Since I’ve been juggling my full plate of working full-time, school, and dog-sitting, I have had to really use my time efficiently. And really strategize to make sure my body is still taken care of. It can be simple to put proper nutrition and movement on the back burner, and I know a lot of people can relate to these struggles. Here are 5 tips that will help you avoid pitfalls.
- Water and Sleep
These things are my non-negotiable. No matter what is going on, I make sure I stay hydrated with water, not fun drinks. Also sleeping, in order to perform at my high capacity, my body and brain need sleep. These are not only essential for function, but for recovery. So if you’re not seeing the results you want, take a look into these areas.
- Using apps
I hate to say it, but my phone makes my life easier. Using various apps to track and plan things really help.
- Mealime helps me pick out meals for the week and provides me with the grocery list and directions. It can be personalized to your goals or dietary needs and foods you may not bee keen on. It’s so easy, free, and best of all, it takes the thinking out of it!! Just click and shop.
- Fooducate helps me make great choices at the grocery store by searching a product’s barcode. It rates the product and will give me a healthier alternative if it doesn’t get a good rating.
- Coupon apps like Favado or Flipp help save money at the grocery stores on things I’m already buying! Also be sure to ask at your supermarket for double coupon days! There are so many ways to make the chore of grocery shopping easier!
- Scheduling Workouts
It’s really easy to skip out on moving your body in a challenging way when we’re not holed up inside for 6 months. So it can be easy to skip out on workouts. I will schedule my workouts by putting them on the calendar so I block that time out for myself. Workouts help relieve stress and take 45 minutes or an hour away from the never-ending, ongoing to-do list. Go with a friend, or try a new class to get those minutes in!
- Stay Educated
I do a ton of driving. Podcasts help me stay educated and updated on knowledge of what’s going on with the world. If you know me, I rarely watch the news, so I use podcasts of relevant people to stay in the loop and up-to-date on topics. It makes my car rides much more enjoyable, and it helps keep me stimulated and learning!
- Always have an Emergency Stash
I try to always keep things like snacks, extra shoes and clothes, and a water bottle in my car. The snacks and water bottle prevent me from buying unneeded things and they come in handy when in a pinch. I love having almonds, or pretzels, and protein bars just in case. Always having water around helps curb cravings and keeps me hydrated. Extra clothes are for when I wasn’t sure if I was going to have enough time for a workout and I had a cancellation. Having a box of granola bars would help avoid fast food until you get home. Fill a bag with some exercise clothes and high protein snacks for when you find a convenient time to go to the gym.
Written by Kailyn Danhouser, EP-C; Personal Trainer at Elite Sports Club – River Glen & North Shore
Kailyn graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse with a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science. She is an American College of Sports Medicine: Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C), AAAI/ISMA: Certified Pilates Instructor, and Certified Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach. Kailyn specializes in Functional Training, Group training, Special Populations, Weight Management, and HIIT. “I want to inspire people to find exercises that they enjoy doing every day. There are many opportunities all around us to move our bodies, we have to look for them. The exercises you do are better than the ones you don’t do.”