I am super slammed at work right now. Like 10-hour days and still can’t get it all done super slammed. I actually thrive when I’m this busy at work but I have to be careful not to burnout or run myself into the ground. Despite the craziness, I am feeling pretty in control of the situation in regards to my work/life balance. I can see clearly what I need to say no and yes to and where my priorities should be. And in regards to my personal life, I’m feeling on top of things.
I had a very productive streak on Sunday that led me to clean out four closets, move furniture in the living room, haul off furniture boxes and organize a lot of things around the house. When my living space feels clean and organized, I find that walking into my house becomes a huge sigh of relief and not a stressor. In addition, I have made my nutrition, workouts and sleep a priority this week. I find that this helps me feel like I have some balance and it’s not just work, work, work.
As I mentioned on Saturday, after a long hiatus I am back to CrossFit.
CrossFit prescribes three days on and one day off with workouts. I am so proud to say that I made it three days on for the first time in months and I am feeling amazing. Yesterday was my day off of CrossFit and I’ll be back on for three starting today. I am also finally starting to coach CrossFit and picking up the Wednesday 4:30 p.m. class at Metro CrossFit. Today will be my first day of coaching! I’m so excited.
And here’s a look at this week’s meals.
Greek yogurt with banana, granola and sunflower seed butter // Trader Joe’s gluten free waffle with peanut butter, honey and banana
Mixed greens with pine nuts, beets, artichokes, goat cheese and grilled chicken // Egg scramble with Trader Joe’s sundried tomato chicken sausage, avocado, mushrooms and goat gouda
Balsamic roasted broccoli and mushrooms with parmesan, pan-seared tofu with hummus, harvest grains blend // Spinach salad with avocado, sugared pecans, carrots, feta and a tuna burger.
Feeling good and ready to make the second half of this week as productive and good as the first!
Do you maintain good nutrition and stick to your workouts when you are busy or stressed at work? What’s your strategy?
Meals looking good as usual! Great job getting all that CrossFit in! I think my nutrition usually stays about the same if I’m stressed or busy, I probably just end up ordering food instead of making it myself, but I still try to make healthy choices. I guess at that point it’s just not as good for my wallet 🙂
i have definitely been grabbing quite a few salads out. the whole foods salad/hot bar is a savior sometimes!
Like you, Jen, I definitely thrive off being busy; I’d rather have tasks to complete than nothing at all. However, once I pass that “happy level,” then it’s easy for things to go downhill. When I start to feel overwhelmed, it’s even more important to exercise and eat healthfully. Working out helps me destress, so I always make time–even if it means waking up super early!
I made your Mac and Cheese recipe from your Dec 29, 2012 post. If eating Mac and Cheese is good nutrition, then I maintained my good nutrition yesterday (and breakfast this morning). The Mac and Cheese was fabulous!! I try to stick to my workouts and good nutrition when I am stressed, but I think I am like the majority and slip occassionally (just for one day or so) from my goals.
that stuff is sinful! yummy! everyone has to splurge sometimes! 🙂
Look at all that green in your meals. 😀 I am usually pretty good about sticking to veggies and workouts when busy. The workouts ease my stress (most of the time)!
i’m trying girl! craving veggies and good stuff right now!
Having a clean and organized living space is huge for me. If my place is messy at all, I am a hundred times more stressed. I try to make working out a priority, especially when really busy, since it keeps me level-headed (but good eating habits often take a backseat since I will just eat for convenience).
i know! i made myself take 5 minutes before i left for work today to pick up and it makes all the difference in the world to leave with things clean and come home to it. i eat for convenience too try to do a lot of salad bar/whole foods trips to make it a little healthier.
I SO agree that keeping your spaces (both living and working) clean and organized is extra important during busy times. My mood and ability to deal with stress is very affected by the state of my surroundings.
As usual, your meals look delicious–and beautiful! Such a great balance of color, flavor, texture, and nutrients. Thanks to you, I’m actually eating a quinoa bowl right now as I type (not sure I ever would have tried it otherwise)!
Good luck with the rest of your week, and congratulations on starting to coach CrossFit!
hi paige! quinoa bowls are one of my favorite ways to mix a lot of random but nutritious stuff together. i have really been focusing on trying to eat a little cleaner lately and i’m feeling so good!
my first class went great yesterday!
I find that I thrive on my workouts and health when I’m busy with life. It keeps me sane, so I make sure to stay on top of it. I think all the sweating helps with my stress levels. I too have been focusing on sleep and also have been doing some serious clean up in my life. It feels SO GOOD! Look at those sexy legs! Rock it girllll…..
i agree, if i make time to workout when i am stressed it ALWAYS helps…even when i feel like there’s a million other things to do. i am working on the clean up too!
Good luck today coaching – you’ll do great! 🙂 I find that when I am super busy, I am much more organized and it is easier to get things done than when I am not super busy. I think that because you have less time, it makes you really prioritize items and be more efficient getting them done! I tend to eat a lot of fruit – like apples and clementines – and LUNA bars when I get busy, cause they are super easy to pack and eat!
hi kate! thanks, it went really great!
i am MUCH more productive and efficient when busy. i totally agree about the prioritization.
It’s so awesome that you’ll be teaching crossfit! Good luck! My trainer is a crossfitter and she had me do the first workout you posted (just 4 rounds, though, and Knees to Elbow instead of T2B) as part of my endurance workout last week AND my friend and new crossfitter in Sarasota, FL called me last night and described a very similar workout to the one you posted with 400M runs! It’s so fun to think that like-minded workouts are going on all over the country at the same time!
thanks mary! it went really well!
so cool that your trainer had you do that workout! it was a good one. i know, it’s cool to see all the different workouts and programs that everyone is doing!
I just deep cleaned my room and the kitchen. And I feel like a new woman-I can completely relate to your stressor comment. Also, my bed is ALWAYS made, because it looks tidier. Finish out the week strong!
im the same way! when my nutrition and fitness are strong – i feel strong. i’m totally using that WOD with the burpee box jumps for our friday “open gym” wod day. woot!
enjoy! it’s a good one. love those burpee box jumps! 🙂
I am also the kind of person that thrives on being busy and eating well and maintaining my exercise routine is really what gets me through it!! When I miss a workout, or have a day full of junk-eating…I just don’t perform well. Good luck coaching your first Crossfit class!
Jen, tried my first CrossFit class yesterday. The work out was 11 minutes long and practically killed me! I am beyond sore and fatigued today! Thanks for inspiring me to try something new. It’s just what I needed. 🙂
emily – that’s so awesome! congrats on making it through! it’s CRAZY how an 11 minute workout can totally kill you, right? high intensity training is pretty awesome.
so glad you tried it out! 🙂