Map Strategy

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday February 27, 2008

ANNETTE SYM

I HAVE done many presentations to thousands of people over the years on how to lose weight and be a healthy person.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Too many times I hear people say how they find it too hard to lose weight or that they just can't stay on them for very long.

I understand better than anyone how challenging it is, but if you don't do anything to shed those unwanted kilos, what will happen? Giving up will only cause more weight gain and health concerns.

Imagine just for a moment that you could see a picture of yourself at your ideal weight. How would you look? I bet you would be smiling from ear to ear and feeling very proud and happy.

Let's imagine right now that you are going to take the right road to success and, as with the street directory, you will need to get a map of what you want to achieve, how are you going to achieve this and how long will it take.

Like any goal setting it is good to put a time frame on to the goal, but be realistic.

Sometimes when we take our eye off the target we get sidetracked or hit a pothole, but it will only be a problem if you stop and don't continue on the journey.

Think about it what must you do to make what you desire so much a reality.

? Get a diary or journal and write down everything that you eat and how much you eat for at least two weeks.

? Clean out your cupboards and fridge so that when you are feeling hungry you won't be tempted.

? Have lots of healthy snacks and make recipes from my cookbooks so that you have food you enjoy. For example, if you are getting chocolate cravings then make one of the chocolate recipes in my books, such as the Chocolate Slice or Rich Chocolate Squares.

? Focus on the positives. Forget about what you are missing out on (eg, fish and chips and a beer on Friday night). Instead think about how good you are going look and feel if you make my low fat fish and chips and have a light beer instead.

? Don't give up. No matter how bad your day or week has been, get back on track as soon as possible and keep going. If you never give up you will eventually get where you need to be.

Annette Sym's Symply Too Good To Be True cookbooks and CD-ROM menu planner are sold in newsagencies, or visit symplytoogood.com.au.

RECIPE

CHICKEN IN PLUM SAUCE

DICE chicken and saute with garlic in

a wok or frypan coated with cooking

spray.

When nearly cooked add all

vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes

or until vegetables are cooked to

your liking.

Place stock powder, soy sauce and

plum sauce into pan then blend

cornflour with water and pour in,

stirring continuously and bring to boil.

Simmer 2 minutes.

Serve with basmati rice, pasta or

noodles.

Variation: Replace chicken with

600grams pork steaks cut into strips

or diced.

Serves 4

* 600g skinless chicken

breast

* cooking spray

* 1 teaspoon crushed garlic

(in jar)

* 1 small onion thinly sliced

* ? cup capsicum thinly sliced

* ? cup celery thinly sliced

* ? cup carrot thinly sliced

* ? cup snow peas cut in half

* 1 teaspoon reduced-salt

chicken-style stock powder)

* 1 tablespoon soy sauce

43% less salt

* ? cup spicy plum sauce

(in jar)

* 1 tablespoon cornflour

* ? cup water

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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