Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Amy: Week Eight - Getting Inspired


One of the many things I love about Weight Watchers is that you don't have to look very far to be inspired by someone who has been there, done that. There is a woman in my weekly meeting that has lost 93 pounds. WOW. My leader has lost 40 pounds. WOW. The woman I sit next to has lost 65 pounds. WOW. WOW. WOW.

In those meetings, I'm at my best. I'm hearing what I need to hear, feeding off other's resolve and stroking my own ego a bit as I share my success to date.

The problem is maintaining the inspiration and motivation - the mojo - in the six days ahead.

Staying focused and on track, finding my mojo, is as important as my walks and counting points. And it's clear that Mo's been on vacation this week. It's not easy to always possess that "go get 'em"-ness is it? And it's not just about saying no to seconds or getting out of bed early to exercise. It's keeping your eye on the prize - the end result that you're hoping for so you're always reminded of the reason for all sacrifice.

This week was seven days of weakened willpower and low-energy strung together - a complete mojo-free environment. Ugh. Usually, I can take one or two days like that, but this week just steam-rolled me. As you might recall, I spent the October 3rd weekend in DC. Amazing how you can be out of the office for just two days, but somehow that converts to two weeks of being behind. I was rushed and stressed, missing my usual lunch time most days, not to mention time for my walks. This frenzy continued into the evening and I got out of the habit of planning our dinner the night before, so the 6 o’clock shuffle led to many bad choices.

I didn’t journal. I wasn’t diligent about drinking water. Exercise was weak to say the least. Heck, I didn’t even take my multi-vitamin most days. You know you’re off course when you can’t manage to SWALLOW A VITAMIN!

We have to expect these weeks and know the willpower will be tested the most at these moments. All I can really do is learn from it and move on. Hope for the best on the scale today, but prepare for the reality!

I'm up 0.4 today. And I'm disappointed, but not surprised. But that is the past and as I gobble up the delicious salad before me, I'm savoring something even more delicious: it's a brand new week.

I've made a pact with myself to seek out a new source of inspiration each week, a mojo-nator of my very own.

To that end, I had planned to write today’s post based on this search and last night's outing. EQ at The Party Source hosted Pam Anderson (no, not THAT Pam Anderson) for a lecture/cooking demonstration. The was a great night, the food was fabulous (and healthy to boot!) and I was lucky enough to share it with Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit.


I want to do the post justice and share some recipes and photos, so I’m going to work on it in the week ahead and post it next Tuesday. Believe me it will be worth the wait and you might have a chance at a pretty terrific giveaway.

As this new week begins for me, one thing I definitely need to get back to is PLANNING AHEAD. As cheesy as it is if you FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL. With that in mind, here’s a Weight Watchers recipe I tried last year that brings great tastes of autumn together in a spicy stew. I love soups and stews at this time of year. This one is even better because you can use your slow-cooker which is another thing I love love love. Enjoy.

Moroccan Slow Cooker Stew

Ingredients

* 1 spray(s) cooking spray
* 1 small onion(s), chopped
* 1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
* 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1 cup(s) carrot(s), baby
* 1 cup(s) canned crushed tomatoes
* 1/2 cup(s) vegetable broth
* 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
* 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
* 1/2 tsp table salt

Coat a small skillet with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes.

Place squash in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker (crockpot). Add sauteed onion and garlic, carrots, tomatoes, broth, cinnamon, cumin and red pepper flakes. Cover and turn on to low heat; simmer for 6 hours.

Add chickpeas and salt. Stir, cover and heat for an additional 5 minutes.


Yields about 1 1/3 cups per serving. Makes approximately six servings.

Helpful hints:

Partially cooking a hard-shell squash makes it easier to peel. Pierce the gourd in several places with a fork, microwave on HIGH for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on size, and then peel.


Though delicious on its own, this cumin-scented stew can also please heartier appetites when spooned over whole wheat couscous and sprinkled with minced cilantro.


Top with plain, fat-free Greek yogurt to help cut the spice

Doug and I like this with warmed pitas too. Having grown up in households where bread as a staple of every meal, it’s weird to sit down to a stew without a lump 'o carbs. Pitas are a great alternative to the super-heavy breads we all love and you can find delicious low-fat alternatives easily.


Til next week...Happy Stewing!

2 comments:

Amazing Greis said...

You're doing a great job. Weeks like this are only normal, you'll be back on track in no time. Stay focused.

Susan said...

TELL ME ABOUT IT, girl. Fit mojo is an elusive beast, I tell you. You have to keep on him or he'll slip away.

If I have a bad day, and I make crappy food/exercise choices, I always look at the morning as a chance to do it right. One day at a time and all that jazz.

This weekend, we'll be the power of three! We can do jumping jacks and squats on our way from the hotel room to the bar. :)