Question: How can I eat healthy when I am working full time and going to school full time? I barely have time to sleep. I usually just go for fast food or grab snacks from the corner food mart because it is quick and easy.
Answer: Life is sometimes difficult. But you sound like a motivated, intelligent person and your hard work will pay off. Now you must decide what kind of shape you will be in at the end of this journey. Your eating habits can be improved with some practice. One thing I would like to point out is the fact that by improving your eating habits, you will probably be able to concentrate better, you will have more energy, you will sleep better and you will actually feel like you have more time in your day and able to accomplish more in the time you have.
I too have a very busy schedule. I work Monday through Friday with clients beginning at 4:00 a.m. and some days I don’t finish until early evening. Somewhere in my day, usually before the 4:00 a.m. client or in between clients, I workout and do at least an hour of cardio activity. I also teach Pilates and Boot Camp classes. On weekends, although I am not working with individuals, I am writing articles, preparing for seminars, practicing new routines, etc. WHEW And......I am probably at least 30 years older than you. WHEW AGAIN
I cook once a week. Chicken breasts in the oven, chili or soup in the crock pot, maybe a couple of roasted chickens from the deli when they are on sale. Carrots and celery can be purchased already cut up in the produce department. Fruit can be purchased the same way. And even though this is a little more expensive than doing the prep work yourself, it is still a heck of a lot cheaper than fast food and will save you valuable time. Broccoli can be cooked while the chicken breasts are baking and you are studying. The crock pot can cook while you are sleeping or out for the day.
Now, please don’t get me wrong. I do not like to cook. The kitchen is a foreign entity that is required by law in a home. ** I would make my stove into a planter if I could get away with it. That doesn’t matter. You can be a chef or a total novice. If you can read a recipe, you can cook.
The point is, you cannot use a busy lifestyle as an excuse to eat poorly. You cannot afford too. If you devote an hour or two to preparing for your week, everything in your life will become less stressful, less hurried and you will save money. Not to mention the time and gas you will save by not standing in line or sitting at the drive through window.
You can cook your food and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can freeze individuals portions that can be thawed and cooked in only minutes. You can divide up the portions ahead of time for daily on the go lunches. You might even invest in a small individual cooler and a blue ice freezer bag that can be reused.
It may take a few time to get the hang of a new routine but it will work if you are as dedicated to changing your eating habits as you are to your future. Now.....if we could figure out a place to insert that workout
* I actually knew a lady who tried to leave the kitchen out of the home she was building and the city planning codes would not allow it.
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