A lot of people assume that to have a great body, you have to spend a lot of time working out, prepping food, eating food, etc. This is just not the case. Yes, a certain element of planning and preparation needs to go into it, and yes, you may need to spend some time to make some time, but you can save yourself heaps of it, simply by being prepared and thinking ahead… And by implementing some of the following tips: Tip #1: Make a shopping list: Don’t just go to the shops and wander around, waiting for inspiration to hit. Make a list of recipes and ingredients before you go to the shops so that you can get in and out efficiently.nTip #2: Make shopping with kids easy: Ensure the kids are fed before you head out! Having children pull you in twenty different directions when you are at the shops because they are hungry can add stacks of time to your outing.nTip #3: Time your shop and do it all at once: I like to avoid my shopping centre between 3 and 6pm (the after school/after work time) and on Saturdays and Sundays. I’m lucky that I can go during the day or first thing on a Saturday/Sunday morning, when most people are at work or in bed. Getting up early to spend less time in the supermarket is something that I’m happy to do! Plus, by doing 1 shop per week/fortnight, you can cut down on travel time. Tip #4: Chop all your veggies up at once: As soon as you get home from shopping, chop all of your veggies up. That way, when you are cooking throughout the week, you can simply throw the veggies in and reduce your cooking time. Tip #5: Cook all of your meals at once: Get all of your cooking done at the same time so that you can simply grab meals out of your fridge/freezer throughout the week and reheat them. I know I don’t like getting home at the end of a long day, only to find I have to spend the next half hour preparing a meal. Tip #6: Clean as you go: Why leave the mess to clean up at the end of your cook, when you can do it as you go? Something that I do is after I’ve finished chopping the veggies and the meal is actually cooking in the pan, I wash the knife, the cutting board, and other items I’ve already used, so that it’s really just the pan and wooden spoon that I have to clean at the end. Tip #7: Embrace your slow cooker! I LOVE MY SLOW COOKER! It’s so easy; just throw in some meat and herbs, and 6 hours later you have the perfect protein source, without spending the time over the stove to cook it. It saves so much time! Tip #8: Split your protein portions up: Having the correct amount of protein ready to go saves you weighing or wondering if you have the correct amount in your meals throughout the week. And now for some tips to make your exercise life that little bit easier…nTip #9: Plan your workouts: Put your workouts in your diary at the beginning of the week so they don’t get missed and so that you can plan ahead for them. Tip #10: Follow the MP protocols for your workouts: FIRE workouts shouldn’t take any longer than 45 minutes and you can get your ICE workouts done in just 30 minutes! No need to spend hours sweating it out in the gym! Tip #11: Pack your workout gear the night before. Having your gym bag packed will save you running around in the morning trying to find clothes, or if you are working out in the morning, have your clothes laid out ready to get into them straight away. Tip #12: Replace your pre and post workout supplements after you use them. After you get home from your workout and have finished using your supplements for the day, restock them in your gym bag for the next time you need them, along with a fresh protein shaker. So there you have it. Some simple tips that you can use to make your life that little bit easier, giving you more time to do the fun stuff! Can you think of any more? For more tips and tools for how to make healthy living a breeze, check out our Online Nutrition Program! It’s full of easy-to-implement strategies that will help you to create a body you can be proud of, in less time that you thought! Plus, get started now and take advantage of our Early Bird Offer!