It’s hard to manage a busy schedule and maintain your healthy living goals. No matter how much you want to prioritize your diet, every day brings new temptations: donuts at work, fast food on the way home from soccer practice, cupcakes at the next family birthday party.

And the bottom line? It’s easier to order pizza than cook a from-scratch healthy dinner.

So how can you manage your busy life while still staying committed to your healthy priorities?

Here are a few of our favorite ways to stick to a healthy diet…no complicated recipes needed.
 

GROCERY SHOP THE SMART WAY

When you’re at the grocery store, it’s important to shop for your real lifestyle not your ideal lifestyle. If you’re typically scrambling to get out the door in the morning, opt for protein shakes over homemade omelettes. If you pack a lunch every day, go for sliced turkey instead of fresh salmon.

Also, try to find a balance between healthy and convenient. At the end of a long day, you may not have the time or energy to make lamb kebabs and tabbouleh, but you probably could manage to throw some pre-marinated chicken on the grill and toss together a bagged salad. So, when you’re shopping, keep an eye out for healthy, simple items that fit with your lifestyle.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

It’s easy to get wrapped up in gourmet Pinterest recipes or the latest Instagram craze, but usually simple is the way to go when you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet. So, here are three ways to keep your healthy lifestyle manageable.

• Embrace a little bit of repetition. If you’ve got a favorite healthy meal, don’t be afraid to make it a couple times a week. You can easily keep the ingredients on hand, and you’ll never be asking “what’s for dinner?” again.

• Batch cook healthy meals. Whenever you’re grilling chicken, make enough to have with a salad the next day. Or, whenever you roast a pan of veggies, make enough for the rest of the week. Having healthy leftovers in your fridge is one of the easiest ways to stay on track with your diet goals.

• Think in “formulas” instead of recipes. You don’t need a laundry list of ingredients or a ten-step process to make a delicious and healthy meal. For breakfast: eggs + fruit. For lunch: sliced deli meat + raw veggies + whole grain toast. For dinner: whole grain + lean meat + roasted veggies. Bonus: if you keep your fridge stocked with a few healthy condiments (hummus, fresh salsa, guacamole, tahini, peanut sauce, etc.), every meal will be flavorful and unique!

STASH YOUR SNACKS

Sometimes the hardest part of your diet to manage is the “in-between.” You might have a great routine of making a healthy breakfast on your way out the door, bringing a protein-packed lunch to work, and cooking a balanced dinner every night for your family. But it’s the other stuff that trips you up—the snacks in the break room, the drinks at your friend’s party, or afternoon pastry cravings.

The best solution? Always keep a stash of healthy snacks close by, so you’re never without a little pick-me-up…even if those frosted cupcakes still sound tempting.

If you need a more detailed action plan to reach your healthy eating goals, schedule a consultation with one of our trainers and get a personalized plan to help you stay on track and see results.