Jun 08

10 Healthy Living Life Hacks

This week’s [optional] theme for the Fit Dish link up (hosted by Jill Conyers @ JillConyers.com, & Jessica Joy @ TheFitSwitch.org) is Healthy Living Life Hacks!

I’m all about simplifying life wherever possible, and anything that can help me multi-task and/or enhance my productivity so I have more time […to study] is a winner in my book!

10healthylivinglifehacks

Pack Your Meals

I was probably known throughout undergrad, graduate school, and medical school as “the bag lady.” This was because I always lugged around a ginormous bag of food with me. I usually spent anywhere from 12-16 hours on campus, and I get really cranky when I’m hungry, so I figured I shouldn’t unleash that on unsuspecting/un-deserving individuals. :x

Eat (or Drink) Yo’ Veggies

With so many different types of vegetables out there, there’s gotta be one out there that you like!

Not a fan of eating your vegetables? Try a green smoothie instead!

Chocolate Green Smoothie

Stay Hydrated (With Water)

This is probably one of the most important things you could do. Make sure you drink enough water each day! If water is boring to you, you can try changing it up by making fruit-infused water (just throw in fresh or frozen fruit)!

Healthify Your Less-Healthy Favorites

If you are a total foodie like me and also happen to eat like a plague, healthifying recipes is a wonderful skill to have. :O

Pollo Asada Fries

Mexican Orange Hot Chocolate

Coconut Rice Pudding

Ready-Made Healthy Snacks

Having ready-made snacks also makes it harder to succumb to unhealthy cravings/temptations! I’m a fan of hardboiled eggs, but here are a couple other ideas!

No-Bake Dark Chocolate PB Oatmeal Balls

Greek Yogurt Parfaits

Volunteering

Those of you who follow me on instagram are probably at least somewhat aware of the fact that I love and adore animals, and as such, I’m big on animal rescue. While I don’t run anymore (I stopped after I ran my first and only half-marathon), there are a couple things that can still get me to do it.

One of them is when I’m back at home + catching up on life with friends (which, by the way, is also a wonderful way to get some exercise in, whether it’s hiking, taking a group fitness class, or walking/jogging/running somewhere).

The other is by taking the dogs at the dog rescue I volunteer at for walks! Or with certain dogs (Max, I’m lookin’ at you!), all-out sprints.

How awesome is it to do something good and get your fitness on at the same time?!

Workout Videos on YouTube

If you don’t have a gym membership, or never get out of work/school/etc. while the gym’s still open, there are a ton of workout videos available on YouTube! (I’m a fan of Blogilates and Zuzka!)

Study While Exercising

I adopted this habit back in undergrad, when I was forced to memorize amino acid structures/properties in biochemistry (…). Throughout the past couple years, I’ll usually bring along some kind of study material with me to the gym and powerwalk on a very steep incline! :]

#DishTheFit: What are your #healthyliving #lifehacks? #health #wellness #fitness

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Exercise Whilst Catching Up On Shows

Back when I first started doing indoor cardio, I used to watch the Food Network at my undergrad’s gym to pass the time. I don’t have time to watch anything anymore other than DIT/other board review videos, but…if I still could, I’d likely be on a treadmill, elliptical, StairMaster, hula-hooping, practicing Tahitian/hula, or doing body-weight exercises. Efficiency, m’friends!

If you need utmost concentration during your shows, exercise during the commercials!

Keep A Packed Gym Bag in Your Car

This will make it a whole lot harder to weasel out of going to the gym after a long day. You’ll be ready any time, so you can’t make the excuse of, “But I don’t have my workout clothes/shoes/etc. with me!” (Just make sure you repack it as needed…)

Dish The Fit

Click the image to read my other Dish The Fit posts! :]

  • What are some of your healthy living life hacks?
  • Do you have a favorite YouTube workout?
  • What’s one of your favorite healthified recipes?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.fairyburger.com/10-healthy-living-life-hacks/

66 comments

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  1. Having healthy snacks on hand is key for me – it gets so tempting to buy something for the afternoon if I’m at work, but it was costing me quite a bit! Getting at whipping up big batches of snackable balls and bars and such ;)
    Cat recently posted…Why I’m Going on a Coffee DetoxMy Profile

    1. Yay! :D Having snackable bars/balls definitely helps to cure that! I’m too cheap to buy anything from the hospital cafeteria, so I just keep my pockets + my car stashed with healthy snacks! :P

  2. great ideas! i always carry water with me everywhere i go. plus i was able to rent a locker as part of my membership at the gym. i leave multiple outfits in there at all times.
    Glenneth recently posted…Lessons Learned From Strength TrainingMy Profile

    1. That’s awesome! I drag around water everywhere too! :] The lockers at my gym require monthly payments, so I just keep it in my car, hehehe. :D

  3. It is such a great idea to keep a packed gym bag in your car — because you never know when opportunity will arise!
    Jennifer F recently posted…5 Yoga Poses for Better Skin + Beauty Products I’m Loving NOWMy Profile

    1. Indeed! Gotta be prepared! :P

  4. I think learning portion sizes is another one to add to the healthified recipes. And also learning to read nutrition facts! I would also add study in the fresh air–find a place that is peaceful but allows you to get work done in an alternate place!
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Tried It Tuesday: Nike + Running AnalysisMy Profile

    1. Ooo! Very much agreed! Portion size is something I continually battle with (I always think I can eat more, and I’m unfortunately usually right about that, hahaha).

      Studying in fresh air would be awesome! I’m allergic to the outdoors at the moment though. :[ + also live next to a steel factor (sigh), hahaha. Someday!!

  5. love this! i take skoop a-game greens every morning – boosts my greens intake though i do my best to fill my day with them too!
    Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…Emotional Intelligence Game for KidsMy Profile

    1. Nice! I need to get back into starting my day with a green smoothie! :]

  6. Great tips!
    Love that you included volunteering with this! It’s such a good thing to do!
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Cannoli Stuffed StrawberriesMy Profile

    1. Agreed! :D I like finding ways to help out others when possible, and this is a win-win situation for both! :]

  7. Why did you have to post all the food? #hungry Love your life hacks!
    Rachel recently posted…Race Recap: Hill Yeah! Half Marathon [3-person relay]My Profile

    1. hehehe, I’m sorry about that! <3

  8. I am a big fan of giving back and volunteering. It always helps put your own life in perspective :)
    Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Double Chocolate Chip Oatmeal CakeMy Profile

    1. Agreed! :] It makes me happy to be able to give back! <3

  9. great tips! they call me the bag lady too! Purse, computer bag, gym bag, lunch bag – a bag for my bag- LOL! Multiple tasking is the plan! I love to drinks my veggies, start my day that way every morning! Happy #fitfam!
    Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…life*hack? What is it?My Profile

    1. hahaha, I love the “bag for my bag.” I’m right there with ya! ;P

  10. Really love all the tips! I bring my lunch to work everyday because I’m frugal, but i also like to know what is in the food I am eating. I’m a big advocate of drinking your veggies. I start off my day with a green drink that includes 2 cups of spinach and I love knowing that I’m on the right track first thing in the morning.
    Kimberly recently posted…Hope in Motion 10K Race RecapMy Profile

    1. I like knowing what’s in my food too! I used to start every morning off with a green smoothie too, but stopped in the winter because it got too cold, haha. I gotta start that back up again!

  11. i think exercise while watching shows/tv is really good one..how do people study and exercise? i need to get on that.
    dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Easy Black Bean BrowniesMy Profile

    1. If it’s not a super intense workout, it can work out! That’s why I just powerwalk on a super-steep incline if I’m studying, instead of actually jogging/running. Alternatively, you could listen to lectures while you work out? (Not sure how effective it’d be, but maybe better than nothing? :O )

  12. awesome tips! My favorites: stay hydrated and keep a gym bag packed in the car. Those are sure fire ways to stay on track.
    Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…5 Healthy Life HacksMy Profile

    1. Thank you, and very much agreed! :D I probably should go drink more water right about now…

  13. These tips are on point! I also always have a bag of food with me LoL I’m glad I”m not the only one!! I love you tip for walking at a high incline and studying, I may start doing that to study form my personal training certification! Thanks for these awesome tips!
    Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Simple Corn Homemade SalsaMy Profile

    1. haha, I’m glad I’m not alone either! ;P And yay! I hope it helps! Since I clearly can’t do strenuous cardio whilst studying, I figured I’d at least get some movement in!

  14. Awesome tips! I love green smoothies because I want to squeeze in as many veggies as possible! Some days, I don’t feel like chewing that much. Haha ;)
    Earl-Leigh recently posted…Tone It Up and Protective StylingMy Profile

    1. hahaha, me too! That’s definitely when I sneak in all the green smoothies! ;P

  15. love these! Haha I adopted the walk on the treadmill while studying this year too in all my nutrition classes :)
    Sarah Grace recently posted…High Protein Peanut Butter French ToastMy Profile

    1. hahaha, I feel like it’s practically a necessity when we’re stuck in class for so much of the day and have so much to study!

  16. I love watching TV while working out! It helps keep me focused and makes it much more fun!
    Pam @ Hodge Podge Moments recently posted…5 Netflix Shows to Lift Your SpiritsMy Profile

    1. Agreed! It’s nice to be able to get some fitness in whilst catching up on a show or watching a movie! :]

  17. Drinking water is SOOO essential! I drink double my body weight every day (almost that much) and I’ve been doing that for years! I’m so healthy, sleep better, never get sick (or can easily ward off colds by drinkinggggg!), and I feel good!
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…What To Avoid With A Wheat AllergyMy Profile

    1. Holy crud, that’s a crap ton of water! o_o How are you not a complete water molecule? :O!

      But I definitely agree that it helps to ward off sickness! Staying hydrated tends to be the one that I’m always continually working on!

  18. I love making green smoothies everyday! Its such an easy way to get your veggies in every day!
    Shannon Peterson recently posted…Truthful Tuesday 06.09.15My Profile

    1. It really is! I’m gonna have to start beginning my day with them again! :]!

  19. SUch a great list, I keep going back and thinking of all the ones I want to do. Haha. I was reading a book on smoothies, and their view point was that they were the ultimate healthy fast food. AMEN. Those pollo asada fries look amazing, and something Chad would love. And, volunteering? Farrah, you racked up more amazing points with that one. I love your outlook, and these tips. Off to check out that recipe!!!
    Jessica Joy @The Fit Switch recently posted…DAILY SUCCESS WORKSHEETMy Profile

    1. Thanks so much, Jessica! :D That book is right on the money! I definitely think smoothies are the ultimate healthy fast food (and so much better-tasting! ;P )!

      I hope you like the pollo asada fries recipe! I was all sorts of overjoyed to find a place that had that on the menu, but my student budget doesn’t allow for me to go there as often as I’d like, so I figured recreating it at home would be the next best thing! :]

  20. Love these! I only currently volunteer but I am going to try and pack my meals, keep a gym bag in the car and prepare my snacks. So glad I stopped by. Thanks.

    1. Yay, that’s awesome! Best of luck to you! <3

  21. I definitely keep a packed gym bag in my car at all times. Something else I’ve done to help is join a gym that’s close to work- it’s actually right across the street- so I can’t use the excuse that it’s “out of my way.” I have to pass it to get home :-)
    Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder recently posted…How To Set Goals You’ll Stick WithMy Profile

    1. My hospital has a gym in a neighboring building in the basement, but it sucks on the days where I get out so late that it’s already closed (or about to close)! :x I need a 24-hr gym!

  22. Couldn’t agree more with your entire list – very well done! :)

    Erica
    http://www.pumpsandpushups.com

    1. Thanks, Erica! :]!

  23. I have to make those chocolate oatmeal balls. They look delicious!
    Valerie @ Indecisively Restless recently posted…Firsts Friday – First MemoryMy Profile

    1. They’re definitely a great snack to have! :D I hope you like them!

  24. I love these hacks. I CAN’T WAIT to try the PB Dark Chocolate Oatmeal balls. Yummers!
    Jenn Embers recently posted…Healthy Living Life HacksMy Profile

    1. I hope you like em’! :D!

  25. awesome tips! I love putting my greens in a smoothie! yum!
    Rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Lemon-Blueberry Muesli CupsMy Profile

    1. Agreed! :D I’m gonna start my day with one tomorrow! :]

  26. I just downloaded the Netflix app on my phone for those treadmill mornings. I hate being on the treadmill, but Netflix makes it so much more enjoyable! Ha!

    1. Ohhhh, Netflix! If my gym had wireless, I would totally be Netflixing it up in there! (But alas… :[ I feel like any future gym I’m a part of will have to have that as a requirement, haha). I just catch up on studying/reading, but hooray for having a neverending list of books to go through! :P

  27. Cardio is when I read books!! Because I do not sit at all during the day, and book reading is a sitting activity, so I figured indoor cardio = PERFECT time to read!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…You Won’t Be Waffling Over This!My Profile

    1. I dislike sitting still too (totally explains why I seem to spending my entire life in school, right!? ;_; hahaha), so exercising during sitting activities are my favorite! :]

  28. The only youtube workout I’ve ever done is Jillian Michaels 6 pack abs. Love it! I pack my lunch and snack without fail every single work day. It’s a habit and now that I think about it I seriously need a new lunchbox.

    If I’m going to fall short on our life hacks it’s hydration. Such a simple thing and yet it can be a struggle.

    Thanks for sharing friend!
    jill conyers recently posted…10 Healthy and Happy Life HacksMy Profile

    1. I’m gonna have to go check that out!

      And yay for packing your lunch every day! I have been for ages, although lately, since I usually get fed at the hospital, I’ve been slacking on that some. :P

      I need to work on the hydration thing too! Tis a constant struggle, even though it is so simple. :O

  29. Green smoothies are a great way to sneak veggies in for my toddler! And those peanut butter dark chocolate energy balls look delicious. Yum! I bring my running shoes with me everywhere… just in case :) Never know when you can sneak a quick run in! Great life hacks, Farrah!
    Amy @ Life to the Full recently posted…My Postpartum Fitness Plan + A Life HackMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Amy! :D! I really need to get back into running again–I like the idea of being able to just take off whenever/wherever! :O

  30. I LOVE doing jumping jacks or jogging place while catching up on shows. Helps me get in more steps AND get entertained. What a good list… I kept finding myself saying “yes!”
    Bri @ Simple Delights recently posted…Seven Healthy Life HacksMy Profile

    1. Yay! Glad to hear. :] Thanks so much! I need to add jogging in place into mine–for some reason, I always forget that’s an option! :O

  31. Love all of these life hacks! Packing food ahead of time helps me out so much. Now, if I could only remember to do it more often!
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Versatile Blogger AwardMy Profile

    1. hehehe, I usually cook a bunch of stuff on the weekend and portion em’ into 5 tupperwares for the week! :]

  32. These are great tips! Not complicated at all, and yet they can lead to so many awesome benefits! This is like healthy living 101 and I think everyone needs to read this!
    Ariana recently posted…Rest Yo’ Self Before You Wreck Yo’ SelfMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Ariana! <3! I hope everyone can take away something from this post! :D!

  33. Great list! I love creating healthy versions of my favorite foods, I do it all of the time with my sweet treats! One of my favorites though is healthier nachos. I get tortilla chips that are only three ingredients, grass feed beef, hormone free sharp cheddar cheese then load it up with lots of tomatoes, white onions, cilantro and jalapenos that way I am getting lots of veggies with my nachos PLUS they are DELICIOUS!
    Amber@Eat2SaveYourLife recently posted…African Peanut Stew RecipeMy Profile

    1. My goodness, that sounds all sorts of amazing! *-* I really need to try that out! My tastebuds are thanking you in advance! <3

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