Slow and Steady Wins The Race

I woke up this morning hoping that the baby weight would have magically disappeared overnight. Instead, the extra pounds and loose skin were all too visible bringing me back to reality. I could feel the spirit being sucked out of me and a tear began to trickle down my cheek. I thought to myself, "why is my body not changing when I have been busting my butt with daily workouts for 2 weeks and cleaning up my diet? It always worked before.". After a few minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to measure myself. To my delight, I had lost a few inches and 1% body fat.

Then, the story about the tortoise and the hare came into my mind. Remember that one from your childhood? During the big race, the hare boasts about how fast he is, taunting the turtle time and time again. The turtle slowly creeps along making his way closer and closer to the finish line. In the end, the overconfident hare falls asleep and the slow & steady tortoise passes him to eventually win the race.

The message here, which I have to constantly remind myself, is "slow and steady wins the race". The same can be said when meeting the challenge of weight loss and fitness. Muscles don't grow noticeably larger overnight and inches of fat are not magically melted away. After all, you probably did not gain those unwanted pounds or inches overnight. I know I didn't.

If you stay consistent and stick with it, imagine how amazing it is going to feel in 4, 8 or 12 weeks from now.

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Crusted Parmesan-Herb Zucchini Bites

Ingredients

• 4 medium, fresh zucchini, sliced in half
• 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh rosemary & thyme, minced
• smidge of olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 350F, lightly brush both sizes of the zucchini with olive oil and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Mix cheese and herbs together in a small bowl and sprinkle over the zucchini along with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 15 minutes and place under the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes until cheese is crispy and browned.

Recipe by Elle, registered dietitian and writer for nutrionella.com

http://nutritionella.com/2013/06/crusty-parmesan-herb-zucchini-bites/