When I got home from Shenandoah Valley on Sunday afternoon, I had high hopes of getting a bunch of sh*t done. I planned to go to the grocery store, workout, and cook dinner at the very least, and then maybe relax a little. But you know what I did instead? I laid on the couch and didn’t move until it was time to get up for work on Monday. Sometimes that just needs to happen.
After work on Monday, getting things done was no longer an option, and I ended up having the most productive post-work night that I’ve had in a LONG time. It included:
- Going grocery shopping at Whole Foods on the way home from work.
- 2. Putting the bag full of groceries into the fridge (unpacked) and leaving immediately for a super hilly 4.5 mile run.
- Putting together my new bed that arrived, which took about 45 minutes since I put the rails on the wrong sides the first time around.
- Whipping up tofu, soba noodles, and veggies for dinner with homemade peanut sauce (peanut flour, water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger powder, garlic powder, and sesame oil).
- Cleaning the entire kitchen post-dinner since I was ravenous by the time dinner was ready so things might have been thrown around a bit.
- Packing breakfast/lunch/snacks for the next day.
- Showering. Yes, this counts as an accomplishment.
- Blow drying my hair.
- Planning my weight watchers meeting for yesterday morning, which was all about Decoding Menus and figuring out good things to order at restaurants. Did you know the average American eats 4.2 meals out per week!?
- Writing a blog post about my trip.
- Watching one episode of my newest obsession, Gossip Girl. Don’t judge.
- Making this meal plan for the week:
| Breakfast | Lunch | Snack | Dinner | |
| Monday | English Muffin w/PB + Banana | Leftover Mexican Stuffed Peppers (recipe coming tomorrow!) | Greek Yogurt + Orange | Tofu w/Soba Noodles, Veggies + Peanut Sauce |
| Tuesday | Savory Oats w/Spinach + Babybel Cheese | Leftover Mexican Stuffed Pepper w/Salad, Apple | Greek Yogurt + Strawberries | Red Lentil + Spinach Soup |
| Wednesday | Oatmeal w/greek yogurt + thawed strawberries | Red Lentil + Spinach Soup w/salad | Cottage Cheese w/orange | Out for Dinner |
| Thursday | Toasted Waffle w/PB + Banana | Leftover Tofu + Veggies w/Peanut Sauce | Greek Yogurt + Strawberries | Out for Dinner |
| Friday | English Muffin w/Egg Whites + Cheese, Apple | Red Lentil + Spinach Soup | Popcorn + Orange | TBD |
Even though I didn’t sit down until after 10pm that night, it felt good to cross so much off my list, have a workout under my belt, and feel good about the week ahead.
Do you tend to get stuff done during the weeknights or mostly relax? I’m half and half. That was my Monday night, but then last night I just watched Gossip Girl and barely moved. 
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Mexican stuffed peppers! Can’t wait!!!
I try to do maintenance cleaning and simple chores on weekday evenings, I save running errands and major cleaning for the weekends (this is a big improvement over when I used to leave all cleaning, including most dishes – yikes – , for the weekend).
Most nights I’m packing as much as I can in so I can relax when the weekend finally comes around. It does get exhausting and I definitely have those days (as in the last two work days) where I just say NO to productivity… lol
Ok, I loooooove Gossip Girl. And, it’s soooo good right now!!!
I am super impressed that you went for a run after going grocery shopping and unpacking your food. If I don’t go straight after work (without stopping anywhere first) I won’t do it.
I’m making lentil soup tonight too! I’ve never made it before (whhhhat??!) and it’s being cooked in the crock pot. Hope it turns out well- I just kind of threw a bunch of random ingredients together.
Weeknights are usually gym nights for me, so I rarely get anything done! I go right after work and have just enough time to eat dinner, maybe watch some TV and blog, then go to bed.
Everything that is not done by dinner has to wait until the next day… unless I am super-duper busy. I really like having some time to relax and either read, write letters or knit. (Exercise takes place between coming home and cooking dinner, as do groceries, cleaning and paper work.)
When I’m productive in the evening, I’m always so thankful the next day. I usually prepare my breakfast, lunch and snacks for the next day after dinner.
HI Beth. That is QUITE the sh*t list!!! So impressed that you checked it all off! I go through phases and have super productive evenings…this week though, for whatever reason my energy level is zero…and I’ve been slothing more than doing. Have a great rest of the week.
Okay I watched Gossip Girl when it first started, then stopped for a couple seasons, and just started watching again with this new season. And I like it. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.
I’ve only recently discovered the joys of getting things done on weeknights. I love it! Tonight, I cooked a healthy dinner, cleaned the kitchen, read blogs, did laundry, and I’m about to write a post for my blog and work on another guest post. When my workout is done before my workday begins, it’s amazing how much I can get done.
I like to relax on the weekends. I find the craziness of the day typically allows me to run on adrenaline to complete my chores.
You sure did get a lot done today! I tend to get more done when I’m on a work day schedule. I get kinda lazy on weekends
Wow. I feel like a slacker now. I’d say I’m half and half too. It depends on the night and what kind of day I’ve had. Once I get all comfy on the couch, it’s pretty hard to move sometimes.
Wow, that is impressive! You have motivated me to have a productive post-work night!
Why can’t I read your blog on my IPad any more? The page goes just blank.