How can you organise meals around work and training?
Organising your meals starts with your actual schedule. You do not need a perfect week — a few simple decisions can make working days easier.
Start by writing down what your week looks like
Look at when you work, your travel time, when you train and where you usually eat. Identify the days when you can prepare food at home and those when you rely on a work break or buying food nearby.
If you work shifts, do not copy someone else’s meal schedule. Write down your options and limitations. These details help when you agree on a plan with Marijana.
Make a shopping list based on your agreed plan
Check what you already have and list what you need for the next few days. Grouping ingredients makes shopping and tracking costs easier. There is no need to buy lots of new products at once.
If an ingredient is too expensive, unavailable or something you dislike, make a note of it. Instead of making random substitutions, ask how it can fit into your plan or what to use instead. Always state allergies and intolerances clearly.
Break preparation into small tasks
Choose a time when you can prepare part of a meal or pack food for work. Some people prefer the evening before; others find several small preparation sessions easier. Choose something you can repeat.
Before shopping, check whether you have a fridge at work, somewhere to reheat food and suitable containers. Follow packaging instructions for storage and preparation. Plan around the facilities you actually have.
Have an option for days when everything runs late
A meeting overruns, training moves or you miss your shopping trip — these days happen. Discuss practical alternatives with Marijana in advance so they fit your programme and circumstances.
Organisation should help you know your next step. If a problem keeps recurring, explain when it happens and what would make the plan easier to follow. This is more useful than trying to make every day identical.
At the end of the week, review what is practical
Note which meals were convenient, what went to waste, where you spent more than planned and when you had no time to prepare food. These notes make it easier to explain what needs adjusting.
Use your agreed plan for individual portions, food choices and alignment with your goal. This guide offers ideas for organisation; it does not prescribe a menu, calories or a rate of weight change.