One of the most common reasons people give for putting off dieting and exercise is lack of time. STOP FOOLING YOURSELF!
There are easy ways to integrate a healthy weight-loss routine into even the busiest of schedules—some of which can actually save you time.
Before we get to those easy methods, let’s explore the reasons why we think we are too busy to lose weight.
Excuses, Excuses
You use the excuse of being “too busy” as a justification for your own procrastination. You tell others (and yourself) that you don’t have enough time to pay attention to diets because it takes the pressure off—it allows you to postpone making those seemingly difficult choices and changes.
Procrastination is a psychological tool we use to reduce or avoid emotional or mental stress. However, research has repeatedly shown that people who procrastinate feel worse about not doing whatever they’ve put off.
“You must take the personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” —Jim Rohn
Priorities
Maybe you do really have too many things on your plate. When the calendar fills up, the last thing you want to think about in your limited free time is diet and exercise. Putting everyone else’s needs first is selfless, but not caring for yourself will catch up to you. Your health and well-being should be higher up your priority ladder.
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
Time Management
You may have the best intentions when planning your day, but if you never seem to get around to what you want (or need) to do, you could be suffering from poor time management.
Instead of just “going with the flow” from breakfast to bedtime, plot your day ahead and allow specific amounts of time for each task. Prioritize so more important tasks are accomplished first. Be strict with yourself when it comes to meeting deadlines. This should help you free up time for exercise and experimenting with diets.
“Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week.” —Charles Richards
How To Lose Weight with a Busy Schedule
Substituting regular meals with lower-calorie options is an easy way to integrate a weight loss routine with your existing schedule. Skipping meals altogether is not a good idea unless you are fasting. However, if you can regularly substitute lower-calorie meals, you will automatically (and nearly effortlessly) reduce the amount of calories you eat by 1500 per day or more!
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.” —Maria Forleo
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The Hollywood Diet Meal Plan
Breakfast
The typical breakfast in America runs around 500 calories or more. Depending on your personal caloric requirements, that could be as much as one-quarter (25%) of your entire daily intake. You can cut that almost in half by opting out of those fast foods you grab on the way to work or the frozen “meals” you microwave at home and sticking with fresh fruits, low-fat dairy options, or the Hollywood Cookie Diet® [1] meal replacement cookies, which make an excellent substitution for high-calorie breakfasts on the go.
Lunch
The average lunch in America contains at least 1600 calories (often up to 2000 calories or more). Instead, opt for one Hollywood Cookie Diet® meal replacement cookie. If that is not enough, add a low-calorie tasty treat such as fresh fruit or a handful of high-protein nuts for a kicker. You can even throw in some cottage cheese, boiled eggs, or a salad (with low-calorie dressing) and still be hundreds of calories below that national average.
Snacks
If you find yourself snacking more than you should between meals, keep some Hollywood Cookie Diet® [1] meal replacement cookies in your desk or locker at work so you always have a lower-calorie option available at a moment’s notice. Dramatically cut calories by swapping out your diet-busting snacks throughout the day.
Dinner
Typically, we use dinner as our time to “splurge” a bit. But you can continue to cut your total daily calories here, too, by opting for healthier substitutions like fresh fish, lean meats, or vegetable-based meat alternatives. If you still want to “cheat” a little, eat what you want—just cut down the portion size.
But when should you eat dinner? Studies have shown that the optimal time to eat your evening meal is at least three hours before going to bed. This allows your body to properly metabolize the food you’ve consumed before you hit the hay. Also, by eating that early while foregoing or postponing breakfast, you can maintain that 12-hour-per-day fasting period that helps your body more effectively use the calories you consume.
TIP: The Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet® [2] can be used to replace all of your meals—including dinner—up to two days per week. You can eat regularly on the remaining days and still cut your average weekly caloric intake by a substantial amount. Just pre-mix some of this great-tasting juice drink and take it with you wherever you go. By staying hydrated and keeping something in your stomach throughout the day, you’ll be less likely to “cheat.”
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Time (and Calories) Saved
The best thing about The Hollywood Diet® plan is that it takes no extra time out of your busy day. All you have to do is mix The Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet® with water, and you’re ready to go. OR, by having Hollywood Cookie Diet® meal replacements handy, you’ll actually save time in the kitchen.
Looking for a different diet plan that fits your busy lifestyle? Check out our website for more weight loss solutions [4].