6 Weapons for Healthy Living on a Budget

1. Hydrate, Hunny! 

You need water. Don’t think you’re dehydrated? Do you ever feel lethargic, foggy-brained, or have trouble with dry skin? Then I’m talking to YOU! It’s okay. We can fix this. 

First, always have a reusable water bottle on hand. Trust me, you’ll drink more water if it’s always there. And single-use plastics? SO 2000’s. And not in a nostalgic way.

Also, try to make yourself drink a glass of water first thing in the morning before doing ANYTHING. Having coffee? I would say drink at least 20 oz of water before even reaching for that coffee. I recommend this water bottle for your commute. It’s collapsable, and when you’re always on the go, space-saving is highly valuable. 

2. Get Organized

There should be two points in your week where you carve out at least 30 minutes to get your sh*t together. One, you need to plan your week. What are you packing for lunch? What are you having for dinner? What’s my grocery list looking like?…I know it sounds stressful, but keep reading and we will get you answers to those questions. 

Have a system for planning your meals. I love this magnetic notepad to put right on your fridge. And your second point during the week that you are getting your sh*t together is, oh yes, every.single.night. Pack your lunch the night before, maybe even fill your water bottle and have it in the fridge ready to go. You will have a much less stressful morning, are less likely to forget things or say, f*ck it, I’m going to Wendy’s for lunch. Listen, we all enjoy a good Baconator from time to time but you can’t tell me eating Wendy’s on the reg makes you feel super energized and ready to take over the world. Who run the world? YOU if you take care of yourself.

3.How do I do This mEaL PrEp That Everyone Talks About ?!

If you notice you are in a particularly negative headspace, are feeling lethargic and unmotivated, or having acne troubles, my advice is always to start by looking at your diet. Our bodies tell us so much if we listen! Especially an unhappy gut. I never promote “diets”, but I do promote being in-tune with your body and making conscious food choices. No matter how bad you want the chips, the candy, etc. all the time, start by thinking about how it will make you feel 20 minutes after you eat it. Try and stay away from those instant-gratification choices. You are doing more harm to your body and wellbeing than you realize. Most importantly, you never need to restrict yourself. Just make some healthier swaps and read ingredient labels. Know what you’re putting in your body!

So, to answer those questions about where the heck you start with this whole, planning-your-meals-like-an-adult thing, here’s what I recommend. Especially if you’re brand new to this– one-pot, sheet-pan type meals are going to be a life-saver. Some ideas include:

• Chili or Soup in the Crockpot. So easy to throw everything in and let it slow cook while you’re at work or overnight. Bonus–you have leftovers to eat throughout the week. 
• Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken. This is so easy. Cook it in whatever flavor you’d like: Buffalo, Chipotle, BBQ, etc. Or maybe you want to go with neutral seasonings so you can change up the flavor as you go. Now you can have pulled chicken on hand for salads, wraps, over rice or noodles, etc. Versatility is key!
• Sheet-pan, baby! Slap a few chicken breasts or thighs on a sheet pan with mixed veggies and potatoes and throw it in the oven! Easy way to make big batches of balanced meals that will have plenty of leftovers. Other protein ideas: Tofu. 

4. Got Prime? This one is for you!

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you have an Amazon Prime account, you can get free Whole Foods delivery. All you have to do is download the Prime Now app and put at least $35 worth of groceries in there, and that’s it! You get a free two-hour window to choose from to get your groceries delivered. You can literally do this during your commute if you use public transportation, and set it to be delivered for when you get home. Also, if you don’t have prime, I highly recommend the investment. Anything that saves time is great for a Boston girl. I love ordering stuff I need and then completely forgetting I did. When it arrives it’s like opening a present that I forgot I gifted myself. Pure bliss.

Another great way to order groceries is through Thrive Market! Girl, if you don’t have this app then where have you BEEN?! It’s my #1 spot for my healthy pantry staples. They have tons of name-brand stuff all for 15-50% off regular retail price when you purchase a membership. It’s $60/year (that’s only $5 a month ladies!) and will save you a ton of money. You can also shop based on dietary needs–gluten free, paleo, vegan, whatever it is you need, they will only show you the products that fit within your guidelines. It’s wonderful. Not sponsored, just freaking love them. 

5. Move it, move it

Not all of us are thrilled about exercise in the traditional sense of doing 30+ minutes of agonizing cardio and lifting weights. Exercise can be so many different things and people don’t realize you don’t have to do what everyone else does. It doesn’t have to be hard, just move! If you do a lot of walking commuting to work, great you’re off to a great start. From there squeeze in a yoga class, or maybe you want to walk in the park along the river and take in the scenery. You don’t even need to spend money to get a good workout in. There are so many free YouTube videos out there with bodyweight workouts and guided yoga sessions for you. Go swimming, go hiking, dance around your apartment, do anything to get that blood pumping and endorphins flowing! There is so much research on the benefits of moving our bodies–better quality sleep, more positivity, more energy, the list goes on. Just find something you like and plan it into your day. 

6. You are who you surround yourself with 

It’s true, you can’t expect to be set up for success if you spend your time consuming content that doesn’t align with your goals and being around friends who pressure you to do things that don’t make you feel great. Try setting boundaries with your friends and family. Maybe you don’t want to be drunk every weekend. Maybe you only want to go out once or twice a month. “No, Grandma, I’m full. Please stop forcing food on me” is another good one. And maybe you’re going to stop following accounts on Instagram that don’t inspire you, that promote unhealthy habits and unrealistic body image expectations. Find some accounts that share your beliefs and motivate you to be a better you. There are so many people out there that share valuable information to improve your lifestyle. Treating your body with love and respect by making informed choices on what you consume and how often shouldn’t feel like a chore or restricting. And you shouldn’t feel “weird” or “left out” by your friend group. Make sure you are feeling the support around you to make these changes in your life. 

Alright sistas, I hope you found these tips helpful. Cheers to health! xx