We live in a busy world – there’s no doubt about it.
It’s a constant balancing act of work, family, friends, finances… and anything else life throws at us.
When you have a family to provide for, it can feel selfish to focus on yourself. But if you’re not healthy enough to take care of your loved ones, who will? How can you be a good parent/spouse/friend if you can’t take care of yourself?
If that sounds like you, listen up. We’re going to try and change your mindset.
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Forgetting about food
Let’s go back to that balancing act. When you think about everything you have to accomplish this week, does maintaining proper nutrition come to mind? How about drinking your daily recommended amount of water? Maybe, maybe not.
Our world has gotten so busy, so high-demand, that we often leave food as an afterthought. Some people go all day at work without eating, then grab anything and everything in sight when they get home for dinner.
“I’m just so tired at the end of the day, I don’t have the energy to cook.”
We hear it from our clients ALL THE TIME – and we don’t blame them! That’s what our society has come to. Why is “fast food” even a thing? Because everyone is always on the go… or too exhausted to make a home-cooked meal. It’s quick, easy, dangerously delicious… and detrimental to our health.
We put so much time and effort into everything else in our life – what could happen if we apply that same mindset to our health and nutrition?
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It’s not about HAVING time, it’s about MAKING time.
“I don’t have time for breakfast in the morning, I have to get the kids off to school.”
Does the term “meal prep” scare you? Does the idea of cooking for 5-6 hours on your precious, hard-earned Sunday make you cringe? Are you completely lost and unsure of where to start?
We’re about to blow your mind.
MEAL PREP = LEFTOVERS.
That’s right! Once you stop looking at meal prep as such a tedious task, it’s not as scary. When you work all week, you want to pack your weekends full of fun, relaxing activities with your family! We’re all human.
One strategy we recommend: use a PLANNER.
Write in your work hours, exercise schedule, activities with the kids… anything you have to accomplish that week. When you have everything laid out in front of you, it’s easier to spot those gaps in your schedule – that’s when you can squeeze some cooking in!
For example, Coach Ryann usually tries to meal prep on Sunday. Instead of going all-out, she’ll make enough food for the beginning of the week. Since she only works in the morning on Wednesdays, she’ll use some of her free time to cook meals for the rest of the week!
“But what do I cook? I have no idea what to eat.”
Ready for your magic answer? Eat what YOU LIKE!
(If you like junk food, try finding healthier takes on your fave dishes. Pinterest it up!)
Here at Food For Fuel, we’re big proponents of sustainable, flexible “dieting”. We put that word in quotes because once healthy food becomes a part of your lifestyle, you’re no longer dieting. You’re just eating according to your goals!
Our bodies crave nutrients – that’s how our cells work. If you’re not eating much but still struggling to lose weight, it’s because you’re starving your cells! YES – we need to feed our cells in order to lose weight! You might not “feel” hungry, but your cells certainly do! Change your mindset – instead of worrying about hunger, focus on nourishing your body with the nutrients it needs. FUEL your body the right way and you’ll see some amazing results!
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Fitting exercise into your busy schedule
Working out isn’t just for people who want to look good in a swimsuit. Exercise is CRUCIAL to live a long, healthy life! No, we’re not saying everyone needs to go run a marathon or bench press 200+ pounds in order to be healthy… but some form of physical activity should be a part of your life!
It might be easier said than done, but the best way to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle is to find something you enjoy doing. Go for a walk, take a Zumba class, lift some weights, ride your bike… just get MOVING!
Find a workout buddy. It’s much easier to walk into a new group class if you’ve got a friend by your side! Trying something new is scary sometimes, but you’re much more likely to stick with it if you’ve got someone else to keep you accountable!
If you’re not sure where to start with exercise, reach out for help from a trainer. In addition to our nutrition coaching, Food For Fuel also offers personal training programs!
Take charge before it’s too late
Your health should be your number one priority, no matter what. Think about everything you’ve worked so hard for in life – your family, friends, career, home, wealth… the list goes on and on. But if you’re not around for much longer, how are you supposed to enjoy those things?
Get your blood work done (at least) yearly. When you know what’s going on in your body, you can work on improving it! Lots of people avoid going to the doctor unless they’re really sick. Unfortunately for some, that might be too late.
When you change your mindset and start focusing on your health, everything else will eventually fall into place. Are you exhausted all the time? Maybe your lack of quality nutrients is affecting your sleep patterns. Do you suffer from frequent headaches? You might be dehydrated! Your diet plays a part in every single bodily process.
Think about what’s most important to you in life. Do you want to stick around for it? In the end, it’s all up to you.
Need help getting started on your health journey? Check out our nutrition coaching services and contact us at info@foodforfuelnutrition.com.
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