Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

Derek Mitchell made the national news last month when he completed his first 5K race. It wouldn't have made the news except for one fact, he weighed in at 570 pounds. Derek plans to walk a 5K every month this year as he tries to lose weight. I don't have any doubt he'll reach his goals with the determination he has!

I reached out to interview him for this website as I thought his story was very inspirational. I hope to update you on his story as it develops and as he no doubt loses more weight. You can read about his journey on his Facebook page by clicking here.

I know many people give up eating healthy over the holidays. There is so much temptation with all the Christmas cookies, egg nog, etc. Plus, all the Christmas parties. I had four of them last week!

So how do you avoid weight gain over the holidays? For me, it's the goal I have of tightening my abs. I know my diet has to be clean in order to achieve this goal. I don't want to let a few days of eating bad set me back for months.

I went to see my doctor today for a scheduled appointment. He likes for me to check in every 6 months or so. The nurse went through the usual checklist of conditions, all of which I answered with "no" (diabetes, aches, pains, etc.). She checked my weight and it's in the same range.

The best part of the appointment was when the nurse took my blood pressure. About two and a half years ago, I was prehypertensive, on the verge of going on medication. As you might recall, I told my doctor I wanted to hold off on medication to see if losing weight would bring my blood pressure back to normal.

I went to a free consultation a few days ago. I wanted to find out about Smart Lipo, as I read that it is a non-invasive procedure to remove pockets of fat in troublesome areas, such as the abs. I don't really want to do any kind of procedure on my belly an would rather it tighten on it's own, but I thought it would be god to hear what the doctor said.

The doctor examined the skin around my abs and lower back. He said I barely have any fat in there and that most of what is there is skin. I would not qualify for a Smart Lipo, as the procedure takes out fat. This surprised me, as my trainer checked my abs a few weeks ago and measured the fat that remains in there.

My challenges are about half way through. You might recall that I'm in a challenge in the Torrington YMCA, doing the Fit Commitment Challenge and a stepping challenge in Bridgeport with co-workers. I walk and exercise everyday, but it's all the extra things to keep track of that are overwhelming!

The challenge in Torrington is definitely the most time consuming as it requires weekly challenges, different tasks we must do each week to receive points. This week, I've had to swim 5 laps and walk on the treadmill for a half an hour. I did the treadmill easily, but I'm not much of a swimmer so I struggled with that one; anyway, I completed the laps!