Are you maxed out between work, social commitments, and family life?  How many times this week did you say, “I just don’t have the time”.  What if I told you that it doesn’t take that much time to make changes that will help you get the big results you are looking for.  Sure, it may seem daunting and intimidating to think about squeezing in a workout over your lunch break. Fortunately, I have discovered a way to create a healthier lifestyle by making small, meaningful changes to my routine that have led to big, life-changing results.  I want to share my secrets with you! Below are my top 3 ways you make small changes to your daily life that lead to big results without making you feel like you have to squeeze extra time into your already packed schedule.

Avoid “Time-Sucks” To Maximize Change

These are little minutes that you lose throughout the day that, when added together, comprise of a large amount of time.  The extra minutes you spend looking for your gym shoes, packing your lunch, and assembling your coffee can cost you 10-15 minutes before you even leave the house in the morning.  Make change and avoid these “time-sucks” by laying out your clothes, packing your lunch, and preparing your morning breakfast the night before.  It is better to add 15 minutes to the end of your day to prepare vs. the next morning when minor setbacks and delays can add more stress to your day before it has even begun.

Plan Ahead, Get BIG results.

Planning ahead for an event, trip, or upcoming week is valuable.  It is tempting to “grab-and-go” food when on the move, but selections in airports and train stations are hardly healthy.  Be prepared by packing minimally-processed snack bars and packets of almond butter so that you are fueled with protein and healthy fats without adding extra processed sugar. Taking time at the beginning of the week to plan what to bring for breakfast, make sure you always keep healthy snacks like nuts or dried fruit at your desk, and packing a healthy lunch will allow you to avoid unhealthy missteps along the way.  

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

We tend to think that doing more is a good thing.  Packing our schedule with endless events, eating more now so that we are not hungry later, doing longer workouts thinking we will burn more calories, etc.

However, this is not always the best method.  When trying to balance a busy yet healthy life, focus on quality over quantity.  Only have time for a 15-minute workout? Make it count with short, quick, intense exercises that are effective in that amount of time.  Is your day busy and you only have 10 minutes to eat lunch at your desk? Make a smoothie that is packed with lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs so that you get a nutritious meal that does not take a lot of time to consume and that you can enjoy on-the-go.

By focusing on quality vs. quantity, you do not have to make major adjustments to your day to make it healthier. Quality, highly-nutritious meals and effective workouts are the secret to success when short on time. Make every minute and every meal count, and you will boost your health and energy overnight.