Last post was about being realistic with healthy nutrition. I had a new client come in today and say how he liked my realistic approach! How else can you really follow a new plan if we do not accommodate your needs and schedule?
In this case, the issue was more about planning, He can schedule his clients as he wants, and usually they are on an hourly basis and on the hour. But some afternoons he has 6 clients all back to back. Hmmm. I asked him if he could move some of his clients after the 3rd client to 15-30 after the hour vs on the hour. That would allow him to eat for 15-30 minutes and then be able to proceed with the next 3 hours of clients afterwards. He admitted, he had a lot of trouble concentrating during those latter sessions and often grabbed a soft pretzel and coffee as a tie-me-over. But usually just ended up being so hungry after those 5+ sessions with clients with no food, that he would basically eat everything in the kitchen. (and now we no longer wonder why weight loss is not so easy)
My client did agree that he could make that schedule adjustment as it seemed like a reasonable and realistic solution. He used to schedule clients like that, so now it makes sense to do that again from a nutrition and brain power perspective.
The next challenge was to bring healthy options for snacks. I did provide a list of Healthy Snacks and other meals which each of my clients receives during their sessions with me (some Gluten Free items) This should help with options to bring and help with his planning for the day. It may require a little work to make more at dinner for leftovers, or making another smoothie for the afternoon hours, or making an extra garbage salad for two meals. Try to make it something you can actually eat in the time frame you planned. But remember to bring more than you need as sometimes, what you brought is just not what you wanted! You definitely need options!
I know we all want to be productive and work as many hours as we can in a day, but if you allow that blood sugar to drop, then your brain activity is limited. You become less productive, make more mistakes and end up working longer, not better. Then the hunger demons will strike again causing you to binge on anything and everything that is not on your list of healthy options. Then you put on weight (or for some, do not lose weight). If you want to eat better, a little planning is definitely recommended, and maybe putting your meals on your calendar will help remind you when to stop and enjoy some healthy vittles.
Joanna Chodorowska, BA, NC, TPTH is a sports nutritionist working with real foods to help athletes perform better! Athletes will perform better at work and on the field (court, etc) with a realistic nutrition plan using real foods. For more practical nutrition options and sports nutrition plans, please visit www.n-im.net or visit Nutrition In Motion on Facebook.