Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

It's been officially two months since I had any kind of animal products. The last time I had poultry was at the beginning of September. One thing's for sure, I haven't been missing it!

I love the energy the plant based foods provide. The common misconception among many who go to the gym is that you need a ton of protein to build muscle. This is just not the case, as many athletes have now proven.

I'm week eight of the vegan muscle building challenge. I may not get as shredded as I want after the 13 weeks, but I feel great! I still want more muscle to fill up the skin on the lower part of my arm so I'll keep going, even after the challenge ends.

This challenge not only got me to eliminate any animal products, I also have been starting to incorporate new foods in my diet.

I'm loving this challenge so far! Before doing this challenge, I thought that bodybuilders needed so much protein. I always thought protein powders were necessary for growth. And I thought I could build muscle without gaining weight.

I probably gained about 5 or 6 pounds so far, at least from the last time I checked. I know it's all muscle because the body fat stayed the same on the body fat analyzer at the gym. I'm seeing the difference and I feel stronger too. I still want to get larger triceps to fill the skin, but I am getting there!

I am still working on my pull-ups, but that challenge will coincide with a 13 week challenge that I started last week for Shred It.

Shred It is the name of Robert Cheeke's book and companion workout journal. Cheeke is a whole food, plant based body builder who proves that you can build muscle without overloading your body with protein. He's been vegan for over twenty years and the muscle he shows on his arms... many body builder would wrongly assume he's having a ton of protein. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I keep saying I don't want to do another challenge... I keep thinking I've done enough of them... Then another fitness challenge comes along and I sign up for it! I guess I have trouble turning away from fitness challenges, but I'm ready for this one!

For the fourth year in a row, I'm participating in the Bridgeport Regional Business Council steps challenge. This year, the competition is called the "Walk to Wellness Challenge". I once again signed on with most of the same team mates from last year at work. There are a lot of good competitors on my team.