Are you wired to relapse?

February is the month many people revert to their pre-New Year’s resolution habits. Have you given up on your fitness goals? “If you are looking for an excuse to fall off the wagon, the universe will provide one.” That was the lesson Oprah Winfrey shared in her recent confession about her ongoing struggle with weight. Oprah knows how it feels to fall off the fitness wagon. In the January issue of “O, The Oprah Magazine,” she described her recent 40-pound weight gain. Her testimony was filled with valuable insights for anyone prone to relapse. There was a cycle I found in her story – one that exposes the process of falling off the wagon.

1. You fall: Your fall off the wagon could take place in a single moment, or it could be the result of a drawn out process. Oprah described her fall as one that happened slowly as a result of health problems. These health problems became her reason for not exercising. Illness, vacation, holidays, changes at work or any other change in your schedule may get you off the wagon. Once you’re off, the real damage begins.
2. You surrender: There comes a point after you fall off the wagon that you simply throw your hands up in the air and give in. For Oprah, this was a dramatic moment. “I started eating whatever I wanted – and that’s never good. My drug of choice is food. I use food for the same reasons an addict uses drugs: to comfort, to soothe, to ease stress,” she wrote. This is the most destructive part of the cycle. You remove all expectations from yourself, and, as a result, you plummet into an unhealthy realm. The progress you’ve made toward your goals is lost, and even more weight is gained.
3. You hit bottom: Inevitably there comes the moment when you hit bottom. Your body shows the new weight gain and you feel awful about it. For Oprah it was a sobering moment. “I felt completely defeated. I thought, ‘I give up. I give up. Fat wins,'” she wrote. She went so far as to confide, “I felt like a fat cow. I wanted to disappear.” While hitting bottom is never a fun experience, it is a necessary one. The pain must become great enough for you to turn it around and take the control back.
4. You take control: Now comes the good part. When you hit bottom you were out of control, now you’re ready to once again grab the reigns.

Oprah said, “These days I’ve put myself back on my own priority list.” She plans to get an hour of exercise five or six days a week, as well as eating healthfully and reordering her life to include time to replenish her energy. Her new goal is to be strong and healthy and fit. Have you fallen off your priority list like Oprah fell off hers? The time has come to put you back on that priority list. The time has come to decide that you are worth it.RECIPE OF THE MONTHHealthy Chicken FajitasThis recipe is a wonderful option for a weekday dinner – it’s healthy, delicious and ready in 20 minutes. Serve with low fat toppings like salsa, chopped tomatoes, fat free sour cream or hot sauce.Servings: 4Here’s what you need…1 teaspoon Chile powder1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon onion powder1 tablespoon cornstarch1/4 cup water4 uncooked chicken breasts (4 ounces each)1/2 green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips1 medium onion, sliced1 tablespoon olive oil2 tablespoons lime juiceLime wedges for servingIn a re-sealable bag, combine Chile powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cornstarch and water. Add chicken, bell peppers and onion; gently knead to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Heat the oil in a skillet, empty the contents of the bag into the skillet, and cook over high heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables are tender crisp, and the chicken is cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Transfer to serving dish and enjoy with lime wedges.Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 160 calories, 5g fat, 5g carbohydrate, 1g fiber and 24g protein.www.perfectfitwc.com