Now by no means am I the healthiest person, or claim to eat clean 100% of the time. To me that is not practical nor the way I wanna live my life. But by adding these 5 easy things I’ve been able to maintain a more balanced life. I believe there is beauty in balance, if I want a dang gluten free donut, I’m gonna have that donut and enjoy every dang bite. These hacks are things I am able to maintain, don’t take too much prep or work. They are easy to add in all at once, or one at a time. Remember this is about easy changes you can implement into your life.
I start every morning off with lemon water. I prep it in advance so I always have it on hand. I don’t stress about if it is cold, room temp, or warm. But the benefits of starting with some lemon juice in water are so great. I love starting my morning off with it because it helps rehydrate me after sleeping, I get more natural energy than reaching for a cup of coffee first. When I have my morning glass of lemon water I won’t want coffee for a few hours after, and I usually enjoy it now after I work out.
Benefits of Lemon Water per healthline.com
- Support heart health
- Helps rehydrate you
- Good source of vitamin C and potassium
- May aid in weight loss but rehydrating and filling you up
- Prevent kidney stones
- Can help prevent anemia by lemons containing iron and vitamin C
- Reduce cancer
- Improve digestion when the pulp is left in the juice
- Decrease bloating
- Helps support detoxify the liver
2. Eat more greens- this sounds like the simplest addition, but most people in America do not eat enough vegetables. So the easiest way to fix this is by adding greens into every meal. I always start my morning off with veggies. Let me preface this by saying I don’t eat typical “breakfast” meals. I practice Intermittent Fasting, which means my eating window on average is 8-12 hours. I also do not really like eggs or cereal. So I opt to break my fast by eating a full balanced meal. Lately it has been salads or veggie bowls. If this doesn’t sound appetizing to you, you can add a handful of arugula or spinach to your eggs or scramble, throw in whatever left over veggies you have in your fridge and you are starting your morning off on a better note. For smoothies add in a handful of spinach, power greens, cauliflower, or even frozen zuchinni, it’ll change the color of the smoothie but not the taste. For the rest of your meals, just try to add one veggie into your meal, more lettuce on your sandwhich, carrots and dip instead of chips, or even a side salad. You don’t have to get fancy, just make one small change at a time. But start with breakfast, it’ll start you off on the right foot and hopefully helps you crave more veggies throughout the day. I’ll share some of my easy 5-10 minute meals soon.
Salmon, asparagus and wild rice 
Steak and grilled romaine salald 
Chicken paillard and Kale 
Air Fryer
3. Move your body- Again this can sound overwhelming, when you already have a busy schedule hearing that you need to workout on top of it can seem impossible. But it is possible, you just need to take the work out of it, and get creative. I aim to workout for 30 mins a day every day, now this can be a walk with my dogs around the neighborhood, a yoga class, or maybe a ride on my peloton (you can use code: 2Z6587 for $100 of your bike). I love the Peloton app because it has more than just cycling classes, they have outdoor running classes, strength, cardio, abs, yoga, and meditation. The whole point it make it a point to move your body, instead of always getting happy hour with a friend, go on a walk to chat, or when calling your friends take your pup on a walk. I love doing a little ab and booty work when watching The Real Housewives. Find a way to add movement into your life without making it stressful. I’m sure you can fit 30 mins of intentional activity at least 3 days a week.
4. Collagen- Now this is something you can easily add into your daily routine and the best part is there is no taste. I started using collagen over 6 years ago to help my joints, I am double jointed and do not have a lot of cartilage left in my knees. Collagen brings the synovial fluids back to the joints to help cushion them. Collagen also helps your hair, skin and nails have strength and elasticity. Collagen also helps your gut, it is a major protein found in our bodies but not one we eat often since its mainly found in the skin and bones. We stop producing collagen after the age of 25 so it is important to get it as a supplement. I add it in my coffee in the mornings or I drink the collagen waters in the afternoon, I take 20g a day and I’ve seen so many benefits, my nails have grown so much faster and are actually stronger, and my joints no longer creak or hurt. these are the ones I use and believe in 100%
5. Self Care- Now this can be the hardest, especially for women since we try to make sure everyone else is taken care of before ourselves. But just like we hear every time on the airplane, you have to put your air mask on first before helping someone else. This is very true so take some time to carve a little self care into your weekly routine, maybe its a bath (you know how much I love a good bath) with some nice bath salts and a glass of wine. Maybe it’s doing a face mask while watching trashy tv. Or maybe it is cooking your favorite meal because you want it. Or going and having a solo date at your favorite restaurant, or a shopping date with your bestie. You do you girl. Just remember you can pour from an empty cup, so do something you need to recharge and do not feel guilty about it. No one is going to die if the laundry isn’t all put away or you have a messy counter.
Bath Caddy // Hair Cap // Candle // Wine Glass // Coral
I hope you try some of these tips and tricks to help create a healthier and balanced lifestyle. Please give yourself grace while you are trying to make changes in your lifestyle. Focus on one task at a time, one meal at a time, and one day at a time. If you slip up, move forward don’t dwell on what you can’t change. And thank you for supporting me through purchasing through my affiliate links, I appreciate the crap out of you guys! xoxo
You can always follow along on my journey on Instagram @LifeOutsideLeggings for more fun meal ideas and fun nutrition tips.
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