The beginning of November marks the most hectic time of the year for millions of Americans. Thanksgiving, holiday shopping, get-togethers and other commitments make it challenging to stay on track with exercise and healthy eating. In fact, being busy is one of the most common excuses reasons people give for not exercising regularly.
We are great at making excuses for our behavior and for not taking care of ourselves like we should. While it’s easy to say that you’re too busy to be healthy, it simply isn’t true. No matter how jam-packed your schedule may be, there are a few simple things you can do to take care of yourself.
- Drink plenty of water. The average man needs 13 cups of water per day, and the average woman needs 9 cups. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t getting nearly enough. Purchase a large, BPA-free water bottle, and keep it with you throughout the day.Water transports nutrients throughout your body and flushes toxins, so staying hydrated is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast may seem like a good way to buy some extra time in the morning, but it will cost you later. A healthy breakfast kickstarts your day, gives you energy and improves your concentration.When planning breakfast, choose healthy options like hard-boiled eggs, vegetable omelets, whole wheat toast or a fruit smoothie.
- Choose healthy snacks. Skip the sweet and salty junk food when you’re craving a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Instead, opt for fruits, whole grains, veggies or protein to give yourself the energy to get through the rest of your day.
- Move! Lack of exercise is just as much of a health risk as smoking cigarettes. You may not have time to go to the gym five days a week, but everyone has a few minutes throughout the day. Even walking in place while watching TV is better than nothing and will help reduce your risk of heart disease.