With the recent events causing Americans to stay at home more than ever before it’s important to not lose sight of your health goals.  These new, forced routines can make you feel uneasy about how to eat healthfully, stay active, and the keep balance in your home life. What can you do to keep focused and on track with good nutrition until your life returns?  Follow these five tips for losing weight while being confined to your home.

1. Make a schedule.  Even if you aren’t working or you are not up getting the kids off to school, still try to establish a routine.  Make a list of what you need to accomplish each day and schedule in adequate time for them to take shape. Your morning could be as simple as a time to wake, a breakfast time, study time, morning walk time, followed by chores.  If you are going to be home for an extended period of time you can keep everyone in your household on track by initiating and posting this new schedule.  
2. Plan your meals.  If groceries are limited in your area or you are unable to pick up any new items it will be important that you focus on portions and nutrition quality. Small portions of lean meats mixed with rices, beans, vegetables and/or pastas can go along way for your family.  A quick breakfast could be one egg, 1 slice of toast, with 1 small banana.  Oats are also great for these times since they are shelf stable and make many servings per container.  Look for color on your plate with fruit and vegetable options you have available, even in canned and frozen versions.  
3. Stay well hydrated.  Don't let your body trick you in to thinking you are hungry, when really it is water that your body needs.   A minimum of 8 (8 oz.) glasses is a good start for keeping hydrated each day. Try hot tea or brewed and chilled teas that you can keep in a pot or pitcher for the day.  
4. Get your steps in. Even at home if you have a tracking device to measure your activity don’t forget to put it on. You can then see how active you are around the house.  You can then determine what you will need to do to meet your activity goal for the rest of the day.  Don’t forget to get some activity for those kiddos too! A family walk with fresh air can really mix up your day and benefit all.
5. Keep healthy snacks available.  Apples, oranges, canned fruit in juice, cut up vegetables, whole grain crackers, string cheese, and nuts to name a few will help you stay within your daily calorie budget. Having healthy snacks ready for consumption and in view can help with making choices when hunger strikes.

A new routine is not always easy but with a few simple steps you can get ahead of possible disaster and keep your weight loss and healthy eating  a priority.  You can do this!  Don’t give up and remember to take it one step at a time.

For more information on weight loss programs in Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE visit WeightLossNebraska.com.