Are you ever frustrated with how complicated it can seem to get everything done in your life? I know I sometimes do.
When I was overweight, I often used the excuse that I just didn’t have enough time to get things done. 
I felt like I was like a chicken running around with no plan most days. And I seemed to get so tired after watching the kids, working on my little part-time business, cooking, cleaning, catching up with friends and trying to be a good wife. Although I tried to lose weight again and again, one of my many excuses was that I just didn’t have time to organize, plan and shop for healthy foods.
I wasn’t being exactly honest with myself.
I had plenty of time to make cookies, sit on the couch, and gripe to whoever would listen about how hard it was to get everything accomplished. I didn’t really want to eat healthy most of the time, and I used the “I don’t have enough time to get it done properly” excuse.
We are all busy, but I’d like to encourage you to make a plan to continually get everything done so that you are prepared for unexpected events, company, life stresses, missed grocery store outings, kid’s schedule changes, etc.
Here are some techniques I used (and still use) to make sure that my healthy food and healthy lifestyle remained on the list of “must get done.”
•I make lists – lots of them. Grocery lists, exercise lists, household tasks, blogging lists, writing lists, kids schedule lists, etc.
•I set very specific goals for myself – some of these include trying new foods, making new recipes, etc.
•I plan for unexpected curveballs by always having ingredients on hand for three or four “family favorite, super-easy, healthy meals.”
•I schedule time for me. With seven kids – this time is usually before everyone gets up.
•I go over the daily “to-do” list with all the kids who are old enough to understand, and make sure we are all on the same page.
What do you do to make certain you have time to cook, do your job, exercise, take care of your family and get everything done? Diane
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planning scheduling planning scheduling until now, FINALLY, it’s almost second nature.
almost
Scheduling is my answer. With an Autistic child , routines and consistency are an absolute must. My snags come from times when I have to search out some educational material ( we do not use a curriculum in a box thing because none of them fit my son’s needs). Meal planning is very easy ( shopping list gets planned at the same time) and I try to keep supplies on hand to deal with the surprise changes.With housework, I use The FlyLady , more or less ( some things are adapted because they simply do not apply to our life). Exercise always happens before lunchtime, and during the school year between breakfast and the start of school. Up till now most of my planning lists have remained on the computer , but we are finding sending these lists to our cell phones and even handier option.
Diane´s last fabulous musings ..Excitement !
I make certain that I have time for everything, including my healthy eating habits and exercising, by planning my days ahead of time. I too live of lists due to the fact that I forget and I think this helps me to have the time to eat healthy and exercise as well. Planning is crucial in this healthy journey of ours.
Great post Dianne.
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..This is what life is about
I think I need to take your advice and start to schedule a bit more. Living on my own, life is always throwing me curveballs. I don’t stock my fridge because I’m never sure when I’ll be home and then, when I am home for an evening, there is very little to choose from for meals. Perhaps if I made grocery lists, I’d be more consistent with my healthy eating.
Michelle @ The Running Jewess´s last fabulous musings ..Poor Form
I was gonna say the Miz thing – plan & schedule! It is all about priorities & yes, having to say NO too! Great post Diane!
Jody – Fit at 53´s last fabulous musings ..Weight- Bodyfat & Aging How Good is Good Enough
I do lists, too. I often get asked how I get all the things done that I do, with my full time job, sewing and photography. I tell them I don’t really watch tv…which I don’t really. It’s a rare night that I sit on the couch. I have a good repetoire of quick meals and my pantry is fully stocked so making dinner isn’t usually all that tough for me. Getting my exercise in, depends on when I leave work. If I leave work at 5pm, I can do it before dinner…if not it is after dinner. Sometimes my workouts happen at 10pm, because my days are so full, but you just need to get it in. I figure even if I don’t go all hard core, at least I got something in that day!
Stacy´s last fabulous musings ..After the rain
Stacy, I don’t even own a TV. I do watch DVDs from time to time on weekends on my laptop, but maybe twice a month. It’s amazing what you can do with your life when that babbling cultural sludge pump isn’t part of it.
SEVEN kids? and you blog? I am AMAZED. As a huge fan of lists, I like your style!
Well… for one thing… I blog less often and don’t comment on as many as I used to:)
Karen@WaistingTime´s last fabulous musings ..Summertime and the Blogging is Easy
I love this post. I need to make more lists, and I need to get up before my children. This week, due to summer laziness, I have been sleeping in and I just don’t get as much done when I do that. It’s tempting, but I will not get as much done this summer if I don’t start setting my alarm earlier. And LISTS….there are lots of them in my head, but if they stay there I ignore them. You are right, if I write them and see them I will possible do them. Tomorrow for me: up earlier making my lists!
Brenda´s last fabulous musings ..Painless Personal Profile Accomplished
Even though my kids are all grown and gone, I still pretty much stick to a schedule. Otherwise nothing gets done. I even schedule housework. I do have a list-loving personality.
I’m very much like you – lists and schedules! God blessed me so much through Managers of their Homes, and that, plus lotsnof prayers for self discipline and profitable uses of my time, lead this late-sleeping procrastinator to an organized, early-starting daily routine. I have to schedule in time for my bible studies, exercise, and my husband, as priorities as important as the things I do for the kids. This, plus things like my food journalling and daily weighing, have come to characterize my daily life. I am so grateful for the heart change I have had on these issues, and I kno they contribute to my weight management as much as my household cleanliness and sanity!
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..A lesson on water retention and hormones
@Janis: “…babbling cultural sludge pump…”<–LOVE THIS!
I'm not a planner or a list maker. More of an intuitive liver. (No, not that kind of liver, but you get what I mean.)
On the other hand, my hubby is a great planner and list maker, so I probably ride along on his coat tails much of the time.
HopefulandFree´s last fabulous musings ..the best part
I find it’s just about planning ahead. If I’m going to have a busy day, then I better get up early to workout. If I’m going to be tempted by foods at work, I should probably pack a healthy lunch.
Great post! It’s not about not having enough time- it’s about making the time!
Alissa´s last fabulous musings ..Weigh in Day- I’m BACK!!!
So true. I love how you said you had plenty of time to make cookies and sit on the couch. I know I use time as an excuse, especially for not exercising. I work pretty hard at not doing that.
Laura Jane @ Recovering Chocoholic´s last fabulous musings ..The Power of One
Hi Diane!
I too am a list person and I find when I stick to the lists and have the ability to cross things off – I feel so accomplished. Also, when I take a few minutes to prepare myself it helps tremendously.
AFG´s last fabulous musings ..Meet my friend Karl – someone I know in real life that has kicked P90x’s ass
I think I should start to schedule my plan now.Living on my own and enjoy life by all my sense
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