Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

As many of you know, I was in a walking challenge sponsored by United Healthcare. I was also in the same challenge last year when they ran one in the fall of 2012.

Yesterday was the final day of this year's challenge, so how did I do? I don't want to reveal my total steps yet until they announce the winners but I did comparable to last year. Last time around I had over a million steps in ten weeks. This year, I stepped over 800,000 steps in eight weeks. If the challenge were 10 weeks like last year's challenge, I no doubt would have the million steps again.

Elisha Bonaparte was morbidly obese and in bad shape. In fact, his diabetes landed him in the hospital as his organs were shutting down. Once in the hospital, he made a decision to live a healthier life and lose weight.

Elisha decided to join the Greater Waterbury YMCA and started his own exercise program. He's lost over 100 pounds, and the great thing is that he did it on his own, without surgery! He is now off insulin and other medications. He plans to keep at it and live a healthy life free of the debilitating illnesses he once had.

Look at how kids react when they think their Halloween candy was eaten by their parents.  Funny but sad!  Look at how we are programmed from a young age to become addicted to candy and sugar.  Look at the reactions when they think it was taken from them.  I know some adults who show the same behavior.  What do you think?  Comment below!

A while ago, I wrote about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's decision to have lap band surgery to aid him in losing weight. I thought it was time to update the story.

I'm happy to hear that Governor Christie is half way toward his goal. That being said, I still find it hard to accept any kind of surgery to lose weight. I know it's difficult to lose weight as I've been there. Being over a hundred pounds overweight can discourage anybody, but I'm living proof that you can lose weight without surgery.

I'm sure you remember the failed policy that New York Mayor Bloomberg attempted to pass earlier this year, the ban on sodas 16 oz. or larger. It's not surprising that such a policy didn't work out as people need to make better choices on their own. However, I do agree that something needs to be done about the sugary drinks as so many people are obese.

One solution might be to stop offering self service for sodas at fast food restaurants. I don't know how many times I've witnessed people refilling their large sodas at McDonald's. Not only have these people ingested what was probably a huge meal full of calories, they went and piled more sugar and calories on by having 2 or 3 servings of soda. I think the only self service machine should be for water, coffee or unsweetened iced tea.