Let's be real, trying to stay fit and healthy when your a busy woman can be super-tricky, and most of the time we don't even know where to begin.
Early starts and late nights can sometimes mean all health goals go out the window – but it doesn't have to be the daunting task you think it is; it can actually be really easy.
We caught up with fitness and nutrition expert Paul Byrne at Balfes where he was launching the new healthy breakfast menu, and he broke down the ins and outs of the working woman staying healthy.
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare
It's really important to plan and prepare what to eat everyday. Paul suggests making your lunch and breakfast the night before, so you will waste no time in the morning.
"It can be as simple as preparing your lunch the evening before. Or making porridge in the morning takes the same amount of time as making toast. It's just about choosing the healthy option that suits your lifestyle."
And if you are rushing every morning, you can have something small when you leave the house and then eat more later.
"The whole point of breakfast is breaking your fast, so have a juice before you run out of the house in the morning, and then around 11am, have your porridge or have your eggs."
2. Don't trick your body
Most of us will grab the easiest thing in the morning, like a bowl of cereal or bread, but Paul warned us against it, as it can play games with your body.
"A bowl of cereal could have about seven or eight spoonfuls of sugar in it. You might think this is grand and healthy, but sugar just makes your body crash within an hour or two and then you're back to square one."
Instead, having a bag of unsalted nuts in your handbag can give you a major boost and keep you sustained between meals.
3. Build up your fitness
As we all know, every new year we make promises to ourselves that we will work out everyday and cut out ALL the bad stuff, but Paul suggests to keep it in moderation, especially when you're only starting.
"There's no point going to the gym five or six days a week when you're only starting out. You need to start of slow and work it up; so, maybe begin with two days a week, and work up to three days and so on."
And the same goes with food: "If you begin to eat a carrot for lunch everyday, you're going to get sick of it very quickly. Let yourself have cheat days, let yourself have that glass of wine on Saturday night. You should never deprive your body of anything."
4. Don't fall for myths
You will often see on TV and on the Internet, myths about being healthy, but Paul says that most of it is made up, and always stick to what works for you and only you.
"A couple of years ago there was a myth about the yellow of the egg being really bad for you. It's not at all. Myths like this can completely ruin diets and give people unachievable goals. Just stick to the basics and you will be fine."
Healthy breakfast and lunch dishes are available at Balfes Restaurant, The Westbury Hotel.
