The biggest obstacle I hear from the people I coach is that they “just don’t have time.” People are SO busy today with work, families, managing a house, and the million other things that come up.
So it’s too often that they find themselves grabbing food for convenience – food that not only doesn’t serve their bodies but that also ends up negatively impacting the family and their waistlines. This leads to further guilt and a vicious cycle begins.
It breaks my heart to see these smart, hard-working, and deserving people go down the rabbit hole of convenience because they just don’t know another way. So, I’m here to help! 
Check out my strategies for healthy, fast, and convenient dinners (or whichever meal you choose!):
You make it:
1. Pre-cook proteins, pre-wash and chop veggies. You can do this 1-2 times a week depending on time. I’m a fan of the Sunday Ritual, where you prep and portion for the entire week. How to do this: Simply grill or bake enough protein to sustain dinner each week. You can prep the veggies to be prepared on the spot in the evening before dinner or in advance like the protein. Heck, throw it all on the grill!
2. Purchase pre-chopped veggies. If to the first point you were thinking…”Yeah, but the part I HATE is washing and chopping!” Pretty much every grocery store sells vegetables that are ready to throw in a pan, in the oven, or on a grill. It’ll typically cost you a little bit more, but it’s worth it if this is what it takes to make the right choice.
3. The 10 minute, minimal effort meal. This is one of my favorite strategies! It’s as simple as this: Rotisserie chicken, steam in a bag veggies, and wrapped microwavable sweet potato. Serve the chicken, grab 1-2 cups of veggies for your plate out of the bag (season if you like), and eat half the potato with a pat of grass fed butter. And you’ve got leftovers!
4. Crock Pot meals. It doesn’t get much easier than throwing a bunch of ingredients in a crock pot in the morning then coming home to a fully prepared meal (and a house that smells awesome). Also requires minimal clean up! This is definitely easy to make in large portions, so you’ve got leftovers!
Still not quite going to work? Here are my GRAB AND GO strategies!
5. Hit the hot bar. Have a grocery store like Market of Choice nearby? Chances are they have an awesome hot bar!
6. Healthy take-out. This is easier to find than you think. I love Thai food for this because you can almost always find grilled protein and order it with a side of vegetables. You’ll typically be able to get a few servings out of it too, so you’ve got lunch for the next day!
Believe me, I am all about convenience when it comes to food, so I always suggest making more than you need so you’ve got left overs!
And when, I cook, I keep it SUPER SIMPLE! Check out one of my go-to’s with this Beef Stir Fry:
1lb ground beef 93%
1 medium onion
1 large bell pepper (any color)
1 tbsp oil
salt & pepper to taste
Heat a sauté pan to medium high. Add oil and let it warm up. Add the onion and let it start to turn translucent. Add the bell peppers. Let cook for 2-3 minutes. Add ground beef and cook to desired temperature. Add salt and pepper to taste.
I usually throw this in a bowl and eat it as is. This makes about 3-4 servings for me. You can also serve this with about a half cup of quinoa! How easy is that!? Under 15 minutes!
Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
What made you decide you wanted/needed to start a program?
I moved, had another child, then my father passed away suddenly. After the hardest year of my life, I was in bad physical and mental shape. February of this year, I woke up one day and realized that I needed to make some big changes for my own health and the health of my family. And if I didn’t do something drastic, I would never reach my goals. Which meant I would have to put myself in a vulnerable and uncomfortable place... THE GYM! My husband and I decided to commit to a length of time where our health is our primary family focus. Once that decision was made and I met with Mike, we had the road map and just had to start taking the steps.
Had you tried to resolve this issue on you own? If so how was your experience?
Yes. Tried healthy eating, regular hiking and various diets.
What results have you achieved since starting your program? Such as injuries, weight loss, new goals, help with physical therapy, etc?
I’ve been regularly exercising. Starting to have more energy and stamina. Implemented a healthier eating schedule and routine. I’m not sure of the stats, but I’ve lost about 20lbs (since my heaviest weight), lost inches, gained strength.
Would you recommend us to someone? If so why?
Absolutely! Mike’s dedication to clients is genuine and consistent. And it’s not a typical gym, so I don’t feel overwhelmed. And your approach helps me with my confidence in working out. Working with a personal trainer felt very self-indulgent at first, so I had to get past that mental block. It’s not self-indulgent. It self-care!
What are 3 benefits of working with on your fitness program?
Accountability is the number one benefit! A personalized work out plan. A friendly environment that encourages growth. (It’s actually fun!)
What do you like best about our program/having a trainer
Same as above. My original hesitation with a personal trainer was working with someone who wasn’t engaged or would make me feel bad about how out of shape I was. And maybe push me to the point of injury because they were more concerned with signing on a client to get the income. That is sooooo not the case with MyPath and it was a wonderful surprise.
What would you say to someone on the fence about joining our program?
If you are ready to work hard and put in the effort, My Path Wellness will be a great fit. If you are concerned with cost, consider how much you spend on eating out, coffee splurges, etc. Then research the average cost of a hospital stay for injury, heart attack, etc. Your health and life are worth it. It’s not easy and it shouldn’t be.
Is there any feedback you’d like to add?
I like having occasional sessions with Mike to ensure I am doing the exercises correctly (I have a tendency to rush them!) and to make sure I’m on the right path with my program. I like supporting a local business. And feel that is part of the success of the program. I’m not just “another client”. I’m only a few months in, so ask me again in a few months 🙂
After a back injury caused me to gain weight, I decided to start a program with Mike. Not only have I lost weight, but I've gained muscle mass. Not to mention, the best thing I've taken away is a knowledge of how to maintain and practice a healthier lifestyle. Mike actually cares about you, and I enjoy his program because it's a more personal approach, and it helps me be accountable.