4 Healthy Eating Tips for Very Busy People
May 9, 2022
Written By: Mairead, Registered DietitianHands up if you are very busy!
While I can't see those hands from here, I'm betting there's a 99% chance yours is up. These tips are for you.
Whether this time of year is extra busy for you with work, or kids' sports, or having more events as the school year starts to wind down, we can all use a bit of help to find ways to still eat well.
Try one of these tips this week to make life just a tiny bit easier and healthier!
- Make a list of easy meals! I ask clients to do this all the time and it really does make a difference. If you're not someone who meal plans and don't want to be, this is a great option. Simply make a list of a few easy meals that you and the people you eat with enjoy, that can be made with things you usually have on hand, or with very minimal grocery shopping. This could be pasta with sauce and a vegetable on the side, eggs and toast with fruit, or whatever makes sense for you. Keep that list on the fridge, and pick something on it whenever you don't know what to have for dinner!
- Add that vegetable! When we get busy, our meals become rushed or we might be relying on convenience and take-out foods more often and THAT'S OK. Instead of beating yourself up about options that might not be as nutrient-dense as you'd hope, focus on what you can add - for many of us, that will be vegetables. Add bagged or premade salad to your pizza. Pair a bag of baby carrots and dip with some hot dogs. Throw some frozen broccoli in the microwave to have with your boxed mac and cheese. It doesn't have to be perfect, and it will bring an extra dose of vitamins and fibre to your meal!
- Take your water bottle everywhere! Find one that works for you and hold tight to it. Take it to work. In the car. To the gym. Near you at home. Keeping it near you will remind you to drink, even when there's so many other things going on. If you know you struggle to drink enough, try using a straw; it sounds weird but you will drink more!
- Remember to actually eat! While this seems obvious, not eating when we're busy is all too common. Your brain and body just won't function as well if you're not giving them the food they need, and you don't have time for that! If you're busy at work, make sure you have easy lunch and snack options if you can't take time away. If you're on the go, make sure you have something to eat or plans to stop for food. You don't have time to be hungry!
As a dietitian, my goal is to help everyone take the stress out of food, whatever their goals and whatever else is going on in life. If you want to chat more, reach out! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more info, or CLICK HERE to book a FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat to go over your goals and make sure this is the right fit for you!
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!
Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!