Weight Loss on a Busy Schedule

When discussing weight loss techniques in seminars or in private practice, one of the most frequent excuses I hear from people is that they’re too busy or it’s too difficult to eat healthier.

Time may be short for most of us, yes. But throughout my years of teaching and dealing with weight loss clients, I have gathered some very helpful nutritional “tricks” to help even the busiest of people lose weight permanently.

Learn to shop

It takes just as long to go to the grocery store for a bag of chips as it does for an apple! You have to grocery shop anyway, so why not learn the basics of nutrition to fill up your cart?

Here are some healthy food basics to stock-up on:

1. Fresh fruits – fresh or frozen berries, apples, oranges, kiwi

2. Vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, tomatoes (go for color!)

3. Omega 3 foods such as wild salmon (tinned is fine), omega-3 eggs, walnuts

4. Good fats – olive oil, avocados

5. Lean meats – chicken, turkey, ham slices (look for low-sodium, nitrate-free)

6. Low-fat dairy options- light cottage cheese, yogurt, milk and low fat cheese

7. Nuts, seeds – raw, un-salted varieties are best

8. Healthy spreads – hummus, light cream cheese, organic nut butters

9. Whole grain breads and pastas - kamut, spelt, rye, oats, flax and multi-grain

10. A small amount of dark chocolate (70%) for a treat

11. Protein powder- pure whey formula (free of aspartame and sucralose)

12. Healthy snack bars- low-sugar and made from real food ingredients such as proteins+, greens+ Hip to be Healthy Squares

13. Water (or a good quality water filter)

What should not go in your grocery cart:

• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated foods (a.k.a. Trans fatty acids) – certain salad dressings, crackers, chips, margarine. Check your labels!

• Refined, white flour products – white bread, pasta, muffins, cookies, crackers

• Pop or sugar juices

• Candy

• Overly processed and packaged goods

Pack a lunch to save time, money and calories

A balanced meal includes the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Here’s an example:

• A whole wheat sandwich wrap, with lean turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mustard and low-fat cheese

• A small container of yogurt (organic soy is an option), that’s low in sugar and fat

• Dark chocolate square to enjoy for dessert

Know your fast food healthy options

Too busy to pack a lunch? Luckily, there are healthy fast food options such as Wendy’s salads, McDonalds wraps or low fat Subway sandwiches now available.

What’s more, many of these outlets have posted the fat/calorie/sodium content of their menus online. Bottom line, if you’re going for something ‘fast’ you can make it healthy too!

Keep weight loss protein staples on-hand

The problem with weight loss is typically due to an over consumption of carbohydrates and too little protein in the diet.

Here’s a few protein staples to boost your intake (without increasing your waistline):

• Low fat cheese strings or light cottage cheese

• Protein powder (such as proteins+, keep a container at work and home)

• Lean slices of meat (chicken, turkey)

• Egg whites – can be added to any shake, recipe or made as an omelet (hard-boiled eggs are great to keep in the fridge too)

Make dinner your smallest meal

This is often the most difficult habit to break – but it can be done! For starters, get into the habit of eating a larger breakfast, a mid-sized lunch with a healthy snack or 2 in-between. This way, you won’t be overly ravenous come dinner time.

Some dinner ‘tricks’ to try:

• Use a smaller-sized plate to automatically reduce your portion sizes

• Make 2/3rds of the plate a colorful salad or steamed veggies

• Include a portion of lean protein that’s about the size of a deck of cards

• Enjoy low-glycemic, high fiber carbs such as wild rice (no more than a palm-size)

• Add flavor without calories, such as cracked pepper or hot sauce

Suffering from cravings at nighttime? Try drinking watered down juice, herbal tea or chewable vitamin C. If you need to munch, go for veggies.

Find an activity that you enjoy and … do it!

Let’s face it, hitting the gym nightly is not realistic for most busy people. Luckily, there are many home options now available to fit into your lifestyle. Elastic bands, home weights, videos and a yoga mat can fit into any and all budgets. For morning-types, set the alarm a bit earlier, lay your shoes out the night-before, rise and go.