Work For It Wednesday: How To Stay On Track When You Are Busy

So I know a lot of people struggle with their nutrition and workouts when they are busy, working, raising their families, trying to fit it all in. So many people ask me with working full time and traveling how do I stay on track! So here are my top five tips for maintaining clean eating while on the go and working!

1. Nutrition is key to being healthy! A huge part to this is eating breakfast. Yes I said it eating breakfast! I know too often we are running out the door, skipping breakfast, going through a drive thru or grabbing a quick snack that leaves us either bloated, crabby or hungry. To be successful you must start off with a solid breakfast!

How do you do this when you are busy and on the go? Plan a list of simple breakfast options that you can always go to when you do not have time to cook. Here are a few ideas that have substance but easy on time:

A) Cook up a couple eggs and whole wheat toast or an english muffin

B) Mix some greek non fat plain yogurt with granola and fruit

C) Shakeology- 30 seconds and you are ready to go

D) Oatmeal with peanut butter or fruit

2) Pack your lunch! Yup! Stop going out to eat at lunch. Not only do you face too many temptations but you also waste money. I spent a whole month packing lunch and I saved myself so much money. Take time to plan out your meals and pack food so that you always have healthy options instead of caving to the office cake or cookies. I know when I do not pack I find myself starving and at the vending machine.

For me I find it helpful to always have some dry goods as well. Having a jar of peanut butter, some brown rice cakes or dried fruit helps when I am in a pinch and trying to not binge eat from a busy day. When I pack a well balanced and creative day of food I stay on track and find I have more energy.

3) Drink WATER! Yup not coffee. not sugary tea or fancy drinks from Starbucks. Drink water. You should truly drink at least half of your body weight in water to help sustain optimal functioning and keep you feeling fuller longer. Here are a few ways to keep yourself on track with hydration

A) Have a water bottle that tells you how many fluid ounces you are drinking that way you can easily keep track without thinking

B) Get an infuser bottle- are you someone that needs a sweet drink? Then buy an infuser and fill it with fresh fruits, mint, lemons and limes. Then put it in the fridge over night and enjoy the benefits all day

C) If you like the quick smaller water bottles number them so that you can easily keep track of how many you need for the day

Go a month without the fancy drinks and see not only have much you save but also how few calories you consume

4) Get up and get moving! Everyone has 30 minutes in their day to workout. If you are reading this and saying you don't then you are doing something wrong. For me working 6-7 days a week it meant just getting up a half hour earlier. This enabled me to get my workout in with no excuses, started my day off on a positive note and set me up to make awake and happy when I got to work.

Simple ways to get a workout in when you are busy seems impossible. I used to go to the gym but by the time I got ready, drove there, drove home I had wasted too much time. For me I started working out from home, following the Beachbody programs. They were short, intense and effective.

Other ways are you wake up and start with simple moves like jumping jacks, burpees, push ups, lunges, planks and crunches. Starting your morning off with these simple yet heart pumping activities will help improve your mood and your metabolism.

Lastly, to get that workout in no matter what. Schedule it in your day. Yup! Make it like an appointment so that way you are less likely to skip it. Treat it like a doctor's appointment and if you miss your workout put $5 in a jar every time you miss it. When you see you are wasting money you will be more likely to get it done.

Plus you don't want to miss out on those happy endorphins that make you feel good! Those babies are free!

5) Take time for yourself! Yes take time to relax!

I have found when I am too busy, have every moment of every day scheduled I get cranky and annoyed with life. When you are so busy you cannot even sit down to watch your favorite TV show, eat your meal or breathe you are doing something wrong. Slow down. Here are some easy ways to relax especially if on a budget!

A) Read a book- I have found since reading personal development books I enjoy life more and have found more self worth. This in turn makes me more productive and happier with the quality of life I am providing myself.

B) Go for a walk or ride your bike- getting outside in the fresh air is necessary. Too often we spend all day inside, away from the sun and when we get home we just want to sleep. The sun provides so many benefits and too often in these cold weather times we do not even see it. Embrace being outside!

C) Turn off your cell phone- the world will still be there when you turn it on. Take 30 minutes of uninterrupted time and breathe. Focus on you.

D) Watch a pointless TV show that has no depth or meaning and just laugh. Be in the moment, forget the stresses of life and then go back to reality. When you watch some of these shows, not only can it take your mind off of your current situation but it will always make you feel better about your life (especially reality TV personally ;) )

Hoping my tips help you to get more out of your day when you are busy working or raising your family!