I have a confession to make. I turn 40 this year. Although I am small and in fairly good shape, I have really let myself slip from my normal athleticism. Life gets busy, tiring and difficult; I guess I just have not felt the motivation in the last year to be in top physical condition – other things have gotten in the way.
Well, it is a new year but I shudder at the thought of joining millions of others with resolutions that don’t seem to last past February. So I had to make this about turning 40; that way I will make it past February at least, for my birthday is in March! Don’t laugh but my goal is to look like Jillian Michaels by my 40th birthday. You may be thinking good luck with that but I was there once and it wasn’t when I was 18, it was 5 years ago. So just call me Leigh-Jillian now that I have written it down and placed it in this newspaper, I am holding myself to it!
You may think I am vain, and certainly I struggle with vanity like any good woman does but my physical condition is about much more. I was listening to a “Biggest Loser” contestant last night (I am taking the Jillian thing to the extreme!) and he spoke of how losing all the weight allowed him to begin to become the person he was meant to be.
What a true statement – we are held back in this world by so many things, obesity is only one of the problems people face. The world gets the best of us much of the time. But God has another plan for us but (and here is an important little detail) we have to do OUR part. As hard as it can seem sometimes, we just have to begin the process and then He will step in and guide us. It is the deciding to do something that is the hardest part, once we start something we usually wonder why we didn’t do the thing so long ago!
No need to beat ourselves up though, it’s just the way we are! WE STRUGGLE! I think it is one of the things that make us so beautiful, if you watch those Biggest Loser contestants or any person losing weight or kicking a bad habit or turning their life around – it is their failures that make them so determined and passionate, it is from whence they come that makes them know where they are to go. The struggle they once faced really makes all the difference in the world for who they become. So don’t give up, we are all worth it to God and that means everything!
I will keep you updated on my Jillian progress. I know I sound silly picking another person’s physique as my goal but I have to have specifics, my goals cannot be vague, this may work for you too. Make a plan and hold yourself to it. Find a friend to go along the way with you too, we are meant to go in pairs.
This is one of Jillian’s recipes; I get a newsletter from her now, ahaha! I am also very sore from her workout on the Wii. Once I set my mind to something I tend to jump into it full force!
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound mahi mahi, rinsed and patted dry, cut into bite- size chunks
1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon chopped red onion, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon seeded, chopped fresh red chile
2 teaspoons virgin coconut oil
4 (8- inch) whole-wheat tortillas
1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
-In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, 2 tablespoons of the orange juice, the garlic, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
-Add the fish and gently stir to coat.
-Let stand for at least 10 minutes, or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.
-In the meantime, in a medium bowl, combine the mango, onion, cilantro, chile, and remaining 1 tablespoon each lime and orange juice. Stir gently until well combined.
-Set aside in the refrigerator if you are marinating the fish longer than a few minutes. Let stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.
-In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the fish and its marinade and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning frequently, until the fish is opaque.
-While the fish cooks, wrap the tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on high power for 30 seconds.
-Gently fold the avocado into the mango mixture.
-Divide the fish evenly among the tortillas. Divide the mango mixture among the tacos, spooning it on top of the fish. Serve with lime wedges.
Calories: 405.2 kcal
Fat: 13.9 g
Protein: 26.8 g
Carbohydrates: 43.9 g
Sodium: 409.2 mg