Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

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.

Pomegranates are in season and they are once again in abundance at most grocery stores. I had a tough time finding them last spring, but it's nice to see them in so many stores again.

I've written about pomegranates before. I thought they were worth mentioning again as this fruit really is a super food.

Wow. That's all I have to say. Look at this before picture! I can't believe I was this heavy less than two years ago.

When I look at this picture, it makes me wonder what's going through my mind. This was taken in a restaurant, although I can't make out which one. I can only imagine the kind of food I ordered then.

The United Healthcare Walk-A-Thon began four weeks ago. So far, I have walked nearly 400,000 steps in four weeks. Last year, I had over a million steps, but this was for a ten week challenge. The challenge I'm currently in is for eight weeks.

I figure my steps are now at approximately 5,720,000 since April of 2012, during the first challenge I was in at the YMCA. As many of you know, I only missed one day of 10,000 steps, when I was too sick one day. That means I've walked almost every day, a minimum of 10,000 steps, for about 18 months.