Wouldn't it be nice to have every
day be one of those "perfect" days? You know, the kind of day that
includes a peaceful walk in the park, a heart-pounding workout, a playful few
hours with the kids, and healthy, delicious eats at each meal—all the good
stuff, in other words.
While somewhere in a far off land
that may be reality, here on planet Earth, it's not. Most of us spend our days
meeting deadlines at work, shuffling the kids to and from school (and soccer
practice, ballet, and baseball too), and hoping to have the chance to actually
sit down for a meal.
Finding the time to work out and
cook healthy meals is easily pushed to the wayside in our ordinary, busy lives.
But sneaking it in isn't impossible if you prioritize it. Fortunately, I've
found some no-fail, simple strategies that will help keep you on track, no
matter what life's throwing at you.
HERE ARE SECRETS
THAT WORK FOR BUSY PEOPLE
Drink Water
We've all heard
this one before, but how many of us actually put it into action? Drink a big
glass of water upon waking in the morning, and then keep a bottle with you
throughout the day. By always having water on hand, you'll be more likely to
skip soda or other sugary beverages, which saves you a ton of calories. Bonus:
staying hydrated can help keep you focused during those busy days.
RELATED: THE USEFULNESS OF WATER
Plan ahead
On Sundays,
schedule an hour or two (just like you would for any appointment) for prepping
some easy snacks and meals to get you and your family through the week. While
that might seem like a long time, it will save you many more hours during the
week. And it will help you and your family avoid just ordering greasy takeout.
You don't have to
do anything fancy, even just prepping the basics can help. Try cooking or
grilling a bunch of chicken breasts, chopping up assorted fruits and veggies so
they're ready to be cooked or snacked on. When you're short on time, you'll
have a few things ready to whip up quickly.
It's also a good
idea to portion out small baggies of nuts and trail mix so that you always have
healthy snacks ready, too.
RELATED: CELEB WORK OUT- FABULOUS BODY
Spread it out
While you should
aim to get a workout in a few days per week, sometimes it isn't possible. On
days when you don't have an hour for the gym, make sure to move more throughout
the day. You can do this by playing with your kids, taking the stairs, and
walking instead of driving to close-by errands.
To get your
strength moves in, do squats while you're waiting for water to boil, lunge from
room to room instead of walking, and hammer out a few quick tricep dips on the
couch every time you pass by. These little things add up quickly, and trust me
after the third pass of the couch, you will definitely feel the burn.
Read about your health
Looking for some
quick motivation? Whether it's clicking articles like this one, scanning health
news headlines or even keeping a motivating or interesting body book on your
nightstand, reading about health and fitness can help keep your head in the
game by keeping healthy living top of mind, which in turn helps you to make
better decisions without really having to think about it.
Sleep!
This is another
one we hear all too often, but rarely enforce. Being tired raises levels of the
stress hormone cortisol, and this boost has been linked to overeating. Set a
bedtime for yourself and do your absolute best to tuck yourself in right on
time. You'll notice an improvement in not only your decision-making, but your
patience, workouts, and work quality as well.
RELATED: HOW TO STAY HEALTHY I
Take 5
While it can be
hard on some days (hello, screaming toddler and crying infant!), sometimes just
taking 5 minutes to step outside and take a few deep breaths is all you need to
center yourself and re-group. If you can, try for 10-15 minutes and take a
quick walk around the block while you're at it. (Every step counts, remember.)
Don't beat yourself up
Repeat after me: perfect
isn't possible. The healthiest people are those that have found balance, not
perfection. If you find yourself in a weak moment, eating chocolate chips
straight out of the bag, don't spend the next hour beating yourself up over it.
Enjoy the chocolate, think about how you could have handled the situation
differently next time, and move on with your life. Life is too short and sweet
to dwell on those small instances. Plus, sometimes a girl just needs to let go
with some chocolate, and maybe a glass of wine, too.
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