Another weekend bites the dust and its time to start getting ready for another week. At least this morning was nice, we got to go to church where we got married and they were selling freshly roasted cinnamon almonds…

…and then we had an epic breakfast complete with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage and potato hash, turkey bacon, and a butter braid!

This time of year it is non stop right? So many things to do in the evenings like shopping, get togethers, etc. it’s definitely a time of year that is hard to stick to your workout schedule. I prefer working out in the morning for this reason, but having to leave the house at 630 most days that would mean working out at 4-430am. I’m willing to do that maybe once a week, but thats about it. Other than that I have to deal with evening workouts and stick to my guns about going to them. One thing I find that helps me is going to crossfit, I don’t have to think about what workout I’m doing or think one up…. I just go to it and be done with it. I know it will kick my but, I paid money so I’m committed, and I know I’ll be safe weight lifting. That means I have to be willing to do night time shopping in workout gear smelling like…. well I just worked out. I think a little body spray goes a long way right? One thing I do is try my best to plan my rest days around things I have coming up, so I’ll pick my rest day to be a busy day that it would be hard to workout on anyway… like Fridays…. those are impossible. One long run, one medium run, 2-3 crossfit workouts, one day of yoga, and 1-2 days of rest is the goal for December (are there 8 days in the week?). I’ve also been thinking of my workouts more on a Monday-Sunday schedule because thats how I plan life. I usually do my long run on a weekend, and its one per weekend so thats how I’m thinking of it.

Monday- 5 Mile run/ Medium Run (AM)

Tuesday- Crossfit

Wednesday- Crossfit

Thursday- Crossfit

Friday- REST

Saturday- 8 Mile/Long Run

Sunday- Yoga

Groceries

Friday night Paul wasn’t feeling well so we canceled the plans we had and he went to bed at 6pm… I took the opportunity to get grocery shopping done early.

Sprouts

TJ’s

Menu Options de la casa de Shallals

Breakfast

– Breakfast Burritos –> attempting to make these today

– Eggs, Spinach & Turkey Sausage

– Whole Wheat Bagels and Cream Cheese (for Paul)

– Overnight Oats

– Sweet Potato Hash (with eggs and sausage) or Sweet Potato and Nut Butter

– Aiming for green juice Tuesday-Thursday and the weekend.

I’m also thinking of experimentally trying to bring a flourless pancake to work, I’ll see how it goes!

Lunch

– The usual salads w/ deli turkey, garbanzo beans, or leftover fish, or dinner leftovers.

Dinners

Monday- Shrimp & Blackbean Mexican Lasagna

Tuesday- Leftovers

Wednesday- Fish and Veggies

Thursday- Chicken Tamales (TJ’s) and Veggies

Friday- Wing it

Saturday- Wing it

Advent Jar Updates

Thursday (12/12)–>Watch a Christmas Movie

Friday (12/13)–>Enjoy Something Peppermint

Saturday (12/14)–>Look at Christmas Lights

Of Possible Interest

12 Tips To Get Healthier By Christmas (www.omaha.com)

Eat Well to Be Well (www.osagecountyonline.com)

Chocolate Milk vs. Sports Drinks (www.theweek.com)

Questions of the Evening

How do you adapt so that you can stick to your fitness schedule this time of year?

How do you keep a healthy balance with holiday meals and parties everywhere?

One thing I found that helps me the very most is “saving my calories” for the treats I like the VERY most. For instance, I wouldn’t take the plan old sugar cookie that came from a grocery store box, instead I’d wait to enjoy something homemade or very special like a freshly baked cookie or pumpkin bread.

Does meal planning this time of year become hard? How do you keep healthy meals going?