HOLIDAY FITNESS TIP

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HOLIDAY FITNESS TIP
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Even if you fall completely off the wagon, don't beat yourself up. All you
have to do is get right back on your program without missing another beat.

Too many people mess up once and then think their entire diet is ruined.
They feel as if everything they've done prior to that day was wasted and
there's no sense going on.

Or even worse, they rationalize to themselves, "Well, I already cheated,
so it doesn't matter now, I might as well keep pigging out."

That's nonsense. If you threw in the towel every time you didn't score
100% on your diet, most people would never get through more than a
few days on any structured program.

Just because you mess up once doesn't mean you should quit! You're
only human. Don't let one small slip keep you derailed.

When you've strayed from the plan, enjoy it, don't let guilt and
discouragement get you down. Firmly plant your wheels back on the
tracks and start rolling again. Deal?

Here's my suggested plan for any upcoming holiday social gatherings:

a.) be a little more active and have a little bit smaller portions the day
prior and all the way up to your special meal.

b.) make simple, healthier changes to the foods you love, so that you can
enjoy the meal, but in modified, healthier versions.

c.) eat until comfortably full and satisfied, not stuffed.

d.) get right back on track the very next morning.

If you plan these 4 steps a head of time and have the right mindset going
into it, you can really enjoy your special meal without sabotaging your
progress.


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MOTIVATION
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Do it anyway

You can always find a good excuse not to take action. But what would you
rather have -- good excuses or the real, satisfying fruits of achievement?
There is always some person or some circumstance you can blame when you
fail to live up to your possibilities. But what good will that do you?

The next time you find yourself looking for a good excuse, stop and ask
yourself why. Keeping up appearances is easy. All it gets you, though, is a
good superficial appearance. Wouldn't you rather go for real substance?

There are many very good, very understandable reasons why you cannot be the
best you can be. Pay them no heed. Make the commitment to succeed in spite
of the excuses, rather than to fail because of them. It's your choice.

There are plenty of things to stop you. Go ahead and do it anyway. Instead
of amassing a large collection of excuses, build yourself a life that's rich
in meaning and accomplishment.


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HEALTHY RECIPE
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Turkey Stew

Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless turkey breasts
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 8 whole mushrooms, sliced
- 1 celery stalk, sliced

Directions:
a. Rinse and cut all visible fat off of turkey. Cut turkey into bite-size
pieces.
b. Coat a skillet with nonstick cooking spray (nonfat), and preheat over
medium heat. Add meat, and cook each side for 2-3 minutes.
c. Stir tomato sauce, water, pepper, herbs, bouillon granules, and
Worcestershire sauce into turkey, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat
to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes.
d. Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, mushrooms, and celery to the meat.
Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes.


Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 1/2 cup
Calories: 265
Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg
Protein: 25 g
Carbs: 37 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sodium: 455 mg