It's Got to Be Convenient

Call me lazy, but I don't think I could stick to a healthy lifestyle that was totally (or even somewhat) inconvenient. If I had to make special recipes that involved a lot of ingredients and time, I wouldn't do it. Or if I had to drive for miles every day to exercise at a special facility, I wouldn't do that either.

After a number of (failed) attempts to be fit/lose weight over the years, I started this time with the full awareness that I needed convenient, healthy options whenever and wherever possible.

That's why I buy nearly all of my vegetables either frozen in one of those microwave-steam bags or pre-washed and ready to eat. I even got pre-chopped onions in the frozen aisle the other day, because we had a recipe calling for onions--and Mr. and I HATE chopping onions. (Oh, the tears.)

I am willing to cut up strawberries for cereal and such, but I use a lot of berries because they're quick to wash and eat. Apples are great--as long as I have an apple-slicer nearby. Bananas are the best! Just peel and eat.

Even though I know fruits and veggies are the healthiest snacks, I do like other types of food. You know, like sweet stuff. Carbs. I deal with that by getting tasty, yet healthy, prepackaged snacks, such as those new Special K Bliss bars (chocolate and raspberry--deeeelicious!) and SmartPop! 100-calorie popcorn.

Exercise works the same way. My office has a gym and a locker/shower room, so I can pop in there anytime for a workout. If that doesn't happen, we have a stationary bike in our basement, plus a few DVDs for pilates and yoga. I also try to be as active as I can throughout the day, whether it's choosing the stairs over the elevator or walking more briskly from parking lots to buildings.

So far, these options have helped me stick to our Guiding Principles. If being lazy is wrong, I don't wanna be right!