Let’s face it – if you’re a businesswoman, you probably have a hectic schedule so you find it impossible to fit in the exercise and healthy eating  that you need.

Unfortunately too much work stresses and erratic eating patterns can lead you to pack on a few pounds before you know it – especially as we reach our 30s, 40s and 50s. However, if you think carefully about your lifestyle, you can often fit in more activity than you think around work.

Here are some effective weight management techniques you might like to try, for businesswomen just like you:

Load up on H2O

Drinking lots of water is the number one rule for busy women. By hydrating yourself, you keep your skin soft and supple, and it also flushes unwanted toxins out of your body. At the same time, it makes you feel full without the added calories, so you don’t go about craving for sugary snacks every so often. Try to ensure that you have filtered or bottled water, and if bottled aim for glass rather than plastic bottles. Sadly, despite the convenience of plastic bottles, there is some evidence that chemicals leach out into the water, especially in hot weather. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day – more if you are athletic or in particularly hot weather.

Eat healthily

Cross out fatty and sugary foods from your daily diet. Instead, eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, berries and legumes, to name a few. Organic foods have an advantage in that they have fewer pesticides and other contaminating chemicals which may affect your future health. The key here is to be prepared – each meal or snack should be a balance of good quality carbohydrate, protein and fat, in order for it to be managed well by your body. Carb-heavy foods, especially high GI (glycaemic index) foods, only help you put on the pounds. Make sure that you have a midmorning snack, such as a low GI bar or shake, with you for that moment when you feel the hunger pangs – or better still, eat it before your body triggers those food cravings.

I use a three-phase weight management system that is proven, healthy, doesn’t put your body under undue strain – and best of all, works! I have seen its effectiveness in all body types.

You don’t need to deprive yourself of your favorite foods though, you can still eat them once or twice a week, once you have reached your target weight. Just don’t eat them every day, as they will make those carb cravings return, upset your insulin metabolism, and undo all your good work.

Remember that maintaining weight involves multiple systems – the triad of nutrition, exercise and mindset.

Move!

There are simple ways in which you can increase your activity levels while at work – and it won’t feel as if you’re trying to lose weight. For example:

• Park farther than you usually do.  Parking spaces near the company entrance are usually crowded anyway.
• The old adage of taking the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator. It’s a good cardio work-out, and it helps tone your buttocks, calves and thighs all at the same time.
• If you live near your office, why not try walking to your work instead of commuting or driving to it? Biking to work is great, too – if your workplace does not have bike stands, now is the time to campaign for them! Biking gives you the exercise you need, and at the same time you get to enjoy the city’s morning views, which you tend to forego if you drive or use public transport to get to work each day.

Make some time for enjoyable exercise, too – life is no fun if you don’t let your hair down. Have a think now – what do you love doing? Dancing? Walking? Yoga? Whatever it is, make space for yourself – it will be worth it, to feel the benefits of nurturing yourself.

Contact us for more tips and information.

If you are interested in taking action to move your health to the next level, please apply for a complimentary ”Get Your Life Back” Strategy Session by filling out the contact form on https://doctorallie.com/contact/ (Please note – it doesn’t matter where you are in the world for you to benefit, as long as you have an internet connection or phone line)