Isn’t difficult to find the time to take care of yourself when you have a hectic lifestyle?

There never seems to be enough hours in the day to do even the most urgent tasks, let alone fitting in ways to look hot and stay fit on a busy schedule. Here are some easy ways to do just that.

Firstly, take the time to work out just how you want to look. What is your ideal weight? Do you want good general fitness or do you want to be able to play sport or run marathons? Do you need to look well groomed at all times, for your job or lifestyle or can you take a more casual approach?

When making these decisions, be realistic. It’s Ok to be a pound or two either side of your ideal weight. Being fit for life is very different to being fit for sport and takes less time. Lovely long nails might be a great look but if you’ve got small children or do physical work with your hands, they may not be realistic for you all the time.

If you need to lose some weight, start by replacing one or two unhealthy foods with healthier ones for a week or two, then move on to another unhealthy part of your diet. Fad diets don’t work and some are even dangerous, so avoid them. Aim for gradual weight loss by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, including protein with every meal and snack, drinking plenty of plain water and getting a little exercise every day. If you have a lot of weight to lose, maybe consult a weight-loss specialist to help you.

Snacking and missing meals lead to weight gain and lack of fitness and concentration. Try to have 5 or 6 smaller meals or snacks a day rather than 3 big meals. This keeps your metabolism pumping and you’ll feel less hungry. The best meals and snacks are those you make at home because you can control what goes into them. I know you’re busy, but cooking at home is really beneficial for you and your family, on many levels, so try and rearrange your schedule to fit this in as often as you can. Get the whole family involved in meal preparation. Take leftovers for your lunch at work or throw a salad together in the morning. Snack on fruit, nuts, yogurt and smoothies to get extra protein, which keeps your metabolism burning fat throughout the day.

As well as managing your weight, you need to be physically fit to look hot. Flabby, soft bodies really won’t cut it. It isn’t necessary to go to a gym and get all hot and sweaty, unless you like that sort of thing. It used to be believed that for exercise to be of any benefit, it had to be done in blocks of at least 30 to 45 minutes. However, new research has shown that smaller amounts of exercise, done through the day, are just as effective and certainly easier for many people to fit into their busy schedules.

So, set the alarm 15 or 30 minutes earlier and go for a walk or jog around your neighborhood. Fit in a weekly spin or dance class straight after work for fun and fitness. Park the car a couple of blocks away from work and walk the rest of the way. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take your lunch outside and walk for 20 to 30 minutes instead of sitting at your desk – you’ll find that you return to work with a clearer head and are more productive in the afternoon. Get up from your desk every hour and walk around for a few minutes. Learn some basic isometric exercise you can do while sitting and working and burn some fat without anyone knowing. When sitting in front of TV at night, do some simple abdominal exercises to strengthen your core and tighten your tummy. Do a 10 minute exercise routine before getting into bed. On the weekends, plan a family day cycling, swimming or hiking.

Rightly or wrongly, people judge us on how we look. If you want to look hot, you need to attend to more than just the shape of your body and the length of your skirt. Good grooming is important but doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Skin, hair, nails, hands and feet are all important.

I don’t know about you, but if my hair looks good, I feel good. Go to a good hairstylist at a reputable salon and discuss your lifestyle and appearance with them; ask for advice on how to get a style that suits you and is easy to look after. Regular light trims will keep your style looking good and help you look hot. Get professional advice on keeping your skin looking healthy and applying makeup.

Go through your closet and throw out any garments that you no longer wear or that you don’t feel good in. Instead of having a closet full of individual pieces, go for ‘stories’ and try to have at least three other garments that each piece goes with. This makes getting dressed in the morning much quicker and simpler, saving you precious time. If you are not confident about your dressing style, consult a fashion stylist to learn what suits you and what you look good in. This makes clothes shopping so much easier, faster and cheaper as you know what to look for and what to avoid.

These tips show how you can look hot and stay fit on a busy schedule. It’s a matter of prioritizing and making sure that looking after yourself comes high up on your list of priorities. Look for creative ways to fit in that extra bit of exercise, to swap unhealthy foods for healthy and to simplify your grooming regime and you will be well on your way.