Get Organized For FAB-U-ARY!
Growing up, my mom never understood why I had a forest of papers scattered all over my desk.
I knew where everything was. 
In college, my roommate never understood why I’d have a pile of clothes on my desk chair.
It’s just how I worked.
So I admit it…to the naked eye I don’t look like the most organized person.
But if you look at my color-coded school notes you wouldn’t be surprised people have stolen them out of the garbage...I kid you not.
I have an organized mind. I compartmentalize my life. School. Blog. Internship. Life.
To get into a routine to better your HEALTH, organization is key. You’ve probably heard to schedule your workouts like a doctors appointment or to keep a firm food shopping list, but these tips don’t work for everyone.
Since you have a MILLION things to do…here’s how to get organized for your health:
GROCERY SHOPPING:
Plan your meals & snacks BEFORE you hit the store. Account for your entire family.
Check out sales. We’re all trying to live more economically these days, so read your favorite supermarkets circulars BEFORE you head to the store. You can sign up to receive emails when they’re first released and don’t forget to follow your favorite supermarkets on twitter for up-to-date info & tips!
*Tip* Apps like Grocery Pal, Grocery iQ and Simple Grocery List help you add items and even track coupons right on your smartphone!
IN THE KITCHEN:
Know your kitchen. Whenever I cook at a friends apartment I’m lost. It takes double the time because I open every drawer a million times. If you know where you’re reaching, cooking a healthy meal can take under 15 minutes!
Reach for your spatula…and other commonly used cooking utensils. In my tiny NYC kitchen I hung up this nifty shelf (And I know…I haven’t even gotten real hooks for my utensils…Yes, those are paperclips!…I’m a busy girl!).
Swap salt for spices. Have your spices easily accessible so you can add tons of flavor to your meal without increasing sodium consumption. Pick up a no-salt added spice blend for the easiest sprinkle!
Write your goals on a post-in and leave it on your fridge. Goals make weight loss easier. Aim for small, attainable changes you can continuously incorporate into your regimen. Don’t be shy either…let your friends & family know what you’re striving for!
Keep go-to ingredients on hand for your favorite go-to meal. This semester, I’m in school until 9pm some evenings and come home STARVING (even though I follow diet rule #1: pack snacks!). I need to whip up a filling dinner FAST that’s still packed with tons of nutrition to refuel my body! I prepare BEFORE I leave for class so I can make an easy one-pot-wonder within minutes (veggies cook quickly people!).
Don’t have too many BLTs while you cook! That stands for Bites, Licks, & Tastes…those calories add up!
FOR YOUR WAISTLINE
Write down what you eat. Not to become obsessive, but so you can notice loopholes in your daily eating patterns. Plan ahead to avoid these slip-ups.
Choose fruit & veggies as snacks to be sure you reach your produce quota! A banana around 5:30pm is great to hold me over until 7:30-8pm dinner, but I also love veggies with sunflower seed butter or hummus!
Have back up! Even though I love to make my own veggie burgers, sometimes I just don’t have time (Can you relate??). I always have an all-natural calorie-controlled back up in my freezer (if I didn’t freeze a few of my own!).
Make a health checklist…and check off your accomplishments! Positive reinforcement is important to keep you motivated!
Plate what you eat & don’t return for seconds! Not only will you be able to see what you’re consuming, but you can quickly check off food groups in your head to be sure you’re eating for optimal nutrition. This goes for snacks too!
*Tip* Try to consume protein + complex carb (w/ fiber) at every meal and snack to keep you full and your energy levels steady. The easiest option? A bowl of cereal! Low-fat milk (or soy, almond, etc) provides protein, with a high-fiber, whole grain cereal (“whole grain” should be the #1 ingredient!) will satisfy and keep things moving (if you know what I mean!). Just be sure to avoid lots of added sugar (look for 5g or less!).
AT WORK:
Brown bag it at least a few times a week to boost your clean eating ability. That bag of chips is just all too tempting….even when you’re just picking up a salad!
Come prepared. Do you work next to the friendliest lady with a candy jar on her desk? You can munch upwards of 500 extra calories a week by having a 100 calorie serving of candy every day. Avoid these empty calories by bringing your own snacks.
Order smart. Does your workplace pay for lunch or dinner when you work late or just because? You can order nutritiously by following some easy tips…read here!