How to Meal Prep and Plan For Weight Loss
There are various reasons for meal planning and meal prep, but one of the most common is weight loss. Before you jump into meal planning, thinking you are making the right choices and doing the right prep, there are a few things you need to consider. These considerations will ensure you are making the right meal preps that fit with your diet, your exercise, and above all your short and long-term weight loss goals.
Consider the Calories You Need
The first thing to do with meal planning for weight loss is to determine the amount of calories you will need in a day. There is a misconception about doing this that deals directly with your current weight and what you want to weigh. For example, if you weigh 250 pounds, you may find a chart that says you need 2,000 or more calories a day. You should keep in mind that the number given is to maintain the current weight and not to gain or drop weight. If you want to drop weight you will need to lower your caloric intake daily to achieve those goals. Once you reach your goal, then you would maintain the same calories to maintain the weight according to health charts or your doctor.
Consider the Workout Amount
Another aspect of creating a good meal prep and meal planning routine for weight loss is to consider your workout amount. This is important and goes hand in hand with caloric intake. For example, you want to reduce the caloric intake and combine that with exercise that will work through the calories to give you the calories you need to function and to achieve your workout specific goals. For example, if you want to burn 300 or more calories a day, you may want to go with running or something that fits that plan. If you do this, you will need to adjust your meal plan to accommodate that type of workout which means carbs and protein.
Consider What Meals You Are Planning
Now that you know how many calories you will be taking in and the type of workouts you will be doing to burn additional calories, it is time to consider the meals. Your meals should be complimentary to your lifestyle and weight loss goals. They should also fit your routine. For example, if you are on the go a lot then you may want more smoothies and quick fix protein food packs over three full meals a day.
Find a Day to Prep
The most important step to take for meal prep and weight loss is finding a day to prep. If you are doing meal prep and planning for a month at a time, you may want to take a full day to prep your meals, or a day of the week that works for that week. The idea is to cut down your stress, get meals together that will last for the week, and make sure you are meeting your dietary goals.
By making sure you have the basics down for meal prep as it relates to your weight loss goals you can ensure you are making the right choices. Keep in mind, you may need to change some things here and there to accommodate any special medical history or issues you have or to meet goal changes that may come up.
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