Between long hours at work or school, managing kids’ schedules, and trying to keep up with a social life, many of us are busy beyond belief. And this busyness can sometimes mean our health goals get put on the back burner. However, there are some tips to help keep up weight loss even when your schedule is packed to the brim. 

1. Don’t Skip Meals

Busy people often don’t have the time to get three non-rushed meals per day. However, skipping meals can often have a detrimental effect on weight loss because metabolism can slow down if you’re not eating enough calories for your body. Instead of skipping meals, it’s best to have a plan — keep reading for how to do this.

2. Have a Plan

The night before a busy day, mentally prepare for what’s ahead. If you know you’re going to be in meetings all morning, ensure you have a pre-packed breakfast that you can eat quickly, like a smoothie or container of overnight oats. Similarly, you’ll want to plan your lunch, dinner, and snacks. This could be an open plan (“I’m going to stop by the customizable salad place for lunch in the early afternoon.”) or something more set in stone, like packing leftovers for lunch from the night before. 

3. Work in Movement

Even if you don’t have time to spend at the gym, you definitely have time for more movement. Parking your car in the furthest spot, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and pacing while you make phone calls can all add valuable movement to help you meet your weight loss goals. 

4. Go the Easy Route

Pre-packaged or pre-made meals don’t always have to be unhealthy, and these easy items can help if you’re too busy to make labor-intensive meals. Try buying pre-cut fruit and veggies, or invest in a healthy meal delivery service for your weekday lunches and dinners. 

5. Keep It Simple 

Similarly, simple and easy meals are the way to go when it comes to busy people trying to lose weight. Eating the same (or very similar) meals for a week or so at a time can reduce the time you spend prepping. For example, you can make one easy meal (like chicken, broccoli, and brown rice) on Sunday, and take that for lunches the next few days.