The Secret to Staying Healthy When Life Gets Crazy
My youngest son is a senior in high school, and basketball season is just about to start.
If you’ve ever had a kid in sports, you know what that means: unpredictable schedules, late-night games, and the “what’s-for-dinner” scramble that sneaks up right when everyone’s tired and hungry.
It’s a season I absolutely love — cheering from the bleachers, watching him play, soaking up these last precious moments before he leaves home. But it’s also a season that could easily throw my healthy routines right out the window if I let it.
That’s the thing about busy seasons — they have a way of testing your consistency. You want to stay grounded in your habits, but the reality of carpooling, packed evenings, and limited time can make even simple goals feel impossible.
So instead of fighting the chaos, I’ve learned to plan for it.
And if you’re heading into your own “basketball season” — whether it’s sports, the holidays, caring for aging parents, or just life being extra full — I want to show you what that looks like in real life.
Because staying on track isn’t about perfection. It’s about building systems that work for your life, not against it.
1️⃣ Simplify Dinners — Remove the Pressure to Be “Creative”
In seasons like this, I simplify.
This is not the time for complicated Pinterest recipes with 17 ingredients. This is the time for realistic, repeatable, nourishing meals that don’t leave you exhausted.
My formula?
Protein + veggie + carb.
That’s it.
A few of my go-tos:
Grilled chicken thighs, roasted potatoes, and a frozen veggie mix.
Sheet-pan salmon with sweet potatoes and green beans.
Crockpot shredded beef with rice and broccoli.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s satisfying, balanced, and fast — and it keeps me (and my family) fueled without the mental load of “what’s for dinner?” panic.
When you know your base ingredients and your family’s favorites, dinner becomes a simple equation, not a daily guessing game.
If you’re not sure where to start, Harvard Health has a great guide on building a balanced plate that makes meal planning so much simpler.
2️⃣ Double Up When You Can — Future You Will Thank You
One of my favorite hacks during busy times: make extra on purpose.
If I’m grilling chicken, I’ll double the batch. If I’m chopping veggies, I’ll set aside half for tomorrow.
Because the truth is, the hardest part of eating well isn’t the actual cooking — it’s the decision fatigue.
Every choice we make throughout the day (what to wear, what to do next, what to eat) drains a little bit of energy. By the time you hit 7 p.m. after a long workday, that energy tank is empty.
Having food already prepped gives you one less decision to make.
Tomorrow’s lunch? Done.
Tomorrow’s dinner? Halfway there.
And if you ever feel like meal prepping sounds overwhelming, just remind yourself: you don’t have to do it “Instagram-style.” A couple of doubled-up proteins, some pre-cooked grains, and a few washed veggies can save you hours — and help you stick to your nutrition goals without the stress.
3️⃣ Keep Backup Options Ready — Because Life Happens
There are nights when I fully intend to cook, but life has other plans.
A game runs late. Traffic’s bad. My son’s team decides to go out for pizza after a win.
That’s why I keep Plan B meals on standby — and honestly, I think of them as part of my Plan A.
Some of my go-to backups:
Pre-cooked grilled chicken strips
Frozen stir-fry veggies
Protein shakes or smoothies
Ready-to-heat grain packets (like brown rice or quinoa)
Tuna packets or hard-boiled eggs
These aren’t glamorous, but they’re quick, balanced, and satisfying — and they keep me from hitting the drive-thru out of desperation.
According to the Mayo Clinic, meal prep and healthy convenience foods are one of the simplest ways to improve nutrition consistency. Having those backups removes guilt and replaces it with peace of mind.
4️⃣ Adjust Expectations — “Good Enough” Still Counts
Here’s something that took me years to learn:
It doesn’t have to be perfect to be intentional.
Some nights, dinner looks like everyone grabbing something at different times. Sometimes I eat in the car or while watching warm-ups at the gym.
And that’s okay.
You don’t have to hit your macros perfectly every single day. You don’t have to log every bite or cook every meal from scratch.
What matters most is that you stay connected to your intentions. That you remember why you’re doing this — to feel good, have energy, and live a life you love.
So instead of aiming for perfection, aim for presence.
Eat mindfully, even if it’s fast.
Choose balance, even if it’s not exact.
Show yourself grace, especially when life is full.
Your health journey isn’t measured in perfect days — it’s built on consistent effort over time.
5️⃣ Stay Flexible — but Keep Your Anchors
Even when life feels chaotic, I try to keep a few non-negotiable habits.
These are my anchors — the things that help me feel grounded no matter what’s happening:
Getting enough protein each day
Drinking plenty of water
Prioritizing sleep (even if it’s not perfect)
Moving my body in some way
When everything else feels unpredictable, these simple habits keep me steady. They remind me that I’m still showing up for myself, even when life is moving fast.
If you’re in your own busy season, think about what your anchors might be. What 2–3 habits make the biggest difference in how you feel? Hold onto those, and let the rest ebb and flow as needed.
6️⃣ Embrace the Season You’re In
This season — with all its chaos, late-night games, and quick dinners — won’t last forever.
One day, my son won’t be walking in with his basketball gear. The bleachers will be empty, and I’ll have more time (and quiet) than I probably want.
So I’ve learned to embrace this season for what it is: full, messy, meaningful.
If you’re in a season like this, remember — you don’t need perfect routines to stay healthy. You just need intention, flexibility, and grace for yourself.
Because the truth is, your strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be doable.
You can’t control your schedule, but you can control your strategy.
You can’t slow time, but you can stay present.
And you can keep your priorities without losing your peace.
So, whether your “basketball season” looks like a hectic work project, travel, caring for family, or navigating the holidays — remember this:
You don’t have to choose between your goals and your life. You can live both.
Your Turn: What Does Your Busy Season Look Like?
I’d love to know what your current season looks like — and what feels hardest for you to manage.
Send me a message and tell me:
What throws your routines off most?
What’s one small change that could make your days easier?
I might just share a few of my favorite time-saving and meal-prepping strategies in an upcoming post — because we’re all figuring this out together.
And if you need help creating a plan that fits your life (not the other way around), I’d love to help you do just that.
Contact me here, or set up a free consultation call and let's talk. I'm here for you in all your busy seasons. ❤️
Cheering for you from the bleachers,
Christi
