometimes it is. Sometimes you gotta live. But I think planning is key to harnessing the impulsive decisions, and staying on route to feeling your best.

I don't know why I felt the urge to get on my soap box about that tonight. I think it was out of the joy and peace I get when preparing my cooler for the next day. Its one less thing I have to think about throughout the day, and I always feel better (mentally and physically) when I have fuel near by.

Welp, gotta go PACK (as in GO PACK GO), my lunch. I think the Packers were craving some Cajun, cause they are eating the Saints up. Have a great Friday!