I live a life of “on-the-go.” I mean, don’t us all?! Yes, I work from home…but even when I’m home, I’m all over the place. I run from training to clients to meetings to more training, to filming workouts, blogging, creating meal guides, and workouts. Sometimes my meetings will take place in different locations. I basically live a very fast pace and crazy life. I’m also active much of my day, I do have two busy kids so after work is all about keeping them busy and active so they can burn off some of their energy. So this means that I constantly need to refuel my body well (and not to mention that I also need to shower!). Finding routine in a busy day can be tricky, but it can absolutely be done. Eating well on the go is also tricky, but these are some of my favorite life-hacks to live your best and keep the not so great habits out of the picture:
- I don’t use the term bad habits.Or the word “bad” at all as it relates to food. I prefer to leave guilt and loathing out of the equation. Releasing these emotions allows me to really focus on making choices that support my physical needs. Sure, I get cravings. Sure, I eat things other people might label “bad,” but I don’t feel bad about those decisions.
- I make conscious decisions.See above. I know how certain foods will affect my body and I choose accordingly. Lean protein may be the best decision post-training, but life happens and if I am at a social event and there are chips and salsa, I love chips so I will allow it in moderation, though. If I know I have had a couple days of eating things my body is not used to, I will skip the chips and make sure to eat before I leave to go to an event or eat veggies and protein, if available. I just know that it is a decision that I make consciously.
- I keep snacks handy.Always. I carry hard boiled eggs with me like it’s my job. For me and how I train, they are the most portable, bang-for-your-buck protein. I boil a bunch and keep them in my fridge so I can grab a couple to eat for a snack or lunches with a salad. I also always have a huge stash of protein bars, nuts, fresh fruit, and caramel rice cakes that usually gets divided between my house, my purse, diaper bad and my car. This is just as relevant for travel as it is for day to day.
- I carry a big reusable water bottle. When I say big, I mean BIG! It is ½ gallon water bottle.I find the trickiest thing for me, especially when traveling, is remembering to drink enough water. I use my BIG water bottle so that I don’t have to refill it as often, only two times. In other words, I’m less likely to drink it all right away and never remember to fill it. Not rocket science, but definitely reality for me.
- You need to BREAK the Fast: I tend to eat the same thing for my first meal almost every day. I also tend to eat two breakfasts: one when I first get up and get ready for my first training and another right after my first training. I try to make the first breakfast require the least amount of thinking as possible. It’s often early, I’m usually really hungry, it needs to be quick and decisions are not my strong suit in those circumstances, especially with a lack of sleep with my baby. The less in-the-moment thinking, the better. This also gives me some routine right from the very first moments of my day so that no matter how chaotic the day becomes, at least I start strong.
- I know the menus.I do like eating out with our family, if possible. It is fun for the kids and sometimes stressful for the parents…but it is good to get out of the house as much as possible. That may seem strange for some, but I love the challenge of bringing the kids out and see my youngest see knew things. I do however have my go-to choices and I usually stick with those places and same meals.
Is it a perfect science? No. But neither is life – especially when your day-to-day is hectic. It’s about thinking ahead as much as possible, understanding the choices, and then making the best ones for you at the time.