Hey guys! I’m popping back in today to share a few small changes I implemented last week, when I started my new job, that helped tremendously with the transition.

As you can imagine, with a new job comes a multitude of changes – my commute is different, the work is different, and my hours are different! Also, no longer having salad club or the chance to go to the gym at lunch are big changes. 🙁

I have to admit: my life was SO simple before! Work was 10 minutes away and I actually only went into the office 4 days a week… I didn’t have to think about lunch (salad club) or plan workouts (personal trainer)… you could definitely say I was spoiled!

But just because things have changed, I can’t let my healthy habits fall to the wayside. In fact, I think being healthy is even more important now more than ever before! I need more sleep because I get up earlier, I need to eat better foods to give me energy because I’m busier throughout the day, and I have to be more determined and deliberate to get my workouts in!

Something else I’ve noticed: when I have to be organized and prepared is really the only time I am organized and prepared! With that said, these 3 small changes have had a big impact in my life this week, and I wanted to share them because I think they might help you too!

1.) Laying out my clothes the night before.

I LOVE THIS! I’ve always thought about doing it, but never actually did, until recently, because I have to wake up so much earlier. I love not having to think about what to wear in the morning! It makes getting ready quick and easy, and I’ve been dressing a lot better too! No more trying on 3 or 4 different things in the morning, and throwing clothes all over the bed. I figure it all out the night before and it only takes about 5 minutes.

2.) Prepping Food on Sundays.

Again, I’ve wanted to do this for awhile, but it took me having to do it to actually start! Now that I don’t have the convenience of salad club, I have to figure out lunch ahead of time. I don’t want to eat processed, store-bought foods, so that means I have to meal prep on Sunday.

Last week I made PaleOMG’s Tex Mex casserole, divided it into containers, and ate it throughout the week. I switched up snacks day-to-day so that I didn’t get bored or feel like I was eating the same thing all the time, and it worked out great! This week I prepped a big batch of butternut squash-apple soup for the week.

3.) Shopping on Sundays, too!

We recently implemented a budget to help us save for a house and we’ve had to significantly cut back on the amount of money we spend on food. The new plan only provides $50 a week for groceries! It’s really hard to stay within $50 when I go grocery shopping because I love trying new products and recipes, and I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to food, but I’m already seeing the benefit of scaling back and just shopping once a week! We’re actually eating the food we buy now, and prepping is so much easier because I’m only thinking about the week ahead!

This week, for instance, I’m going to happy hour on Tuesday and then to a friend’s house on Wednesday for dinner so, I don’t need to prep as much! My husband requested oranges, raisin bran, and overnight oats so I was able to get the things he wanted, and splurge on snacks for me (I love these vegetable root chips).

All of these changes are incredibly small, but they’re make a HUGE difference in my week.

And, just because it feels like there’s no good pictures in this post, here is some puppy cuteness to make your Monday a little brighter! 🙂

Isn’t he cute?

Do you lay out your clothes the night before? 

Do you grocery shop weekly or less often?