BACK

It's good to be home from my trip to India. It was a really good ten days with some outstanding people. Now all I have to do is recover from the journey and the jet lag.

Looking forward to being back with my WW groups in the morning!

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Since we're back to soup weather here in New York after a brief reprieve ...

ITALIAN LENTIL SOUP

Serves 8
1 POINT per 2 Cup serving

Ingredients
2 Medium carrots sliced
1 Stalk celery sliced
1 Small onion chopped
1 Tbs oil (or PAM spray)
5 Cups water
1/2 Small head cabbage, cored and cut into 1" pieces
1 Cup dry lentils, rinsed and drained
1 Cup tomato puree
1 1/2 Tsp sugar
1 1/2 Tsp salt
1/2 Tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/4 Tsp pepper

Method
In a large saucepan, cook carrots, celery and onion in hot oil (or PAM) or about 5 minutes until crisp, tender.
Stir in water, cabbage, lentils, tomato puree, sugar, salt, oregano and pepper.
Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are very soft.
Serve and enjoy!

MAKING SMART CHOICES

I recently heard a longtime WW Lifetime member chiding a recent additon to that elite band because she said staying focused was still a battle. The expert on these things suggested her new counterpart should have got beyond that by now.

What nonsense!

In my humble opinion, of course.

Most of us are people who have had weight issues for years. We love food, we've abused it. For reasons that might make Dr.Phil blow a circuit trying to diagnose, both gastronomic delights and plain old bread have a hold on us.

The real truth is, the moment you think you're immune, beyond it, in complete control, you're likely to come crashing down on your now less padded butt.

I contend it will always be a battle. Some weeks will be easier than others, but it all comes down to making smart choices each and every day - and that's a tall order!

It's tough at times - but well, well, worth it!

THANKS BOB

I hardly believed my ears while watching The Biggest Loser tonight. The brown team had just weighed in and the younger member had registered a substantial loss.

That was when their trainer, Bob commented, "Every season we have a contestant who thinks he can lose more by eating less calories." Seems this week the team had listened to their coach instead of starving themselves and given their bodies enough fuel.

Sometimes I get weary of telling WW members to eat all their points - and the 35 flexible weekly points too, but so many of them apparently know better than me - or they think they do.

Your body needs fuel to make it work - work at burning fat. If you don't stoke the furnace nothing will happen.

But you don't have to believe me - believe Bob.

After all, he's on TV!!!

IT'S GOOD FOR YOU

Weight loss is about far more than cosmetics - not just how you look. It goes way further than that.

Losing weight can improve your health in many ways. Just losing 10% of your current weight can make a difference in the way you feel on a daily basis. Here are some other ways losing weight will benefit your health:

Increased energy level
Lower your cholesterol levels
Reduce your blood pressure
Reduced aches and pains
Improved mobility
Improve your breathing
Help you sleep better and wake more rested
Prevention of angina, chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart
Decreases your risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke
Prevention of Type 2 diabetes
Improved blood sugar levels

See what I mean?

WHY BOTHER?

+ Because life is a gift and you need to live it to the full.

+ Because you've tried and failed too often before and it's time to show yourself what you can really do.

+ Because you are special.

+ Because you like the glimpses of a slimmer, healthier you that you have seen in the past.

+ Because you want to be there for your friends, spouse, children, grandchildren and be able to have an active part in those relationships that matter.

+ Because success has a more positive impact on the inner you than even on the outward you.

+ Because nothing worth having comes without effort.

+ Because you're second to no one and absolutely worth it.

+ Because there's no way a preventable cause of death should be allowed to terminate your life prematurely.

+ Because step by step, little by little, your goal is totally reachable.

THE NEW MACHINE

I spent a bit longer on the latest addition to my gym this morning. It's really a souped-up elliptical - Precor's AMT. Check it out here -

http://precoramt100i.blogspot.com

I'm hurting!!!

CHANGING IT UP

I tried a new machine at the gym this afternoon (decided to sleep late this morning after a crazy weekend), which is a bit like a souped up elyptical - I have no idea what it's called, but it sure was hard work.

It's a good thing to change up your routine now and again, I gather - if for no other reason than to keep your workout interesting.

From the new thingy to the elyptical to the treadmill. I wasn't there as long as usual, but man, did I have a workout!

CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW FUDGE

This recipe is absolutely to die for.

Be warned, it could lead you seriously off track.

POINTS® Value: 2

Servings: 36

Preparation Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 5 min

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Sure, you can buy a box of store-bought chocolates or you can make your own rich fudge at home without any fancy candy-making equipment.

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 2/3 cup(s) sugar
2/3 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
2 tbsp reduced-calorie margarine
12 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
14 large marshmallow(s)

Instructions
Coat an 8- X 8-inch pan with cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, evaporated milk and margarine; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes.
Stir in chocolate and marshmallows; remove pan from heat and stir until smooth.
Pour mixture into prepared pan and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into thirty-six 1 1/3-inch squares and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Notes
Store fudge in refrigerator. Or freeze for a firmer consistency.