Wouldn't it be nice to have every day one of those perfect days? You know, the kind of day that includes peaceful walks, a great workout, playful hours with the kids, and healthy, delicious food at each meal-all the good stuff, in other words.

Unfortunately, that is far from reality for most. Most of us spend our days at meetings, shuffling kids to and from school (and soccer practice, ballet, and baseball too) and hoping to have a chance to actually sit down for a meal. 

Finding time to work out and cook healthy meals is easily pushed to the wayside in our ordinary, busy lives. But sneaking it in, isn't impossible. 

Here are some top 8 everyday tips for busy people. 

DRINK WATER 

 We have all heard this before, but how many of us actually do it? Drink a big glass of water upon waking in the morning, and then keep a bottle throughout the day. By having water on hand, you'll be more likely to skip soda other sugary beverages, which saves a ton of calories. 

PLAN AHEAD 

On Sundays,  (or a day that works for you) schedule  an hour or two prepping some easy snacks and meals to get you and your family through the week. While it may seem like along time, it will save you many hours during the week. And it will help you and your family avoid take-out. 

Just prepping the basics will save you a ton of time. Try cooking or grilling a bunch of chicken breasts, chopping assorted fruits and veggies so they're ready to be cooked or snacked on. 

It's also a good idea to portion out small baggies of nuts and trail mix so that you always have healthy snacks ready, too. 

SPREAD IT OUT

While you should aim to get a workout in a few days per week, sometimes it isn't possible. On days when you dont have an hour to go to the gym ,make sure you move more throughout the day. You can play with your kids, take the stairs, and walking instead of driving to close-by errands. 

To get your strength moves in, do squats in the shower or while boiling water, lunge from room to room instead of walking, and do tricep dips on the coach during a show. These little things will add up quickly and help you stay on track with your exercise. 

READ ABOUT HEALTH 

Looking for some quick motivation? Whether by scrolling through social media, scanning health news, or even keeping a motivating book on your nightstand, reading about health and fitness can help keep you staying motivated and make better decisions. 

SLEEP! 

Sleep is another one we hear often, but many do not enforce it. Being tired raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and this boost has been associated with overeating. Set a bedtime for yourself and do the absolute best to stick with it. You'll notice an improvement in not only your decision-making, but your patience, workouts, and overall quality of life. 

CARRY SNACKS 

Remeber those portiones trail mixes? Bring them with you everywhere. By eating every few hours, it will help ward off the intense cravings for junk food. Try keeping a few snacks in your purse or car, so you always have them onhand. 

TAKE A MINI BREAK

While it can be hard some days, sometimes taking a 5 minute step outside to get some fresh air and take a few deep breaths is all you need to help regroup. If you can, try and take a 10-15 minute walk to clear your head. 

DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP

Bottom line,  no one is perfect! Perfect isn't possible. The healthiest people are those that have found balance. If you find yourself sneaking in the pantry to grab a handleful of chocolate chips, or some other non-healthy snack, don't beat yourself up.  Enjoy the snack, and think about how you could have handled things differently next time.  Life is too short to dwell on these small instances. Enjoy the chocolate and move on.