Motivation Meals and Movement
Motivation, meals and movement.
When I have these three components in my life maintaining my weight is a snap, but motivation is a continual challenge for me. When I have motivation nothing stops me. I’m invincible, I’m Wonder Woman, I’m a mover and shaker. I’m unstoppable. When I’m unmotivated procrastination takes control. Tomorrow I will eat better. Tomorrow I will get my butt off the couch and move. Tomorrow I will start yet another diet.
What I need is middle ground between hopped-up-on-caffeine enthusiasm and stuck-in-the-doldrums procrastination. One of the best things I’ve found that keeps me on track is having good healthy snacks and nutritious meals available. It’s not always easy when I’m on the go, but some standby, simple dinner recipes that I can make in 20 minutes help keep me on track.
In case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m a fan of Cooking Light magazine. I love their recipes. They’re fast, nutritious and delicious.
Check out their Super Fast Recipes:
- Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce
- 20 Minute Chicken Enchiladas
- Bacon and Cheddar Slider
- Black Bean Chili
- Apple and Onion Pork Chops
When you have a little extra time, make a double recipe and freeze one half, then on those nights you don’t have the time or energy to cook, you’ll have dinner in a jiffy. That happened to me last night. While I was scrounging around in the freezer I found dinner, and presto, 30 minutes later we had meatloaf and salad!
Rebecca Clark, author of the The Checklist Diet offers these simple exercises to do while cooking:
- Calf raises whenever you’re stirring something on the stove.
- Side leg raises while stirring/mixing away from the stove.
- Stand on one leg while washing your hands (don’t forget to switch legs).
- Arm circles while waiting for the pot to boil.
- Deep breathing while chopping vegetables (in through the nose, pause, out through the mouth)
Do you have a nutritious easy meal or an exercise to share? I would love to hear about it!