Whether you are a family of one or a family of five, and whether you work outside the home or from it, everyone is always trying to achieve a healthy balance between eating well, finding play time and enjoying a fulfilling, well-rounded lifestyle.

The YMCA of the Triangle is here to help.

Eat

Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you start out the day with a healthy meal, chances are good you will continue to eat well throughout the day too.

Unfortunately, for most people, eating a healthy breakfast is often a challenge. Whether you are trying to herd children and spouses out the door, avoid rush-hour traffic or simply resist the urge to stop for a latte and a scone because you’re already late, the well-balanced breakfast idea often gets left behind.The best remedy may be preparing for breakfast the night before. Plan what you will eat for breakfast and get it ready. Set the table with bowls, spoons and even the cereal boxes. Program the coffee maker, set the coffee mugs on the counter. Set a bowl of ready to go fruit near the door to grab as you leave. If scrambled eggs are your breakfast, crack the eggs, add the ingredients and cover the bowl in the fridge until morning. Place the frying pan on the stove.

Quick breakfast ideas include:
• Whole grain toast with peanut butter or low-fat cheese
• Hard boiled eggs (boil eggs ahead of time)
• Yogurt with fruit or low-fat granola
• Frozen waffles with fresh fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries or apples (slice fruit ahead of time)
• Tall glass of low-fat milk

If you have a long commute, you might want to stock up on cereal bars, canned fruit and instant oatmeal for your office. After an early quick, light breakfast, you may be ready for a mid-morning snack. Any of the above ideas would hold you over until lunch.

Play

Get out and play.

Too often we view exercise as a chore, as something we are told to do, so we do it (sometimes unwillingly) until we can find a reasonable enough excuse. Worry less about exercising and try to just move more.

• Get out during the day and take a brisk walk. Your brain and your legs will thank you.
• Buy a jump rope and move during the commercials of your nighttime television show. (See, not having TiVo can be a good thing.)
• Chase your children around the living room or the playground. Remember tag? Teach it to your kids.
• Walk your dog.
• Take the stairs.
• Park your car as far away as possible at the mall or the grocery store.
• Call your best friend and, instead of meeting for dinner, meet for a walk.

Live

What is important to you? What is important to your family? While there is no magic key to happiness, making time for the important things, whatever those things are, will ultimately help. Individuals and families seem to suffer from over-commitments, so now is a good time to decide the important activities and the ones you and your family can cut from your schedule. If soccer, piano and ballet, leave your children coming home late and tired, consider dropping an activity and perhaps resuming it next year. When church, school and volunteer commitments leave you feeling drained instead of motivated and happy, consider cutting back on those too.

The YMCA of the Triangle has hundreds of ways to help you enjoy a healthy lifestyle and find a balance between work, family, life and play. Stop any of our branches for a tour and see how our programs can help you find a healthy balance.