I’m currently blogging during my lunch break at work, these couple of days have been crazy busy as I had a late night meeting last night, another tonight and then I have my last yoga class on Thursday evening. This doesn’t leave much time for being creative with my eats so I tend to fall back on good old favourites!
Yesterdays breakfast was a delicious green smoothie containing 3 big savoy cabbage leaves with stalk removed, a frozen banana, frozen mango chunks, a scoop of vanilla sun warrior, maca powder, ground flax and nut mix, tablespoon of peanut butter, xanthan and guar gums and almond milk. I topped my bowl with some muesli. This was lovely and sweet, I think the almond milk goes so well with all the other ingredients.
Lunch was some basil tofu with brown rice, carrot, cucumber, red pepper and spinach mixed with a little green tomato chutney and a couple of chopped kiwi on the side.
Mid afternoon snackies were carrot and green pepper with red pepper hummus – this combo never gets old!
Before leaving the office for my meeting I had a bowl of my Spicy black eye bean soup which was utterly delicious and just hit the spot!
By the time I got home I only wanted something small so I made up a bowl of chopped plums and apple with some Bear Apple Crumble Granola and almond milk. I quite like being able to have this kind of thing for dinner sometimes!
Todays eats are going to be very similar! I’ve also managed to fit in my usual planned workouts – my Davina DVD yesterday morning working my legs and upper body and my treadmill run at the gym this morning (1.6 miles on tread then 10 minutes of HIITs on step machine followed by another 1.6 miles on tread followed by abs and core exercises). I was at Sainsbury’s for it opening at 8am this morning after being at the gym – running around a freezing cold supermarket with my hair slapped under a head band trying to find lemon and ginger tea and russet apples was not much fun, but I try and fit in as much as possible when these busy times are upon me instead of letting my healthier habits fall by the way side.
I know you probably already do these things yourselves anyway but I find these little tips really helpful when I simply start running out of time:
My tips for keeping up healthy habits when things get crazy
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Have a freezer full of home prepared curries, soups and stews – this just makes it easier to grab something from the freezer, pop in a lunch box and let defrost then have at work for lunch or dinner.
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Schedule your time according to your priorities – Over these few crazy days, although I can’t be bothered I’ve made keeping to my exercise schedule and eating healthy priorities – this means I have got up early to fit some exercise in and have spent time earlier in the week chopping veggies for my lunch but it has been worth it – I know how crap I’d feel if I missed working out or had to try and find something to eat at work – especially when I probably wouldn’t have time to go further than the Greggs across the street!
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Make up multiple portions and store in the fridge – For the tofu salad above I had made up a big portion of cooked brown rice at the weekend, then I just added chopped veggies and tofu to make up two lunches to keep me going. Brown rice will probably feature in tomorrows lunch too as there’s still plenty left in the fridge.
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If all else fails then go for healthier pre prepared foods – my faves are fresh soups like Covent Garden, Innocent Veg Pots and the salad bar at my local supermarket. They do the most amazing Moroccan chickpea salad!
What are your tips for sticking to healthier habits when things get crazy?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
If only I’d read your tips before work took over my life! Sadly My diet has been pretty shabby in the last few weeks but I’ll definitely be trying out some of your tips. I really need to stop making excuses exercise wise too.
Hands up though, I would be the naughty girl sneaking into Greggs! I know its bad for me but I’m Northern!
Another fab post Laura!
This is such a good post. I think organisation is key when you are short for time. Preparing everything the night before, go to bed early, waking up early to fit in your workouts.
I always struggle when my schedule changes and I don’t have a normal day because then I usually don’t eat like I’m supposed to and end up starving at some point. These days I always have a snack in my purse to hold me over until the next meal. Especially on very busy days I take more snacks just in case.
I would say forward planning is the best thing. Each week, we plan our meals and shop accordingly (occasionally top up with fresh stuff in the week)- then there is no temptation for takeaways in the week as it would waste food we had bought. Make big batches and freeze (eg chillis, soups etc). I also make stuff the night before (porridge I soak in the fridge overnight, packed lunch I make up in the evening) so in the mornings I can get on quick and don’t miss things out. Have snacks to hand (if I am stressed I reach for sugary food)- I plan a morning snack now as I used to go without and was starving by the time lunch came, and would often have a biscuit from the staffroom before lunch as I was craving something sugary. Plan in exercise each week but be realistic- If I know I have an extra staff meeting then I dont promise I will exercise after-it makes me stressed. I will move then run or whatever to another day.:)
Being organised is always the key for me – even through quiet times when things aren’t that hectic, it’s always best for me to have the week’s meals and snacks written down. And I agree, a freezer full of goodies is a god send!
Oh to be organised! I got into a great habit of making up big batches of healthy things to last the week, but it seems to have fallen by the wayside. It’s the cold weather killing my motivation! And evening classes seem to have eaten up all my exercise time. *cries* I really need to pick myself back up again!
Bumble – I used to be in and out of greggs, it was far to handy for me, thats why I know I need to have healthy alternatives available at all times.
Jemma – your completely spot on, organisation is key!
Anne – I can be the same – I try and plan out my meals but if things change then I find it easy to end up eating crap!
Maria – I utterly agree, I have a weekly plan with my meals, exercise and work committments scheduled and thats what helps me stay on track!
Becky – oh yes the meal plans are key, I really enjoy writing my meal plans out!
Konni – I know it can be so hard to try and stay on top of things, especially when the weathers horrible and all you want to do is sit in front of the TV (well at least I do) I have to just keep reminding myself of how much better I’ll feel getting up off my arse!