By Rochelle Hanson

Trying to make healthy lifestyle changes? Good. So am I. Although you may have good intentions, there are two obstacles that can easily get in the way. The first is time. The second is money. If you’re anything like me, you could probably use a little more of both. The only way to break bad habits and start seeing some real progress in your journey is to stop making excuses for yourself. Valid or not, these excuses are getting in the way of your success. If you need more time and money, don’t let this stop you from pursuing health. Follow the practical tips below.

How to save time and money on your journey to health and wellness.

1. Don’t believe the hype.

Health and wellness is a very popular trend. Every day there are new packaged shakes, smoothies, and and so called super foods introduced to the market. Be an educated consumer. Don’t just buy something because the person selling it says it is good. Only take advice from people that you trust. If someone is constantly trying to sell you something, they may or they may not be telling you the truth. Be logical and balanced in your approach to health. Before you spend money trying out a new diet that promises extreme weight loss, ask yourself, is this something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life? If the answer is no, then it’s probably a good idea to save the cash and move on.

2. Eat real food.

A novel idea, isn’t it? Surprisingly a lot of people have forgotten what real food actually is. Summer is here! This is the perfect time to get reacquainted with fresh fruits and veggies. Go to your local farmer’s market. Save some money on produce. Go strawberry picking with your family. Being healthy can be a lot of fun! Forget about the food that comes out of a box, a bag, or a can. Most of us buy these foods out of habit, or because we think these foods will save us time and money. If that were the case, ask yourself, why do I still not have enough time to prepare meals? And why do i still find myself having to eat out for lunch? Perhaps the issue on saving time has little to do with the food we choose to buy, as that is still sitting in the cupboard. Perhaps the issue has more to do with the way we choose to organize our lives.

3. Be prepared

Most people who want to be healthy will choose a healthy option if it is readily available. Why not make things easy on yourself? Choose one day a week to prepare staple foods that you can use all week long. On any given Sunday, you’ll find me in the kitchen making dips, spreads, chopping veggie sticks, and making coconut squares so that I don’t have to worry about snacks during the week. If you need some simple recipe ideas, feel free to join my group on Facebook, Rochelle Hanson Wellness. When you bring your food home from the grocery store set aside the time to pre wash it before you put it away. Making a salad or smoothie is simple if you take the time to prepare beforehand. When it comes to making lunch, be disciplined. Make it at night. When the morning comes, you’ll be so glad you did.

It’s time to face the facts. You can lead a healthy lifestyle if you choose to lead a healthy lifestyle. Don’t use the lack of time as an excuse. Shift your priorities. Everyone has the same 24hrs in a day. What you do with that time is entirely up to you. When it comes to money, remember that Summer is the best time to save on healthy foods. There is an abundance of it right now. Take advantage of that. You may even want to buy more than you need and freeze some of it for the winter. Be prepared, eat real food, and don’t believe the hype. Here’s to your health and wellness.

Rochelle Hanson is a freelance writer and natural health enthusiast, offering practical tips on natural health and wellness. To connect with Rochelle, join her on Facebook, or spend time on her blog at SimplyNaturalIdeas.com

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