We all know how difficult it is to maintain consistency in our busy lives, as our jobs, family, household duties and other obligations pull us in all directions. One of the first things that is often sacrificed when time is short is our health. However, nutritious eating and fitness are two of the most important aspects of our lives and therefore should never be placed on the back burner. One of the best ways to achieve consistency is to have a specific plan that will make nutrition and fitness a habit rather than an afterthought. The following tips can help you formulate a plan to include healthy eating and exercise in your schedule, no matter how busy you become.
- Schedule Your Workout: Select a time each day or several times a week that are best for you to exercise. Place that workout on your schedule as if it were a meeting or appointment that cannot be missed. Commit to yourself just as you would commit that time to your boss or coworker, and make it non-negotiable. Don’t allow interruptions from work, life, or family. You will be available to them when your workout is complete.
- Plan Your Meals: It may seem to take up precious time on a weekend (we have so few of those anyway!) or your day off, but planning your meals and preparing food in advance will make a world of difference in the flow of your week. Purchasing nutritious food according to your meal plan and doing prep in advance allows you to have your healthy lunches and snacks ready for the week, and dinner becomes a breeze! It only requires 1-2 hours of preparation at the beginning of the week, but will free up hours of your time later. This advanced planning will prevent the morning scramble that requires you to throw a last-minute lunch together or calling out for pizza at night because you’re too tired to prepare a meal from scratch. You will also be amazed by how little food waste you have because everything has its place in the plan. If creating your own weekly meal plan seems overwhelming, there are a number of meal planning services available online tailored to anyone’s needs. Many offer free trials, so don’t be afraid to check them out!
- Have an Accountability Partner: One of the most effective ways to ensure that you stick to your plan is to have a partner who will hold you to it. This could be your spouse, a sibling, parent, child, or great friend. If your partner can participate in your workout or share meal plans, all the better. Choose someone who will check in with you on a regular basis to encourage you, hold you accountable, and to gently steer you back towards your goal if you waver from the plan. Just make sure you choose someone who will commit to keeping you on track!
- Reward Yourself: An important motivator in formulating a plan and sticking to it is having something to look forward to when you honor your commitment. It is important to recognize your accomplishments! Eating well and working out regularly are such important factors in allowing you to keep up your busy life, so take the time to do something for yourself when you consistently follow your plan. Obviously these rewards should focus around non-food treats. Pamper yourself with a mani/pedi, a spa day, a new handbag, or amp up your workouts with a cute new set of workout clothes! Plan a reward to celebrate each milestone reached and to keep you looking forward to achieving the next accomplishment!
Try one or more of these tips to incorporate health and fitness into your routine. It takes time to build habits, so start slowly and work your way up. Consistency will soon become your new normal!
Teri
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