Featured Blogger: Simply Nicole

How often have you used the excuse “but I’m too busy…” and skipped your workout or opted for a drive through dinner? In today’s crazy world, we’re all busy and time strapped; it’s easy and convenient to make excuses. But it’s time to stop envying those friends who always seem to ‘have time’ to exercise in the morning or pack healthy lunches, and become one of them. Simply put, you have to make time for the things that are important to you. 

This week’s Featured Blogger, simply Nicole, balances a full-time job, active social life, and half-marathon training; what’s her secret? Keeping it simple and balanced! Check out her tips below, and then head on over to her blog for a chance to win a case of Chobani to kickstart your healthy routine.

Hello Chobani fans, my name is Nicole and I blog over at simply Nicole:  simple, chic, healthy living.  I was a dancer since elementary school and danced my way through college.  After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in 2010, I took occupation group fitness classes, but felt that I wasn’t passionate about anything.  In August 2011, I decided to start running and have since fell in love with the sport (and my foam roller!).  I am running my first half marathon in November and love practicing yoga to help me stay flexible and mentally grounded.  I work full-time in marketing and am learning to find a routine that works for me!

Though I’m busy (we all are!), I still try to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. It’s not as hard as you might think, and balance is key to keep you sane! Here are my 3 favorite ways to incorporate healthy living while living a busy corporate lifestyle:

Know your priorities and set SMART goals.  If you don’t make healthy living a priority then it won’t be.  It’s as simple as that.  SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.  I try and set goals each month and write them in places that I look at daily.  For instance, in the bathroom, the mirror in my closet, and on my desk.  At the end of the month, I look back at my progress and determine my new goals for the next month.  I try not to harp on the things I didn’t do, and look forward to a new and hopefully better month.

Pack your meals for work at least 4x a week.  Breakfast is often eaten at my desk in the mornings and Chobani has always been a favorite item!  My newest favorite flavor is Blood Orange.  It tastes like an orange creamsicle and keeps me full until my mid morning snack, without weighing me down and putting me in a food coma.  Some other options are fruit salads, oatmeal, cottage cheese doubles, and protein shakes.  I like to pre-pack my lunches the night before, because I’m usually running around like a crazy person in the mornings.  I usually pack my meals for work only 4x a week, because I think it’s important to give yourself a day to have lunch with colleagues and get out of the office for a while.  My favorite days to do this are Fridays!

I like eating like this…

So I can let loose at happy hour later on in the week.  It’s all about balance, people!

Set reminders in your phone to get up and take a walk, practice yoga, or whatever else gets you moving.  My cell phone is usually attached to my hip when I am at home.  Just in case I have a good blog post idea I need to jot down or a reminder to pick up an item at the grocery store, having my phone’s memo pad handy is a lifesaver. (I tend to lose pieces of paper to the bottomless pit I like to call my tote bag).

See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Now go pack a healthy lunch, take a walk, and then head over to Nicole’s blog to enter to win a box of Chobani!