{This blog post was sponsored by Coca-Cola but the opinions are completely my own based on my experience}
With the holidays now just a memory, I like to approach the new year with a fresh perspective. Throughout the year, I follow a healthy, vegetarian diet and strive to make the fitness goals I set for casual and rigorous activity. But like most people, I found myself getting lax during the holidays. Busyness tends to be my excuse for skipping that workout or grabbing a quick (and often unhealthy) meal on-the-go. Now that the tree is put away and our routine is more predictable, I’m starting the year off by making healthier lifestyle choices.
My biggest struggle when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle is being consistently active. I absolutely love a good run, but it is very easy for me to get distracted by busyness. The benefits of exercise are numerous and well-documented and include physical, mental and emotional health, weight maintenance, more energy and more restful sleep. If you think your schedule doesn’t allow for a consistent exercise routine, here are 5 to Stay Active With a Busy Schedule.
- Wear an activity tracker. This will help you understand how active (or inactive) you are and assist in setting and keeping realistic goals. I’ve been using Misfit’s Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitor which can track running, cycling, swimming, tennis, basketball, and soccer as well as steps.
- Schedule time for workouts. Everything from my kids’ doctor appointments and scout meetings to my work deadlines and meals with friends is housed on my Google Calendar. If I don’t put it on the calendar, it doesn’t get done. Lately, I’ve been scheduling my workouts (including the nights I can swing dance in Orange County). The reminder function makes it difficult to ignore and helps with consistency, reminding me that my run is just as important as my client meeting.
- Find someone to keep you accountable. It’s easier to skip a workout when the only person being affected is me. But having a workout partner makes it more difficult to flake on. The two of you can help motivate and encourage each other when the other is feeling like time or circumstances in life aren’t conducive to a workout.
- Look for opportunities throughout the day to be active. If you really don’t have time for exercise, you can still park the car further away, take the stairs or even walk to work. If your job includes sitting at a desk, be sure to get up regularly.
- Find and do something you love. There is no rule that your workouts have to take place at the gym. If you’re the outdoorsy type, now is the perfect time to take up a sport or activity you love. I’ve recently re-discovered my interest in swing dancing, so I’ve made it a point to go at least once or twice each week. I’ve also maintained my weekly runs, but changing up my activity and incorporating something I really enjoy has helped me stay active with a busy schedule.
One of the other areas in my life that can be affected by my busy schedule is my diet. With breakfast being the most important meal of the day, I thought I’d share 3 Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Busy Mornings. What I love about these 3 quick, easy recipes is that they all include fruits and/or vegetables, whole grains, and other foods that pack power nutrients to start your day off right.
Chocolate Coconut Açaí Bowl (serves 1)
Ingredients
2 packs Sambazon Original Açaí Frozen Smoothie
1/2 banana (use less if it is ripe to maintain a thick consistency)
1/4 cup Fairlife Chocolate Milk
Toppings
Love Crunch® Dark Chocolate & Red Berries
Dark Chocolate Shavings
Unsweetened Flaked Coconut
Fresh or frozen mixed berries
Combine smoothie packs, banana and milk in a blender
Top with granola, dark chocolate shavings, flaked coconut, and berries
Serve immediately
Mango Ginger Flax Smoothie (serves 1)
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups of chopped frozen mango
1 banana
1 T ground flaxseed
1/4 inch ginger, peeled
1/4 cup Simply Apple Pure Pressed Apple Juice
Combine frozen mango, banana, flaxseed, ginger and apple juice in a blender
Serve immediately
Healthy Carrot Orange Muffins (serves 12)
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup melted Earth Balance Vegan Butter
1/2 cup Odwalla Orange Juice
1/4 cup Odwalla Carrot Juice
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Rind of one orange
1 cup shredded carrots
Rolled oats for topping
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside
Combine melted butter with orange and carrot juices, eggs, vanilla extract and orange rind
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until moistened
Fold in shredded carrots
Prepare a muffin tray with cooking spray (or use muffin tin liners)
Fill each muffin tin with batter until approximately 2/3 full
Top each muffin with rolled oats
Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
If you prepare the muffins in advance, you can grab one or 2 in the morning with Simply Orange Juice or Fairlife Milk for breakfast on-the-go. And if you’re really pressed for time, you could pick up an Odwalla Smoothie which packs enough fruits and/or vegetables and protein to sustain you until lunch.
Coca-Cola is making it easier for you to incorporate healthy choices into your diet with fresh juices by Simply Orange, fruit, vegetable and protein smoothies by Odwalla, and ultra-filtered milk from Fairlife. You can find these products to help you Start Smart. Stay Active. Keep Fit. by visiting your local Safeway or Albertsons store. And, if you save your receipt, you’ll be entered to win 1 of 1000 Misfit Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitors. Be sure to shop for Fairlife Milk, Simply Orange or Odwalla products at your local Albertsons or Safeway store before March 24th, 2016 for your chance to win. To enter, visit CocaCola.com/StayFit.
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