Planning is Key...or...Why I Was Late to Work Today

Although I just started regularly writing about healthy living, I am not a stranger to the brown bag (or lovely Built lunch bag or large Whole Foods lunch bag).  I know how much to cook if I intend on having leftovers the next day and I have go to lunches just in case I happened to not have leftovers because I went to the local bar and had a REALLY good seared crab cake (and maybe a Victory Festbier)  for dinner with the husband.

However, I cannot stress the importance of planning when it comes to healthy living. 

This morning, unplanned,  I let the dogs sleep in a little...no really...M-dog has been difficult to get out of bed at 6am lately so instead of trying to lug all 86 pounds of him off the bed I decided maybe he needed an extra 30 minutes. 

Issue, I did not plan for this last night so my morning was a little more haphazard than usual.  Essentially, I ended up 30 minutes behind schedule.  I was able to get 30 minutes in on the elliptical after the walk but I planned to make then drink a Green Monster this morning.  My first EVER!  Since I was running behind I did not have time to wash the special cup I use to make my smoothies.  It is special because I use an immersion blender and none of my other cups allow the head of the blender to fit all the way to the bottom.  Of course since I thought I was having a smoothie this morning, I did not have any overnight oats either.  Instead I had to settle for cereal and nectarines.  Then, since I had no leftovers, I needed to come up with lunch.  I went with my go to salad; grilled chicken (I keep grilled chicken in the freezer at all times.  I usually get a family size from Whole Foods and grill the whole thing for dinner and the freezer), toasted almonds and dried unsweetened cranberries with vinaigrette.  I also brought a tomato to cut into wedges (I don't like them on my salad).  I threw a couple of snacks in the bag and lunch and breakfast were ready for me.

Now, while this sounds easy, I did this all wrapped in a towel with another on my head (ok...maybe I was running around with a towel only my head but the curtains were closed and I was having one of those moments where you are still sweating from your workout when you are done your shower).  Yes, I still had finish getting ready. 

If I had planned everything the night before (30 minute sleep in, washed out smoothie cup, etc), I would have had a leisurely morning with the doggies, added an On Demand ab and back workout video and been able to have breakfast at home instead of at my desk at the office...way too late in the morning after waking up at 6am.  

Instead I am wearing my lazy curly hair do, a skirt that I am not crazy about wearing to work and a nagging feeling that I should have done about 15 minutes on the elliptical.  It's all good though.  I still did pretty well on the fly and tomorrow is another day. 

Also, since I am running in the morning...M-dog will have to get up instead of hitting the snooze bar. ;)