Since starting my new job, which means commuting to London 5 times a week I’ve had to rethink a lot of things in my routine. Early mornings to get my train or miss the traffic on the motorway if I decide to drive in and getting home later means that I can’t fit my usual morning workouts in. Also, I really don’t fancy cooking a main meal after 8 pm.
Over the past few months I think I have finally figured out how to still enjoy healthy food without resorting to take-away diners every night and maintain a substantial fitness routine. I think what it mainly comes down to is planning and thinking ahead. Here I thought that I would share some of my tips that have really helped my commuting lifestyle that bit more bearable.
1. Make use of the fridge!
If you are lucky enough to have a well-equipped fridge at work then stock it with some healthy breakfast foods like berries and Greek yoghurt. Add some granola and you have a simple but tasty breakfast. It can save you bundles of time eating breakfast at work and it also means that you will not be tempted by those pastries at the coffee stands at the train station.
The same can be said for lunches too. I’ve often got a pot of hummus in the fridge and a big box of salad/raw veggies and cooked turkey breasts. I buy these or bring them to work with me at the start of the week. Not only will it save you money by not buying lunch out it can take out the stress of preparing lunch for work and lugging it about on the train.
2. Stock up your desk drawer with snacks
My snack drawer is my Saving Grace when I get the munchies at work. It usually includes things like green tea, nuts, Ryvita crackers, Nakd bars, dates, popcorn an a pack of cereal. Commuting with a heavy bag isn’t ideal, so having healthy snacks already in the office means that you can travel in comfort and with a piece of mind that you snack times are sorted.
3. Prepare your meals the night before
This is something that I struggled to adhere by, but it really is a big deal when you have little time to get ready in the mornings. If you are taking your lunches to work preparing them the night before can mean an extra 10-20 minutes in bed. And I don’t know about you other commuters out there but I value my sleep even more these days.
4. Lay out your outfits for the week at the weekend or night before
With all of these tips it really just boils down to being organised. Sorting out your clothes for the week at the evening doesn’t really take that long. If that doesn’t suit you then sort them out the night before. If you are indecisive when it comes to what to wear like me then this can really combat that issue and save you some precious time in the morning.
5. Have a cook up session at the weekend
Cooking up huge batches of food at the weekend to stock up the freezer/fridge isn’t a new one for me. Spending a couple of hours in the kitchen cooking up some of your favourite meals can make the working week more relaxed and you can enjoying more time relaxing rather than slaving in the kitchen. What has really helped me is my slow cooker, it’s lovely letting a machine do all of the hard work for you. For some cooking inspiration please check out my recipe page.
6. Get plenty of sleep
I guess this really is a no-brainer, but getting plenty of rest can really make a difference to your mood and performance at work. The commuting life can be tiring and I find an early night means that I can give it my all at work.
Everyone has there on way of dealing with the commuting lifestyle and I have to admit I do miss the short drive to my old job. However, my new jobs is a millions times better and something that is worth the extra effort and time for. The commuting lifestyle can be difficult but can be made easier with a few changes to your regular routine.
Do you have a long commute to work? How do you cope?
Do you have any useful tips for other commuters?
Hey Jemma-
Your last post [Life of a Commuter] was freaking awesome. I have gone ahead and added your stuff to my Feedly account. Please keep me updated if you post anywhere else.
Keep rocking –
Jon
Aww thanks Jonathan! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Love your tip about setting yourself up for success by heaving healthy options available in the fridge or drawers! At the moment I’m not commuting, but when my college starts up again I’ll be having early mornings and the temptation of greasy and unhealthy food around me 24/7.
Thanks for the tips love, great post 🙂
Also, weird but fun side note: I used to read your blog religiously before I started my own, but a couple of months ago I got a new computer and it erased all my blog links so I forgot the url for yours! So glad to have found you again girlie 🙂
I’m glad that you found my little blog again! 🙂
drawer not “draw”
Thanks 🙂
I don’t commute, but I do leave at about 7.30am each morning and I like to be organised. I always make my breakfast and lunch the night before, and get my clothes ready.
It’s better to be prepared like that to make the mornings easier 🙂
Your packed lunches look so good!
Thanks for these tips, Jemma – I recently moved much farther away from where I used to live, which makes my commute a 45 minute train ride as opposed to a 20 minute walk! This is a great reminder, and I find that preparing everything the night before (even breakfast!) makes a huge difference.
I also like to have something to do or think about during the commute so as not to drive myself crazy – music, a book, writing, or even just meditation. But I like to plan.
Great post, I think you are bang on about being organised being the key. Even though I don’t have a long commute and work from home some days, I work so many hours I need to be organised just to be able to get stuff done!
Oh I feel you with the commute! I’m lucky in that I just drive and don’t have to worry about how much I take with me in the car, but it’s still an hour each way and it really sucks. I make my lunches the night before and have to get up very early if I want to run. But it’s mangeable and I don’t mind so much as I do love my job.
Good tips!
can you share us your schedule? from the time you wake up to sleep, weekdays and weekends, i just want to have an idea how you manage your time :)))
Love this post! I definitely agree with making your lunch the night before – I don’t if I’m having sandwiches, but if I’m having a mixed tub of things from the fridge I throw those together and then add things like lettuce or grated carrot in the morning. Having breakfast waiting for you at work is always a great idea!
I defo apply all these tips to make my run commute smoother. At the end of the week I always need to remember to take a bigger bag to bring all my accumulated tupperware back home lol.