When it comes to dieting, the lack of time to prepare healthy meals and snacks can be a major obstacle to success. It’s often more convenient to resort to fast food or throw something in the crockpot than to spend time cooking nutritious meals. However, there are ways to reduce temptation and stay on track with your diet.
One effective method is once-a-week cooking, where you prepare enough meals to last for the entire week in just one day. This means you’ll have a diet-friendly meal ready every night and it works for families who are all dieting or eating healthier. Simply freeze any leftovers and thaw them on the day you plan to eat them.
Having pre-cut fruits, vegetables, and salad ingredients in your fridge makes for quick and healthy lunches and snacks. You’ll be less tempted to reach for pre-packaged, high-calorie foods and will have a ready supply of fresh produce to help you meet your daily fruit and vegetable intake. Yogurt cups and sugar-free pudding cups are other quick and easy snack options to keep on hand.
Planning and preparation are key to achieving your weight loss goals. By preparing as much food as possible in advance, you won’t miss the convenience of high-calorie pre-packaged meals and snacks that so many people rely on when not dieting.
Another time-saving tip is to incorporate fitness opportunities into your daily routine. Instead of trying to fit in one long workout each day, look for ways to add exercise into your daily activities. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park further away from the store entrance to get extra steps in.
Dieting doesn’t have to be time-consuming, and there are pre-packaged meal plans available for those who prefer them. Whether you choose Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or Slim Fast, there are plenty of options to work dieting and fitness into even the busiest schedules. Keep these tips and advice in mind when planning your diet and exercise routine to help you stay on track.
